K-911 Dog Training Information

This is a work in progress.

Agility course: A set of jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles for a dog to maneuver.  Used in the sport of dog agility and in police and protection dog training.

Bite sleeve: A heavy protective sleeve worn by the agitator during protection training.  The dog is trained to target the bite sleeve. Being allowed to bite the sleeve is a powerful reward for a protection-trained dog.

Motivational training: Training using positive reinforcements such as treats and toys to motivate the dog to perform, as opposed to punishing incorrect behavior.

Compulsion: Using force to make a dog comply with commands.

Crate: A small cage used to transport dogs, also commonly used in house training.

Agitator: In police and protection training, the agitator is the object of aggression; the person the dog learns to bite.  The agitator is typically the dog’s primary trainer.  

Reinforcement: A reward, typically in the form of a food treat.  Toys and praise are also commonly used reinforcements.

Recall: The “come” command/exercise.

Call off: Ordering a police service dog, protection dog, or sport dog to release the bite and return to the handler.  May also be used to order the dog to abort the attack and return to the handler before biting, or while doing a bark and hold.

Cue: The cue to perform a behavior, also known as a command.

Bark and hold:

Fear aggression:

Predatory aggression:

Dominance aggression:

Defensive aggression:

Submissive urination: A highly timid or submissive dog will often urinate while greeting someone.  This is a vestige of pack behavior and does not automatically mean a dog has been abused nor that it is terrified.  Puppies are most prone to submissive urination when excited and insecure.  Puppies are likely to grow out of this behavior.  Submissive urination in adult dogs is treated by increasing the dog’s confidence level.  Never punish a dog for submissive urination; punishment is counterproductive and will make the problem worse.

Command: An instruction to the dog to perform a certain behavior, such as lying down.

Conditioned reinforcer:

Hand signal:

Clicker:

Operant conditioning:

Classical conditioning:

Target: A movable object the dog is trained to go to and touch, sit on, or stand on.

Target stick: A lightweight, handheld stick.  The dog is trained to follow and touch the end of the stick with its nose.  The target stick can then be used to lead and position the dog for various exercises.

Mark: A target

Exercise:

Scent article: An object, usually leather or metal, used to retain a person’s scent for use in tracking and scenting exercises.

Correction: Euphamisim for (usually mild) punishment.  Used when a dog fails to follow a command or doesn’t perform an exercise correctly, or to “correct” misbehavior.

Tracking harness: A harness designed to be comfortable for the dog to pull on, used in tracking training and competition.  Tracking harnesses typically have a broad, padded chest plate.

Agitation collar:  A broad (typically 2″), heavy-duty collar used in protection and police service dog training. It is designed to be comfortable and safe for the dog to hurl its full body weight against the collar.

Agitation harness: A harness with a similar purpose to the agitation collar.

Bark collar: An electronic collar used to control barking.  Bark collars detect barking and issue citronella spray, high-pitched ultrasonic noise, or electric shock automatically to control barking.

Long line: A long (usually 15-40′) leash or rope used to simulate the freedom of being off leash while keeping a measure of control during training.

Choke chain:  A metal chain collar which tightens around the dog’s neck when pulled. While easily the most recognizable piece of training equipment, choke chains have limited utility for the modern dog trainer.  Old-fashioned training methods used a quick jerk and release of the choke chain to punish inappropriate behavior.  However, these methods required instruction to learn properly and have been outmoded by more effective and humane training methods and tools.  Pet owners often purchase choke chains to stop their dogs from pulling on leash, but the mere use of a choke collar will not stop a dog from pulling.  They quickly build a tolerance for pulling on the chain and will often do so nearly to the point of choking.  Choke collars can also damage a dog’s trachea.

Pinch collar or prong collar: A metal training collar comprised of links with blunt prongs which contact the dog’s neck at intervals.  The collar causes no discomfort unless pressure is applied.  Pinch collars look like a torture device and can be cruel if used improperly.  However, there are valid reasons to use pinch collars within the context of a humane training program, and used properly can be invaluable in many situations including controlling a dog who pulls strongly on the leash.

Headcollar: A halter that fits on the dog’s head, just like a halter on a horse.  Headcollars offer excellent control of the dog’s head and are often used as a tool to control pulling on leash and as an aid to managing aggression problems.  Gentle Leader and Halti are the two best-known headcollar brands.

Lead: Leash.

Kong:  A firm rubber dog toy shaped like the top portion of a soft-serve ice cream cone.  There is a hole through the core of a Kong which can be stuffed with dog biscuits, peanut butter, and other food items.