Do dogs respond to play signals given by humans? Nicola J.Rooney, John Bradshaw, Ian H.Robinson Specific actions used by humans do communicate a playful context to dogs and can be described as interspecific play signals. Why do adult dogs ‘play’?  John W.S. Bradshaw, Anne J. Pullen and Nicola J. Rooney “We suggest [...]

Learning Objectives Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. Predict the effect of a given force or change in mass on the motion of an object. Grade Levels Grades 3-5 Grades 3-5 Next Generation Science Standards  PS2.A: Forces and [...]

As many pet owners know, a bored dog with energy to burn can be a handful. One secret to a well-behaved pup is making sure they have enough appropriate mental and physical stimulation every day. Otherwise, they may find their own forms of entertainment, such as figuring out how the cupboard door works or shredding [...]

These enriching brain games for dogs will help engage your pet's brain and make your training sessions even more fun.

Dogs Tend to Recognize an Older or Sickly DogEven a playful dog seems to be able to recognize when a potential playmate isn’t up to participating. When dogs play, it can sometimes get a little aggressive—neck-wrestling, ear-nipping, barging, and that sort of thing. But it takes two to tango-and to play [...]

Training Tip from the AKC GoodDog! HelplineIt may seem that play has little to do with training. But the majority of dogs love to play, and you can use anything your dog loves to your advantage in your training program. Play can be used as a reward and also a motivation to enjoy working with [...]

When some dogs are excited, they show their love and attention in challenging ways—treating people like chew toys. To learn why this behavior happens in the first place and for advice about how to redirect the habit, we turned to the experts: Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, and [...]

If you share your life with a dog that can take up half the bed, eats more than the average teenager, and whose head is larger than the body of some toy breeds, you know he needs gear suitable just for him. The holidays are upon us, and who deserves to be showered with gifts [...]

Even though your dog's puppy years are far behind him, his need to play is still strong. Playtime provides senior dogs with mental stimulation, keeps their cognitive skills in tip-top shape, and helps them maintain a youthful personality. It's important to engage your senior dog in mentally challenging, age-appropriate play. Here are our picks for [...]

Most dog owners would love to spend more time with their pups. Keeping track of daily activity and rewarding good behavior can help ensure happy and healthy dogs. Thanks to technology, no matter where you are, you can do all of those things and more. Now, you can keep in touch with your pets using [...]

It’s important for dog owners to establish a human-canine relationship built on a strong foundation of mutual trust, patience, understanding, fairness, consistency, and love. So where do you begin? Spend Time With Your Puppy Aside from feeding (one of Purina® Pro Plan’s® 30 unique dry formulas is always a great choice!) and providing health [...]

Not all dogs snap at the air, but those that do may do so for a variety of reasons ranging from boredom to serious neurological problems. For dogs that snap at the air out of boredom, giving them more opportunities for exercise or stimulating play can help.  Longer and/or more frequent walks, puzzles and [...]

Most pet owners have probably said at one point or another that they prefer their dog over most people. Well, thanks to a plethora of high-tech products on the market, spoiling our pups has never been easier. Here are some cool items to check out. PETKIT Dog Bowl This digital, machine-washable feeding bowl has a [...]

Earth Day (April 22) is around the corner and is the perfect time to consider ways to reduce your household’s carbon foot- (and paw-) print. This DIY dog toy, with instructions and photos by DogVacay, allows you to upcycle your old T-shirts and turn them into something good enough to chew. What you&rsquo [...]

Dog people have their own language, but we often take the meaning of the words for granted. Most of these words were originally the vernacular of stockmen. Everyone understood what “conditioning” meant, since farmers conditioned horses, dogs, and barnyard animals for pragmatic reasons. Today, however, most dog-sport competitors come with little or no [...]

Puppies love toys. During the puppy's period of rapid development, from 8-weeks-to-9-or-10-months-old, it's important to give him appropriate toys for his age. Breed may also play a role in what toys become his favorites: a hound will naturally enjoy anything he can chase after and carry; terriers are natural diggers and tuggers; and [...]

With shaping, you don't teach the final behavior but rather break it down into smaller steps. Here's how to use shaping in dog training.

Manhattan to Missouri to Manhattan. Sounds like a Major League baseball double play, doesn’t it. In a nutshell, that’s the 37-year history of the AKC Museum of the Dog, which opens its doors — at 101 Park Ave. — Feb. 8, the outset of Westminster Weekend. Founded in 1982 in the New York Life Building (51 Madison Ave.), the [...]

Just because it's winter, doesn't mean your canine dynamo slows down. Give him toys worthy of his energy, gear for outdoor adventures, and make his holiday dreams come true. Active Buddy Pack This holiday pack contains "snowball" tennis balls for endless games of fetch and his own personalized fleece blanket for downtime. Top it off [...]

Most dogs love spending time outside, and backyards provide a space for their favorite activities, like playtime and training sessions — not to mention the joys of fresh air, sunshine, and rolling around in the grass. But can dogs get all the exercise they need in the yard? Dogs Need More Than a Yard for Daily [...]

INTERACTIVE, FAMILY FRIENDLY EDUCATIONAL SHOWCASE FOR PET LOVERS VISITING MULTIPLE CITIES IN 2022   TICKETS STARTING AT $30 ARE ON SALE NOW  The American Kennel Club (AKC), the largest purebred dog registry and governing body of canine sports in the United States, and GF Sports & Entertainment, a global sports and entertainment events and operations company, are excited [...]

Get your tickets NOW for New York City’s AKC® Meet the Breeds®, Presented by Purina Pro Plan, coming to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Saturday, January 25th, and Sunday, January 26th, 2025. The American Kennel Club® (AKC) offers attendees the unique experience to meet and play with more than 100 different breeds of dogs with [...]

Tickets On-Sale Today for San Diego, CA and Dallas, TX via SeatGeek The American Kennel Club (AKC), the leading purebred dog registry and governing body of canine sports in the United States, and GF Sports & Entertainment, a global sports and entertainment events and operations company, today announced the national tour for AKC Meet the [...]

Tickets On-Sale Today for Tampa, Columbus, and New Orleans via SeatGeek The American Kennel Club (AKC)®, the leading purebred dog registry and governing body of canine sports in the United States, and GF Sports & Entertainment, a global sports and entertainment events and operations company, today announced tickets on sale for three additional cities on [...]

Tickets are on sale NOW for New York City’s AKC Meet the Breeds®, arriving at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Saturday, January 28th, and Sunday, January 29th, 2023. The American Kennel Club® (AKC) brings this two-day educational event to NYC to give attendees the unique opportunity to meet and play with a variety of [...]

THE AKC & ROYAL CANIN BRING NATION’S LARGEST CANINE EXTRAVAGANZA BACK TO ORLANDO Canine Extravaganza, the nation’s largest celebration of dogs, returns to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center’s North/South Building this December 14th and 15th with exciting elements for all dog lovers. Tickets are on sale NOW, and one ticket [...]

Meet 200 Cat and Dog Breeds, Play Interactive Games, Declare Your Allegiance to Cats or Dogs, Download Virtual Bumper Stickers and Buy Tickets for the Event @ www.meetthebreeds.com New York, NY – Attention all dog and cat lovers, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association® (CFA) – invite you [...]

Canine Extravaganza, the nation’s largest celebration of dogs, returns to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center’s North/South Building this December 15th and 16th with exciting elements for all dog lovers. Presented by the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and Royal Canin, this two-day event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m [...]

-Fun-filled Dog Event Formerly Known As Celebrate Dogs-   Canine Extravaganza, the nation’s largest celebration of dogs, returns to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center’s West Building this December 17th and 18th with exciting elements for all dog lovers.  Tickets are on sale this week.   Formerly known as Celebrate Dogs! and presented [...]

-- View Extensive Photo Coverage of Meet the Breeds at www.meetthebreeds.com -- From cats in costumes to "Toto" and the human characters from the Wizard of Oz, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) and Cat Fanciers’ Association® (CFA) hosted more than 39,000 people at the second annual Meet the Breeds™ – the largest showcase of dogs [...]