Dog Behavior & Training Glossary
Dog behavior can be confusing, especially when the same behavior gets described ten different ways online. Search by term, category, or the signs you are seeing.
66 terms found
Canine Communication
Freezing
A sudden pause or complete stop in movement that may signal uncertainty, conflict, fear, guarding, or preparation to act.
Training Concepts
Generalization
Generalization is a dog’s ability to perform a learned behavior across different people, places, positions, surfaces, distractions, and situations.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Greeting Frustration
Barking, pulling, whining, or lunging when a dog wants social access but cannot reach the person or dog.
Canine Communication
Growling
A low vocal warning or communication signal that may indicate discomfort, fear, conflict, guarding, pain, or play.
Canine Communication
Hackles
Hackles are the raised hairs along a dog’s shoulders, back, or tail caused by an involuntary nervous-system response called piloerection.
Canine Communication
Hiding
Moving behind furniture, people, walls, crates, or other cover to reduce exposure to something concerning.
Household Behaviors
House Soiling
Urination or defecation indoors when the location is inappropriate for the household.
Behavioral Issues
Jumping
Jumping is a common greeting or attention-seeking behavior that often continues because it produces interaction.
Leash and Walking
Leash Pulling
Leash pulling is forward, sideways, or backward pressure that keeps the leash tight or moves the handler.
Canine Communication
Lip Licking
Lip licking is a quick tongue movement that may appear with stress, anticipation, uncertainty, or social pressure.
Leash and Movement
Lunging
A sudden forward movement toward a person, dog, object, sound, or other trigger.
Training Concepts
Management
Management changes the environment so an unwanted behavior is less likely to occur while training and skill development are still underway.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Mounting
Placing the front legs over and thrusting against another dog, person, object, or bedding.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Mouthing and Nipping
Using the mouth on hands, clothing, leashes, or bodies without a full-force bite.
Household Behaviors
Object Stealing
Taking and carrying household items, clothing, food, or objects that are not intended for the dog.
Behavioral Issues
Overarousal
Overarousal is a state in which excitement, stress, frustration, or stimulation rises beyond a dog’s ability to think clearly and regulate its behavior.
Leash and Movement
Pacing
Repeated walking along the same path or through the same area, often associated with anticipation, distress, discomfort, or inability to settle.
Canine Communication
Panting
Rapid open-mouth breathing that may reflect heat, exercise, pain, stress, excitement, or illness.
Canine Communication
Paw Lift
Holding one front paw off the ground, which may appear during uncertainty, anticipation, pointing, or social tension.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Play Biting
Mouth contact that occurs during play and may become too hard, persistent, or poorly controlled.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Play Bow
A lowered front end with the rear raised, commonly used to invite or maintain play.
Training Concepts
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement strengthens behavior by adding something the dog values immediately after that behavior occurs.
Social and Greeting Behaviors
Predatory Behavior
A quiet sequence that may include orienting, stalking, chasing, grabbing, biting, and shaking.
Training Concepts
Proofing
Proofing is the process of strengthening a learned behavior around gradually increasing distractions, duration, distance, and changes in context.