An A-Z guide to dog training and behaviour jargon that all new dog-parents should know!

Dog training is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it can sometimes feel like learning a whole new language. Terms like “positive reinforcement,” “thresholds,” and “counterconditioning” can sound intimidating at first, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the jargon.

Understanding these terms, however, is the key to building a strong bond with your dog. It helps you see the world through their eyes, communicate clearly, and choose the right training techniques for your dog’s individual needs. Whether you’re teaching basic cues, working on reactivity, or simply trying to understand your dog’s behaviour, having a clear grasp of the language of training will make the process smoother for both of you.

This A-Z guide is designed to demystify dog training and behaviour jargon. Each term is explained in simple, practical terms, with examples to show how they apply to real-life situations. Whether you’re a new dog owner or just looking to brush up on your knowledge, this guide will help you feel more confident and informed every step of the way.

Let’s dive in…

Adolescent phase

A developmental stage in dogs (usually 6–18 months old) where they test boundaries and may “forget” previously learned behaviours.
Example: A dog who previously had a perfect recall might suddenly start ignoring you when called because they’re more interested in exploring their environment.

Anticipation

When a dog predicts what’s about to happen based on a cue or routine and responds before being asked.
Example: If you reach for your lead and your dog starts sitting without being asked because they’ve learned sitting gets them their walk.

Bite inhibition

Teaching your dog to control the force of their bite, usually during puppyhood.
Example: Puppies learn bite inhibition by playing with littermates—if they bite too hard, play stops, teaching them to be gentler.

Body language

The non-verbal cues dogs use to communicate their emotional state. This includes tail position, ear placement, body posture, and facial expressions.
Example: A dog licking their lips, yawning, and turning their head away might be feeling anxious or stressed.

Boundary training

Teaching your dog to stay in a specific area, such as on a bed or in a designated part of the house.
Example: Asking your dog to stay on their bed while guests arrive is a form of boundary training.

Calming signals

Subtle behaviours dogs use to diffuse tension and avoid conflict.
Example: A dog might sniff the ground, yawn, or turn away from another dog to signal they mean no harm.

Classical conditioning

Learning through associations, where one thing predicts another.
Example: If your dog hears a doorbell and gets excited because it usually means a visitor (and possibly attention), that’s classical conditioning.

Conditioned reinforcer

Something your dog learns to find rewarding because it’s paired with a primary reward.
Example: A clicker is a conditioned reinforcer because it’s paired with treats, which dogs naturally value.

Cue

A signal—like a word, hand movement, or sound—that tells your dog to perform a specific behaviour.
Example: “Sit” is a cue for your dog to place their bottom on the ground. Consistency is key: use the same cue each time to avoid confusion.

Default behaviour

A behaviour your dog automatically offers in certain situations without being asked.
Example: Teaching your dog to sit whenever they greet someone is an example of a default behaviour. It prevents jumping and sets polite boundaries.

Displacement behaviour

Actions a dog does when they’re unsure, stressed, or trying to avoid conflict.
Example: A dog might start scratching, sniffing, or shaking off when they feel overwhelmed or uncertain about a situation.

Drive

Your dog’s natural motivation or energy for certain activities, like chasing, herding, or retrieving.
Example: A Border Collie has a high herding drive, while a Labrador might have a strong retrieving drive.

Engagement

When your dog is focused on you during training or walks. It’s a critical foundation for successful training.
Example: A dog offering eye contact or checking in with you regularly during a walk is showing good engagement.

Fading

Gradually reducing the use of treats, lures, or hand signals so the dog performs the behaviour reliably with just the verbal cue.
Example: Once your dog has mastered “sit” with a treat lure, you fade the lure by using an empty hand and eventually just the verbal cue.

Focus work

Exercises designed to teach your dog to pay attention to you, even in distracting environments.
Example: Practising “watch me” (making eye contact on cue) helps improve your dog’s focus during walks or training.

Frustration behaviours

Actions your dog might do when they’re feeling frustrated or unsure, like barking, whining, or pulling on the lead.
Example: A dog that can’t reach another dog to play might bark or lunge out of frustration.

Frustration tolerance

A dog’s ability to stay calm when they don’t immediately get what they want.
Example: Teaching your dog to stay calm while waiting for their food bowl builds their frustration tolerance.

Generalisation (expanded)

Helping dogs learn to respond to a cue in new environments or with new distractions.
Example: A dog who sits perfectly in your living room might struggle to do the same in a busy park because they haven’t generalised the behaviour.

Latency

The time it takes for your dog to respond to a cue.
Example: If you say “sit” and your dog takes five seconds to sit, the latency is five seconds. Training helps reduce latency over time.

Learned helplessness

A state where a dog gives up trying because they’ve learned their actions have no effect. This often results from harsh or aversive training methods.
Example: A dog subjected to repeated punishment for barking might stop barking altogether, even in situations where barking would be appropriate, like alerting you to danger.

Long line

A long lead, usually 5–15 metres, used to give dogs more freedom while still maintaining control.
Example: Long lines are great for teaching recall, allowing your dog to explore safely while you practise calling them back.

Lure

Using a treat, toy, or another object to guide your dog into a specific position or behaviour.
Example: To teach “sit,” you hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly move it over their head. As they follow the treat, they naturally sit, and you reward them.

Mouthing

When a dog uses their mouth to explore or interact with you, often seen in puppies.
Example: Puppies often mouth hands during play. Teaching them what’s appropriate, such as chewing a toy instead, helps prevent accidental nipping.

Offered behaviour

A behaviour your dog performs voluntarily without being cued, often to earn a reward.
Example: If you reward your dog every time they lie down, they may start offering the behaviour more frequently.

Overstimulation

When a dog becomes too excited or overwhelmed to think clearly or focus.
Example: A dog might bark, jump, or spin in circles when exposed to too much excitement, like a group of dogs running at the park.

Overtraining

When a dog becomes tired or frustrated due to long or overly complex training sessions.
Example: A puppy that becomes distracted or starts biting during a long session might be overtrained and need a break.

Pacing

Breaking a behaviour into smaller, manageable steps to ensure your dog succeeds at each stage.
Example: When teaching recall, start by calling your dog in a quiet environment before progressing to more distracting settings like the park.

Precursor signals

Early signs that your dog might react to a trigger, giving you time to redirect or manage the situation.
Example: A dog staring intensely at another dog, freezing, or closing their mouth might be a precursor to barking or lunging.

Puppy blues

A term for the feelings of overwhelm, stress, or frustration that new dog owners sometimes experience, especially during the first few months with a puppy.
Example: Feeling exhausted from sleepless nights, constant supervision, and house training is a common experience for new puppy owners.

Redirecting

Guiding your dog’s focus away from something unwanted toward something more constructive.
Example: If your dog starts barking at the window, redirect them to their bed with a chew toy or ask for a “sit.”

Reinforcer hierarchy

A ranking of rewards based on how much your dog values them.
Example: A dog might find cheese more rewarding than kibble, so you’d use cheese for high-distraction situations and kibble for simpler tasks.

Relaxation protocol

A structured training plan that teaches dogs to relax in various situations.
Example: Gradually rewarding your dog for lying calmly on their mat while you add distractions, like moving around the room or opening the door.

Release cue

A word or signal that lets your dog know they can stop performing a behaviour.
Example: If you ask your dog to “stay,” you might use “okay” or “free” to let them know they can move again.

Resource guarding

When a dog protects items they value, such as food, toys, or space, by growling, snapping, or other behaviours.
Example: A dog might growl if you reach for their bone because they feel the need to guard it. Counterconditioning can help reduce this behaviour.

Reward marker

A word or sound used to let your dog know they’ve done the right thing and a reward is coming.
Example: Saying “yes” or clicking with a clicker the moment your dog sits ensures they know exactly what they’re being rewarded for.

Scatter feeding

Throwing treats or kibble on the ground for your dog to find, encouraging natural sniffing and foraging behaviour.
Example: Use scatter feeding to keep your dog busy when guests arrive, as it helps redirect their focus.

Settle

Teaching your dog to relax on cue, often by lying calmly in one spot.
Example: Asking your dog to “settle” on a mat while you eat dinner can prevent begging and create a calm routine.

Socialisation

Introducing your dog to new people, animals, environments, and experiences in a positive way to build confidence and reduce fear.
Example: Taking your puppy to meet calm, friendly dogs or exposing them to car rides early on is part of good socialisation.

Sniff breaks

Allowing your dog to sniff during walks, which satisfies their natural foraging instincts and helps them relax.
Example: Pausing to let your dog sniff trees or grass during a walk is mentally enriching and calming for them.

Stress signals

Subtle signs your dog might show when they’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Example: Panting when it’s not hot, lip licking, whale eye (showing the whites of their eyes), or a tucked tail are common stress signals.

Threshold (expanded)

The point at which your dog can no longer remain calm in the presence of a trigger.
Example: If your dog starts barking when another dog is 10 metres away, their threshold distance is 10 metres. Staying below that distance is key for training.

Understimulated

A dog that doesn’t get enough physical or mental activity to meet their needs. This can lead to boredom and unwanted behaviours.
Example: A high-energy dog that isn’t given enough exercise might start chewing furniture out of boredom.

Yoyo training

When a dog repeats a behaviour, such as running forward and then returning, often caused by inconsistent reinforcement.
Example: If a dog runs ahead during recall training and only sometimes gets rewarded, they might “yoyo” back and forth to check in without fully committing to staying close.

Zen training

Teaching your dog to wait patiently or leave something until given permission.
Example: Holding a treat in your hand and only giving it to your dog when they back away is an easy way to practise “leave it” and build patience.

Zoomies

Sudden bursts of energy where dogs run around wildly, often in circles, also known as FRAPs (Frenetic Random Activity Periods).
Example: A dog might get the zoomies after a bath or during playtime in the garden.

Final thoughts

This A-Z list covers just some of the jargon you’re likely to encounter in dog training and behaviour discussions. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro, understanding these terms will make training easier and help strengthen your bond with your dog.

Pet First Aid Jargon

There’s a lot of jargon around pet first aid, too! Head over to Bluebell Pet Care to learn more!