IBR's Training Center: Getting there

Terms and Definitions:

Backing - when a dog points another dog that is on point. The backing dog is pointing the first dog by sight only, not by the bird scent. Also called honoring.

Bird launcher - spring loaded mechanical device that holds a bird and launches it with the pull of a string or an electronic remote control.

Bird shy - when a dog has a fear of birds. Almost always man made by harsh treatment in the presence of birds, a poor gunfire introduction or getting too close to a bird launcher and having it spring open in his face.

Blinking - a form of bird shyness where a dog smells a bird but pretends he doesn't, and goes right by it. Almost always caused by harsh treatment in the presence of birds. The dog associates the bird with punishment or something upleasant, and avoids it by pretending it's not there.

Check cord - a long length of rope similar to a leash used for training.

Classical conditioning - a method of learning that pairs something of neutral value to something of high value to achieve a similar response.

Clicker training - also called marker training. A method of animal training that uses a neutral sound to mark a desired behavior at the moment it occurs.

Ethology - the scientific study of animal behavior.

Gun shy - a fear of the sound of gunfire.

Operant conditioning - a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

Apr 2, 2012

Getting there