It looks so innocent. Three sides...a swinging gate....a quiet, empty, beckoning space... and a six foot rope. Why is it then, that sheep often hit an invisible barrier as they approach this inanimate object we call the free-standing pen? Why do they stop, lean back, then shy away and hesitate to enter? Could it be […]

By AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Elizabeth Sandling A therapy dog can bring much comfort and joy when visiting people in places such as retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals, schools to help children with special needs, and visiting those who have experienced a stressful or crisis situation. A therapy dog's job is to make people feel […]

By Joan Harrigan and Susan BeegelMuch is demanded of show dogs – they must be adaptable, calm, and tolerant in addition to meeting the requirements of their breed standards. Two Beaucerons, both champions and exhibited at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, have show careers that are secondary to their day-to-day work. For Beaucerons […]

  Bonnie Bailey of Alexandria, Va., asks: Gunny seeks out rocks to retrieve, bury, and chew. I am concerned that Gunny will swallow a small one (although most are too big) or crack a tooth. It's not possible to remove all the rocks in the yard, so I would like to train him away from […]

At a recent dog show, several littermates of both sexes, handled by assorted novice owners, were entered in the 9-12 Month Puppy class. While none of the puppies exhibited disqualifying faults, they were generic in type and not what I would consider "show quality." The judge that day agreed. The puppies were not up to […]

Dee S. writes that she's concerned about how her dog is acting around her 6-month-old baby. "He mouths her feet, sniffs and licks her head, hands, and feet. He takes her socks off. Is he being protective or jealous?" AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Paisley Lunchick offers up some advice. It’s always an exciting time when a […]

Question: I have a 4 month old Wire Fox Terrier who is a "mouther." Since I am the main subject of his mouthing affection, I continue to have small punctures and scratches on on my arms, hands and ankles. He has a number of puppy teething toys and we have tried "no" commands, displeasure yelps, […]

No one likes to think their dog could be capable of biting. One of the most common questions most of us get when someone wants to greet our dog is, "Does your dog bite?" If your dog enjoys meeting people you probably tell them that no, your dog doesn't bite. But the reality is that […]

Bringing home a Newfoundland puppy is unlike raising any other puppy. Not only are they physically huge as puppies—which means giant-size fun and big messes—these large pups also take significantly longer to physically and mentally mature than smaller breeds. This means particular training considerations, both when your puppy first comes home, and for the first […]

The popularity of Siberian Huskies has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to the breed's appearance on TV shows such as Game of Thrones. But as a fiercely intelligent and energetic dog, this breed is far from just a fashion accessory: it needs care, attention, and plenty of exercise and activity. How can new Siberian Husky owners care for […]