The State of Connecticut has appointed a task force to investigate the sale of dogs and cats in Connecticut and they are holding a public hearing in Fairfield on Wednesday, October 16th.  Upon completion of these public hearings, it is expected that the task force will draft legislation for consideration in 2014. It is vitally […]

Is your dog driving you crazy with rambunctious behavior you just can't control? Puppy training giving you the blues? No time to search the Internet for advice you can trust?  Promoting responsible dog ownership is at the heart of the American Kennel Club, and the launch of its newest service, the Good-Dog!SM Helpline, gives dog […]

Tomorrow (September 18, 2013), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) will publish the final new federal regulations that narrow the “retail pet store” exemption under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), triggering a 60-day countdown to enactment (November 18, 2013) of those regulations.   The purpose of the new rule is […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) released a finalized version of new federal regulations that narrow the definition of a “retail pet store” with the purpose of bringing internet-based pet breeders and sellers under the regulation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  The rule, originally proposed in […]

In an ongoing campaign to recognize the hard work and commitment of breeders dedicated to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs, the American Kennel Club® announced today the seven group recipients of the 2013 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award.    “The AKC Breeder of the Year Award celebrates several of AKC’s […]

Giving responsible dog owners a whole new level of achievement for their dogs, the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) has developed a new advanced level title – AKC Community Canine – as part of the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC®) training program.  Since 1989, the CGC program has rewarded more than 600,000 dogs and their owners who […]

Does your dog try to give your feet a bath every time you take off your shoes?  While licking is a natural behavior in a puppy’s litter, it sometimes continues into adulthood as a greeting, show of affection, or a means of communication.  If your dog is a compulsive kisser, the American Kennel Club’s Canine […]

If we wish to achieve our goal of breeding quality dogs in fewer numbers, we must set our sights on producing and rewarding dogs with correct front-end assemblies. In a previous Gazette column I discussed front-end assembly and the problems associated with incorrect, upright shoulders. Because so many world-class dog people are concerned about the […]

By Kathy SantoBefore you hit the road this summer, heed these safety tips. Get the paperwork together. For long trips, you should carry a recent photo of your dog and a copy of his health records, listing all of his recent vaccinations. Also: a collar with his I.D. tags attached. If you’re planning on being […]

  One of the greatest frustrations experienced by new puppy owners is housebreaking, but with patience and consistency every dog can learn not to soil their house. The AKC Good Dog! Helpline trainers recommend “S&S” – Scheduling and Supervision – as the most important components when you are “potty training” your infant canine. Feed your […]