You’ve brought your new puppy home, purchased the right food, a leash and collar, and all other the essentials you’ve been told you need. But what’s next? You’ve heard that it’s important to get your new dog off to a good start, but you’re not exactly sure what that means. Experienced dog owners can tell […]

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is the American Kennel Club’s popular puppy training program. STAR is an acronym that stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner, all the things every puppy needs to get started on the right paw in life. Socialization means letting your puppy interact with other people and dogs. While there are […]

Congratulations on your new puppy!  Once your bundle of joy is home, it’s a good idea to begin crate training.  Your puppy’s crate will essentially become its bedroom – a place to go rest when he needs to get away – as well as keep him safe when you’re not home.  Crate training takes time […]

It used to be that trainers and veterinarians recommended that puppies begin training classes as soon as they were old enough to have all of their vaccines and boosters. What this meant was that some puppies didn't get to class until they already had behavioral issues and were headed down the path to a problem […]

If you notice that your puppy is beginning to protect her toys, bed, balls, food, and other prized worldly possessions, she is starting to do what animal behaviorists call "resource guarding." As with many behavior problems, the best solution for resource guarding is prevention and doing early training to keep the behavior from happening in […]

AKC Gazette breed column—An experienced dog trainer points out how puppy classes and early socialization help ensure a puppy will become a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult dog. As a professional dog trainer, I get calls every day from owners looking for help. The discussion starts with me asking how I can help them. If the caller […]

The decision to bring a puppy into your life should be made only after the careful consideration of many factors. But that decision is just the beginning. Now comes the process of finding him. It can be joyous, nerve-wracking, time-consuming, and exhilarating. It can also be a little overwhelming. We’re here to walk you through […]

A Few Puppy Don’tsHaving a new puppy is a lot like parenting. We need to find the line between being overprotective and providing the puppy with a safe environment to let his personality develop. A few of the don’ts about puppy rearing: Puppies love to play, but don’t get too rough. Be careful playing games […]

As people around the world start to travel again, dog owners should be aware that many airlines have changed their rules on pet travel during the past year. So what do you need to know before flying with your dog, and what are the various airlines' requirements? We've got you covered. Note: These guidelines are […]

Owners are often amused or embarrassed when their dog or puppy begins humping or mounting a person, object, or another dog. Humping, or mounting, is typically seen when a dog is over excited, hence why it happens frequently when groups of dogs are playing. It's not an abnormal behavior among dogs; however, it does have the potential […]