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 […]