A

Agility: A dog sport where dogs navigate through an obstacle course, judged on speed and accuracy.

Ankylosis: Stiffness or fusion of a joint due to abnormal adhesion and rigidity of the bones.

B

Baiting: Using food or toys to attract a dog’s attention during training or shows.

Bark Collar: A collar designed to reduce or prevent barking through sound, vibration, or electric stimulation.

Brachycephalic: Refers to dogs with short, wide heads and flat faces, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, often associated with breathing issues.

Behavior Modification: The use of behavior-changing techniques to improve or eliminate unwanted behaviors.

Bite Inhibition: A dog’s ability to control the force of its bite, learned during puppyhood.

C

Canine Distemper: A highly contagious viral disease in dogs that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

Clicker Training: A positive reinforcement training method using a clicker to mark desired behaviors.

Conformation: The structure and physical appearance of a dog, particularly how it conforms to breed standards.

Counter Conditioning: A behavior modification technique where a negative reaction to a stimulus is changed to a positive one by associating it with something the dog likes.

D

Dewclaw: A vestigial toe on the inner side of a dog’s front or rear legs, sometimes removed shortly after birth.

Docking: The surgical removal of a portion of a dog’s tail, often done for certain breeds.

Double Coat: A type of coat consisting of a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat, found in breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds.

Desensitization: Gradually exposing a dog to a feared stimulus at a low intensity to reduce the fear response.

E

Entropion: A condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea.

Epilepsy: A neurological disorder causing recurrent seizures in dogs.

Euthanasia: The humane act of putting a dog to death, usually to relieve pain or suffering.

Extinction: The process of reducing a behavior by no longer reinforcing it.

F

Feathering: Longer hair on the legs, tail, and underside of certain breeds, such as Setters and Spaniels.

Flyball: A dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/finish line, over a line of hurdles to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad.

Furminator: A brand of grooming tool designed to remove loose hair from a dog’s undercoat.

Fear Aggression: Aggressive behavior displayed out of fear, often due to past negative experiences.

G

Gait: The way a dog moves, including walking, trotting, and running.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): Also known as bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists, trapping gas inside.

Guard Hair: The coarser, longer hairs in a dog’s coat that provide protection from the elements.

Generalization: The process by which a dog learns to respond to a command or stimulus in different environments or situations.

H

Herding: A natural instinct in some breeds to control the movement of other animals.

Hip Dysplasia: A genetic disorder where the hip joint does not fit properly into the hip socket, leading to arthritis and pain.

Housetraining: The process of teaching a dog to eliminate outside or in a designated indoor area.

Habituation: The process by which a dog becomes accustomed to a stimulus and stops reacting to it.

I

Inbreeding: The mating of closely related dogs, often leading to an increase in genetic defects.

Ingestive Behavior: The manner in which a dog eats or consumes food.

Instinct: An innate behavior in dogs, such as herding or retrieving.

Impulse Control: Training that teaches a dog to control its immediate reactions and behaviors.

J

Jowl: The loose flesh and skin hanging from the lower jaw of some dogs.

K

Kennel Cough: A highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs, characterized by a persistent cough.

Kibble: Dry dog food, typically made from ground ingredients shaped into pellets.

Knuckling: When a dog bends its paw under and walks on its knuckles, often indicating neurological or orthopedic issues.

L

Lure Coursing: A sport where dogs chase a mechanically operated lure across a field.

Luxating Patella: A condition where the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal position.

Lyme Disease: An infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites.

Luring: A training technique where a treat or toy is used to guide a dog into a desired position.

M

Microchip: A small electronic chip implanted under a dog’s skin for identification purposes.

Muzzle: A device placed over a dog’s snout to prevent biting or barking.

Myiasis: Infestation by fly larvae, typically occurring in wounds or body openings.

Marker Training: Using a specific signal, such as a clicker or word, to mark the exact moment a desired behavior occurs, followed by a reward.

N

Neutering: The surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles, often to prevent breeding and reduce certain behaviors.

Nipping: A quick, sharp bite, often a playful or herding behavior in puppies.

Nosework: A sport where dogs use their sense of smell to locate a specific scent.

Negative Reinforcement: Strengthening a behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus when the behavior occurs.

O

Obedience: Training that teaches a dog to respond to specific commands.

Osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer commonly found in large and giant breed dogs.

Otitis: Inflammation of the ear, often leading to infection and discomfort.

Operant Conditioning: A learning process in which the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.

P

Paw Pads: The tough, cushioned pads on the bottom of a dog’s feet.

Pedigree: The recorded ancestry or lineage of a dog, showing its purebred status.

Puppy Mill: A commercial breeding facility that prioritizes profit over the health and well-being of the dogs.

Positive Reinforcement: Strengthening a behavior by providing a reward when the behavior occurs.

Q

Quarantine: Isolation of a dog to prevent the spread of disease.

Quick: The blood vessel and nerve inside a dog’s nail, which can cause pain and bleeding if cut.

R

Rabies: A fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system of dogs and other mammals, transmitted through bites.

Rehoming: Finding a new home for a dog, often due to changes in the owner’s circumstances.

Ringworm: A fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails, not caused by a worm.

Reactivity: Excessive response to stimuli, such as other dogs or people, often involving barking or lunging.

S

Sable: A coat color pattern characterized by black-tipped hairs overlaying a lighter base color.

Separation Anxiety: A condition where a dog experiences extreme distress when left alone.

Spaying: The surgical removal of a female dog’s ovaries and uterus to prevent breeding.

Socialization: The process of exposing a dog to various environments, people, and other animals to develop appropriate social behavior.

T

Tail Docking: The removal of part of a dog’s tail for breed standards or perceived health reasons.

Teething: The process of a puppy’s baby teeth falling out and being replaced by adult teeth.

Tick: A parasitic arachnid that attaches to a dog’s skin and feeds on blood.

Threshold: The point at which a dog reacts to a stimulus, such as a person or another dog.

U

Undercoat: The soft, dense layer of fur beneath the outer coat, providing insulation.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection in any part of the urinary system, causing discomfort and frequent urination.

Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which can lead to pain and vision problems.

V

Vaccination: The administration of a vaccine to stimulate a dog’s immune response against diseases.

Viral Papilloma: Benign warts caused by a virus, often found in young dogs.

Von Willebrand’s Disease: A genetic bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in a specific clotting factor.

Variable Reinforcement: A training method where rewards are given intermittently rather than after every correct response, making behaviors more resistant to extinction.

W

Weaning: The process of transitioning a puppy from mother’s milk to solid food.

Whiskers: Long, tactile hairs on a dog’s muzzle, cheeks, and above the eyes, aiding in spatial awareness.

Working Dog: A dog bred and trained to perform tasks such as herding, guarding, or assisting people with disabilities.

X

Xylitol: A sugar substitute toxic to dogs, commonly found in sugar-free gum and candies.

X-ray: A diagnostic imaging technique used to view the inside of a dog’s body, particularly bones and organs.

X-linked: Refers to genes located on the X chromosome, often relating to inherited conditions.

Y

Yeast Infection: An overgrowth of yeast in a dog’s ears, skin, or paws, causing itching and discomfort.

Yelping: A high-pitched bark or cry, often indicating pain or distress.

Yorkshire Terrier: A small breed of dog known for its long, silky coat and feisty personality.

Z

Zoonosis: A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Zoomies: Sudden bursts of energy where a dog runs around frantically, often in circles.

Zygomatic Arch: The bony arch on the side of a dog’s skull, forming part of the eye socket.