Are you looking for a way to ensure your new pup’s family has all the information they need? The American Kennel Club’s modernized puppy folders can help! Customizable with information specific to the pup – registration number, name, birth date, feeding details and more - these updated folders were created with the new owner in […]

Learn the best time to socialize your puppy, how to do it right, and why it's important from AKC's dog training experts.

Deciphering the registered names of show dogs can be a baffling process for the public. "Why are the names so long?" "Is that how they call their dogs?" "What do all those letters mean?" "What language is that?" Those are just some of the comments heard when commentators announce show dogs by their formal names. […]

New puppy owners hear a ton of advice from their family, their neighbors, and even the overly-talkative owner at the dog park. Some is spot on, and some is ill-advised. Because those early weeks with a new puppy are critical, it's important to filter that advice and do what's best for your pup and their […]

Great Danes are easy to spot—thanks to their physical magnitude—and quite easy to live with too, despite their large stature. The breed is known to be friendly, patient, and dependable. They are gentle giants who get along well with kids and are loyal and lovable pets all around. However, their large size and giant breed […]

Choosing the right pet insurance for your puppy is a part of being a responsible dog owner. Learn what you should know about selecting a pet insurance.

When it comes to Poodles, there is more to the breed than what meets the eye. Fluffy, show dog looks aside, the Poodle is an active, smart, and proud breed that has been favored for centuries. Initially used as a duck hunting breed in Germany, Poodles are now the national dog of France and wear the title […]

Rottweilers are as loyal and loving as they are protective and confident. The working dog has been a long-loved breed that dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. And while they have played various roles over the course of history, today they make a fun-loving companion for families across the country. The breed is […]

Large and sturdy, Bernese Mountain Dogs are as beautiful as they are affectionate. Berners, as they're also called, live to please their owners. Their intelligence and gentle temperament make them easy to train. But Berners can be sensitive to harsh correction and don't do well with being left alone. That's why it's important to consider specific training […]

When you’re playing with your puppy and she starts chewing on your hand, chances are she is teething.  Puppies that are teething have a developmental issue, not a behavioral issue.  It’s the same as when human babies teethe.  Tiny needlelike teeth begin to appear when puppies are two to four weeks old.  Then, when they’re about […]

When you first get a puppy, there is so much to do to introduce them to their new home. From potty training to puppy-proofing, you might feel like your hands are full. But there is one critical step you don’t want to forget — teaching your pup how to enjoy being alone. Although it’s tempting […]

Raising a confident puppy helps deal with possible behavioral issues in the future. Here's how you can help your puppy grow into a self-assured young dog.

There's nothing like the excitement of a puppy greeting. You get a wriggling body, a wagging tail, and licks on the face. Talk about feeling loved. But do you get a puddle of pee on the floor as well? That doesn't feel quite as loving. Why would your puppy pee right in front of you like that? […]

A common complaint among new puppy owners is that their puppies are constantly biting their hands. Although this behavior can be alarming or overwhelming, it's extremely natural. Puppies understand the world around them by putting things into their mouth. Biting and mouthing are normal puppy behavior and aren't generally a cause for alarm or concern, and it […]

Puppy buying is at an all-time high — so it’s no surprise that you may be on the search for a new dog right now. But unfortunately, as more people look to buy puppies, puppy scams are also on the rise. In today’s digital world, almost everyone uses the internet for shopping, including finding a […]

There are so many new experiences and things to think about when you bring home your puppy that you may forget one of the most important parts of puppy homecoming: establishing a routine. Structure will help your new canine family member feel secure and know what’s expected of him. The best way to do this is to […]

Puppies, like human babies, do a lot of learning to do in their early months, especially when it comes to navigating their new environment and adopting good manners. For tips on how to facilitate that learning, we turned to certified dog trainer Kate Naito, who is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Manners […]

Although an annoying behavior, nipping at your fingers and toes is completely normal for teething puppies and is something you can train away.

Just when you think your puppy should be settling down for the night, boom, your puppy jumps up and starts running around the house like there's a squirrel to chase. But there's no obvious reason for the behavior. There's nothing ahead of them to chase and nothing behind chasing them. What's gotten into your pup? […]

When you bring that fuzzy ball of puppy energy into your home, you know right away that your new puppy depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give your new puppy all the care they need every day. It can be a little intimidating — your puppy needs the best puppy […]