To most people, training a dog begins and ends with commands and equipment. They never think that developing a relationship with their dog through training is possible, let alone critical. But by forming a relationship with your dog through an activity like training — rather than only from cuddling on the couch or slipping him […]

I got a new puppy and am constantly being told not to let him do things he likes to do, like tussle with other puppies, play tug-of-war, eat treats, and jump on the furniture. Is this true? I don’t want him to get hurt, but he needs to enjoy life! Puppies roughhoused long before they […]

A Minnesota dog was reunited with her family earlier this week after she had been missing for 985 days. The Great Pyrenees, Betty White, ventured into the woods of her owners' 13-acre property on Nov. 16, 2013 and failed to return home, devastating her family. We had the opportunity to connect with Betty White's owner, […]

Positive reinforcement dog training, also referred to as force-free, reward-based, or clicker training, is a method that focuses on telling your dog when he is correct, instead of only pointing out what is incorrect. This is done through a marker for correctness and timing, paired with a reward that is reinforcing to the dog. The […]

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, […]

Did you purchase your puppy from a breeder? They should be a valuable resource when you have questions or problems about your new dog.

Photo by Kathleen Schaffer/Pup Art PACH Cross Fire Copper Cricket, owned by Lydia Sharp of Gilbert, AZ, recently earned one of the highest honors in AKC Agility – the Preferred Agility Championship (PACH). But as a puppy, Cricket lived wild in the Arizona desert, just getting close enough to the Sharps’ business to grab an […]

  Coppertone was near death when California residents Heather & Lori Sims rescued her as a young puppy. They spent nights feeding the Miniature Dachshund with an eye dropper because she was too weak to eat on her own. The veterinarian gave her little chance of survival, but the puppy pulled through. The Sims say […]

We found Molly in a newspaper ad in Ohio; her mom was a Collie and her dad was an Australian Shepherd. I've had dogs all my life as just pets. Our vet suggested puppy classes and that led to obedience classes. She passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen test at just 6 months old that […]

No one has to convince Linda Hickey of the incredible effect dogs can have on children with autism. She's seen it first-hand with her son Jonny and his dog Xena the Warrior Puppy. Xena, a pit bull, had been abused and neglected, and barely survived before being taken in by an animal welfare organization and later brought home with […]