Every Dog Needs to Know: How to Potty on Leash This issue’s training tip is contributed by North Carolina resident and AKC GoodDog Helpline Trainer Caroline Currie CPDT-KA. Caroline has been a professional dog trainer since 2012 and currently owns three dogs: Pippin (Miniature American Shepherd) and Chopper and Margot (Border Terriers). She competes in [...]

Use the following resources as a guide to responsible dog breeding. You may also want to watch the AKC webinar on Planning Breedings: Are you ready to breed a litter of puppies? Prepare Yourself for Breeding a Litter of Puppies Breed to Improve Understand the Commitment Choose A Suitable Mate Know Your Genetics Finalize Stud [...]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings [...]

The purpose of non-competitive Earthdog tests is to offer breeders and owners of small Terriers and Dachshunds a standardized gauge to measure their dogs' natural aptitude and trained hunting and working behaviors when exposed to an underground hunting situation. The noncompetitive program begins with a basic introduction to den work and quarry and progresses through [...]

Barking…chasing..rushing..splitting…gripping…overflanking…ignoring…not stopping…these are just a few of the negative things our dogs may exhibit on occasion during the training process. Running…hollering…pushing…repeating…allowing…grudging…Well, folks, these are just a few of the negatives things handlers may exhibit while in the training process! And, if [...]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. Dog Breeds [...]

Whether on the carpet, hardwood floor, or anywhere else, here's how to make sure that dog urine won’t leave a lasting impression (and smell).

If you've got pets, you know a pet-friendly home is a must. Whether you have cats, dogs, hamsters, or maybe a mixture, they're going to spend most‚ if not all, of their time in your house. So, how do you make sure the place is a perfect fit for Fido and Fluffy? Here are four [...]

If you have dogs, cats, or other pets in your family, you'll want to take their needs into account when you're looking to buy a house. Yes, really. Your furry roommates might seem easygoing, but certain homes, and neighborhoods, are more pet-friendly than others. Here are six questions to ask that often get overlooked; keep [...]

Dealing with eye boogers might not be the most pleasant part of pet ownership. However, learning when and how to clean your dog's eyes, especially if they're a breed prone to tear staining or discharge, can help keep them comfortable and prevent problems like eye infections from developing. In This Article When Eye Cleaning Is [...]

All dogs make messes, shed, or have accidents. So how do you keep your carpets clean when you have dogs? Follow these simple tips.

It's important to know how to keep your dog healthy. Here are some of the key ways to maintain your dog's health, inside and out.

When you already have a cozy bed for your pup, you might ask if dogs need blankets. Learn why dog blankets can be beneficial and how to choose one.

If you're feeling ill, there's nothing better than cuddling with your dog to improve your spirits. But what if your symptoms include a sore throat, and you're diagnosed with strep? Can dogs get strep throat? If so, is strep throat in dogs contagious to people? Strep throat, an infection marked by swollen tonsils and difficulty [...]

If you’ve noticed pink, red, or brown staining on your dog’s fur, especially around the eyes, mouth, or paws, you’re not alone. This discoloration is often caused by naturally occurring compounds, but in some cases, it may signal an underlying health issue. Understanding what causes these stains can help you decide when [...]

It's crucial to wash your dog's bed every week. Here's how to pick the right bed for your dog and guidance on maintaining dog bedding.

Keep an eye out for physical, behavioral, and mental changes in your older dog. These might be signs of aging in dogs, and being aware of them is the first step to ensuring continued quality of life for senior dogs.

Creativity and patience are the keys to success when grooming feet, eyes, and ears. Below are some tips from groomers and dog owners. Grooming Toes When grooming a dog's toes, training is key. Essentially, you need your dog to do several things at the same time: Hold still so that you’re less likely to [...]

Toothbrushing can be a pain when it comes to your dogs, but with these 12 simple steps, you can make this important grooming process easy for you both.

Every spring, the AKC Shop heads to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando to seek out the newest, most innovative, and must-have pet products from some of the world's top vendors. The 2019 show, the largest pet products trade show in the world, featured 1,174 exhibitors, 3,604 booths, and more than 3,000 new product launches. Unfortunately for pet owners [...]

Friendly, active, and outgoing, Labrador Retrievers regularly rank among the most popular dog breeds. There's a lot to love, and for first-time Lab owners, there's a lot to get to know — especially over the course of the initial months of your puppy's first year of life. So what are the key milestones and firsts to [...]

Many dermatological conditions cause flaky, inflamed, itchy skin for our pups, but one of the most commonly diagnosed skin diseases is pyoderma in dogs.

Agility really is for any dog, and at the 2021 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dozens of rescue dogs showed up to prove it. In total, more than 1,000 dogs took place in the competition on March 26-29. Representing 100+ breeds, these dogs came from across the nation. For some dogs, Agility is more than [...]

I can hardly wait for warm weather to get here and stay here.  This winter in my area has been a long hard one. In my last spring cleaning article, we covered several tasks that are helpful for breeders and kennel owners to do before spring springs! I will cover them again here and add [...]

Discover expert tips from the AKC on how to cope with frequent vet visits for dogs with chronic health conditions. Learn how to support your pet, reduce stress, and maintain emotional well-being.

Yorkies are famous for their human-like hair and show-worthy coats, and that's why learning how to groom a Yorkshire Terrier puppy is so important.

When a house fire strikes, every second counts. Here are some things you can do to protect your dog in the event of a house fire.

Every dog, no matter the breed, can benefit from wearing a raincoat. Keeping your dog dry prevents adverse health conditions and puts their comfort first.

My husband, Donald, became permanently disabled a year prior to us purchasing Klaus.  On May 1, 2012, as he was driving home from work, he smashed his car into another car while going 50 miles an hour and then hit a wall. At first we thought he fell asleep at the wheel but after months of numerous tests [...]

This story originally appeared in the summer 2012 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News and later was reprinted in a 2013 issue of AKC Family Dog magazine. The story won first place in the 2013 Dog Writers Association of America writing competition in the category of “Magazine Feature Article with the topic of Rescue.”Since [...]