The best dog training tool you have is your voice. Use it to your advantage. Keep emotion and tone flexibility as part of your commands. If you are trialing in arena courses your voice is all you will need. Your dog is in charge of moving the livestock. Helping him understand exactly where and how […]

One of the most important elements of a trial revolves around the quality of the livestock. The AKC rulebook is very specific as to the suitability of stock and provides an in-depth description of the proper type of livestock for tests and trials. Livestock should be comfortable in the presence of both dogs and people, […]

"Lie down..." "...Lie down." "Lie down!!" "Joe, I said lie down!" Dogs are gifted with an incredible sense of hearing. Research has proven that fact. Thousands of independent home studies have proven it too ask anyone who has accidentally bumped the 'cookie' jar lid and they'll tell you that even sleeping dogs three rooms away are […]

by Lynn Leach When can I start teaching my pup to herd? Can I enter this clinic - my pup is five months old? I know she isn't ready, but is there something I can start working on? These are all very good questions I hear repeatedly. I also hear many incredibly varied answers. Herding […]

Stress that livestock experience in handling does affect your trial and livestock workability. There are ways to reduce their stress during a herding event that will give your exhibitors a better chance to qualify. Lessen visual disturbances Livestock have wide-angle vision. Side walls and visual screening will help keep your livestock calm. This keeps livestock […]

Online Record Keeping Service (ORKS) is a secure repository for your breeder records. Log in to ORKS to create, maintain, and view your litter and puppy registration information and the mating and birth records for your dogs. Whether you can enter information for a dog depends on whether you are the registered owner of that […]

"After the event, they were having practices, and one of the people running the event suggested I bring out Dino and see if he would chase the lure. I had absolutely no idea what Dino would do so I brought him out and he chased the lure partially around the big field." Phillips began seeking […]

By Joyce Hughes -- Event Secretary and PKC Treasurer The Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is a new AKC coursing event for all dogs -- purebreds and mixed breeds. It's an event filled with amusement, entertainment and comical antics from our beloved canines. Pocatello Kennel Club, Inc. in Southeast Idaho, held its first CAT Event in […]

Dear Performance Events: I have been doing both AKC and ASFA lure coursing for a number of years, with several sighthound breeds. But my husband and I have also run non-sanctioned lure coursing fun days at our farm for as many years as well. We initially confined them to the sighthound breeds but started allowing […]

AKC's herding program began June 13, 1989. The program was the largest and most comprehensive to enter the world of herding. With a group of individuals already interested, the program took off with great enthusiasm. AKC's program was created to be a generic program, it allows the owner/handler of the dog choose from a variety […]