Proposals have been introduced in the New York Senate and the Nassau County Legislature that seek to license and regulate those who train dogs. At this time, neither of these bills are scheduled for hearings, and the AKC Government Relations Department continues to closely monitor both proposals.

A proposed ordinance that contains provisions of concern to dog owners has passed first reading in Neptune Beach, Florida.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is proud to support Senate Bill 1002, and encourages all Connecticut residents to contact the members of the Joint Government Administration and Elections Committee and express support of Senate Bill 1002.

The Burke County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing for TOMORROW (Tuesday, April 18) on a proposal that would significantly change the laws regarding kennels.

A bill scheduled for consideration on Monday, April 24, in the Colorado Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee could impact those who offer pet services such as boarding, grooming, training or pet walking.

The Burke County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, June 20, on several amendments to the county's kennel laws.

At its meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would regulate, set requirements for, and establish fees for dog training businesses and dog trainers in the county.

MACH BRADLEY'S BRANDY RN MXG MJS MXP2 MXPB MJP2 OF XFP T2B2 RATM CGCA owned by Kevin & Alison Bradley of Fayetteville, AR Kevin and Alison adopted Brandy from Fayetteville Animal Services on Nov. 22, 2008. They discovered an intelligent, energetic young dog and got her involved in training. Soon, Brandy was competing in agility […]

The Joint Judiciary Committee of the Massachusetts General Court is scheduled to consider four dog-related bills at its upcoming hearing on Tuesday, September 12, 2017.

Earlier this week, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) provided an action alert on two Massachusetts bills of major concern, House Bill 1080 and Senate Bill 1155, in preparation for their committee hearing next week. Since then, additional bills have been scheduled for consideration next week.

  AKC Pet Care LLC is pleased to announce that it has acquired all of SPOT Canine Club’s locations. The acquired facilities are located throughout the New York metropolitan area—Tribeca, Chelsea, Upper West Side, Midtown West, and the Upper East Side. Additionally, the company has relationships with two residential onsite amenity spaces—the SKY building and […]

So now you are ready for the next step after puppyhood for a potential future therapy dog. A great place to start in preparing your dog for therapy work is to take an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class. Some therapy dog organizations require a dog to obtain a CGC certificate as a prerequisite for […]

  One of the greatest frustrations experienced by new puppy owners is housebreaking, but with patience and consistency every dog can learn not to soil their house. The AKC Good Dog! Helpline trainers recommend “S&S” – Scheduling and Supervision – as the most important components when you are “potty training” your infant canine. Feed your […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

  A dog gate creates a boundary that keeps your dog either inside or outside another area of the house or grounds. It’s a useful piece of equipment, whether you have a brand new puppy or dogs that usually have the run of the house. A gate gives a puppy a safe, dog-proofed area to […]

You can tell by looking at the Norwegian Elkhound's thick, fluffy coat that it was built for cold weather. What else was this breed built for? Let's find out. Here are some interesting facts about the Norwegian Elkhound: 1. They've Existed for Thousands of Years Records indicate the Norwegian Elkhound could have emerged as early […]

  As a dog owner and lover, you’ll do anything for your dog. He’s one of the most important parts of your life and deserves nothing but the best. After all, your dog is your best friend, your companion, and your playmate. You put thought and care into every decision you make for him, whether […]

The people of Indianapolis had an extra special Valentine's Day this year as service dogs from an organization called ICAN delivered nearly 650 gift boxes to local businesses. The ICAN service dogs are trained by inmates from three different prisons in the Indianapolis area. The dogs are trained to help people with a range of […]

Elementary school students in Divide, Colo. have taken it upon themselves to help veterans in their local community. Five students from Summit Elementary School realized that there were veterans in their community who could benefit from having a service dog. They then decided to start training the dogs themselves, KKTV reports. "We recognize a large […]

By now, I’m certain you’re sick of presidential politics and want this election to be over. Enter a welcome distraction: "Secret Service Dogs: The Heroes Who Protect the President of the United States" by Maria Goodavage, a New York Times bestseller. This insightful read serves up plenty of brief, punchy slices of dog life that […]

She radiates joy, but it’s her fighting spirit that defines the heart of a 13-week-old German Wirehaired Pointer that is about to embark on a coast-to-coast flight to a new home. Appropriately, Joy is her name. And, adds her breeder, Laura Reeves, of Grants Pass, Ore., “This is the case of the right dog at […]

Mark Daniels and Aura after he was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan in 2013. Credit: CherryBlossoms Photography.   “What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.” -- Emil Brunner, Swiss theologian Hope has been an important ingredient in the lives of San Diego-based Marine Staff […]

  Few dogs are suited to life as a service dog, whether it’s as a guide dog for the visually impaired, a medical alert dog, or a psychiatric service dog. Therefore, service dog organizations need to be very particular about which dogs enter their programs. Despite that, many of the dogs that enter service dog […]

The Norwegian Buhund (Buhund) is a member of the Herding Group and a typical northern breed of the spitz type, with prick ears and a tightly curled tail. Although their exact origin hasn’t been identified, they were known in Scandinavia even before the days of the Vikings. Here are nine interesting facts about this alert, […]

The Bouvier des Flandres (often shortened to Bouvier) is a large and powerful breed from the Herding Group, with a tousled harsh coat. These rugged-looking dogs were first developed for herding and driving cattle in Flanders, an area that used to cover parts of Belgium. The Bouvier is also known as the "Koehond" (cow dog) […]

On Wednesday, November 1, 2017, the Hillsborough County Commission is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would regulate, require registration and licensing, and establish extensive record keeping requirements for certain dog trainers and dog training businesses in the county.

Chapter 3 A. First Meeting: First organizational meeting select/elect Chairperson and each committee's leadership. Determine scope of event and necessary work force. Make a list of preferred judges, possible event facilities, dates and livestock contractors. Timeline 12 to 18 months prior to event: Have organizational meeting B. Chairperson: Communication is important to conducting a successful […]

Agility - Frequently Asked Questions   1. How do I find a local Agility training class for my dog? Look in the Yellow Pages under Pets or Dog Training for your local AKC club or dog school. Check this website for the training resources page and search for upcoming Agility Trials in your area.   […]

Members of the P Litter puppies (Labrador Retrievers) move about on their first day of training at the center. The P Litter (TSA/Penn Vet Working Dog Center) was whelped by a foster family and began their training at 8 weeks of age. Each member of this litter is named after a victim of the 9/11 […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) hosted a U.S. Detection Dog Conference February 28 – March 1.  The purpose of this conference was to discuss the pressing need for a U.S.-based national breeding program for explosives detection dogs.  A majority of dogs procured by government agencies come from Eastern Europe, and the increasing global demand for […]