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 […]

Breeder of Merit recognition and benefits are based on the BOM’s commitment to registering their puppies and health testing the parents. Are you living up to your contract?  The agreement signed when you applied:  I hereby apply to participate in the Breeder of Merit Program. I certify by my signature that I have read, understand, […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2026"] Inside the Discussion: Comparing Multiple Approaches to Detection Dog Breeding and Training May 19, 2026 The AKC Detection Dog Task Force recently hosted a lively webinar featuring Tim Baird, Bart Rogers, and Stacey West, moderated by Sheila Goffe, on the many approaches to breeding, raising, and training future detection dogs. One […]

Below you will find recording links and resources for webinars that aired in 2021. Once you click the recording link, you will be asked to enter your name and email address in order to access the recording. Webinar Topic Recording Link Resources Getting Puppies Started Right for Detection Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 7:30pm EST […]

The chart above shows a guide for developing training plans. There are seven categories of exercises, listed on the left: Environmental Stability, Socialization, Reward Object Engagement, Olfactory Acuity, Search, Physical Exercise, and Play. The arrows in the center describe the relative emphasis of each category throughout the dog’s development. Environmental Stability gets heavy emphasis** during […]

Are you the proud owner of puppies born in the USA? Register your litter using this application if the puppies were born to an AKC-registered dam that was mated to an AKC-registered sire of the same dog breed. You must register a litter before attempting to register individual puppies from that litter. Registration options vary […]

Sensory activities that encourage children to combine the sense of touch, sight, sound, taste and smell, help to build children’s cognitive skills. They have long been utilized in early childhood education as a vital activity for learning. The activity below is a fun way to teach young children the important aspects of feeding a dog. […]

For the happiest, most well-adjusted dogs, learning never ends. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is here for you and your dog every step of the way. Training your dog during COVID-19 can be difficult without access to normal training classes. That’s why we’re here to help you virtually. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline (GDH) is a live telephone subscription service […]

A litter is eligible for registration if: It is the result of a mating between an AKC-registered Sire (male) and an AKC-registered Dam (female) of the same breed. It is whelped (born) in the U.S.A, its possession or territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Marianna Islands). How to Register a Litter: To register […]

  The following breed classes will be offered at all FSS Open Shows: 4-6 month puppy, 6-9 month puppy, 9-12 month puppy, bred-by-exhibitor, and open class. Clubs may elect to divide or combine classes by sex. Division of sexes will be uniformly applied to all breeds and shall be published in the premium list and […]