When you mention dogs that work with sheep, most of us instantly think of those that herd them: Imagine Border Collies and Australian Shepherds darting with flashes of merle and sable among a bleating crowd. These wily workers keep their charges from wandering off, and help move them from place to place. But there’s another […]

Next time you clean the house, don't feel like you have to do it all yourself—you can get your dog involved! For this fun trick, you'll be teaching your dog to clean up their toys from around the house and put them into a toy box. Most dogs enjoy any opportunity to play with you […]

As her Golden Retriever entered the last week of pregnancy, Melody Lyons had made all the checks on her list. Like most breeders, she wanted to be ready for anything. Whelping box set up; heat lamps installed; milk replacer on the shelf. The veterinarian gave Carly a check-up and thought delivery would happen in about […]

Want to know how to teach your dog their name? The best way to do this is to teach them to associate their name with something positive.

This is the second in a series on early socialization and training that breeders can do with young puppies to help them adapt to life in their future new homes. We know that puppies should be handled often to get them comfortable with human touch. Going further by teaching them to enjoy grooming can make […]

Socializing puppies has traditionally been considered the responsibility of the new owner. We instruct them to take the puppy to classes and make sure they are exposed to a variety of people and situations. But more research shows that encouraging a stable temperament can start even before puppies are born. Breeders can do a lot […]

Vikki McConnell, owner of Ali’I AK Inu Kennels, started showing dogs in Alaska about 20 years ago. A few years later, with the help of her breeder/mentor, she began breeding her own dogs. She started with Longhaired Dachshunds and Akitas at about the same time. Vikki had been introduced to Akitas while living in Hawaii […]

Corgis are known for being smart, energetic, and adorable. Plus, they're practically royalty: Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. But they also require some extra love and attention when it comes to exercise, training, and grooming. For tips, we talked to Anne Bowes, the owner of Heronsway Pembroke Welsh Corgis who […]

Recently I helped a breeder friend compile a package of handouts to send to prospective owners. This was her first litter so she was new to the process. I was surprised to learn that her bitch’s breeder had not sent her anything comparable when she was shopping for a puppy. I used to think these […]

A passion for terriers and dog shows led 17-year-old Royal Miller, from Pennsylvania, to become ranked as #7 Junior Handler in the Terrier group. "I never expected to be in the top 10 in my group because of COVID-19," Royal explains. "Yet there I was, winning in juniors and moving up to #7 in the […]