GLOSSARY
Words with
room around them.
Voluntary entry
The animal chooses to enter an available space. It is not proof of comfort with a closed door.
Access
Whether an entrance or exit is available. The diagram changes this independently of company.
Presence
Whether a caregiver is nearby or out of sight. It does not describe every aspect of being alone.
Confinement
A restriction on movement. Equipment can restrict movement without teaching comfort.
Positive reinforcement
A consequence increases a behavior over time. One offered reward is not proof of learning.
Opt out
The learner can move away or end participation. A humane approach does not rely on trapping a worried animal.
Separation-related problem
A broad term for difficulty associated with being alone or apart from a person. It is not diagnosed by this site.
Distress
A welfare concern requiring attention, not a label of disobedience or a reason to intensify confinement.
Management
Arranging circumstances to meet needs and reduce risk. It is not the same as treating the cause of a behavior problem.
Fictional model
An invented comparison that helps a reader think. It is not a patient record, research result or personalized plan.
Recovery restriction
An individual medical instruction from the treating veterinary team, not an ordinary training milestone.
Unknown
Something not observed or established. An unknown should not become a confident safety claim.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior; 2021 ↗Source for this explanation, not an endorsement or review of this website.
PDSA; January 2024 ↗Source for this explanation, not an endorsement or review of this website.