One of the greatest frustrations experienced by new puppy owners is housebreaking, but with patience and consistency every dog can learn not to soil their house. The AKC Good Dog! Helpline trainers recommend “S&S” – Scheduling and Supervision – as the most important components when you are “potty training” your infant canine. Feed your […]

Is your litter of puppies ready to fly the coop? Send them home smelling fresh and clean with a puppy-safe shampoo from Tractor Supply Company. These specially-formulated shampoos are gentler on sensitive skin and eyes, using mild and tearless ingredients. Human shampoos, some dog shampoos, and dish soaps often contain harsher chemicals and a different […]

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 that offers training advice to new puppy owners. The helpline trainers have been giving helpful advice to new puppy owners for more […]

What should you know before breeding a litter of puppies? Our experts tell you what to consider before you begin the process.

When the going gets tough, the tough get dogs. That was the lesson of 2020, when global lockdowns saw dog breeders' waitlists multiply and rescues empty as everyone rushed out for a furry companion. But new findings reveal a stunning 73 percent of people who became first-time dog owners during the COVID-19 crisis have considered […]

It’s important for dog owners to establish a human-canine relationship built on a strong foundation of mutual trust, patience, understanding, fairness, consistency, and love. So where do you begin? Spend Time With Your Puppy Aside from feeding (one of Purina® Pro Plan’s® 30 unique dry formulas is always a great choice!) and providing health care, […]

Therapy dog service is very rewarding for the owners and dogs and the recipients of the unconditional puppy love. Not every dog is cut out to become a certified therapy dog, but there is a lot you can do to start working towards that goal, even with a young puppy. It is never too early […]

How to teach new owners excited to show the ins and outs of Conformation, when a dog is ready to show, and the many AKC dog sports they can enjoy

If you think you're the only one who sees a litter of puppies and falls in love with the one with the most heart, guess again. Janie Haworth, the AKC 2019 Breeder of the Year for Spaniel Field Events, selects her future field trial stars for precisely the same reason. Her goal focuses on producing […]

The Spotlight shines on a new agility handler and dog team that are learning the ropes together. Amos Gingrich and his Border Collie, Piper, are the recipients of the AKC Agility League’s first Most Improved handler/dog team, which they won for their Summer Season performance. They live in Alaska and ran on the Limited Freshman […]