AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Christie Canfield CPDT-KA is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and teaches CGC prep classes. Here, she gives some helpful hints for skills that will help your dog with the CGC evaluation and also for everyday manners. The AKC Canine Good Citizen title is a benchmark achievement in training your dog. […]

By AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb When trying to change a dog’s behavior, owners often give up after the first unsuccessful attempt. “I tried that yesterday, and it didn’t work!” is something that the AKC GoodDog Helpline trainers hear often. But sometimes we hear that after a couple of weeks of calm persistence and […]

The AKC Board of Directors recently discussed problematic new “pet leasing” schemes in which prospective owners make hefty monthly payments for a pet, but are not given legal ownership of the pet. In response to this concerning trend, the Board has updated the AKC Canine Legislation Position Statement on Protection for Puppy Purchasers to include […]

Research Indicates that Some Dogs Can Emulate Their Owner’s ActionsSome dogs are copycats. Experiments indicate that some breeds are capable of emulating the actions of their owners. "Where did my dog learn that?" The next time you ask yourself that question, take a look in the mirror. A study published in “Proceedings of the Royal […]

By the time most owners discover fleas on their pet; their home is usually part of the problem. Controlling and eliminating fleas requires understanding that the flea life cycle has three working parts. Each part can be found wherever dogs like to sleep, play and spend time. The three part life cycle involves: eggs, larvae […]

This is the second in a series on using positive reinforcement with food treats to train your dog. It is brought to you by AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Breanne Long. The AKC GoodDog! Helpline provides seven-day-a-week telephone support from experienced dog trainers.  Does your dog seem to forget even the most basic commands if there […]

By: Erika Mansourian Every year millions of Hindus celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights. Taking place over the course of five days in the fall, each day has its own special observances (and it varies among regions and denominations), with the overall focus on gift-giving, telling stories, and acknowledgement of human beings’ interconnectedness with all things. […]

Finn the Wonder Dog , a yellow Labrador Retriever rescue, has earned his nickname by traveling the world helping restore ecosystems and save species from extinction. In one project, it was the vulnerable Humboldt penguin who benefited from Finn’s incredible nose and hardworking attitude. On Chile’s Choros island, invasive rabbits were destroying seabird populations by […]

Seeming to float around the dog show ring, with a silky, lustrous coat waving, some long-coated breeds may inspire envy in their human admirers: As a silver Afghan Hound glided past, a spectator turned to her companion and said, “I’d kill to have hair like that!” But even dogs who’ve never stepped foot in a […]

Sorry cat lovers, dogs are simply better snugglers. Here are nine reasons why dogs are the best cuddle buddies: 1. They will be the big spoon or the little spoon.   2. They manage to look cute when stealing your blanket. And because they look SO adorable, you don't even care that you're blanket-less.   […]