Ever the charmer, a Shih Tzu puppy can be challenging to train. These loveable con artists live up to their name, meaning "Lion Dog." Shih Tzu respond best to training methods based on praise and rewards. For advice on training and expected milestones, we talked to Nancy Broz, owner of Jen-Mai Shih Tzu with over […]

Puppies are a lot of wonderful things – snuggly, playful, spirited – but sometimes they can be a little too curious for their own good. No matter how puppy-proofed a home is or how careful owners are, puppies have a way of finding trouble. We’ve chosen six pet health insurance claims in which puppies (under […]

Tennis balls are the quintessential modern dog toy. My dog can sniff them out of roadside ditches, and nothing gives her as much joy as chasing after them in a wide-open field. However, tennis balls are a special toy in our household, reserved for supervised playtime. This is because, while they are undeniably one of […]

External parasites live on the outside of a dog’s body. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. […]

Rescuing a dog is exciting but can also be intimidating. Whether you’re looking at the local shelter or using a private rescue organization, there can be many dogs to choose from. Although you might be tempted to pick the first cute face you see, it’s essential to make an informed choice. Your goal is to […]

Do you have to repeat your cues before your dog does what you ask? Have you ever wondered if your dog is really understanding what you are asking for, or in a moment of frustration wondering if your dog is just blowing you off? Dogs aren't just ignoring your cues for the sake of being […]

Spring has sprung!  The daffodil, jonquils and tulips are in full bloom in many areas across the country.  But what does this have to do with a dog kennel?  I use these naturally occurring signs as a reminder to tackle certain tasks, which will make the hot summer months ahead easier and safer for me […]

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 […]

Aging is a natural part of life, even for dogs. Their pace slows, their naps increase, and their coats may get gray. Giant breeds like the Mastiff are considered seniors by 6 or 7 years old, whereas toy breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier don't enter their senior years until they're 10 to 12. Regardless of when it happens, it's important to appreciate the […]

Corn is a common and much-maligned dog food ingredient. But, just because corn in dog food is cost-effective, it doesn't mean it's worthless.

As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt? Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? Holistic veterinarian Dr. Laurie S. Coger, DVM, explains, “Dirt eating is a form of what is termed 'pica,' the ingestion of nonfood […]

If you're a dog owner, you probably spend a lot of time dealing with dog poop. Not only do you need to pick up after your dog on your walks, but chances are you also spend time thinking about how consistent and regular your dog's poop is. But how often should dogs do their business? […]

Allergies are quite common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. They occur when a dog's immune system has a hyper-reaction to a foreign substance, such as pollen, flea saliva, vaccines, spider bites, bee stings, or even certain foods that normally would cause little or no reaction in most dogs. We suspect certain dog allergies, […]

As a breeder, you know that a puppy can go from happily playing to feeling under the weather within a matter of hours. After several litters, you may know the symptoms that indicate a minor illness versus symptoms that could become an expensive medical emergency. Passing this knowledge on to your puppy owners can go a long way […]

Congratulations! You’ve taken the plunge and joined the exciting and sometimes chaotic world of dog ownership. By now, you’ve probably done some research and have an understanding of how to care for your new puppy. Your house is going to be the place where your dog spends the majority of their life, so it’s vitally […]

Caring for the New Family Dog As the owner of a new puppy, you can expect the loveable little creature to: Chew the leather handle on your guitar case, the plastic lever on your home office chair, and the wooden leg of your walnut veneer coffee table. Whimper at the side of your bed at […]

What could be more all-American than baseball and dogs? Combine the two and it makes for a perfect summer afternoon. Across the country, minor league baseball teams — and even a few major league teams — have their very own baseball dogs that are as much a part of the team as players, coaches, and […]

Dogs love getting into things they shouldn't — whether on the sidewalk or in your purse. So what should you do if your dog accidentally eats a cigarette or cigarette butt? Cigarettes can be extremely dangerous for dogs because of their primary ingredient — nicotine. Here's what you need to do if you suspect your […]

Sometime in spring, when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, your dog may suddenly start digging up the yard. They can hear something you can’t yet hear – juvenile cicadas tunneling through the ground getting ready to emerge. Most of the more than 3,000 types of cicadas appear every 2 to 5 years, and their […]

Generally speaking, smaller dog breeds can make good companion dogs for apartments or condominiums. They adapt well in confined spaces, and they don't need a tremendous amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. But there are many dog breeds that make good choices for apartments, some of which you may not expect! Bulldog […]

If your dog has been bitten by a snake, what do you do? Taking action quickly is important, but try not to panic. Few snakebites on dogs prove fatal before you get to the emergency veterinarian, but it depends on the size of the dog, the type and size of the snake, if or how […]

If you have a puppy, it's a good idea to educate yourself about their future needs. This includes being prepared to protect puppies against the most common dog poisons located in and around every home.   Human Medications  Consuming prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for people is a common cause of accidental poisonings in dogs. The OTC medications […]

Dogs love to experience the world through their sense of taste. Your dog probably licks their food bowl, their fur, their toys, and of course, your hands and face. But have you ever seen your dog lick the air? Is there something stuck in their mouth or are they tasting the air? In fact, dogs lick the air for all kinds of reasons. Alhough […]

Dogs roll on their backs for many reasons, from asking for a belly rub to showing fear. Learn to understand the behavior and when it's cause for concern.

If you want homemade dog food, you know that preparing it can be a hassle. What can you do to get all the benefits of homemade dog food without the mess? Try the ChefPaw by Innovet Pet Products!

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

The weather may be cooling off, but there are several issues on the federal and local levels that are heating up. In a new op-ed for the DC Journal, American Kennel Club Vice President, Sheila Goffe, expresses her deep concern about the removal of funding for breeder education and outreach including   “teachable moments” from the […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2023  in the United States Senate. AKC is grateful for the continuing and bipartisan leadership of Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) as lead sponsors of the bill and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga), Roger Marshall (R-Kan) and Kirsten Gillibrand […]

  Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]

Marthina Greer First presented Pure Dog Talk Jan 2023 Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes […]