What's better than coming home to a kiss from a happy dog? Most dog owners interpret the reason why dogs lick their owners as a sign of affection. But is this really why your dog is licking you? And what can you do if your dog's licking behavior is out of control? Is Licking a […]

For first-time breeders, the memories of whelping a litter and caring for puppies lasts a lifetime. Breeding a beloved female and raising healthy pups...

A close training relationship with your dog develops over time. But one of the easiest ways to achieve tight turns for Rally and Obedience, or close attention for Trick Dog skills, is to teach your dog to pivot. This exercise can build your pet's confidence and improve coordination and their ability to pay attention. Rear […]

Resource guarding in dogs is a problematic and potentially dangerous behavior. Here's what to know about this issue and how to deal with it.

For most dogs, the mere sight of the food dish can elicit barking and bouncing around the kitchen. Putting the bowl down while your dog is acting up encourages bad manners and wastes a golden opportunity. You can use your dog's food to provide enrichment, fight canine boredom, teach good behavior, and build your bond. […]

Back-to-school time means people will be out of the house more often. With most kids going back physically to school, schedule changes can be stressful for dogs. The sudden switch from long summer days of playing with the kids to living in an empty home for a period of time can be a tough adjustment […]

Sirius, my Newfoundland, likes to play a game with me. The moment I sit down to eat, she asks me to take her outside to potty. When she has my attention, she will run back over to the table instead of to the back door and puts her chin up next to my plate. Sirius […]

Canine athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of physical abilities. When people think of dog sports, they often think of the highest energy...

Many dogs are uncertain or sensitive about walking on ground that moves or is a texture they aren't used to, but you can help them adjust by practicing.

When Christian Stoinev was 10, he was gripped by a yearning that is common among boys of that age. “I wanted a pet, really bad,” he recalls. But Stoinev’s life was not like that of most little boys. He was a child of the circus, the youngest member of a big-top family that stretched back […]

Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want. That's why positive reinforcement dog training focuses on rewarding your dog for the behaviors you want to see. If you give your dog a treat for giving you a paw, for example, your dog will be more likely to give you a paw in the future. […]

Homework isn't just for kids! Anything we learn requires practice, practice practice, and the same is true for our dogs. Trainers can (almost) always...

When dogs get older many of them begin to experience a loss of hearing and/lor vision. This loss of vision or hearing can be disorienting to dogs and...

Training dogs has been a way of life for Roxane Dutson since she was a teen. She taught the family dogs tricks and then became involved in competition through an obedience training group. “My love for working with dogs became stronger as my husband and I got our first Labrador in 1996,” Dutson says. “From […]

After taking part in the fast-growing, fun, and accessible sport of dog parkour, you're not likely to look at park benches, tree stumps, or playground equipment the same way again. It's an ideal activity if attending Agility or Obedience classes isn't possible or practical. And, with a bit of imagination, any neighborhood offers boundless opportunities […]

Participating in dog sports with your dog can provide mental and physical exercise, the thrill of competition, and a chance for you both to have fun. If you’re the owner of a senior dog, you might think your dog sports days are behind you. Fortunately, there are many sports that are suited to dogs of […]

Many of us have experienced the heart-wrenching pain of losing one of our best friends—oftentimes, a dog. For E.B. Bartels, pet loss and the subsequent spiraling emptiness and emotion began at an early age. Not content with the earlier personal aftermath, she became “obsessed” with the wide-scale subject and in 2012 found herself on a […]

Can your dog eat onions? No: onions and onion products can prove toxic to dogs. Find out how to prevent onion toxicity in dogs here.

Jump Ahead: Teach Your Dog to Come When Called Teach Your Dog Loose-Leash Walking Teach Your Dog Sit Teach Your Dog Down Teach Your Dog Stay Getting Started To start off on the right foot (and paw!), your pup needs to know what you expect. Knowing what is expected makes puppies feel secure in their […]

Shameless Poc-Ket Of Petunias CD BN RM RAE AX OAJ CAX FCAT3 SEN RATCH CGC TKP ATT owned by Kelly Castle of Chuluota, FL In early June, Kelly and Zuri traveled to Greenback, Tennessee where they competed in a multi-sport, multi venue, week-long event called Bark Week. Zuri earned her Barn Hunt RATCHX5 and CZ8S, […]

Being a responsible part of the community involves ensuring that your pet is a good neighbor. But while you probably want to be polite to other people, you should also be intentional and thoughtful about interactions between your dog and human neighbors.  Being Neighborly While Knowing Your Dog Just because you're saying hello to your […]

You’ve probably seen Agility on television or perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to attend a local agility trial in person. No doubt you thought it looked like a fun activity to do with your dog. Well, it is! Dog agility is one of the fastest-growing canine sports in the United States because it’s exciting, challenging, and a […]

It was a warm spring day, and a neighbor and I were watching some dogs charging around playfully in a fenced, dog-park area, seemingly oblivious to the heat. My neighbor commented, “You know, if we were running around like that we would be drenched in sweat. Dogs must be marvelously adapted to handle the heat.” […]

So many parts of our daily lives have changed in the past few years. While our favorite dog activities — from classes and seminars to shows — have resumed safely, there are now some permanent virtual training options that you can do from the comfort of your home or on vacation. You and your dog […]

Does your dog have a routine? Dogs thrive on consistency and benefit from knowing what to expect. Routines can support every aspect of your relationship...

PACH Jesse Belle RM RAE MX MXB MXJ MJB MXP4 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX XF TKI owned by Cindy Stewart-Mackes of Pedricktown, NJ Jesse Belle was 4 months old when Cindy adopted her and still, at 13 ½ years old, she continues to add titles to an already-impressive resume. The pair will be competing this […]

It’s always impressive to see senior dogs competing in dog sports at a national level, but it’s even more shocking to see one who is also relatively new to the sport. At 13 and a half years old, Jesse Belle, an All American Dog, is the oldest dog competing at the 2022 AKC Rally National […]

Meet Reagan Wallace: Dog Training Is the Best Part of Her Day Name: Reagan Wallace Age: 15 Grade: 9th Hometown: Saint Peters, MO Family: Parents, Traci and Britt; brother, Hayden Reagan got her start in training from her aunt, who is active in a rescue organization. Things really took off when she got her All […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) Congratulations to these dogs who have earned the […]

More Dogs Needed for Project to Improve Canine Lifespan The Dog Aging Project is a national effort to improve dogs’ health and longevity. Meet two owners and their mixed-breeds who participate in the project and learn how you can help. A road trip gave Colleen Sweeney a lot more than souvenirs and photographs of pretty […]