Dog glossary
Short, plain English definitions of terms you will meet on vet visits, in training classes and on kennel club sites, each linked to the page that explains it in more depth.
- Allium
- The plant family that includes onions, garlic, chives and leeks, all of which can damage dogs' red blood cells. See onions.
- Aversive training
- Training that relies on force, pain, or physical or emotional discomfort, such as lead jerks or shock collars. Not recommended by the AVSAB.
- Body condition score (BCS)
- A hands on rating of body fat, commonly on a 9 point scale where 4 to 5 is ideal. See how to score your dog.
- Brachycephalic
- Flat faced or short nosed. Brachycephalic dogs cannot pant as effectively and are at higher risk of heatstroke (RSPCA).
- Breed standard
- A kennel club's detailed description of how a breed should look, move and behave.
- Capturing
- Marking and rewarding a behavior the dog offers on its own.
- Core vaccine
- A vaccine recommended for all dogs unless there is a medical reason not to. In the AAHA guidelines: distemper, adenovirus type 2, parvovirus, leptospirosis and rabies.
- Flooding
- Keeping an animal in a frightening situation until it stops reacting. Advised against by the AVSAB.
- Gundog
- Royal Kennel Club group of dogs bred to find and/or retrieve game; broadly equivalent to the AKC Sporting group.
- Leptospirosis
- A bacterial disease that can affect dogs and people; added to the AAHA core vaccine list in 2024.
- Luring
- Guiding a dog into a position with a treat, then fading the treat into a hand signal.
- Marker
- A click or word that tells the dog the exact moment it earned a reward.
- Methylxanthines
- Stimulant compounds, including theobromine and caffeine, that make chocolate, coffee and caffeine toxic to dogs.
- Non core vaccine
- A vaccine recommended for some dogs depending on lifestyle, location and risk, such as Bordetella, Lyme disease or canine influenza.
- Parvovirus
- A serious viral disease of dogs; one of the core vaccines.
- Pastoral
- Royal Kennel Club group of herding dogs; broadly equivalent to the AKC Herding group.
- Periodontal disease
- Disease of the gums and tissues holding the teeth; the most common dental condition in dogs (AVMA).
- Reward based training
- Teaching by reinforcing the behavior you want with things the dog values. Recommended by the AVSAB for all dogs.
- Shaping
- Rewarding small steps that build toward a final behavior.
- Positive, safe exposure to people, animals, places and experiences, most important in a puppy's first three months.
- Theobromine
- The main toxic methylxanthine in chocolate. Merck gives its half life in dogs as 17.5 hours.
- Xylitol
- A sugar alcohol sweetener that triggers a dangerous insulin release and low blood sugar in dogs.
Sources
- Recommendations for core and noncore canine vaccines, American Animal Hospital Association
- Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (2021), American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
- Heatstroke in dogs, RSPCA
- Pet dental care, American Veterinary Medical Association
- Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual
- Body Condition Score: Dog (chart), World Small Animal Veterinary Association
- What is a pedigree dog?, The Royal Kennel Club
General education only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, contact your vet; in an emergency, contact an emergency vet straight away.