So you've fallen in love with the stunning, brilliant breed known as the German Shepherd Dog. You are not alone. The German Shepherd, also known by the shorthand GSD, is among the world's most popular canine companions and workers. If you want a job done—whether it's apprehending dangerous criminals, sniffing rubble for disaster survivors, or […]

  Once the new puppy is home and settled, many of us feel at least a little apprehension underneath all the excitement as we realize the next daunting step: training. Not just house training but also socialization, basic manners, obedience, and even tricks or other skills such as agility. Resources describing the nitty-gritty details regarding […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Simon was wandering the roads of Georgia when animal control picked him up and took him to the county shelter. The Aussie-mix was getting along in years and was in bad shape. The chances were slim that he would be adopted before his time was up, but Country Livin’ Pet Rescue pulled him out of […]

Sype's Harlie RN TD TDU THD CGCA CGCU, known as just Harlie, has so many dog sports titles now that they are longer than his name. But as a puppy, Harlie was abandoned by his owner in a vacant rental property with little food or water because she said the pup was “untrainable.” Harlie’s loving […]

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 love for him all year long. Sign […]

Hayley was a stray wandering through southwestern Virginia when she landed in a shelter with limited space and was scheduled for euthanasia. Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) pulled her out in the nick of time in the summer of 2010, and Bettina Markowitz of Sterling, VA, met her at an adoption event in 2011 and […]

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. […]