Command: A command is a verbal order (which may sometimes but not always be combined with a hand signal) given by the handler to the dog to perform a specified task and may be preceded by the dog's name if the handler chooses. Examples: "Fido Heel", "Fido Fetch", "Jump".
Dumbbell: 
The object that dogs are required to retrieve in Open Obedience. A dumbbell is made of plastic or wood, and fitted to the dog's mouth. It has two "bells", one on each end of the "bite". The bite is a dowel (also fitted in width and circumference to the dog's bite) in between the two bells.
Dog: A dog (male dog) or bitch (female dog) that is being exhibited in a UKC Trial must be registered or listed with the United Kennel Club. Neutered Mixed Breeds as well as purebreds that are registered or listed with UKC are eligible to enter UKC Performance Events.
DQ:
"The judge has the right to disqualify any dog that snaps, snarls, fights with, or bothers another dog. The dog may be excused by the judge for any of these actions."
--
BLOODLINES, 1996 Rules Special Issue
Excused: "Any dog that growls, bites or threatens to bite the judge, steward, it's handler or another handler while in the ring may be excused from competition. Any dog that is lame, considered a health hazard or is uncontrollable must be excused from competition. Any female dog is in season will also be excused." -- BLOODLINES, 1996 Rules Special Issue
Finish: The name of the exercise a dog performs to return to heel position from the front position. The dog may do this in any manner as long as he does so promptly, without touching the handler and ends up sitting straight in heel position at the handler's left side. There are three main types of finishes:
- Around: Moving to the handler's right, around his back and returning to the handler's left side.
- Swing: Moving to the handler's left by walking or "swinging" his body into position.
- Flip finish: The dog jumps from a sit in front position and, while in the air, turns/twists his body 180 degrees to his left. He lands sitting in heel position at the handler's left side. (Many dogs execute this finish on their own out of sheer enjoyment!)
Forging: When heeling, the dog must remain in heel position with the area between the tip of the dog's nose to the dog's withers (shoulder blades) lined up with the handler's left hip. A dog that forges will heel with this area in front of the handlers left hip. Forging during heeling shall be penalized as a major or minor deduction of points depending upon the amount of deviation.
Front Position: Front position is the dog sitting in front of the handler on returning from a previous command. The dog must sit straight without touching the handler but within reach of the handler. Points are deducted for not sitting on returning to the handler or not sitting straight. A dog will NQ if it sits out of reach of the handler on any exercise that requires a "front".
Handler: The person who handles the dog in the ring.
Heel Position: Heel position requires the dog's head and neck to be in line with the handler's left hip while the handler is stationary or moving through changes of pace (normal, fast and slow), and turns (Right, Left and About). The handler may not touch the dog to keep the dog in position and the dog may not touch or bump the handler but must remain within an arm's width of the handler at all times. The dog must also sit automatically during halts without an extra command.
Heeling Pattern: Demonstrating heeling on straight lines and turns, a heeling pattern can be any pattern the judge decides within the confines of the obedience ring but should remain the same for each exhibitor in a class unless there are unusual circumstances such as a dog fouling the ring. The heeling pattern must contain these orders from the judge: Forward, Halt, About Turn, Left Turn, Right Turn, Normal, Fast and Slow. A "Normal" order must also be given to end the Fast and Slow and a "Forward" order must be given after each halt. After the judge orders "Forward" the handler may give either a signal OR a command (but not both) to the dog to "heel" and the dog must maintain heel position without further commands. The handler may not give additional commands without losing points but may give another "heel" command OR signal after each "Forward" order is given by the judge. Normally, heeling patterns take on one of three basic shapes: "L", "U" or "T" but may have variations or combinations of these shapes.
Heeling Wide: When heeling the dog must remain within an arm's width of the handler without touching the handler. A deviation of more than an arm's width is considered "heeling wide" and shall be penalized as a major or minor deduction of points depending upon the amount of deviation.
Honoring Dog: Honoring is an exercise taken from Field Trials where the dog must stay in position while another dog is "working". In the case of a Field Trial, the working dog is doing a retrieve and the Honoring Dog "honors" or waits for the "working dog" to complete the retrieve. In the case of a UKC Obedience Trial, the working dog is performing the Heel On or Off Lead and Figure 8 exercise while the Honoring dog executes a "down/stay" near the path of the working dog.
Lagging: When heeling, the dog must remain in heel position with the area between the tip of the dog's nose to the dog's withers (shoulder blades) lined up with the handler's left hip. A dog that lags will heel with this area behind the handlers left hip. Lagging during heeling shall be penalized as a major or minor deduction of points depending upon the amount of deviation.
Leg: A slang term for a qualifying score.
NQ: A deviation in the performance of the dog that causes it to non-qualify for that exercise. Each exercise in obedience has certain elements that the dog must perform. Failing to perform one or more of the required elements results in a non-qualifying performance.
Order: An order is a command (verbal or signal) given by the judge to the handler. Examples: "Forward", "Send Your Dog", "Bar Jump".
Qualfying Score: A qualifying score is earned if the dog earns at least 170 of the 200 possible points and at least half of the possible points on each exercise. To earn the title, U-CDX (United Companion Dog Excellent) the dog must earn three qualifying scores under at least two different judges in UKC licensed obedience trials.
Ring Gate: The area of the ring that is left open for handlers and dogs to enter and exit and to test the dog's ability and willingness to remain in the ring with or without the handler present. The dog must be given the option of leaving the ring which, if it does, will cause him to Non-Qualify.
Ring Steward: One of two persons who assist the judge in the ring and perform the duties of the ring steward.
Signal: A signal is a silent command given to the dog by the handler to perform a specified task. A signal may be given with the hand or arm but must be one continuous motion with the hand or arm returning to its designated position after the signal is given. A signal may sometimes be given in combination with a verbal command.
Walker's Path: The path that the Steward walks on the Drop on Recall and the Heel Off Lead exercises. The walker is intended to be a distraction for the dog and to test the dog's ability to ignore the approach of a stranger.
Working Dog: The working dog is the dog that is performing the working (or active) exercises in the ring.