When it comes to diet for our dogs, there are countless options available. Canned foods, kibbles, raw foods, dehydrated foods—the possibilities and brands offered are essentially endless. Owners shouldn’t focus on brands or types, but on quality of nutrition in the foods available. This is because proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects […]

As any dog lover knows, we always miss the dogs we've lost. So today, we want to focus on and celebrate the great lives of all our dogs, past and present. Sometime in the 1980's or early 1990's, an unknown author wrote a story poem called Rainbow Bridge, in which he (or she) envisioned a […]

Everyone knows that opening gifts is fun. And Santa certainly won’t forget your best four-legged friend! But is it all right to let your canine family members open packages? Could it give them the idea that it’s okay to tear into any paper or box they encounter? Is it even safe? The answer is a […]

  When you're training a dog, there are several ways to get him or her to do what you want. The method of capturing a behavior may be a bit time consuming, but sometimes it's the only way to get a very specific behavior. Capturing means marking and rewarding a specific target behavior. There are […]

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin. Dogs, too, love the taste of this squash plant, and it can even offer some health benefits (like relief from both diarrhea and constipation). But since dogs can't join you in sipping that spiced latte, we've found some ways you can help them enjoy the flavors of fall. […]

If you celebrate Easter, you probably fondly remember going on Easter egg hunts as a child. Learning how to get your dog involved in the tradition allows you to never outgrow the fun. Here is a helpful guide to setting up a safe and fun Easter egg hunt for your dog.   Plastic Easter eggs can […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: I have a question about the possibility of registering my Scottish Terrier with AKC. At the time of purchase I was given an application from another kennel club's registry because the father of the puppy was AKC registered but the mother was not. Does this mean my Scottie can NOT be […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: My wife and I are having a disagreement about whether to let our new Boston Terrier puppy sleep on the bed with us at night. Is this a good practice or will it create problems for us or the dog down the road? -- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Dear Sleeping Dogs: […]

Summer officially arrives next month, but hot temperatures have already hit many areas of the country. Get your kennel ready for the warm weather and assure your dogs are comfortable and avoid heat stroke even on the hottest days. Clean and service your fans and air conditioners prior to using them.   Make sure your […]

Earlier this week, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) provided an action alert on two Massachusetts bills of major concern, House Bill 1080 and Senate Bill 1155, in preparation for their committee hearing next week. Since then, additional bills have been scheduled for consideration next week.