It's one of the most commonly reported behavioral concerns of CGC and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy dog owners. The complaint is that the dog is "hyper" or "too active." In most cases, the problem is really that the dog owner needs some education and the dog may need a more suitable daily schedule and exercise plan. […]

Ask AKC  Dear AKC: I recently adopted a seven-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog. He is approximately 64 pounds. He knows sit and down but he tends to jump up a lot and also I have no control when he is on a leash. I would like to be able to take him for walks instead of the […]

Paper-Training Your City DogMost city residents have no access to backyard lawns or grassy fields. If they want to become dog owners, chance are they’ll need to paper train their puppies. The task of paper-training your puppy is relatively simple: Select an enclosed area with a floor that’s easy to clean, such as a bathroom […]

There is a difference between Active and Passive dog training and all interactions with your dog matter. Many dog owners train their dogs daily, are active in taking group classes, and some even compete at high levels.  This is called active training. But you might not be aware that your dog is learning all the time. […]

When we did agility with our dog, we drove 2.5 hours one way to take lessons from a world-class trainer. I have a friend in Houston who starts a 2-hour drive across Houston in 5 o’clock traffic to get to the best training school she could find. So when we surveyed 3500 dog owners and discovered […]

AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Hilarie Erb explains why it is important to teach your dog each skill separately and to not package them together. In dog training, a good phrase to remember is “one thing at a time.” This means that every behavior you teach should be practiced by itself, not following or preceding any […]

The first animal care professional that many dog owners know and trust is the veterinarian. As a growing number of veterinarians are recognizing the benefits of early training for dogs, there is an increase in CGC and AKC STAR Puppy classes in veterinary settings. Dr. Judy Little of the Osceola Veterinary Clinic (Iowa) has arranged […]

Like young children, dogs often learn best when playing games and having fun.  Playing is not only fun for you both, but you can also use games for training and reinforcing important behaviors, like “Come.”  Remember to keep your recall command happy and light, not an authoritative tone.  Here are a few games to help […]

I'm Just Little! – Important Reminders for Toy Dog Owners AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Breanne Long, owner of two Papillons, discusses the different needs of toy dogs and important things to keep in mind if you own a small dog. The world of a small dog is a very big place. People and dogs are […]

Rick Yount, Founder and Executive Director, Warrior Canine Connection What is it about training a service dog for a fellow Veteran that makes it such an effective therapy for military Service Members and Veterans who are battling post-traumatic stress, or dealing with the effects of a mild traumatic brain injury received during deployment? The answers […]