Undoing the Dewclaw

Checking a dog’s airway, breathing, and circulation.

1. An animal control agency run by local government to protect people from animals, take in strays, and manage animal issues and problems within the community. 2. A privately run shelter managed by individuals who want to protect, advocate for, and find homes for animals.

A method of feeding dogs as closely as possible what they would eat in the wild: raw flesh and bones, along with vegetable matter from the stomachs of their prey. The acronym stands for either Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

A twice-yearly shedding of a dog’s undercoat.

An application to register a purebred puppy.

A person who raises, sells, and often shows dogs of a specific breed. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs in an effort to produce healthy dogs that conform to breed standards.

The removal of a male dog’s testicles to render him infertile.

A crisp, brief snap on a dog’s leash to discourage his current behavior.

A small hand-held device that makes a sharp cracking sound when pressed. Paired with a food reward, an effective dog-training tool.

A stretchy wrap that clings to itself used to cover and secure gauze bandages without tape.

The advent of a female dog’s term of fertility.

The stationary ring on a training collar that pulls on the collar, not the dog’s neck.

Two layers of fur — a top coat of stiff guard hairs and an undercoat that serves as insulation.

The term for hanging or drooping dog ears.

A wide, cone-shaped plastic or cardboard collar that prevents a dog from being able to scratch her head. Used to prevent further injury or hasten healing.

To kill an animal to relieve suffering.

Hair that extends over a dog’s eyes.

Long hair that runs from armpit to paw on the backs of a dog’s legs.

Keeping a constant supply of dog food available so that the dog can decide when and how much to eat. It works best in single-dog households where there’s no competition for food.

Parasites that live in dogs’ hearts and cause heart failure. They’re transferred through mosquito bites.

The period when a female dog is fertile.

A command and position in which a dog walks at your left side staying with you as you change direction or pace.

A painful malformation of a dog’s hip socket. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition.

A localized area of skin infection. It’s usually round, red, and warm to the touch.

The floating ring of a training collar. Attach a leash to this ring for training purposes.

A general term to describe either spaying or castrating a dog to render it infertile. Neutering and castrating are often used interchangeably.

The tufts of hair on the backs of a long-haired dogs legs that make him look like he’s wearing bloomers.

A diagram of a dog’s ancestors for three or more generations that lists the registered names of the dogs and the titles they earned.

A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.

A verbal reward for a dog , such as an enthusiastic “good dog!”

A training collar with interlocking prongs that pinch a dog’s neck when tugged on. Some veterinarians recommend them above all other collars for training purposes.

Normal dog pulse is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The pulse of a puppy ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute.

A place that supplies puppies to pet stores, usually without screening for possible genetic defects or properly socializing the puppies.

The pink part of a dog’s toenail. It supplies blood to the nail.

The paper certifying a dog’s registration with an accredited organization.

An application to register a purebred puppy.

A word that lets a dog know that she is free to move.

A network of animal lovers who rescue and find new homes for their favorite breeds or animals.

To give a dog a treat for a correct response while he’s still in the desired position.

The long, thick fur around a dog’s chest, shoulders, and neck.

A condition in which your dog becomes anxious and stressed when you leave him.

A twice-yearly process of casting off the undercoat in a double-coated dog.

A single layer of hairs that comprises a dog’s fur.

To remove of both the uterus and the ovaries of a dog to render her infertile.

Plucking the dead hairs from a dog’s coat.

Tests that check a dog’s immunity levels to determine exactly which vaccinations are needed.

The top layer of a double-coated dog composed of stiff guard hairs that tend to be naturally water-repellant. The top coat protects the dog’s skin and undercoat.

A collar that enables you to guide your dog and to check her as necessary — a brief, sharp tug tightens the collar around the dog’s neck.

The form filled out when transferring the ownership of a registered purebred dog. It’s located on the back of the registration certificate.

A plastic container filled with small treats or dog food. Shake it and give treats from it as a reward as you train a dog.

Fleecy or downy fur shorter than the top layer of a double-coated dog. The undercoat serves as insulation.