* Flat Throw: a bird or bumper thrown directly
across from the thrower, not back or in. From the dog's point
of view it is a 90 degree throw. Other types of throws are
angle-in and angle-back.
* Go Bird: the first mark to be retrieved,
generally the last bird that has been thrown.
* Handler: the person who is working/running the
dog.
* Happy Bumper: a bumper thrown in play or as a
reward and encouragement for a dog.
* Hard Mouth: a dog that abuses, or eats the birds
when sent to retrieve.
* Head Swinging: when a dog looks away from a mark
before being cued to do so by the handler; head-swinging is a bad
habit and is detrimental to marking.
*Heel Position: dog is by handler's side.
Traditionally the heel position is on the left hand side, but dogs
can heel from either side.
* Holding Blind: an area where the dog waits to run
the test. A dog in the holding blind should not be able to see
the test.
* Honoring: when a dog remains stationary on the
line while another dog is sent for the bird or birds. The
honoring dog must not interfere with the working dog.
* Line Manners: the dog's behavior while coming to
the line, while on the line, waiting for the marks, and upon
returning to the line with the birds.
* Mark: the fall of a bird/bumper that the dog
should watch, remember, and retrieve. Also a cue word that indicates
to the dog to pay attention because birds are about to be thrown.
* No Bird: a term that refers to a poorly thrown
mark. The handler or judge indicates that the mark was not
acceptable and it will need to be re-thrown.