AKC GoodDog Helpline – American Kennel Club (original) (raw)
What is the AKC GoodDog Helpline?
The AKC GoodDog Helpline (GDH) is a live telephone service that offers individualized training advice for all owners and their dogs, ranging from new puppies to senior dogs exhibiting new, unwanted behaviors.
Many satisfied owners have learned that for happy, well-adjusted dogs, good training goes well beyond puppyhood. The AKC GoodDog Helpline is there for you for every phase and new behavior.
Additionally, GDH has just released new Video Training Consultations. This service provides one-on-one virtual assistance to help you tackle any training or behavioral issue your dog is facing!
Enrollment Information
Once you have enrolled your dog in the AKC GoodDog Helpline, you will receive a welcome email that contains all the details on how to use the service, including the training hotline number. If you have enrolled but did not receive the email, or if you have misplaced the information, please contact us via Chat (found on this page), email us at akcgooddoghelpline@akc.org, or call AKC Customer Service at 919-233-9767.
Training Your Dog
Whether you’re looking to train your dog as a family companion, as a champion in dog sports, or get into show dog competitions, the AKC GoodDog Helpline trainers have the experience to get your dog where you want to be. They use positive, reward-based training methods, helping puppy owners with house-training, basic manners, leash walking, socialization and more.
Training your dog during COVID-19 can be difficult without access to in-person training classes. That’s why we are here to help you virtually!
Our Trainers
The AKC GoodDog Helpline team is here to help you get the most out of your relationship with your canine companion. Out dedicated trainers have decades of experience in training dogs and helping their owners build and foster a long-lasting bond. The AKC GoodDog Helpline trainers are passionate about what they do and are committed to your success in every stage of training.
Video Training Consultations
AKC GoodDog Helpline is excited to announce our brand-new video training service! Got a question that needs a trainer’s eyes? Schedule a video session with our trainers, who are here to help you understand what your dog’s actions signify as well as advise you on how to get the desired response.
For a one-time fee of $29.99, you’ll receive one-on-one attention from our trainers unique to you and your canine companion. Your 20 minute session will include live video-chat support from an experienced AKC GoodDog Helpline trainer, who will lend eyes and ears to all of your training questions and concerns.
Training Webinars
Check out our free AKC GoodDog Helpline webinars for training advice on specific at-home skills. These webinars include expert tips and tricks from Penny Leigh, our Certified Trainer with the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and AKC GoodDog Helpline program lead. Within each webinar Penny will break down a different necessary training skill and how to best approach it.
Webinars Available: House Training and Chewing
Coming Soon: Barking, Socialization, Jumping and more!
AKC GoodDog Helpline trainers have decades of experience and have been giving priceless advice to owners for more than ten years.
Join Now
Ready to access the AKC GoodDog Helpline? Sign up today for instant access to a team of trainers available 7 days a week for all your dog behavior questions.
I really had two or three problems but mainly he (Boomer) jumps on family members; whether entering the house or just coming out of a room. The trainer was very supportive and understanding and her advice was so simple and spot on. The service is well worth the money. If you're having issues with your dog, don't hesitate to join this helpline. I'm so thankful I did.
Christy W.
Online Puppy Training
- If you have a new puppy, then you need puppy training and basic obedience tips from professionals that you can trust.+
The American Kennel Club’s GoodDog Helpline team offer puppy training at home and provide online dog training support.
These expert dog trainers are available seven days a week for help with training and behavioral issues, including house training a puppy, barking, crate training, recalls separation anxiety, chewing, biting and more.
All AKC GoodDog Helpline clients receive a toll-free number that is a hotline to the trainers 12 hours a day Monday through Friday and six hours a day Saturday and Sunday.
The AKC GoodDog Helpline is available for a one-time fee that will cover you for a full year during which you can call our training team any time you have a question!
Positive Puppy Behavior Training
- Our trainers practice only positive reinforcement, reward-based training that is easy and fun for you to implement with your puppy or dog. They will explain how to use high value treats to shape your puppy’s behavior and create a dog that loves to learn and work for you throughout its life.+
Common issues that they can guide you through include:- How to socialize your dog
- How to potty train a puppy
- Excessive dog barking
- How to train a recall
- Crate training a puppy
- How to stop a puppy from biting
- How to prevent separation anxiety
- Dog Obedience Training – basic commands through advanced skills
Our remote puppy trainers provide individualized help to our clients, collecting background information on each owner and dog so they can provide the best solution for their situation – as what works for one dog does not always work for every dog.
Puppy Mental & Physical Training
- In addition to training help, our team can give ideas for keeping your puppy active both physically and mentally.+
This can include the best chew toys for puppies, mental stimulation toys and mental stimulation games for dogs. They also can help you find puppy training classes in your area offered by AKC Training Clubs and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators.
All our trainers are also competitors who have earned honors with their dogs in a variety of exciting dog sports, including agility, dock diving, flyball and rally. They can guide you on how to continue your dog’s training and advance their skills as dogs can continue learning through their lives and enjoy being active with their humans.
The AKC GoodDog Helpline team loves dogs and loves helping owners with their new puppies or long-time family pets. We hope to hear from you today!
Frequently Asked Training Questions
What is puppy socialization?
- The first three months of your puppy’s life include a socialization phase that, along with genetics, will shape his future personality and how he will react to his environment as an adult dog. +
Puppy socialization means introducing your puppy to the world by providing positive experiences with a wide variety of people, places, and situations.
When does puppy socialization begin and end?
- The period from about 3-to-14 weeks is critical.+
Remember that socialization involves more than meeting lots of people and other dogs. It includes exposure to sights, sounds, and textures that your dog will encounter throughout his life. Your puppy should be exposed to most of these things before 16 weeks old. If your puppy is older than 4 months, you can still provide many positive experiences to new things; socialization is important throughout a dog’s life.
How and when should I start training my puppy?
- Puppies can begin learning at very young ages. +
Many breeders start teaching their puppies simple exercises as young as 4 weeks. You should begin training your pup as soon as they come home. This can include basic commands and tricks, as well as housetraining, crate training and walking on a leash.
How do I housetrain a puppy?
- Crate training, supervision and keeping a schedule are vital to house training a puppy. +
Learn the signs that your puppy needs to eliminate, and keep a constant eye on them if they aren’t in their crate.
How do I crate train a puppy?
- Crate training is essential to owning a dog and isn't ''imprisoning'' your dog.+
Training your dog to stay in their crate calmly keeps your house and your puppy safe. It also creates a quiet private place for your pup to escape the hustle and bustle of the household. It’s important to create positive associations with the crate through the use of treats and games.
How do I stop my puppy from barking at everyone?
- Determining the root cause of barking will help you figure out how best to curtail it. +
Some breeds are naturally more vocal. Some dogs bark to get attention; others bark when excited; and others alert bark to let you know someone or something is in the yard. A tired dog who’s had adequate physical and mental stimulation is less likely to bark.
How do you teach your dog a reliable recall?
- Learning to come when called, or recall to you, is one of the most important skills your dog can learn.+
Your puppy should always associate coming to you with positive experiences. Never call your puppy for anything they perceive as a negative and give plentiful treat rewards when they come.
How do you mentally stimulate your dog?
- Physical exercise is great and necessary for a dog, but it’s only half of the equation.+
Your dog also needs mental exercise in the form of tricks, games, and puzzles. These games are especially helpful when there is bad weather, and you cannot exercise your puppy adequately outside.
How do I stop a puppy from chewing?
- Puppies, just like human toddlers, need a puppy-proof area, either a dog crate or pet-gated room so they do not chew on items when you aren’t watching.+
If your puppy grabs a forbidden item while you are watching, trade him for a treat or a toy. Make sure you puppy proof all rooms that your puppy has access to, removing anything that the puppy should not have.
How can I socialize my puppy when I have to maintain social distancing?
Just seeing new people and things from a distance is beneficial for your pup.
Take your puppy for car rides to places where he can see and hear different people and sights.
Join AKC GoodDog Helpline for personal advice for you and your good dog!