Written for AKC by Kathy Santo If you’re considering getting a second dog, there are questions you should answer and steps you should take to prepare for the responsibility that comes with training the new dog and helping your current dog adjust. Questions to Ask Yourself Before you jump into this new commitment, ask yourself these questions: Is your current dog out of puppyhood and completely trained and bonded to you? It’s often more than twice as difficult for one person t

Written by Mara Bovsun for AKC Learning how to potty train puppies at the right time and place is one of the most important first steps you can take for a long, happy life together. House soiling is among the top reasons why dogs lose their homes or end up in shelters. Few people are willing to put up with a dog who destroys rugs and flooring, or who leaves a stinky mess that you have to clean after a hard day at work. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you do som

Written by Anna Burke for AKC As a dog owner, I frequently come across the 10-percent rule. It sounds simple. “Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet,” say veterinarians everywhere. I’ve quoted this so many times I’ve lost count, but then, as I was in the middle of a training session with my dog, treat bag full of tiny treats, I had a crisis of faith. What does 10 percent of a dog’s daily diet actually mean? It’s All About Calories It is easy to mak

Written by Ranny Green for AKC eroy, a 17-pound Coton de Tulear, should be the poster dog for why microchipping your dog is so important. Assumed permanently lost—or even dead—Leroy was reunited with his family in Daphne, Alabama, after being missing for nearly two years. “Microchipping was part of the price we paid when we purchased Leroy from Jaco Kennel in Hulbert, Oklahoma, in 2014,” said Karen Elleard. “It will probably turn out to be the best insurance policy we will ev

Written by Nicola Davis for The Guardian Dr Lucy Asher, co-author of the research, with her dog Martha. Photograph: Glen Asher-Gordon/PAMoody, unpredictable and with a striking disregard for the rules, teenagers can be hard to handle. Now it turns out the same is true for adolescent dogs. Researchers say they have found that pooches become less responsive to instructions from their carer during adolescence. And the parallels go further. “Generally teenagers that have a less s

Written for Rover.com by Didi Kader If someone in your life is gushing over a new puppy, odds are it might be one of the popular doodle dogs, such as a labradoodle or goldendoodle. How did these muppet-like dogs become so popular? Their origin story takes us from Hawaii to Australia and starts with a husband’s allergy to fur. In the 1980s, Wally Conron, a breeder at the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia, received a letter from a woman in Hawaii who needed a hypoallerge

Written for Purina.com Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. You’ll need puppy food, a leash and collar, and a strategy for potty training. Doing that prep work will make your first week together a fun one. You’ll spend time getting to know each other and your new puppy will explore his new space, learn where he should go potty and more. Before Bringing Home a New Puppy Prepare for your new puppy’s first week home by

Written Ami Patrick for One Kind Planet Dogs are amazing. They are man’s best friend, and we share almost every aspect of our human lives with them, from working to companionship. Welcoming a dog into your home is a big commitment, though and not a decision to take lightly. Just take a look at your local rescue centre to see the results of people buying on a whim or without research. The number of dogs left homeless is shocking. So, if you are considering welcoming a new dog

Written for AKC by Sassafras Lowrey, CTDI Dogs thrive on consistency and benefit from knowing what to expect. Routines can support every aspect of your relationship with your dog, from house training to grooming to preventing some behavioral challenges and boosting canine confidence. Puppy Routines Getting your puppy onto a regular routine for sleeping, eating, bonding, and potty training is key. Routines can help puppies adjust to their new homes and families. Give them oppo

Written by Claire Epting for Bustle.com Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could speak our dogs’ language? Luckily, we have the next best thing— these genius tricks dog owners can use to better communicate with their canine companions. You’ll find several helpful training aids and ideas, which come recommended by trusted professionals. Whether it’s enriching your pup’s day with a mentally stimulating puzzle toy, or discouraging pulling on walks with a padded harness, each of these

Written for akc.org by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT Just when you think your puppy should be settling down for the night, boom, your...

Contributed by Jennifer Nelson in AKC My dog never met anyone (dog or person) he didn’t like. So it was perplexing when a new neighbor moved in next door and suddenly there was a growling, barking, snarling fence fight going on. If your dog has an ongoing fence-line war with a neighboring dog, you know what I’m talking about. Whenever the two are outside at the same time, they run to the fence line to pick up where the war left off. Fortunately for my neighbor and their dog,

Published on akc.org by Stephanie J. Smith 1. You’re not giving him enough exercise: If you’re gone 12 hours a day, and your dog’s walk consists of a quick dash into the backyard, you’re not providing your pet with adequate opportunities to use up all his energy. Instead, the excess will go into chewing your shoes, stealing your food, or scratching your walls. As the old saying goes, “A tired dog is a good dog.” 2. You haven’t trained him enough: It sounds like a no-brainer,

Published on akc.org by Jan Reisen There’s so much to think about and so many new experiences when you bring home your puppy that you may forget an important part of puppy homecoming: establishing a routine. Your new canine family member needs structure to feel secure and know what’s expected of him. The best way to do this is to create a schedule and stick to it. The first few weeks with your new puppy is the time to start establishing good behaviors. By the way, the puppy i

Crate Training your dog can be done with practice and patience. Here's tricks to helping your dog be the best den dog they are.