Butch

[eSPO]

Can you please explain what "handler sensitivity" means ? and what is the opposite of it ?

[ButchCappel]

In the context I am most familiar with "handler sensitivty" (also called "handler attentiveness") it indicates the degree to which the dog is paying atention to the handler, and also the degree to which the dog will sublimate its' own desires or urges to pay attention to the handler.

This sensitivity, or attentivesness, is a key factor when doing IQ tests on dogs and will shade the results of many tests that are done on differing breeds. Obviously the herding breeds will do well with this as they have, for centuries, had to focus on the shepherd when working and their offspring were chosen for this trait, as well as others.

A Terrier, or bloodhound, however, didn't have to pay attention to anyone to get a rat out of a hole or trail a convict. As a result that trait may not be as prononced in these breeds.

As they may be more easily distracted they are often given a bad rap for not being as smart as the more "handler sensitive" breeds, when in fact they just didn't hear what you said.

Remember when you are asking about terms in the dog world there may be a wide number of uses for 1 term. So always ask the person using the phrase what their definition is to be sure you are on the same page.