AKC GoodDog!SM Helpline
Fun Facts, Training Tips, and Helpful Resources for your Canine.
Dog Bite Prevention: Top 10 Situations to Avoid
Petting a dog, who can resist? Especially since most dogs love the attention, too. But there are situations when it’s just a bad idea, whether it’s your own, a friend’s, or a stranger’s dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends avoiding these ten scenarios...
Tips for Fast Eaters: Slow Down Your Dog at Meal Time
Does your dog inhale food like she has never been fed and may never get a chance to eat again? You might think that since mealtime is the highlight of her day she would savor the moment, but instinct prevents that. Her ancestors could not count on eating more...
A New Puppy: Tips for Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Since you have put a lot of work into finding the right puppy, it makes sense that there is also a lot involved in bringing her home when the day finally comes. If you have children, you know about the planning that went into preparing your car and home for their arrival...
Visiting Dog Parks: Tips for Learning if Going is Right for Your Dog
Warmer weather is here and you are looking forward to fun outings at the dog park meeting other dog lovers while the dogs have a grand time playing. But is the dog park where your best friend really wants to be? Owners can be disappointed if their dogs...
Howl at the Moon: Reasons Why Your Dog Howls
Howling is a sustained noise that carries a long way so it’s the perfect way for dogs to communicate over long distances with other dogs. In the wild, it’s usually a night time activity. Maybe dogs feel lonely then and are trying to communicate to other dogs.
Socialization: Tips on How to Socialize Your Puppy
There are a million things you can buy to pamper your new puppy with, but more valuable than any fancy collar, plush toy, or monogrammed dog sofa, is appropriate socialization - and lots of it. If you got your puppy from a responsible breeder, the social...
Housetraining: Tips for Preventing Accidents
At some point, no matter how diligent you are, your puppy or dog will have a housetraining accident. We all get distracted sometimes or fail to take them outside often enough. How should you clean it up? Is it okay for the puppy to see you clean it up? Should you scold him?
Introductions: How to Introduce Your Dog to Other Pets
During the holidays, there is a lot more visiting, and guests are likely to include friends’ and families’’ dogs. We have tips to help things go more smoothly for the canine and human family members when new dogs arrive at your home. Keep in mind that when dogs meet other dogs...
Stop the Escape Artist: Tips for Dogs Who Dash
Does your dog look for any opportunity to sneak a dash into the big exciting world? It may be exciting for him, but dangerous – and terrifying for you. If this sounds like your dog, you need to take extra precautions to keep him safe. Recall is a must for your dog’s ultimate safety...
Recall Training: Tips to Teach Your Dog to Come
Beautiful weather is finally here, and you want to let your dog enjoy some off-leash exploring on the nature trail or by the lake after being cooped up all winter. He comes when you call him at home, so this shouldn’t be an issue, right? First, for the sake of safety, understand...
Naming Your Dog: How to Teach Your Dog Their Name
Names are very important to humans. We attach important meaning to them, whether our own names or the names of our dogs. But to a dog, a name is just a sound - and it’s up to the owner to make it a sound that the dog likes to hear. It’s easy to teach a puppy her name...
Traveling by Air with Your Dog for the Holidays!
The busiest travel season of the year is just around the corner. Are you thinking about bringing your dog along on your holiday flight? Before you go, consider whether traveling by air is in your pet’s best interest, and if it is, know how to plan accordingly!
Guest Manners: Training Tips for Family Celebrations
Are you making big plans for holiday meals and family get-togethers? Deciding on the menu, shopping for gifts, and getting the house in tip-top shape for company are big jobs. But if you want your dog to be a welcome part of the festivities, don’t forget to add training...
Vacation Travel: Tips for Traveling with Pets
Are you planning a vacation or trip that includes your best friend? It can be a wonderful thing to have your dog along, but there are things to consider for his safety and well-being, and possibly your sanity. In the summer, you must be prepared to keep your dog safe in the heat...