This is the final profile on the six mixed-breed dogs that received invitations to compete in the 2016 AKC Agility Invitational. The event takes place Dec. 17-18 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship and AKC Obedience Classic. Name: PACH5 Harvey’s Casper AX AXJ MXP19 MXPG2 MJP21 MJPC2 PAX6 CGCA Call Name: Casper […]

KOKO HERZ ... JAN. 3, 2003 - FEB. 19, 2015 Steven Herz of New Jersey wrote this moving memorial for Koko Herz who was the first All-American Dog to earn the AKC Therapy Dog title and who passed away from cancer in February at age 12. We are honored to share it with you. "I […]

Debbie first saw Lexi as a puppy at an adoption event in front of a pet store. “We had just lost our previous dog to cancer and did not plan to get another one for a while. But Lexi captured our hearts with her happy face, easy-going attitude, and obvious intelligence.” Debbie started training Lexi […]

Brittany adopted Sammy from the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa in the summer 2013. “Although sensitive, Sammy has a high drive and passion for learning,” Brittany said. “Her shy nature is always overtaken by her will to learn and compete.” Training helped Sammy gain confidence. Sammy now competes regularly in obedience, rally, agility, and barn […]

Milo's owner, Megan Yaroll of Ridgefield, WA, has taught him dozens of tricks, using a target stick and clicker. Above, he demonstrates pushing a grocery cart and he can even put the groceries in the cart! Milo puts his tricks to good use. Megan is an elementary school teacher so Milo often goes to school […]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar […]

Then a hero, clad in a life jacket, appears, rips open the car door and --- licks the driver all over his face as the crowd goes wild. Meet Radar the Weather Dog, star of Tray’s Wild Weather Camp – a fun show with a very serious message – teaching children how to be safe […]

Pogo was adopted by Wendy from an animal shelter on April 2, 2010, when he was 4 months of age, and they started agility training three months later. Wendy said she resisted any formal obedience training, thinking it was too strict and tedious, but after much encouragement from her trainer, she finally decided to try […]

“I used to live in California and have friends there.  One friend fosters dogs for a local rescue group and she was instrumental in finding Minnie for me,” Rosemary said. Minnie had been a stray and was picked up and taken to the San Bernardino Animal Shelter, a busy shelter that can only keep dogs […]

June 2013.  I was settling in for the evening with my two Golden Retrievers who had just enjoyed a fun weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains at an obedience trial.  Before the night was over, I would find myself with one less golden as a result of bloat. That tragic loss began the journey that […]

One day in April of 2010, I was walking past a cemetery with my Standard Rat Terrier, Lucky, when a puppy came from behind a house across the street and began following us. Despite my efforts to shoo her off, she followed us for about three blocks. When she nearly got hit by a car, […]

This training tip is brought to us by Karen Profenna of New City, NY. Karen is a Certified Trick Dog Trainer, and owner of AKC Canine Partner enrollee, Hailey, who is a Trick Dog Champion and AKC Master Agility Champion. Karen tells us tips on teaching tricks and goes into detail on how to teach […]

This trick tip is brought to you by AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Milena Barreto. Milena and her Standard Poodle, Phoebe, are a therapy dog team and entertain many people with their large repertoire of tricks. Here, Milena tells us how to get your dog to give you a hug on cue! Playing outside with your […]

Meet teenager Sayward Kemp of Morgantown, WV, and her Beagle-mix, Keira, who compete in agility. We know you will enjoy the story of how Sayward committed to never giving up on her formerly scared, shy rescue puppy. It takes less than a minute for Sayward Kemp to run Keira through an agility course. The 18-year-old […]

But luckily, there are numerous dog sports and activities to keep every age of dog happy and active. When Keller’s Toccoa Millie CAX CGC aged out of her favorite sport of AKC Coursing Ability, her owners Bob & Paulette Keller looked for other options that would keep the 9-year-old canine athlete engaged and focused. The […]

AKC Canine Partners member Faust holds the title of Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD) through the Do More With Your Dog! program. Faust’s owner Jennifer McLean, a Louisiana resident, has taught Faust dozens of tricks and does not plan to stop adding on skills until he achieves the most advanced title of Expert Trick Dog and […]

Gaia is in her Halloween costume, posing with this trick-or-treat loot, but her owner, Bibi McCormick of Cary, NC, does not plan for her to eat any as chocolate and many ingredients found in candy are not good for dogs. Gaia is a 2-year-old mixed breed who is a member of the AKC Canine Partners […]

This is Ziggy and he's available for adoption! He saw Dr. Clapper last week for a surgical consultation. Isn't he one smart dog?? Posted by Bryan Road Animal Hospital on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Laurie Metzger of Foley, MO, is serving as a foster mother for Ziggy, a deaf American Staffordshire Terrier mix, who has […]

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 […]

I am Yogi and I am 9 and half years old. When I was born, I looked like a bear and I was smart. My Daddy said "I was smarter than the average bear." My Daddy named me Yogi. When I was about 3 months old, Daddy took me to a group obedience training class. […]

2017 AKC Scholarship Recipient Samantha Van Buren I am currently attending the University of Minnesota. I am studying environmental studies and animal science. I plan to pursue a career in these fields. I also plan to stay involved with AKC dog events, as it is my passion and I think I can contribute positively to […]

The best advice is to START TRAINING EARLY! Training a puppy is easier than training an adult dog because a puppy is more open to new ideas and has not yet developed "bad habits." While it's best to start young, the old saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is only partially true. […]

Ask AKC  Dear AKC: I brought home a 7-year-old spayed Whippet/Pit Bull mix. She is a beauty and very strong willed. Her biggest problem that my vet and trainer haven't been able to help me with is eating. She doesn't like to eat. I can't use food to train, etc. I haven't been able to find […]

Caution is Recommended with the Use of Any Diet Pill There is a diet pill that was developed specifically for dogs and it has been the only drug shown to be safe and effective. As with humans, various diet pills have been evaluated for their ability to decrease appetite or caloric absorption. These include herbal […]

This is an easy and fun activity to play with your dog on a rainy day when they can’t get outside to exercise. It also a good way to mentally challenge your dog – and their nose – anytime.   Get a muffin tray and tennis balls or any size balls you can fit in […]

Five Fun Tricks You’ll Want to Show Off In just a few easy lessons, your dog can learn to be the life of the party. This manual covers “Sit Up,” “Speak,” and other crowd-pleasing tricks that never fail to delight. But trick training isn’t just for laughs. It’s a great way to spend quality time with […]

Training with Treats Just about any dog can learn such basic commands as sit, come, and heel. Some can add a few others to their repertoire. Still others may be able to master surprisingly complex tricks. No matter what level of skill you’re aiming for, training your dog simply requires an investment of time, patience and, […]

Research Indicates that Some Dogs Can Emulate Their Owner’s ActionsSome dogs are copycats. Experiments indicate that some breeds are capable of emulating the actions of their owners. "Where did my dog learn that?" The next time you ask yourself that question, take a look in the mirror. A study published in “Proceedings of the Royal […]

Capturing Your Dog's AttentionYou might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, as the cliché says, but you can teach almost any dog to obey basic commands, trainers and handlers agree. It's best to begin training a dog at the puppy stage. Start when the puppy is about seven weeks old and […]

This Oscar is no grouch. The 6-year-old Dachshund volunteers with his owner Robin Douglas as a therapy dog at several locations in Wisconsin. But in addition to his typical duties, snuggling with residents at Agrace Hospice Care, for instance, or visiting with students from a local college, he has a special gimmick—wearing festive costumes. Oscar […]