At its upcoming hearing on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 1PM – 5PM, the Massachusetts Joint Judiciary Committee will consider multiple dog-related bills .  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports two, requests amendments to four, and opposes three of the proposals.   The full agenda with links to bill text can be viewed here. AKC encourages […]

The Connecticut Joint Environment Committee’s public hearing agenda for Monday, February 27, 2023, includes SB 1069.  In addition to a handful of provisions under the oversight of the Department of Agriculture, the bill includes significant changes to current kennel license rules.  Proposed changes in SB 1069 to the current law that are of serious concern […]

Florida House Bill CS1/HB 721 seeks to remove an exemption under current Florida state law that allows certain cities and counties to ban dog breeds.  If this legislation passes, remaining county and city laws in Florida that ban dog breeds would no longer be in effect.  For example, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, “pit […]

On Wednesday, November 17, more than one dozen animal bills impacting dogs and breeders are on the agenda for review by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (JENRA). The virtual public hearing is scheduled to start at 2pm.  The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has tracked most of […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation, which has not yet received a committee assignment. Arkansas – HB 1420, among other provisions, defines […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 as pre-filed seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation. California – AB-240: This proposal would create a tax on the sale of pet […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB-240: This proposal would create a tax on the sale of pet food for cats and dogs in order to provide dedicated funding to animal shelters for the spaying and neutering of animals. The bill is […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama –House Bill 485 as introduced would, among other provisions, allow a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if “suspected” of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. AKC is working with the bill sponsor on additional amendments to […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Arizona – House Bill 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may not be considered for underwriting or determining risk or loss, questionnaires or surveys regarding the presence of a […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking.  Alabama – HB 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals within the meaning of the Americans […]

Learn more about the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of separation anxiety in dogs and puppies from AKC's dog training experts.

Holidays with fireworks cause lots of loud noises, which can cause dog anxiety. Learn how to keep your dog calm during fireworks.

The Major League Baseball season has officially begun and stadiums are pretty much at full capacity. What better way to celebrate than by planning to take your pup to the park to catch a game? Believe it or not, many of the MLB teams sponsor dog-friendly nights so that you can enjoy watching your favorite […]

When you're a dog lover, it can be tough to watch your normally calm pup get stressed out during a thunderstorm. While some dogs show mild signs of stress, like licking their paws, other dogs can get so worked up during storms they may get destructive. To better understand why some dogs hate thunderstorms, we […]

Warm weather means cookouts, pool parties, and long days spent outdoors. While most dogs love to spend time outside, there are safety precautions to keep in mind before planning your next backyard BBQ bash. Keep these five tips in mind to ensure you and your dog will have a stress-free summer cookout. 1. Make Sure […]

Dogs are naturally curious animals, which can sometimes get them in trouble. Even the most attentive dog owners can be caught off guard when their dog licks or chews a household item that is toxic to dogs. It's important to familiarize yourself with the signs of poisoning in dogs and learn what to do if […]

Whether on the carpet, hardwood floor, or anywhere else, here's how to make sure that dog urine won’t leave a lasting impression (and smell).

Despite or perhaps as a result of the stress and unusual health precautions Americans experienced in 2020, people focused more than ever on their pets. For the first time, pet industry sales exceeded $100 billion, according to American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2020 State of the Industry Report. This tidal wave of spending is expected […]

CBD to calm anxiety. Mushrooms to boost immunity. Probiotics and plant-based diets. No, this isn't a rundown of advice from your favorite Instagram wellness coach, it's a list of rising wellness trends for dogs. Are these new trends truly beneficial for your dog, or are they merely passing fads? Get to know each trend and […]

April showers are an unmistakable sign of spring, but they also mean… mud! The theme for the next AKC Canine Partners News Photo Gallery is “When I Got Dirty.” We are seeking pictures of your dogs not minding a little dirt at all! Photo requirements: jpeg or tif format the name of your dog(s) and […]