Leash handling skills refer to the techniques and strategies used by a handler to effectively and safely control a dog on a leash. These skills involve maintaining the right tension, ensuring clear communication through the leash, and guiding the dog without pulling or yanking. Good leash handling helps prevent undesirable behaviors like pulling, lunging, or zigzagging, while promoting loose-leash walking and attentiveness to the handler. Proper leash handling ensures both the dog and handler have a more comfortable and enjoyable experience during walks or other on-leash activities.

Canine body language refers to the various ways dogs communicate their emotions, intentions, and reactions through physical signals, such as posture, facial expressions, tail movement, and overall body tension. Key indicators include wagging tails (which can signal happiness or excitement), raised hackles (often showing arousal or tension), and ears or eyes that may indicate fear, curiosity, or aggression. Understanding a dog’s body language helps handlers recognize when a dog is feeling relaxed, playful, anxious, or threatened, allowing for better communication, training, and prevention of unwanted behaviors or conflicts.

"Threshold" refers to the point at which a dog starts to react to a stimulus. It's the distance or intensity level at which a dog becomes aware of and responds to something in its environment. Understanding a dog's threshold is crucial for effective training, especially when dealing with reactivity or fear-based behaviors. Trainers work to keep dogs under their threshold during training sessions to ensure the dog remains calm and receptive to learning. Gradually exposing dogs to stimuli while staying under threshold helps build confidence and improve behavior over time.

Shaping in dog training is a method where a desired behavior is gradually taught through successive approximations. Instead of waiting for the dog to perform the complete behavior, the trainer rewards small steps that lead towards the final goal. This technique involves breaking down complex behaviors into smaller, achievable parts and reinforcing each step. Shaping allows for teaching behaviors that a dog might not naturally offer on its own, and it encourages the dog to think and problem-solve during the learning process.

Capturing in dog training is a technique where a trainer waits for a dog to spontaneously perform a desired behavior and then immediately marks and rewards it. This method takes advantage of natural behaviors the dog already exhibits, reinforcing them to increase their frequency. Capturing is particularly useful for behaviors that are difficult to prompt or shape, such as yawning or stretching. It requires patience and good timing from the trainer to effectively reinforce the behavior when it occurs.

A reward tier in dog training is a hierarchical system of reinforcements used to motivate and shape a dog's behavior. This concept recognizes that not all rewards are equally valuable to a dog, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the situation and the individual dog's preferences. Trainers typically categorize rewards into different levels, such as low-value (e.g., regular kibble), medium-value (e.g., soft treats), and high-value (e.g., small pieces of cheese or meat). By understanding and utilizing these tiers, trainers can adjust the reward's value to match the difficulty of the task or the level of distraction in the environment. This approach allows for more effective training, as it ensures the dog remains motivated and engaged, even in challenging situations or when learning complex behaviors.

Canine enrichment refers to activities and experiences that stimulate a dog’s mind and body, helping to satisfy their natural instincts and prevent boredom. This can include puzzle toys, scent work, interactive play, or exploring new environments. Enrichment promotes mental and physical well-being, reduces stress, and can help prevent behavioral issues by keeping the dog engaged and fulfilled.