Many dogs are apprehensive around kids, so it's important to train your dog how to behave around children while building plenty of positive associations.

We debunk the popular dog myth that canine companions feel guilt or know when they've done something naughty. Here's what's really going on.

Keeping your dog out of certain rooms can prevent problem behaviors, such as counter-surfing in the kitchen. Alternatively, there are times you might want to keep your dog within a certain space, like an unfenced yard. Whether you're keeping your dog inside one area or outside another, you can accomplish this with boundary training. The Benefits […]

North America’s largest dog show to air on ABC through 2023 The American Kennel Club (AKC®) and ESPN are happy to announce that they have signed a 3-year content agreement which brings 100% unique, high-energy dog programming to the channel and includes digital rights for selected events to stream live on the ESPN App.  The […]

The holidays can be overwhelming for your dog, but they don't have to be! Utilize these tips this holiday season to reduce your dog's stress.

Your best tool for deciding what to feed your dog is right on the can or bag. But first, you need to know how to read a dog food label.

Wondering how to train your dog before the holidays? Teach your dog these important behaviors to ensure a safe holiday season.

Does your dog jump all over you when you're trying to put down the food bowl? Do they paw and whine for attention? What about rushing out the front door or pulling on the leash? These are all common dog behaviors because dogs do what works for them in the moment. They're not particularly patient. In other […]

Dog parks are fenced-in, outdoor grounds designated for off-leash dog play. There are many variations, and are some safer and more fun for your dog than others. Also, like any other social activity, it’s important for dog owners to know the expectations. In this case, it’s not just a matter of a social cues. Failing […]

Facing COVID-19, cancellations, and a torrential rainstorm, two Washington state all-breed clubs more than 200 miles apart worked together to put on a safe, five-day cluster. In 1995, the Seattle Mariners fashioned an incredible late-season run that catapulted them into the American League playoffs. In the process came the slogan, Refuse to Lose! On August 24, […]

UPDATE: Entries for AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge III are now closed. Stay tuned for the results! Visit clippero.com/AmericanKennelClub to follow along with judging. Are you missing the fun, camaraderie, and competition of conformation dog shows? Maybe you always wanted to try showing your dog but weren't sure where to start? In these times of […]

AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge Official Rules All federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations will apply. Void where prohibited. By participating, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules. Internet access, video camera and email address required. 1. Eligibility: Individuals over eighteen (18) years of age who exhibit a […]

Fall brings its own rhythm and sounds. After the long days of summer, it is almost a relief to enjoy the gap between summer and winter. The soft rustle of leaves gliding on chilly winds, the muted sounds of birds still hanging around before undertaking their migrations, and the tinkling sounds of bells all tell […]

It began as a dream about two decades ago and now the Wenatchee Kennel Club’s sparkling new training facility has become Dog Central for the Washington state community of 70,000, which includes several neighboring towns. Make no mistake about it, the 7,880-square-foot building on a 2½-acre site in East Wenatchee is becoming the conduit for […]

Tricks are the perfect sport for keeping your dog engaged, whether they're new to trick title competitions or are a seasoned competitor. No matter what the weather is or where you are, you and your pup can practice skills anywhere — even in a small area like your living room. While you can buy or […]

The old chart above was used by Sam Gosling PhD to demonstrate science’s early reluctance to look at animal personality or dog personality as a serious pursuit. If they were reluctant to research personality they were doubly resistant to study how animals play. There are now numerous books and publications that talk about animal play. […]

The old chart above was used by Sam Gosling PhD to demonstrate science’s early reluctance to look at animal personality or dog personality as a serious pursuit. If they were reluctant to research personality they were doubly resistant to study how animals play. There are now numerous books and publications that talk about animal play. […]

The old chart above was used by Sam Gosling PhD to demonstrate science’s early reluctance to look at animal personality or dog personality as a serious pursuit. If they were reluctant to research personality they were doubly resistant to study how animals play. There are now numerous books and publications that talk about animal play. […]

Like many of you in the sport, I haven’t been to a dog show since early March. The cancellation of shows nationwide began a little later that month, as we sheltered in place to deal with the pandemic. Of course, our lives in dogs continued during that forced hiatus; we whelped litters, groomed, kept up […]

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. —Maya Angelou A young vet assistant carried my Lab, Fergus, into a room set aside for euthanasia. While Fergus lay on a large, soft pillow, I lay down beside him. I told him what a good guy he was and how I loved him. […]

Everybody's familiar with the German Shepherd Dog. After all, they've been one of America's most popular breeds for years. But not everybody is quite as well acquainted with the Belgian Malinois. In fact, their similar coloring and heritage as herding breeds might lead some people to mistake the Belgian Malinois for the German Shepherd Dog. […]

The first step in navigating any culture is learning its etiquette: Never blow your nose at the dinner table in Japan, avoid public displays of affection in Sweden, and expect to encounter close talkers in Spain. A vibrant subculture in its own right, the dog-show world also has unspoken rules of conduct that might not […]

Start the new year by deepening your relationship with your dog. Try these three New Year's training resolutions and reap the rewards.

Kathy Santo trains dogs for home life and competition at her Kathy Santo Dog Training school in New Jersey. She is the author of Kathy Santo’s Dog Sense and has handled multiple Obedience trial champions. She also teaches digital dog-training courses available online. When I first heard the phrase “old dogs are the best dogs,” […]

The top 10 owner-handled dogs from each breed came to compete at the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals on December 14, 2019. The 791 competitors entered represented 199 breeds and marked the highest entry in the competition's history. After intense competition at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, the NOHS Best in Show honors went […]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Baha Pyramid Scheme BN JC NAJ BCAT CGC TKA, a Saluki known affectionately as “Ponzi” owned, handled and bred by Dr. Caroline Coile. The 2019 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner was crowned by judge Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia after […]

Anyone who's ever tossed a flying disc to a dog can appreciate the satisfaction of a perfect throw and catch. While the exact origins are unclear, the sport of disc dog has been a part of canine culture since at least the 1970s. Disc dog has been around in some form for decades, but the […]

There are many things that change in your home during the holidays. Packages and visitors come through the door, decorations adorn the house, big meals are made with special foods, and wrapped gifts surround a new tree in the main part of your home. As much fun as this can be, it can also pose […]

AKC Earthdog is a dog sport involving a simulated underground hunting scenario. Many Earthdog breeds were bred to hunt subterranean quarry and still possess those instincts. Providing natural opportunities for your dog to dig and explore can help them excel at Earthdog. Do you own a terrier or Dachshund? Have you noticed your dog's love […]

What is it about humans, senior dogs, and bucket lists? There's the well-known “Dream Weekend" commercial and the popular children's book Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List, which both celebrate the ritual that some families with older dogs take part in — creating a “bucket list" of fun activities to do together. We've compiled […]