When you think of sled dogs, your mind may go straight to the legendary dog races, such as the Iditarod, in which teams of beautiful huskies pull mushers (the sport's term for the sled drivers) through ice and snow. It's a stunning thing to watch, but there's much more to sled dogs' history than just […]

Natural Supplements as Treatment of Separation AnxietyMany veterinarians would tell you that separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral problems they encounter. Holistic vets may suggest natural supplements as the remedy. Separation anxiety is seen in dogs of all breeds, but often in large, high-energy dogs that are confined to a small area […]

General George S. Patton Jr., the brilliant but endlessly controversial bad boy of World War II, was once paid a compliment by a British colleague: You would have made a great marshal for Napoleon, had you lived in the 18th century. Patton replied, But I did, dear boy, I did. Like his ivory-handled pistols and […]

If there was one winner during the past year of social distancing and staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19, it was dogs. Pups across the world relished the constant presence of their people and the extra attention that comes with it. But there's also a flip side to that coin: Once we all […]

Carole Lee Richards got her first Weimaraner in 1978. She was just looking for a pet at the time, but her interest in the breed quickly grew, and eventually she bred her first litter and was competing in dog shows. Since then she has bred many champions, become an AKC judge, and handled Weimaraners in […]

Most dog owners have no doubt heard about the importance of socializing their puppy. Proper socialization means providing positive experiences with as many new people, dogs, and situations as possible. It’s essential for developing a confident and well-adjusted adult dog that is comfortable with all life has to offer. Unfortunately, despite the significance, many people […]

You have just been told that while you are at work, your dog barks all day. At first you don’t want to believe it. But you know that if you were in your neighbor’s shoes, you wouldn’t want to listen to endless barking either. A big part of being a responsible dog owner is ensuring […]

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in our daily routines. Many of us have taken the opportunity to add pets to our families during this time. And our reduced social schedules have allowed for more quality time with our family and pets. Although our cats may have mixed emotions about this change, our dogs […]

Owners are often amused or embarrassed when their dog or puppy begins humping or mounting a person, object, or another dog. Humping, or mounting, is typically seen when a dog is over excited, hence why it happens frequently when groups of dogs are playing. It's not an abnormal behavior among dogs; however, it does have the potential […]

Ask AKC  Dear AKC: We have a ten-month-old puppy that we got when he was three-months-old from the local shelter. He has a lot of energy and when he runs around the house he knocks things over and jumps on the kids. I keep him out in the garage most of the day now because he […]

A well-trained German Shepherd Dog (GSD) is a joy to live with, one of many reasons why this is America's second-most popular dog breed. Making sure you bring out the best of this remarkable breed starts with puppy training, when your GSD is most impressionable. Finding a Puppy Who Is the Best Fit for You […]

Paid Advertisement In an ideal world, you could spend all of your time with your dog, but unfortunately, that's not the case for most people. Don't fret, though, because you can always keep an eye on your canine companion to ensure the pup's safety with a pet monitoring camera, whether you're around the block or […]

Nothing about the passing of a loved one is easy. But what is already a painful and stress-filled situation might be made more stressful if you've inherited your loved one's dog, especially if you weren't prepared for the challenge of welcoming a new pet into your life. Here's what you need to know if you're […]

When it comes to communication, dogs are significantly better at interpreting our body language than we are theirs. Humans rely on verbal language more heavily than body language, whereas dogs are just the opposite. Unfortunately, this often means we are left scratching our heads, wondering what our dogs are trying to tell us. Shaking is […]

Fifteen-year-old Reagan Wallace from St. Peters, Missouri got involved with training dogs during the pandemic. Now, she’s an active dog Agility competitor, placing third at the AKC Junior Agility Championship. In addition to Agility, Wallace and her dogs now participate in a variety of AKC sports, including Rally, Fast CAT, and Obedience. Wallace competes with […]

Puppies have a short time window for optimal socialization, and that requires exposure to multiple different surfaces, people of all backgrounds, and various new situations. But what about the puppies who happen to be within that window now, during this time of necessary social distancing due to COVID-19? How can they be socialized so they […]

During the COVID-19 lockdown, your puppy won the people lottery by enjoying your attention around the clock. Snuggling for hours on the couch, long neighborhood walks, and extra lunchtime treats were all in a day's work. It's a heavenly routine your canine best friend has come to rely on. The downside is that your pup […]

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. —Maya Angelou A young vet assistant carried my Lab, Fergus, into a room set aside for euthanasia. While Fergus lay on a large, soft pillow, I lay down beside him. I told him what a good guy he was and how I loved him. […]

One of the most common questions owners ask veterinarians about their senior dogs is “Can elderly dogs get Alzheimer’s?” You may have noticed that your older dog has started slowing down, or that she seems disoriented and anxious. Some of this is normal aging, but your dog could also have the canine equivalent of Alzheimer’s disease: Cognitive […]

When humans are reunited with their pets, owners might shed more than a few tears. But do dogs do the same? Until now, most evidence has indicated that, while they do exhibit empathic responses to humans in need of comfort, dogs do not cry. But a new study from Japan, published in the journal Current […]