Here is how I handle resource guarding. Make a list of the items (or people) your dog guards. "The Motivator" Figure out what motivates your dog to comply. This can be a ball, a toy or a really yummy treat. (Boiled chicken can get a dog to give up most anything.) Ask yourself some hard questions […]

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. […]

Going for a walk with your dog is one of the great pleasures of owning a canine friend. Getting outside in the fresh air, getting some exercise, and greeting neighbors and their dogs are all fun parts of taking a stroll. But if your dog gets very excited and starts lunging and/or barking every time […]

Training with Treats Just about any dog can learn such basic commands as sit, come, and heel. Some can add a few others to their repertoire. Still others may be able to master surprisingly complex tricks. No matter what level of skill you’re aiming for, training your dog simply requires an investment of time, patience and, […]

Five Fun Tricks You’ll Want to Show Off In just a few easy lessons, your dog can learn to be the life of the party. This manual covers “Sit Up,” “Speak,” and other crowd-pleasing tricks that never fail to delight. But trick training isn’t just for laughs. It’s a great way to spend quality time with […]

The sounds of "Stars and Stripes Forever" were blaring from a CD player in the backyard and children splashed in the pool. Matthew and Susan were hosting their annual Fourth of July cookout. As guests arrived in festive red, white and blue attire, they would ring the doorbell and immediately hear a few quick barks […]

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 […]

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 […]

AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of Canine Good Citizen. For people interested in taking the test with their dog, we created this video to demonstrate the 10 steps of the test. We hope to see you and your dog earning your AKC Community Canine title soon! Learn how to get started here. The […]

Passing the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test is a worthy goal and a significant accomplishment for pet owners.  Well-socialized dogs with basic obedience training are more apt to live out their lives in loving homes, and are less likely to be rehomed or surrendered to shelters. Passing the CGC test does not give dogs the right to go […]