Dog Behavior Glossary

Aggressiveness: behavior problem which occurs most of the time (60%) between two and three years of age. It is characterized by shows of fear and anxiety.

Alpha Dog: a title bestowed upon the most dominant dog in the pack. Certain privileges accompany this title, such as having first pick of food, female, and resting place.

Canine Education: learning process which consists in transmitting proper obedience behavior by way of commands.

Chasing: erroneous behavior in which the dog pursues animals, motor vehicles or people with aggressive intent.

Citronella: substance which is used in soft spray form in the Spray Commander device. It corrects canine (or feline) erroneous behavior patterns in a humane way.

Cleanliness: one of the most important elements of canine education, which consists in urinating and defecating in areas deemed “acceptable” in the master’s eyes.

Clicker : reinforcement device, which emits a clicking sound, used to alert the dog that his behavior is good.

Compulsive-Obsessive Behavior: problem which can results from a severe lack of stimulation after prolonger isolatin.

Consolidation: systematic reinforcement of learning patterns which lead to the mastery of the target behavior.

Coprophagia: behavior disorder whereby the dog eats his own excrement, either because of boredom, a feeding disorder, or avoidance following severe correction.

Correction: consequence resulting from a dog’s unacceptable behavior. The citronella spray (short or long) is the best correction tool (see manual).

Counter-Conditioning: a canine behavior modification technique used in a problem situation. It consists in associating one or more stimuli which trigger erroneous behavior in order to redirect the dog towards appropriate behavior.

Desensitization: technique which consists in involving the dog in a problem situation; the intensity is increased gradually, until the animal’s perception of the problem changes.

Destruction: canine (or feline) behavior which can emanates from separation anxiety; the animal chews on furniture, digs in flatbeds or interior plants, or sharpens his claws on various surfaces.

Disobedience: refusal to comply to the master’s commands.

Disruptive Stimulus: surprise element necessary for the modification of canine (or feline) behavior. This type of stimulus aims at breaking the usual sequence of actions which lead to an acceptable behavior.

Dominant Dog: a dog that displays identifiable dominant behavior from birth, such as staring at his master, blocking access to a room, etc.

Ethologist: a professional specialized in the study of animal behavior, as well as it relationship with the environment.

Generalization: technique which consists in exposing the dog to a variety of situations or contexts or contexts so as to consolidate solid learning habits through commands.

Hierarchy (place within the family): a situation where the dog recognizes his social function within the “human pack” (the best way to accomplish this is through commands).

Indicators for Good / Bad Behavior : a word and/or gesture that illustrate the master’s approval for good behavior (SR “SOUND + GOOD!”), or his discontent concerning erroneous behavior. (VW “HEY!”).

Latent: that which lays dormant in the animal’s unconscious, such as a behavior, a distinctive family trait, etc.

Long Spray: to be used when the VW (verbal warning) and the short spray are inefficient. (button no 3 on the remote control).

Lure: edible object (dog chow, dried liver, etc) used to entice the dog to perform a specific command.

Marking: animal behavior which consists in urination at certain specific areas with the intent of establishing territorial limits.

Pack: a group of animals (canine) which comprise a dominant member (“alpha dog”) and underlings (submissive dogs). In this guide, the “pack” is a domesticated version – the family.

Pack Leader: a member of the pack that distinguishes himself from the rest with his leadership, his physical condition and his dominant character. In nature, such an animal is referred to as “alpha dog”, whereas in a domestic environment such as a home, the master assumes this role.

Predatory Instinct: innate behavior in dogs which manifests itself by the pursuit and capture of “prey”.

Primary Reinforcement: positive gesture which immediately follows good behavior in reaction to a command (food, affection, praise).

Redirection: significant change in the dog’s behavior, following the introduction of an unknown stimulus in order to distract him.

Re-Education: process which consists in tackling erroneous behavior patterns and redirecting them with precise commands.

Remote Control: component of the Spray Commander® device, hand held, used for giving the “positive sound” reinforcement, or a correction (short long spray).

Reward: object, edible or not, that the dog is given during his obedience training, in order to encourage the dog do deliver a performance conform to a precise command.

Running Away: erroneous behavior whereby the dog escapes from his territory for various reasons (sex drive, predatory instinct, etc).

Secondary Reinforcement (SR): gesture of approval on the master’s part following a well-executed command. It is done by activation the “positive sound” feature on the Spray Commander remote control, and then giving the verbal reinforcement “GOOD!”.

Separation Anxiety: feeling of abandonment the dog feels every time the master leaves the house. It is characterized by barking, destruction of objects, or defecation.

Short Spray: correction tool which immediately follows the VW (verbal warning). It is identified as button no 2 on the remote control of the Spray Commander device.

Socialization: context in which the dog entertains healthy contacts with his peers (brothers and sisters, or members of his pack, canine or human).

Submissive Dog: a dog that accepts the authority of another dog, or a master. He displays submissive behavior such as urinating, lowering his head and ears, and backing away when someone tries to touch him.

Successive Approximation: repetitive reinforcement of a specific behavior pattern in order to come as close as possible to the target behavior.

Territory: area defined by the limits which indicate where the dog can go.

Tricks: sophisticated actions (such as “Roll Over” and “Jump” that a dog can learn after he has mastered the ten basic commands.

Verbal Warning (VW): short term (HEY!) used to show the dog that his behavior is incorrect.

Vocalization: vocal sound which identify each animal. Where the dog is concerned, barking, crying, whining, mounting; for the cat, meowing, purring, low-intensity growling, etc. Excessive vocalization may indicate stimulation from an outside source, or a medical problem.