Terminology

Arousal: A measure of an extremely excited emotional state often caused by something in the environment.

Check-in Vs. Recall: A Check-in is when the dog looks to their handler. A Recall is when the dog is cued to return to the handler.

Cue: A signal given - often a word or hand gesture - asking the dog to respond with a specific, previously trained behavior.

Decompression: Engaging in an activity that releases mental stress, improving overall mood.

Enrichment: An engaging activity that provides happiness and improves overall quality of life.

Fear Period: A period of time when a puppy or adolescent begins to show fearful behavior, especially to things they were not previously afraid of.

Long Line: An extra long leash with or without a handle, often made of cotton, rope, or biothane. They generally range 10-50’ but can be even longer!

Muzzle: A management tool that prevents a dog from using their mouth and teeth inappropriately.

Prey Drive: A temperament trait, or set of traits, that determines a dog’s desire to seek, chase, and catch small prey animals.

Puppy Blues: An emotional state of depression, anxiety, and/or overwhelm that often occurs after bringing home a new puppy.

Remedial Socialization: The ongoing process of learning social skills beyond the early socialization window.

Reputable: A rescue group or breeder who is responsible, reliable, and respectable - following best practices in all areas.

Sniffari: An enrichment activity where your dog is taken on a walk and given the opportunity to sniff to their heart’s content.

Socialization: The practice of exposing an individual to a variety of different sights, sounds, smells, surfaces, and social contexts without forcing interaction.

Socialization Window: The period from about 3-16 weeks when socialization and exposure will have the largest impact.

Social Learning: Learning new skills through socialization by observing and mimicking others.

Temperament: Temperament is determined by the individual’s genetic and biological nature, independent of learning and experiences.

Sports
Flyball: A sport where two teams of four dogs race. The lanes include hurdles, a spring loaded “box,” and a tennis ball that’s carried back across the finish line.