Glossary for Dog Lovers

Whether you are new to the world of dogs or a long-time dog lover who has run across some new terminology, we’ve compiled an extensive glossary of dog terms and definitions. These terms include words from the world of dog training and sports, dog grooming, anatomy, animal welfare and more.

A

Adoption: The process of taking responsibility for a dog that a previous owner has relinquished or that has been rescued from a shelter or rescue organization. Adoption involves selecting a dog that is a good match for your home and lifestyle, completing necessary paperwork, and often paying a fee that covers a portion of the dog’s veterinary expenses, such as spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and microchipping.
Agility: A competitive sport designed for dogs that involves a handler directing a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles. Consequently, the handler’s controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.
AKC: Acronym for the American Kennel Club, a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States established in 1884.
Anxiety: A feeling of worry or unease that a dog can experience, often resulting in behavioral changes; can be triggered by separation, loud noises, or changes in environment.
Apple-headed: A descriptive term for a dog’s skull shape that resembles the shape of an apple, most commonly associated with certain breeds of small dogs, such as the Chihuahua. An apple-headed dog has a rounded skull with prominent cheeks, a short snout, and eyes that may appear more prominent due to the shape of the head.
Assistance Dog: A dog trained to aid or assist an individual with a disability, often referred to as a service dog.
Aversive Training: A method of training that uses negative reinforcement and punishment as stimuli to discourage bad behavior.
Aversives: Tools or techniques used in training or behavior modification that the dog finds unpleasant or uncomfortable, such as bitter tastes to discourage chewing, loud noises, or physical corrections, intended to discourage undesirable behaviors.

B

Bait: A lure or treat used in dog showing to catch the dog’s attention or in training as rewards.
Bait Bag: A small pouch commonly used by dog trainers to carry and easily access treats during training sessions, often attached to the trainer’s belt or waistband for convenience.
Balanced Training: A dog training approach that uses both positive reinforcement (such as treats or praise) for encouraging good behaviors and aversive consequences (like a leash correction) for undesirable behaviors.
Barking: The vocalization dogs use to communicate, which can express various emotions or responses such as excitement, fear, or alerting to danger.
Barrel Chest: A broad, rounded ribcage found in some dogs, often associated with a large lung capacity.
Behavior Modification: A training process aimed at changing a dog’s behavior, often addressing issues such as aggression, fear, or anxiety.
Benched Dog Show: A type of dog show where participating dogs are required to be on assigned benches when not being shown in the ring, allowing for interaction and viewing by the public and facilitating educational opportunities.
Bicolor: A term used to describe a dog’s coat that consists of two distinct colors. Common combinations include black and tan, black and white, or red and white.
Bikejoring: An adventure sport where a dog or a team of dogs are attached to a towline, wear a specifically designed harness, and pull and run ahead of a cyclist. It is similar to skijoring, but with a bike instead of skis.
Bilious Vomiting Syndrome: A condition where a dog vomits bile due to an empty stomach, often in the morning or after a long period without eating.
Bite Inhibition: A learned behavior in dogs where they control the force of their mouth when biting, allowing them to play or take treats gently without causing harm.
Bloat: A life-threatening condition where a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and may twist.
Blocking: A training technique where a handler physically prevents a dog from engaging in an unwanted behavior, often by using body language, barriers, or by guiding the dog away from the stimulus.
Bloodline: The lineage or ancestry of a dog, often tracked for breeding purposes to maintain or enhance certain traits or characteristics.
Boarding: A service that provides temporary care for dogs in a kennel or private facility while their owners are away.
Bonding: The process of developing a close relationship between a dog and its owner, characterized by mutual affection and trust.
Boop: A playful action of lightly touching a dog’s nose, often with one’s finger; a term of endearment reflecting a moment of interaction between humans and dogs, typically indicating affection and bonding.
Bordetella: A highly contagious bacterium that causes respiratory disease in dogs, often referred to in the context of the ‘kennel cough‘ vaccine.
Brachycephalic: Refers to dogs like Pugs or Pekingese with short noses and flat faces, which can make them prone to breathing difficulties and overheating.
Breed Standard: A detailed written description of the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a dog breed, established by kennel clubs as a guideline for breeders and judges at dog shows.
Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL): A set of laws or regulations that target specific dog breeds or types, rather than individual dogs, based on their perceived risk or potential for aggression. BSL typically involves restrictions, bans, or additional requirements, such as mandatory muzzling or insurance, for certain breeds or breed categories that are labeled as “dangerous” or high-risk. The purpose of BSL is to reduce the occurrence of dog-related incidents, but it is a controversial approach because it often unfairly stigmatizes entire breeds rather than addressing individual dog behavior and responsible ownership. BSL varies widely by region and may be implemented at the city, county, or national level.
Brindle: A coat coloring pattern featuring a mix of colors in a striped pattern.
Brush tail: A thick and bushy tail that resembles the full, round shape of a brush. This type of tail is often covered with a dense coat of fur that can flare out, giving it a distinctive appearance similar to a fox’s tail.
Butterfly Nose: A term used to describe a dog’s nose that has unpigmented spots or patches, giving it a mottled appearance that resembles the wings of a butterfly. It is often seen in certain breeds or as a result of genetic variation.
Button ears: A type of ear configuration in dogs where the ear flap folds forward and down, covering the ear canal entrance, giving the appearance of a button on the dog’s head. Button ears are commonly seen in terrier breeds and are often described as small and neatly folded, not unlike the buttons on a shirt.
Bylaws: Local laws or regulations pertaining to the ownership and management of dogs, such as licensing requirements, leash laws, and noise ordinances.

C

Cage-Free: A term used to describe an environment for dogs, particularly in boarding or daycare, where they are not confined to cages and have the freedom to roam within a designated area.
Calming Signals: Subtle body language used by dogs to communicate stress, avoid threats, and negotiate social interactions, such as yawning, licking lips, or turning away, which can signal a desire to defuse a situation or indicate discomfort.
Canicross: A blend of ‘canine’ and ‘cross country’, Canicross is a sport where a runner is attached to their dog via a harness and elasticated line. The dog and human team run together with the dog setting the pace, often in front.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction: A condition in older dogs that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, characterized by decline in memory, learning, perception, and awareness.
Canine Distemper: A serious viral illness in dogs with symptoms that include fever, coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and can progress to neurological issues.
Canine Freestyle: Canine Freestyle is a performance-based activity where the handler and dog perform a routine, often set to music, which showcases the dog’s training, the handler’s presentation, and the overall harmony between dog and human.
Canine Good Citizen: A title and program that emphasizes good manners for dogs and responsible pet ownership. Also referred to as the CGC.
Capturing a Behavior: A training technique involving the recognition and reward of a natural behavior a dog performs spontaneously, reinforcing it as a commandable action. For example, you might “capture” the act of your dog urinating, giving him the “potty” command just as you see him about to pee.
Carding: In the context of dog grooming, carding is a technique used to remove the dead undercoat and loose fur from a dog’s coat. This process helps to thin out the fur and can significantly reduce shedding when done correctly. Carding is often performed with a specialized tool, such as a shedding blade or carding knife, which is designed to safely strip away the unwanted hair without cutting the dog’s skin or damaging the topcoat.
Carrier: A term for a dog that has one copy of a recessive gene for a hereditary disease, showing no symptoms but able to pass the gene to offspring.
Carting: A dog sport or activity where a dog pulls a cart or wagon, which can be done for competition, recreation, or work.
Castration: The surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, commonly referred to as neutering, which prevents reproduction and can reduce certain behavior problems.
Caudal: Pertaining to the tail end of a dog’s body.
CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament): A ligament in a dog’s knee joint equivalent to the ACL in humans, which provides stability to the joint and can be prone to injury, resulting in lameness or arthritis.
Chaining: A training method where several behaviors are taught separately and then linked together in a sequence, with the cue for the next behavior serving as the reinforcement for the previous one.
Chew Toys: Items designed for dogs to chew on, which can provide entertainment, relieve stress, and help maintain dental health.
Clicker Training: A positive reinforcement training method that uses a sound-making device called a clicker to mark desired behaviors, which is then followed by a reward.
Choke Collar: A type of dog collar that tightens when pulled, designed to control a dog by constricting around the dog’s neck. Used incorrectly, these collars can cause both physical and emotional damage. Half-choke or Martingale collars are a more popular alternative.
Coat: The hair covering a dog’s body, which can vary in length, texture, and color depending on the dog and its genetic makeup.
Cobby: Describes a dog’s build; short and stocky, with a compact body, deep chest, and well-rounded ribs. This term is often used in breed standards to describe the desired body shape for certain breeds.
Collar: A band placed around a dog’s neck, used for identification, restraint, or training purposes, and to which a leash can be attached.
Come: A fundamental obedience command that instructs a dog to stop what it is doing and immediately move toward the trainer or owner.
Compulsion Training: A dog training method that applies a level of discomfort or aversive stimulus to compel the dog to perform or cease a behavior, which is relieved when the correct response is achieved.
Compulsive Behavior: Repetitive actions that a dog performs excessively and seems unable to control, often a sign of anxiety or stress.
Conditioning: The process of training a dog to perform a certain behavior or response in association with a specific stimulus.
Conformation: The physical structure and appearance of a dog as compared to the established breed standard, often used in the context of dog shows where dogs are judged based on how well they conform to these standards.
Corded: Pertaining to a type of dog coat that is composed of dense, twisted tresses resembling ropes or cords. This unique coat type is found in specific breeds and requires special grooming to maintain the cords without matting.
Congenital: Refers to conditions or traits that a dog is born with, which can be hereditary or caused by factors during gestation.
Containment System: A method or device used to keep a dog within a set boundary, such as a fenced yard, kennel, or electronic fence system.
Coprophagia: The behavior of eating feces, which is common in dogs and can be a sign of nutritional deficiency or behavioral issues.
Correction: A punishment used in dog training where undesirable behavior is followed by a consequence.
Counterconditioning: A behavior therapy technique used to change a dog’s emotional response to a stimulus by associating it with a positive action or outcome.
Counter Surfing: The behavior displayed by a dog when it stands on its hind legs to reach and search for food or other items placed on countertops or tables.
Crate Mat: A type of bedding designed to fit inside a dog’s crate, providing comfort and cushioning. They can also be used as a Settle Mat.
Crossbreeding: The purposeful breeding of dogs from two different breeds to produce offspring with characteristics of both, often referred to as mixed-breed or designer dogs.
Croup: The area of a dog’s back just in front of the tail.
Cue: A signal or command given to a dog to perform a specific behavior, which can be a verbal command or a hand signal.
Curbing: The practice of picking up and properly disposing of a dog’s feces, especially in public areas, to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
Cutaneous: Relating to a dog’s skin.

D

Dam: A female parent of a puppy.
Dander: The tiny particles of skin shed by dogs, often associated with allergies in humans.
Deciduous Teeth: The first set of teeth in dogs, commonly known as baby or milk teeth, which are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.
Dedicated Feeding: The practice of providing a dog with food at set times of the day, as opposed to free-feeding.
Deep Chest: A physical trait in dogs where the thorax is elongated and narrow, often seen in breeds like the Greyhound.
Demodectic Mange: A skin disease caused by mites, characterized by hair loss, skin inflammation, and sometimes secondary infections.
Desensitization: A behavioral therapy technique used to reduce a dog’s negative reaction to stimuli by gradually increasing exposure to the stimulus.
Deshedding: Deshedding is a grooming technique aimed at reducing the loose, dead undercoat; the process involves using specialized tools, such as deshedding brushes or combs, to carefully remove the undercoat while leaving the top coat intact.
Detangling Spray: A grooming product used to help remove tangles and mats from a dog’s coat, making brushing easier.
Dewclaw: An additional claw located on the inner side of a dog’s paw, somewhat analogous to a human thumb.
Deworming: The process of eliminating internal parasites from a dog’s system.
Digestibility: A measure of how much of a dog’s food is absorbed by the body as opposed to being passed as waste.
Disc Dog: A competitive sport where dogs and their human handlers play using a flying disc (like a Frisbee).
Displacement Behavior: A behavior that occurs out of context, such as a dog licking its nose when not smelling something, often a sign of conflict or anxiety.
Diurnal: Refers to animals that are active during the day, which includes most dogs.
Dock Diving: A competitive sport where dogs are judged on their ability to jump from a dock into a body of water. The two main types of competition are ‘distance jumping’, where dogs compete to see who can jump the furthest from the dock, and ‘vertical jumping’, where they compete to see who can jump the highest.
Docking: The controversial practice of removing portions of a dog’s tail.
Dog Beach: A designated area along a beachfront where dogs are allowed to roam freely and play in the sand and water, often off-leash, under the supervision of their owners.
Dog Park: A designated public park or area where dogs can exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners.
Dominance: A controversial term in dog training that traditionally referred to the status of a dog within a hierarchy. Modern training emphasizes cooperation and leadership over dominance.
Double Dewclaws: Extra claws located on the lower part of a dog’s leg, above the main foot; in some breeds, double dewclaws are a breed standard feature, particularly on the rear legs, and may have historical significance related to traction and stability.
Double Merle: A genetic condition resulting from breeding two merle-patterned dogs together, which often leads to a predominantly white coat and is associated with an increased risk of health issues, including deafness and blindness.
Down: A basic obedience command used in dog training that instructs a dog to lie flat on the ground. (Not to be confused with Off, which is a command to get off a chair, table, person, etc.)
Down Stay: A training command used to instruct a dog to lie down and remain in place until given permission to get up, often used for managing behavior and promoting calmness.
Drool: The saliva that flows outside of a dog’s mouth, which can be a breed trait or due to excitement, anticipation of food, or medical issues.
Drop ears: A description for the type of ears that hang down rather than standing erect on the head of a dog. This ear type folds over and the tip falls to the side of the head, which can vary in size from short, as seen in hounds, to long, like those of spaniels. Drop ears are also known as pendant or floppy ears and are common in many breeds. They can sometimes contribute to ear health issues due to reduced air circulation.
Dudley Nose: A nose that lacks pigment and appears flesh-colored rather than black or another dark color.
Dry Nose: A condition where a dog’s nose becomes dry and possibly cracked, which can be normal or a sign of dehydration or other issues.

E

Ear Cropping: Surgical alteration of the shape of the ear, traditionally done on certain breeds and outlawed in some countries.
Ear Mites: Parasites that live in the ear canal of dogs, causing irritation and inflammation.
Ear Posting: A method sometimes used after cropping a dog’s ears to help them stand erect while the cartilage strengthens.
Earthdog: A type of dog trial that tests the working ability and instinct of small terriers and Dachshunds when hunting underground. The sport simulates the natural hunt for quarry, typically rodents, without placing either the dogs or the prey at risk.
Ectoparasite: An organism that lives on the outside of the dog’s body, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can cause various health problems.
Elbow Dysplasia: A genetic condition common in larger dog breeds that causes malformation and degeneration of the elbow joints.
Elimination Diet: A feeding strategy used to identify food allergies or sensitivities by removing all but the most basic food ingredients and then gradually reintroducing them.
Embarkation Training: Training a dog to become comfortable with entering and riding in vehicles or crates, often used for travel or transport.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA): A dog that provides comfort and support in forms of affection and companionship for an individual suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. An ESA dog has special housing rights but not public access rights like a Service Dog.
Endoparasite: An organism that lives inside a dog’s body, such as worms or protozoa, which can cause various health issues.
Enrichment: Activities or objects that stimulate a dog’s mind and body, helping to relieve boredom and prevent behavioral problems.
Entropion: A condition in which a dog’s eyelid rolls inward, causing the lashes to irritate the eye.
Estrus: The stage in a female dog’s reproductive cycle–often referred to as being “in heat”–during which she becomes receptive to mating with males.
Euthanasia: The act of humanely ending the life of a dog to alleviate suffering, typically performed by a veterinarian.
Expression: The process of squeezing a dog’s anal glands to release fluid, often performed by a vet or groomer.
Extinction: The process in behavioral training where a behavior is reduced or eliminated because it is no longer reinforced.

F

Fading the Lure: A training technique where the initial lure, such as a treat or hand gesture, is gradually removed to encourage a dog to perform a behavior without needing the lure for guidance.
Fawn: A light yellowish-tan color seen in many dog breeds.
Fear Free: An approach to veterinary care and animal training that aims to eliminate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by using gentle handling, positive reinforcement, and creating a calming environment.
Feathers: The long fringe of hair on the legs, tail, and undersides of certain dog breeds, often adding to the aesthetic appeal and characteristic look of breeds like Setters and Spaniels.
Fecal Exam: A diagnostic test that involves examining a dog’s feces for signs of parasites, bacteria, or other health issues. Many vets will ask you to bring in a fecal sample in a poop bag for examination.
Fence Fighting: A behavior in which dogs aggressively bark, charge, or fight at a barrier such as a fence, often in response to another dog or perceived threat on the opposite side, without the ability to have a direct physical encounter.
Field Trial: A competitive event for dogs that tests their workability and skills in hunting or retrieving under realistic conditions.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): An allergic reaction in dogs to flea saliva, which can cause severe itching and skin inflammation.
Flews: The hanging upper lips of a dog, particularly noticeable in breeds like the Bloodhound.
Flooding: A controversial behavior modification technique that involves exposing a dog to a stressful or fearful stimulus at full intensity until the dog no longer reacts to it, often criticized due to the high stress it can cause. (This is similar to putting a person who is afraid of spiders in a room full of spiders, thinking this would reduce their fear.)
Flyball: A dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other over a line of hurdles to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad.
Fomite: An inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms and hence transferring them from one individual to another.
Foster: The act of providing temporary care for a dog in need.
Foster Fail: A term used in animal rescue and fostering to describe a situation where an individual or family who initially intended to foster a pet ends up adopting that pet permanently. This term is used humorously to acknowledge the unexpected but happy outcome of fostering.
Free Feeding: A method of feeding dogs where food is available at all times, allowing the dog to eat as much as it wants at its own pace.
Fur: The thick coat of hair that covers the body of a dog, protecting it from the elements and helping to regulate body temperature.
Furnishings: The longer hair found on some dogs like Schauzers around the eyebrows, beard, and legs.

G

Gait: The way a dog moves, an important aspect in dog shows.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): A life-threatening condition in dogs (also commonly known as Bloat) where the stomach fills with gas and twists on itself, cutting off blood flow and requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Generalization: The process in dog training where a dog learns to apply a learned behavior or command in different environments or situations, not just the one in which it was originally taught.
Go to Your Spot: A command used in dog training that directs a dog to go to a designated area, such as a mat or bed, and stay there until released.
Grooming: The practice of cleaning and hygienically caring for a dog’s coat, nails, teeth, ears, and overall hygiene.
Guard Hairs: The longer, coarser hairs in a dog’s coat that protect the softer undercoat beneath. They are typically more water-repellent and serve as the first line of defense against environmental elements and debris.
Guide Dog: A specially trained service dog that assists visually impaired or blind individuals by helping them navigate obstacles.
Gut Flora: The complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts of dogs, which are important for digestion and overall health.

H

Halter: A type of dog headgear that fits around the dog’s muzzle, designed to give the handler more control over the dog’s head and, therefore, its direction and attention. (Not to be confused with a Muzzle.)
Hand Stripping: Hand stripping is a grooming process that involves manually pulling out dead hairs from the coat of certain types of dogs, particularly those with wiry hair, like many terriers and schnauzers. Unlike clipping, which cuts the hair, hand stripping removes the entire hair from the follicle, allowing a new coat to grow in its place.
Hand Signals: Visual cues given with the hands or arms used in dog training to communicate desired actions or behaviors to a dog; often used as an alternative to verbal commands.
Handler: A person who presents a dog in a show ring or performance event or a service dog handler.
Harness: A piece of equipment that fits securely around a dog’s body, used for restraint or control instead of a collar, often recommended for dogs that pull on the leash.
Heartworms: A serious and potentially fatal parasitic disease in dogs where worms inhabit the heart and lungs, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Heel: A command used in dog training to instruct the dog to walk closely beside the handler’s leg, keeping pace with them.
Hip Dysplasia: A genetic and developmental disorder in dogs where the hip joint fails to develop properly, leading to pain and arthritis.
Hock: The joint on a dog’s hind leg, anatomically similar to the human ankle.
Housetraining: The process of training a dog to defecate and urinate outside or in a designated indoor area, and to hold its needs until it can do so.
Hybrid Vigor: The phenomenon where crossbred dogs have greater health and vitality than purebred dogs, due to increased genetic diversity.
Hypoallergenic: A term used to describe dog breeds or products that are less likely to cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

I

Imprinting: A form of learning occurring at a particular life stage that is rapid and apparently independent of the consequences of behavior. In dogs, it usually refers to a critical period early in life when puppies learn to accept others as part of their family.
In Heat: Refers to a female dog in the estrus phase of her reproductive cycle.
Incontinence: The inability to control urination, which can be a medical issue in dogs due to various causes, including age, disease, or hormonal imbalances.
Inherited Disorders: Diseases or disorders that are passed genetically from parent dogs to their offspring.
Instinct Test: A test in dog sports to assess a dog’s natural inclination toward behaviors like herding.
Interactive Toy: A category of dog toys designed to provide mental stimulation and engage a dog’s problem-solving skills. These toys often require dogs to figure out how to retrieve treats or food by sliding parts, lifting compartments, or pulling out sections with their paws or mouth.
Interrupt: A technique used in dog training to stop a dog’s current behavior or action, often by using a slight movement or noise, a physical intervention, or a different command, in order to prevent or correct undesirable behavior.
Intestinal Parasites: Worms and protozoa that live in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, which can cause various health problems and can sometimes be transmitted to humans.

J

Jackpot Reward: A training technique where a dog receives a large quantity of treats (one at a time in quick succession) or a particularly high-value treat for an exceptionally good performance, meant to reinforce the behavior strongly.
Jumping Up: A common canine behavior where a dog places its front paws on a human or another object; often considered undesirable when it is a form of seeking attention or greeting.
Jowl: The loose, fleshy area that hangs below the dog’s mouth, which is more pronounced in some breeds than others.
Junior Handler: A young dog enthusiast who competes in dog show handling events, typically under the age of 18.
Just Noticeable Difference (JND): The smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by a dog’s sensory perception, important in understanding how dogs learn and perceive the world.

K

Kennel: A structure or shelter for dogs or cats. In a broader sense, it can refer to any facility that houses dogs for breeding, boarding, or care.
Kennel Cough: An infectious respiratory disease in dogs characterized by inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, known for its distinctive honking cough.
Kennel Club: An organization that registers purebred dogs for pedigree tracking and organizes dog shows and performance events.
Kibble: A form of dry dog food that is processed and cooked into small, crunchy pieces.
Kong: A brand of durable rubber toys that can be stuffed with food or treats to provide mental stimulation and reduce boredom in dogs.

L

Lap Dog: A dog that is small enough to be held comfortably on a person’s lap, often affectionate and companionable.
Lead: A strap or material used to guide or control a dog, commonly referred to as a leash.
Leash Law: Regulations that require dogs to be on a leash while in public areas to prevent them from wandering and to ensure public safety.
Leash Training: The process of teaching a dog to walk nicely on a leash without pulling, lunging, or engaging in other undesirable behaviors.
Lick Granuloma: A skin disorder in dogs characterized by a patch of thickened, scarred skin, typically caused by the dog licking an area persistently.
Limited Registration: A designation by kennel clubs that restricts certain dogs from breeding, often because they do not meet the standard of the breed or for population control.
Linebreeding: A form of breeding that aims to concentrate the genetics of specific ancestors by mating individuals within the same family. Unlike inbreeding, which is the mating of closely related individuals (such as siblings or parent to offspring), linebreeding may involve animals that are less closely related, such as cousins. The objective is to maintain a certain degree of genetic diversity while still reinforcing certain traits.
Lipoma: A common, benign fatty tumor in dogs, often found under the skin in middle-aged and older animals.
Liver: A color of dog’s coat that is a deep, reddish-brown.
Loose Leash: A leash that has slack, indicating that the dog is walking without pulling.
Lure Coursing: A sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure, typically engaged in by sighthound breeds.
Luxating Patella: A condition where the kneecap moves out of its normal location, which can cause pain and lameness in dogs.
Litter: A group of puppies born to the same mother at the same time.

M

Management: Strategies or practices employed to prevent a dog from engaging in unwanted behaviors by controlling or altering the dog’s environment and access to various stimuli. (For example, you might manage your dog’s reactivity to the postal carrier by blocking the window temporarily so your dog cannot see the mailman.)
Mange: A skin disease caused by various types of mites, resulting in hair loss, skin irritation, and itching.
Mark: A training term used to signal to a dog the exact moment a desired behavior is performed correctly, often with a sound like a click or a verbal cue, which is followed by a reward.
Marker: The sound, like a clicker or a word (“Good” or “Yes”), used to Mark the behavior that is consistently associated with positive reinforcement.
Martingale Collar: A type of dog collar that provides more control over the animal without the choking effect of a slip collar.
Maternal Aggression: Protective aggressive behavior displayed by a female dog towards others in order to protect her puppies.
Mats: In dog grooming, mats refer to tightly entangled clumps of fur that can form in a dog’s coat. These tangled areas can cause discomfort and even lead to skin irritation or infection if not addressed.
Merle: A distinctive coat pattern in dogs characterized by patches of diluted pigment interspersed with darker areas, which can affect all coat colors and is associated with a specific gene.
Microchip: A permanent method of electronic identification implanted under a dog’s skin.
Mondio Ring: A dog sport that originated in France and focuses on testing a dog’s obedience, agility, and protection skills. It’s a complex and demanding sport that is designed to evaluate the suitability of dogs for various work tasks, such as police work, search and rescue, or personal protection.
Mouthing: A natural behavior in dogs where they use their mouth to explore their environment or play, sometimes resulting in gentle biting or nipping.
Muzzle: The projecting part of a dog’s face, including the nose and mouth.
Muzzle: A device placed over a dog’s snout to prevent biting or unwanted chewing.
Muzzle Grasp: A behavior in dogs where one gently wraps their mouth over the snout of another dog, usually a sign of play or a form of communication among dogs.

N

Nail Clippers: Tools specifically designed to cut a dog’s nails without causing injury or discomfort.
Nail Grinding: A method of smoothing down a dog’s nails using a power tool with a grinding attachment, often considered less stressful for the dog than clipping. Also used to smooth nails after clipping.
Negative Reinforcement: A training method where an unpleasant or aversive stimulus is removed when the desired behavior is performed.
Neuter: The surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, rendering the dog incapable of breeding and reducing certain behaviors and health risks.
Nipping: A quick, light bite that a dog might use during play or when overexcited.
No-Pull Harness: A type of harness designed to discourage dogs from pulling on the leash while walking.
Non-Sporting Group: A classification of dogs that do not fit into the sporting, working, hound, terrier, toy, or herding groups.
Nose Work: A canine sport that mimics professional detection dog tasks by teaching dogs to find specific scents.
Novice: A dog or handler that has not yet earned a certain level of title or distinction in a given activity.
Nutraceuticals: Food or food products that provide medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease in dogs.

O

Obedience: A category of dog sports in which dogs must perform a range of tasks as directed by their handlers.
Obedience Training: The act of training a dog to obey basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘heel’.
Occiput: An anatomical term referring to the highest point on a dog’s skull, which is typically located at the back of the head, just above the neck. It is a bony prominence that can vary in size and shape between different breeds.
Off-Leash: Refers to dogs that are not restrained by a leash and are free to roam, typically in designated areas or during specific training sessions.
On-Leash: Refers to dogs that are being controlled with a leash, usually a requirement in public spaces.
Open Classes: Categories in dog shows or competitions that are open to all dogs, regardless of their previous winnings or titles.
Operant Conditioning: A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment. In dog training, it involves applying these principles to encourage desirable behaviors or discourage unwanted ones.
Outcrossing: The practice of breeding dogs that are not closely related, in order to introduce new traits or to reduce the likelihood of hereditary diseases.
Overgrooming: A behavior in dogs where they excessively lick or chew their fur, which can lead to skin irritation or hair loss, often as a result of stress or allergies.

P

Pacing: A repetitive walking pattern that a dog may display when stressed, anxious, or bored.
Panting: A method of cooling down for dogs, as they do not sweat like humans. Panting allows a dog to regulate its body temperature.
Parasites: Organisms that live on or in a host organism, such as a dog, and get their food from or at the expense of the host.
Paw Pad: The tough, cushioned part of a dog’s foot that absorbs shock and helps with traction.
Pedigree: A document that records the lineage or ancestry of a purebred dog, usually detailing the breed’s family tree.
Penalty-Free Zone: In dog sports, an area where a dog can rest or receive care without penalty or disqualification from the event.
Performance Events: Competitions that test a dog’s ability to perform specific tasks or activities, such as agility, herding, or obedience trials.
Pet Expo: A large-scale event typically open to the public where various pet-related products, services, educational sessions, and activities are showcased, often including competitions, demonstrations, and adoption opportunities.
Pheromones: Chemical substances produced and released into the environment by a dog that can affect the behavior or physiology of others of its species.
Pica: A condition where dogs eat items that are not food, such as rocks, plastic, or fabric.
Pinning: A dominant behavior where one dog forces another dog to the ground and holds them there.
Play Yard: A designated and secure area for dogs to play and exercise safely. Play yards are typically enclosed with fencing and provide a controlled environment where dogs can engage in physical activity, play with toys, socialize with other dogs, and expend energy in a controlled and supervised manner. Play yards are commonly found in animal shelters, dog daycares, boarding facilities, and training centers.
Pointing: A behavior in hunting dogs where they stop and aim their noses towards game, indicating its location.
Points: Refers to the coloration on a dog’s coat in specific areas such as the ears, face, legs, and tail, which contrast with the main body color.
Positive Reinforcement: A training method in which desirable behavior is rewarded with treats, praise, or play, encouraging the dog to repeat the behavior.
Potty Training: The process of teaching a dog to eliminate outside or in a designated indoor area.
Prey Drive: The instinctual inclination of a dog to chase and capture prey, which can be managed through training.
Prick ears: A term describing the ear shape where the ears stand erect and are pointed at the tips, with little or no folding.
Prompt: An extra cue or action used to encourage the dog to perform a specific behavior during training, which is faded out as the dog begins to respond reliably to the command alone.
Puppy Class: A training course specifically designed for puppies. The primary focus of these classes is to teach basic obedience commands but they also cover essential socialization skills. These classes often provide foundational guidance on house training, crate training, and more.
Puppy Mill: A term used to describe a high-volume breeding operation that raises dogs in poor conditions and focuses on profit over the well-being of the animals.
Purebred: A dog whose sire and dam belong to the same breed and who is registered with a recognized breed registry.

Q

Qs: In the context of dog agility competitions, a “Q” stands for “Qualifying score,” which is awarded to a dog and handler team that completes an agility course within the standards set by the competition’s rules. Accumulating a certain number of Qs can lead to titles and the ability to compete at higher levels within the sport.
Quarantine: A period of isolation imposed on a dog to prevent the spread of disease, typically when entering a new country or after exposure to a contagious illness.
Quick: The vascular part inside a dog’s nail that can bleed if cut too short during nail trimming. It provides nourishment to the nail and is sensitive due to nerve endings.
Quilled: A term used to describe a dog that has been impaled by porcupine quills. It is a painful condition that requires veterinary care to safely remove the quills.

R

Rabies: A deadly virus that affects the brain and can infect all warm-blooded animals, including dogs and humans.
Rally (also called Rally Obedience and Rally-O): A dog sport based on obedience where the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations with the dog in heel position.
Recall: The act of a dog returning to its owner when called.
Reactive Dog: A dog that overreacts to certain stimuli or situations, typically with barking, lunging, or aggressive behavior.
Red Zone: A term used to describe a dog that exhibits extreme aggression towards humans or other animals. Managing a red zone dog often requires professional help from experienced trainers who specialize in aggressive dog behavior, and it includes a combination of behavior modification, training, and sometimes medication to manage the aggression.
Reinforcement: A consequence that strengthens a dog’s behavior, making it more likely to occur in the future.
Resource Guarding: When a dog uses avoidance, threatening, or aggressive behaviors to retain control of food or other objects against others.
Retrieval: The act of a dog going to get an object and bringing it back to the person who threw or requested it.
Reverse Sneezing: A phenomenon in dogs characterized by rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds.
Ring Steward: An individual who assists the judge in the organization and smooth operation of a dog show ring.
Roaching: When a dog’s back arches upward; sometimes seen in Greyhounds.
Roan: A coat pattern in dogs characterized by a mixture of colored and white hairs that are not as dark as the main coat color, often giving a mottled or speckled effect. Roan coats are distinct from merle or piebald patterns and the roaning effect is most pronounced on the body, with the head, lower legs, and tail often showing solid color or less mixing.
Roll Over: A trick or command where a dog rolls its body over to one side until it is lying on its back, then completes the roll to the opposite side to return to a standing position.
Rose ears: A type of ear shape where the ears fold backward, exposing the inner ear. This style of ear is characterized by its small size and the way it curls at the tip, resembling the petal of a rose. Commonly seen in Greyhounds and Bulldogs.
Rough Play: Vigorous play that may include body slams, mouthing, and growling, common in young dogs and certain breeds.
Roundworms: A type of parasitic worm that can infect the digestive system of dogs.
Ruff: The thick, longer hair around the neck of some dog breeds.
Run: A fenced area where a dog can exercise and play off-leash. Usually these are smaller are narrower than a dog park.

S

Sable: A coat color in dogs where each hair has a black tip with the rest of the hair being a different color.
Saber tail: A type of dog tail that curves gently up and then down, resembling the shape of a saber or a scimitar. When the dog is at rest, the tail usually hangs with a slight curve, and when the dog is in motion or alert, it may be carried higher, but it does not curl over the back.
Scent Hound: A type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight.
Schutzhund: A competitive dog sport that originated in Germany and translates to “protection dog.” It tests a dog’s tracking, obedience, and protection abilities, and was originally designed to assess the German Shepherd breed for suitability as working dogs. Schutzhund is not only limited to German Shepherds but is open to other breeds as well.
Scissors bite: A term referring to the way a dog’s teeth align when the mouth is closed. In a scissors bite, the outer side of the lower incisors touches the inner side of the upper incisors, resembling the blades of a pair of scissors closing. This is considered the ideal bite in most breeds, allowing for efficient cutting and chewing.
Scooting: The act of a dog dragging its rear end across the ground, often indicative of anal sac irritation or worms.
Screw tail: A tail that curls in a corkscrew shape, distinct from a simple curly tail due to its helical form. This type of tail is a breed-specific trait and is typically short, often found in bulldogs and pugs. The screw tail is the result of a vertebral malformation, which gives it a unique spiral appearance.
Secondary Reinforcer: A stimulus such as a clicker or a word that a dog learns to associate with a primary reinforcer like food or affection.
Separation Anxiety: Distress and behavior problems in dogs that occur when separated from their owners.
Service Dog: A dog trained to perform tasks that assist individuals with disabilities.
Settle: A command used in dog training to instruct a dog to calm down and lie down in a relaxed position, often used to manage hyperactivity or excitement.
Settle Mat: A portable mat–sometimes a Crate Mat–used to train dogs to settle down and relax in various environments, especially in public places or during travel. Trainers and pet owners use the mat to help dogs learn to stay in one place on command, which is particularly useful in busy or distracting settings.
Shaping: A training technique involving the reinforcement of successive approximations of a desired behavior, leading a dog to the final desired action through incremental steps.
Sire: The term used to refer to a dog’s father, especially in the context of breeding.
Sit: A basic obedience command used to instruct a dog to sit down.
Skijoring: A winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by one or more dogs.
Socialization: The process of introducing a puppy or dog to a variety of experiences, including different people, animals, environments, and activities.
Spay: A surgical procedure to remove the ovaries and usually the uterus of a female dog to prevent her from becoming pregnant.
Stacking: Posing a dog in a specific way for showing to best display its body structure.
Stimulus Control: A training term that refers to a behavior being reliably performed in the presence of a specific cue or stimulus.
Stop: The area on a dog’s face where the muzzle meets the skull. It is the indentation or the change in angle between the forehead and the muzzle. In Breed Standards, the prominence and shape of the stop vary widely, being a distinct characteristic in many breeds.
Submissive Grin: A facial expression made by some dogs that involves pulling back the lips and showing teeth, often mistaken for aggression but is actually a sign of submissiveness.
Supervised Play: Time spent allowing a dog to play with other dogs or people while being monitored to ensure safety.
Swayback: A condition where a dog’s back arches downwards, often due to age or poor conditioning.
Synthetic Pheromones: Man-made chemicals that mimic the pheromones naturally produced by dogs, often used to help calm them.

T

Tail Wagging: The motion of a dog moving its tail back and forth; can express various emotions from happiness to nervousness.
Tape Worms: Intestinal parasites that can be seen in a dog’s stool.
Targeting: Training a dog to touch an object with its nose or paw; used as a foundation for more complex behaviors.
Temperament: The nature of a dog that characterizes its behavior; typically refers to aspects like sociability, aggressiveness, and calmness.
Temperament Test: An evaluation designed to assess a dog’s behavioral tendencies and reactions to various stimuli. It gauges a dog’s personality, including its levels of aggression, fear, shyness, friendliness, and protectiveness.
Territorial Barking: Vocalization that occurs when a dog perceives a threat to its territory or home.
Therapy Dog: A dog trained to provide affection, comfort, and support to people in hospitals, retirement homes, schools, and other stressful environments.
Threshold: The point at which a stimulus is strong enough to elicit a response from a dog; in behavior, it’s the moment before a dog reacts to something.
Tick: A bloodsucking parasite that attaches itself to the skin of a dog, which can transmit diseases.
Titer Test: A blood test that measures the level of antibodies to determine if a dog has immunity to certain diseases.
Title: An award or recognition given to a dog by various organizations for achieving a certain level of performance in competitions.
Titling: Earning a specific title in dog sports or conformation through competition.
Topline: The line formed by a dog’s back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
Tracking: A sport where dogs are trained to detect and follow a scent trail left by a person walking through a variety of terrains.
Training Session: A set period during which a dog is taught commands, behaviors, or tricks through repetition and reinforcement.
Transitional Phase: A stage in puppy development, typically between the age of two to four weeks, when the puppy transitions from complete dependence on the mother to more interaction with the environment.
Travel Crate: A container designed to safely transport a dog in a vehicle or airplane.
Treibball: A competitive dog sport that originated in Germany, often likened to a mixture of soccer and herding. In Treibball, dogs must herd and drive large inflatable balls into a goal with guidance from their handlers.
Tricolor: A coat color pattern found in dogs that consists of three distinct colors, typically black, white, and tan. Each color is well-defined and appears in specific areas of the dog’s body; for instance, the tan color often appears as points above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, on the chest, and on the legs.
Tuck up: The pronounced upward curve of a dog’s belly towards the hind legs. This anatomical feature is often seen in sighthounds and many other active breeds.
Tulip ears: A type of ear shape in dogs where the ears stand erect but the edges curl slightly outward, resembling the shape of a tulip flower.
Tug Toy: A toy designed for a dog to grip and pull on with its teeth, often used in play and training.
Turn: In agility and other dog sports, a command to instruct the dog to change direction.

U

UKC: Acronym for the United Kennel Club, the second oldest and second largest all-breed dog registry in the United States, founded in 1898. The UKC gives equal emphasis to hunting dogs, herding dogs, companion dogs, and performance dogs in addition to conformation dogs.
Undercoat: The layer of fur beneath the topcoat, which provides insulation.
Utility Dog: A title in obedience competitions.
Undercoat: The layer of softer, finer hair found beneath the outer coat of some dog breeds; provides insulation and protection against weather.
Undershot: A term describing the alignment of the jaws, where the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw and is not in a normal bite position.
Urine Marking: A behavior in which a dog urinates small amounts on vertical surfaces, often used to mark territory or communicate with other dogs.

V

Vaccination: Administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response for disease prevention.
Vestibular Disease: A condition affecting a dog’s balance, often seen as head tilting.
Vet Check: A physical examination performed by a veterinarian to ensure a dog’s health or diagnose illness.
Vocalization: The act of producing sounds or noises, such as barking, howling, growling, or whining, often used by dogs to communicate.

W

Walk-Up: A training command used to instruct a dog to approach something or someone slowly and carefully.
Weaning: The process of gradually introducing a puppy to solid food while decreasing its dependency on its mother’s milk.
Whelping: The process of a female dog giving birth.
Whelping Box: A safe and comfortable area designated for a mother dog to give birth to and care for her puppies.
Whiskers: The long, sensitive hairs on a dog’s face that are used to detect subtle changes in their environment.
Withers: The highest point of a dog’s shoulder blades, located at the base of the neck above the spine, which is a standard reference point for measuring a dog’s height.
Working Dog: A dog trained to perform tasks that assist humans, such as herding, police work, search and rescue, or service and assistance duties.
Working Group: Dog breeds that were originally bred to perform jobs like guarding property, pulling sleds, and water rescues.
Worming: The process of treating a dog for internal parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, or heartworms, with medication.

X

X-Breed: Another term for a mixed-breed dog.
X-Pen: A type of collapsible, portable enclosure made of metal panels that can be arranged in various shapes, used to confine a dog in a specific area while allowing them space to move around and play safely.
Xylitol: A sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs.

Y

Yard Training: The process of teaching a dog to understand and follow commands within the confines of a yard or a similar enclosed space.
Yeast Infection: A common fungal infection in dogs’ ears or skin.
Yellow Dog Project: A global movement for parents of dogs that need space (DINOS, Dogs In Need Of Space); a yellow ribbon on a dog’s leash or a yellow leash signals that this dog needs space from other dogs and people.
Yelp: A sharp, high-pitched bark, often produced by a dog in response to pain or distress.
Yielding: A training term used when a dog moves or turns away in response to slight pressure or a command, often used in agility or herding.

Z

Zoonosis: A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans under natural conditions.
Zoomies: A colloquial term used to describe bursts of energy where a dog runs around in rapid, random patterns, often after bathing or during playtime.