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75 definitions available
Drag Leash
A lightweight leash left attached to a dog during active supervision so the handler can calmly guide or redirect the dog without chasing or grabbing the collar.
Prey Drive
The instinctive motivation to chase, pursue, grab, or capture moving objects, animals, or stimuli. It is a natural behaviour, not a personality flaw.
Reinforcement
Anything that makes a behaviour more likely to happen again. Reinforcement is defined by its effect on behaviour, not by what the trainer thinks should be rewarding.
Threshold
The point at which a dog's emotional or physiological response becomes too intense for learning or calm behaviour. A dog 'over threshold' is unable to think clearly or respond to cues.
Reactivity
An intense response to a specific trigger that is disproportionate to the situation. Reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, or over-arousal — not aggression.
Service Dog
A dog individually trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a handler's disability. Service dogs have legal access rights in many jurisdictions, but definitions vary by region.
Socialization
The process of introducing a dog to experiences, environments, stimuli, and beings in a way that builds confidence and neutrality. The Academy prefers 'environmental exposure' when describing thoughtful experiences without forced interaction.
Environmental Exposure
The Academy's preferred term for thoughtful, gradual introduction to environments, stimuli, and experiences — without forced interaction or flooding.
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Confidence & Exposure
Professional Terms
Commonly Confused
Terms that are easy to mix up
Some terms sound similar but mean different things. These distinctions matter for clear communication and informed decisions. None are merged into a single definition.
Reward vs Reinforcement
A reward is something given. Reinforcement is defined by whether it actually increases the behaviour.
Positive vs Negative
In training, positive means adding and negative means removing — not morally good or bad.
Reactivity vs Aggression
Reactivity is an over-response, often fear-based. Aggression involves intent to threaten, create distance, or harm.
Socialization vs Exposure
The Academy prefers 'exposure' for thoughtful experiences without forced interaction.
Long Line vs Tracking Line
A long line is versatile for distance work. A tracking line is specialized for scent work with different drag characteristics.
Drag Leash vs Long Line
A drag leash is shorter and used indoors for supervised management. A long line is longer and used outdoors.
Service Dog vs Therapy Dog
A service dog is task-trained for a handler's disability. A therapy dog provides comfort to others in structured visits.
Working Line vs Show Line
Working lines are selected for functional traits. Show lines are selected for conformation to a breed standard.
Calm vs Shutdown
Calm is a relaxed, regulated state. Shutdown is an inhibited, stress-related state that looks still but is not calm.
Confidence vs Fearlessness
Confidence is the ability to recover and adapt. Fearlessness implies absence of fear, which is different.
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Prey Drive
The instinctive motivation to chase, pursue, grab, or capture moving objects, animals, or stimuli. It is a natural behaviour, not a personality flaw.
Behaviour Terms
Reinforcement
Anything that makes a behaviour more likely to happen again. Reinforcement is defined by its effect on behaviour, not by what the trainer thinks should be rewarding.
Training Terms
Threshold
The point at which a dog's emotional or physiological response becomes too intense for learning or calm behaviour. A dog 'over threshold' is unable to think clearly or respond to cues.
Behaviour Terms
Reactivity
An intense response to a specific trigger that is disproportionate to the situation. Reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, or over-arousal — not aggression.
Behaviour Terms
Drag Leash
A lightweight leash left attached to a dog during active supervision so the handler can calmly guide or redirect the dog without chasing or grabbing the collar.
Gear Terms
Service Dog
A dog individually trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate a handler's disability. Service dogs have legal access rights in many jurisdictions, but definitions vary by region.
Working-Dog Terms
Recently Added
Environmental Exposure
The Academy's preferred term for thoughtful, gradual introduction to environments, stimuli, and experiences — without forced interaction or flooding.
Confidence & Exposure
Resource Guarding
Behaviour where a dog protects items they value — food, toys, spaces, or other resources — through body language, vocalization, or aggression. It is a natural behaviour, not a personality flaw.
Behaviour Terms
Commonly Confused
Reward vs Reinforcement
A reward is something given. Reinforcement is defined by whether it actually increases the behaviour.
Positive vs Negative
In training, positive means adding and negative means removing — not morally good or bad.
Reactivity vs Aggression
Reactivity is an over-response, often fear-based. Aggression involves intent to threaten, create distance, or harm.
Socialization vs Exposure
The Academy prefers 'exposure' for thoughtful experiences without forced interaction.
Long Line vs Tracking Line
A long line is versatile for distance work. A tracking line is specialized for scent work with different drag characteristics.
Drag Leash vs Long Line
A drag leash is shorter and used indoors for supervised management. A long line is longer and used outdoors.
Service Dog vs Therapy Dog
A service dog is task-trained for a handler's disability. A therapy dog provides comfort to others in structured visits.
Working Line vs Show Line
Working lines are selected for functional traits. Show lines are selected for conformation to a breed standard.
Calm vs Shutdown
Calm is a relaxed, regulated state. Shutdown is an inhibited, stress-related state that looks still but is not calm.
Confidence vs Fearlessness
Confidence is the ability to recover and adapt. Fearlessness implies absence of fear, which is different.