what is the difference between proofing and rising dough?

Answer 1

It's pretty much the same thing. Just different steps in the process.

Answer 2

These are generally the same thing, it depends on how this information is laid out in a recipe though. You can have first and second proofs before the final rise. Basically that means that you need the dough to proof (rise) once, punch it down, proof twice (rise), punch it down and shape it (put in pan, make into loaf etc.) and let it proof or rise one final time until you put it in the oven.
Pretty simple, don't get confused by different baker's terminology, as it all relates.

Answer 3

They are both parts of the rising process. Any time my dough is still rising and I have to punch it down, I call that 'proofing' and once I've done that at least twice, my proofing is complete. Once I've placed the dough in the pan, I let it "Rise" one last time before it goes into the oven. Just remember proofing as any time it still has to be puched down, but it's _not_ in the baking pan. Rising takes place _in_ the loaf pan just before the oven.