Abc's Of Positive Training. Miriam Fields-Babineau

positive reinforcement for more than just the basic commands. Use this method to house-train your dog as well as to prevent and/or cure common behavior problems, including jumping up, rummaging in the trash, mouthing and chewing, excessive barking, rushing the door and stealing food or other items.

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      Let’s begin by spelling out the terminology commonly used by dog trainers who subscribe to the popular positive-training technique. Positive training is as simple as praising your dog for good behavior–it’s as simple as telling him “Yes, Good dog!” and now it’s as simple as A-B-C!

       ACTIVE SUBMISSION

      The dog gives up his leadership role by lying down in a submissive position. He can be lying on his stomach, back or side. His tail is wagging slow and low, and he might be licking his lips, blinking his eyes and holding his ears down. The dog tries to make himself look smaller and less threatening.

       ALLEY-OOP

      A target training tool designed by Gary Wilkes. It has a circular non-tip base, a cylindrical post about a foot long and a round ball on top of the post. It can be placed on most any surface and remain standing upright, making it a great tool for distance targeting.

       AVOIDANCE

      Trying to keep away from something.

       BAITING

      Food or a toy used near the dog’s muzzle to attain and maintain the dog’s attention.

       BEHAVIOR

      Anything the dog does is a behavior. Examples: Sit, down, come to you, lick his lips, get into the trash can, jump up.

       BEHAVIOR CHAIN

      A group of behaviors. Examples: Heel and sit, down and stay, sit and stay then come.

       BEHAVIOR SHAPING

      Building on the knowledge of a known behavior to turn it into a new behavior. Example: The dog knows how to sit and you wish to teach him to stay. Each time the dog remains sitting in the same spot for a few seconds longer, his behavior is being shaped to learn how to stay.

       BRIDGE

      The point between the dog’s responding to a stimulus and receiving his reward.

       BRIDGING SIGNAL

      Examples: The sound of a click, a squeaky toy or the words “Good” or “Yes” in a happy tone of voice, signifying that a reward is coming.

       CAPTURING

      The moment that the dog has performed a behavior you were seeking, the dog is bridged. This captures the moment that he has done something you wanted him to do. As he has learned that the bridging signal means a reward, he’ll seek to repeat the behavior and obtain more rewards.

       CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

      A stimulus that automatically elicits an uncontrollable response. Example: Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate when they heard a ringing bell by always feeding the dogs upon the sound of the bell.

       CLICKER

      A small box, either oval or rectangular in shape. The rectangular box has a piece of metal that, when pressed, makes a clicking noise upon release. The oval type of box has a button that presses upon a piece of metal, making a similar clicking noise upon release.

       CONDITIONED RESPONSE

      A taught response to specific stimuli.

       CONSISTENCY

      Doing the same thing every time, regardless of the situation.

       CRITERIA

      The rules and/or conditions you set that must be met prior to a reward.

       DISTANCE TARGETING

      Setting up something away from you that you wish the dog to go touch.

       DISTRACTION

      Anything that takes the dog’s mind off of you. Examples: Toys, food, people, dogs, other animals, traffic, loud noises.

       DOMINANT

      In charge. Number one. The boss.

       ELECTRONIC COLLAR/ELECTRONIC STIMULATION COLLAR/E-COLLAR

      A collar that will elicit an uncomfortable sensation when triggered either by the vibration of the dog’s voice box or the use of a remote-control device.

       ESCAPE

      Trying to avoid a stimulus. Example: A dog that has learned that a certain object can bring either great pain or anxiety will remain away from that object.

       EXTINCTION/EXTINGUISH

      To get rid of a behavior.

       FIXED INTERVAL

      A fixed amount of time after which a reward will be given.

       FIXED RATIO

      A specific amount of correct responses after which a reward will be given.

       FORCE-TRAINED

      The dog’s being pulled or otherwise made to perform without being given a chance to make the correct choice.

       HEAD HALTER

      A training tool worn on the dog’s head, much like a horse’s halter (not a bridle, for there is no bit). The tool is made to apply pressure to the top of the dog’s nose and guide the head. The body follows the head, thereby reducing the dog’s “pulling” power and quickly teaching him to pay attention in a manner that is understood by the dog.

       INSTINCTIVE/INSTINCTUAL BEHAVIOR

      A behavior that comes naturally.

       LEARNED RESPONSE

      A behavior that occurs upon presentation of a specific stimulus. Example: You give the command to sit. Your dog sits. He has learned to respond to the stimulus of your command.

       LURING

      Using food or a toy to move your dog into a desired position or to elicit a specific behavior.