I am working long and hard on posts from the AKC Eukanuba National Championship!  There is so much to take in over two days, I think there could have been 5 of me just to cover everything!

When the AKC Eukanuba National Championship airs on ABC January 23^rd, you will get your doggie-fix of beautiful dogs, unbelievable canine athleticism and obedience that will give you likely make you want to enroll your own four-legged family member in training.

Here are a few pictures to enjoy:

The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba announced today that the tenth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be broadcast for the first time ever on network television. The show will premiere in an invigorated new format on the ABC Television Network on Sunday afternoon, January 23, 2011. Check your local listings to confirm air times.

“We are delighted to join ABC for the airing of the tenth edition of the prestigious AKC/Eukanuba National Championship,” said Show Chairman Ron Menaker. “We know viewers around the country will not only learn about the exciting world of dog shows but also about the 167 different dog breeds and how to find the right one to fit a family’s lifestyle.”

Thousands of top dogs from around the globe will compete on December 4th and 5th 2010 for $225,000 in prize money and the chance to be named National Champion, one of the biggest honors in the dog world. The event will once again be held in Long Beach, CA in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational, showcasing a multitude of canine talents under one roof.

“ABC provides a terrific opportunity to showcase some of the world’s most extraordinary dogs,” said Eukanuba’s Jason Taylor, Manager of External Relations. “Dog lovers and their furry friends won’t want to miss this year’s show. It will truly be special.”

Visit our web site http://www.akc.org/events/tvschedule.cfm for a complete list of air dates or www.akc.org/aenc for more information about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

What: Dog events (and some for humans), for two days

When: December 12-13

Where: Long Beach, California

Everyone’s tails, um…tongues are already wagging about the ninth annual AKC Eukanuba National Championship coming to Long Beach in December. For starters, it’s the American Kennel Club’s 125th anniversary and, to celebrate, you’ll find full roster of spectacular events that will keep dog lovers sitting up and begging for more.

Visit this blog often so you can get to know the exceptional dogs competing in the national and international events, and which ones to watch the nights of the broadcast. You’ll also find updates as they happen, along with air dates and times, premiere party suggestions and the chance to purchase event memorabilia.

Get more details about the show at akc.org>>

Who Will Be the World’s Top Dog?

To commemorate the AKC’s 125th anniversary, the Eukanuba World Challenge—one of the show’s main events—has invited breeders from 41 countries to enter their prettiest pedigrees. Thousands of pooches will be competing for only three places in the finals for Best in Show.

But that’s just part of what will be happening during these two totally amazing dog days. You don’t necessarily have to be knockdown gorgeous to be leader of the pack. While the world challenge is going on, you’ll also want to take a lick, er look…at these events and contests.

Learn more about the 2009 Eukanuba World Challenge>>

Cool Canine Competitions

• AKC Agility Invitational – One of fastest-growing dog sports, you’ll see dogs literally jump through hoops, jump on seesaws, run through tunnels, clear multiple hurtles, and that’s just for starters.
• The National Obedience Invitational – Believe it or not, it all begins with a dog having good manners…no, we don’t mean using the right fork. Experience true synchronicity between human and canine.

Live Doggie Demos

• Police Dog Demo – They don’t need guns to apprehend criminals. Their teeth and agility are more than enough. Watch how these highly trained professionals protect and serve.
• Grooming Demo – See top professional dog groomers do their thing. You’ll learn the basics of keeping your pooch properly pampered, so he looks and feels fabulous.
• Dog-training Demo – A professional trick trainer will show you techniques to teach your old (or young) dog new tricks.

People Pleasers

• Appearance and autographed collars by Shawn Johnson – We’ll “tweet” tips on how to win the gorgeous dog collar that appears in the ad with—and is autographed by—this amazing Olympic Medalist who took home 4 for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics, and finished first in the eight season of “Dancing With the Stars.”
• “Be a Dog” Exhibit – Did you know that dogs only see blue and yellow? Or that their taste is 1000 times less sensitive than ours? Experience first hand what it feels like to see, taste and live a dog’s life.
• AKC Meet the Breeds?
• Meet more than 150 American Kennel Club breeds and spend quality time with dogs, puppies and breeders from across the Country.

Dogs, like people, start learning the minute they are born.  Although at that age, your new puppy won’t be winning any obedience competitions or fetching the daily newspaper!

The best time to start training your new pup is the minute you bring them home. From the minute you bring your new bundle of fur home he/she is starting to learn the ropes of the house.  Typically the first thing new owners teach a puppy is potty training.  From there you move to more of the traditional commands like sit, down, come, stay, etc. 

Puppies as young as 5 to 6 weeks of age can be taught to sit or down on command using gentle positive methods.

When should you enroll your puppy in “school”?

Puppies typically start classes between 10 to 16 weeks of age dependent on vaccination history.

The earlier you can safely start them in school, the better.  Twenty years ago it was common practice to keep puppies at home and not start school until your puppy was 6 months old.  This would be like keeping your child at home with no schooling until they were in 6^th grade!  Think how much they didn’t learn and how many interactions with other students they would have missed. 

Bailey-6 yr old Great Dane Lexi-10 week old Bedlington Terrier

Think about how much mischief you can prevent just be enrolling Spot early!

Most reputable puppy classes require prospective students to have at least their first two series of DHLPP vaccination (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvo Virus) to keep your puppy and the other puppies in class safe from illness.  Once they meet the vaccination requirements of the class and your veterinarian gives your pup a clean bill of health, you and Spot are ready to start! 

Why is it so important to start them early?

Socialization is a crucial to your puppy developing into a loving, confident and well mannered member of your home and society.  The more positive interactions your puppy has with other dogs, people and new places the better he/she’ll be at accepting them later in life. Many fearful dogs in shelters and rescues are fearful because they are under socialized.  This is a shame since socializing a puppy is fun and easy! 

Make sure to socialize your puppy with friendly dogs both large and small!

Stories from a trainer-

Two people enroll their puppies in my puppy class–a 6 month old yellow lab and a 12 week old black lab.  The first night of class the 6 month old lab drags his owner in, knocks over a container of treats and looks like he’s on speed.  The 12 week old puppy walks in at his owner’s side and makes it to the training area incident free. 

The owners of the 6 month dog entered him in class because he has: eaten their couch, chewed their table, runs away, still has accidents in the house, won’t stop jumping and has pulled his owner down during walks in the neighborhood

The owners of the 12 week old puppy want to learn basic obedience and work on potty training.  He likes to play with his toys and still spends a lot of his day napping. 

Moral of the story: Your furniture and family will thank you for taking Spot to classes earlier rather than later.  Your neighborhood will certainly find someone else to laugh at while they are pulled down the street by their dog.