Basic observable behaviors & Movements; Actions adapted to the environment with purpose & understanding are skills.

Skills are purposeful actions that require information from the environment. In Play+, performance revolves around Actions & Skills rather than behaviors.

Constraints are restrictions or limitations placed in the environment to limit or restrict actions.

In the context of Play+, initiative encapsulates the process of leading the dynamic interaction during play. Whether it's the Dog or the Handler, the one with the initiative actively guides the direction of the experience


Navigate Play+ dog training with precision, leveraging this carefully curated vocabulary. Improve communication, efficiency, and the overall quality of your training sessions.
Disc Dog & Dog Training Glossary
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Explore the nuanced language of Play+ dog training. These terms enrich our understanding and enhance communication between handlers and dogs, contributing to more efficient and harmonious training sessions. Dive in and expand your canine training vocabulary.

In the Play+ philosophy, "Prep" or Prepare is the 2nd stage of "Next" in a Cycle of Play. It's the moment where the handler readies themselves to become an opportunity for the dog. This preparation stage serves as a critical bridge between the dog's current action and the next cue, ensuring a seamless transition

In Play+, "Read Release" refers to the handler's observation and interpretation of the dog's behavior following the completion of an action or behavior.

Subjective Tone, in the context of the Play+ training methodology, represents the dog's internal emotional and mental state in response to a prehended cue or situation. It is the 'feel' of the moment as perceived and experienced by the dog, which can range from excitement and anticipation to fear or confusion.

Eternal Objects,In Play+, this term refers to Actualized Skills or behaviors that have been previously learned and actualized by the dog.

the Mental Pole refers to the cognitive and perceptual elements of the play interaction. It encompasses the dog's understanding and anticipation of cues, their decision-making process, problem-solving skills, and attention focus.

Expectancy in the Play+ context is a multi-faceted concept that embodies a dog's anticipation or prediction of future events or outcomes within a play session.

Rhythm Contours in Play+ are the dynamic alterations in the tempo, intensity, and complexity of the training game that serve to keep engagement fresh, maintain novelty, and regulate the Subjective Tone of the session.

In Play+, "Prehension" is a concept borrowed from the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. It refers to the process by which the dog perceives and interprets the cues and the actual world around it, including emotions and feelings from previous experiences. This perception and interpretation inform the dog's actions and reactions within the training

The Now Phase is an integral part of the Play Cycle in the Play+ training philosophy. It embodies the current, immediate interaction between the handler and the dog, anchoring them in the present moment of the training process. The Now Phase consists of three essential components:

Constraints are restrictions or limitations placed in the environment to limit or restrict actions.

In the context of the Play+ philosophy, the PLAY system refers to one of the primary emotional systems identified by Jaak Panksepp in Affective Neuroscience. This system is responsible for the spontaneous, joyous interactions seen in animals, including humans, and is most evident in youthful activities and games. It's characterized by bursts of energetic

In the context of Play+, initiative encapsulates the process of leading the dynamic interaction during play. Whether it's the Dog or the Handler, the one with the initiative actively guides the direction of the experience