Canine Partners Blog

When we first got Murphy as a puppy in March 2012, it was difficult to walk him, and he was afraid of everything and simultaneously wanted to chase everything else. We finally broke down and attended some formal training classes, where we finally understood how to communicate effectively with each other. In a little under […]

Shadow Earns Rally Title at 6 Months & Top Title by 2 Years Sandy River Casts a Shadow BN RAE, owned by Jan Treharne of Brush Prairie, WA, has been a fast learner since she adopted him at age 8 weeks. The Lab/Border Collie mix entered his first AKC Rally competition at age 6 months […]

Sype's Harlie RN TD TDU THD CGCA CGCU, known as just Harlie, has so many dog sports titles now that they are longer than his name. But as a puppy, Harlie was abandoned by his owner in a vacant rental property with little food or water because she said the pup was “untrainable.” Harlie’s loving […]

Lucy of Hill Crest BN RE OAP OJP OFP CGC RATO recently retired from competition at age 11 after an amazingly successful career that earned her titles in several sports and a yard full of ribbons. “I took this picture to reflect what a grand time we have had together,” said her owner Catherine Allred […]

Being that my wife Sandy and I have Boxers as our breed of choice, we were asked by a friend to take in a Boxer dog as a foster. She turned out not to be a boxer, but a boxer-lab mix – a Boxador. The young girl seeking the temporary foster home was going through […]

     Calling Dr. Jake – Special Rescue Lab Serves as Therapy and Service Dog Sliwa’s Jake CD BN RE THDD CGC is known as Dr. Jake in his community. Adopted from a shelter just three years ago by Dr. Wayne Sliwa of Bluegrass, IA, Jake has become a therapy dog and service dog, as well […]

By AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb This Valentine’s Day, think about who really loves you unconditionally. It’s nice that your human significant other doesn’t steal your socks, but does he/she match your dog’s crazy enthusiasm every time you come home? Here are some things you can do for your dog that will show your […]

The third annual Westminster Kennel Club Master Agility Championship takes place Saturday, Feb. 13, at Pier 94 in New York City, and more than 20 mixed-breed dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program will be there to tackle the course! Popo, pictured, and his handler Janet Yun will be among the All-American Dog contenders. The […]

Drafting, or carting, is a sport most commonly associated with large draft breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs and Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. But all breeds can compete in the sport – and many dogs enjoy pulling their own weight plus! Former shelter dog Dino, formally known as Woodacre’s Court Jester, recently became the first mixed-breed […]

Valerie Aaron of Yulee, FL, was just running in the store to pick up some dog food shortly before the store closed. But a little puppy with sad eyes resulted in Valerie coming home with more than kibble. Norman won her heart and a place in dog competitions through the AKC Canine Partners program. Now […]