Although consistency is key when training dogs, naturally there will be training breaks that happen. Work schedules, family commitments, and vacations can all result in even the most serious dog sport competitors needing to take some time off from training or reduce the amount of time they have to train. Similarly, injuries to the dog or handler […]

Do you enjoy teaching your dog commands and tricks? Then the sport of AKC Rally might be for you. In Rally, a dog and their handler move together through a course made up of 10-20 signs. Each sign displays a skill to perform such as turns or behaviors like sit, down, or stay. The dog […]

When you're a dog lover, it can be tough to watch your normally calm pup get stressed out during a thunderstorm. While some dogs show mild signs of stress, like licking their paws, other dogs can get so worked up during storms they may get destructive. To better understand why some dogs hate thunderstorms, we […]

Luring is a popular and easy way to teach dogs a variety of behaviors. It usually works by a handler using a treat on the dog's nose to steer or lead a dog to move their body in a specific direction, essentially "luring" them. This training technique is often the easiest and quickest way for […]

In 2013, while walking in New York City, Laura Burkart saw a Brussels Griffon who stole her heart. The toy breed oozed personality with big black eyes and a look that said, "I'm your best friend." The chance encounter and a growing obsession with the breed eventually led Burkart to throw a lavish Kentucky Derby-themed party this […]

Like people, dogs need daily movement to feel their best. Dogs need exercise to maintain muscle tone as well as an appropriate weight for their age and breed. But walking your dog isn't about physical activity alone. Walks provide mental stimulation, helping your dog build confidence and avoid potential behavioral issues like anxiety and aggression. How […]

Protecting your dog’s joints with the right supplement is an ongoing, daily commitment that will help ensure a good quality of life.

The covert’s utmost bound Slyly she skirts; behind them cautious she creeps, And in that very track, so lately stain’d By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue The foe she flies. -William Somerville, The Chace, 1735 William Somerville’s lyrical descrip­tion of a hare sneaking around behind a pursuing pack of hounds and tracking them […]

Growing up in Michigan, Cindy followed her grandmother around whelping and caring for several different kinds of babies - puppies, kittens, peeps, and various other farm animals. The retired nurse studied canine genetics at Michigan State University and says she inherited her love for breeding and training  from her family. Hartman now lives in South […]

When you and your dog reach the Elite Performer level, you'll need not only to perform high-level tricks, but also act out a story together. The same is true for the AKC Virtual Trick Dog Competition. So, is your dog ready to be the star of their own show? As a fiction author turned dog […]

Lnh's Shot Of Fire FCAT ACT1 CGC TKE owned by Lindsey Hazlett of Mount Horeb, WI “Heisman is a 5-year-old rescue who has spent the last year learning complex tricks and routines for the AKC Trick Dog program,” Lindsey said. He earned his Elite Performer title in December 2021 after performing a routine called Heisman […]

Have you ever wondered how to wash a dog without water? Here are tips and mess-free products to use to keep your dog clean between baths.

Meet Tessa Trusner: The Family Pet Became Her Sports Partner Name: Tessa Trusner Age: 14 Grade: Eighth Hometown: Stephens City, VA Family: Sisters, Audrey and Ella; Parents, Katie and Ryan Trusner Just a few months after Molina became the Trusner family pet, it became clear that she would really be Tessa’s dog. Now the pair […]

Competition/Titles Update Winter 2022 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) AGCH MACH3 Up&Running A […]

Dogs can be embarrassing. Especially when you have company over for dinner and they decide to lie in full view and lick their crotch. As your company averts their eyes, you can't help but wonder why on earth your dog is doing that and if it's normal. Crotch licking is a perfectly natural dog behavior […]

There's nothing like the excitement of a puppy greeting. You get a wriggling body, a wagging tail, and licks on the face. Talk about feeling loved. But do you get a puddle of pee on the floor as well? That doesn't feel quite as loving. Why would your puppy pee right in front of you like that? […]

A common question you might ask when you start training your dogs is: When can I stop giving them treats? Some owners are in a hurry to put the treats away because they see it as proof that their dog really knows how to do something. In reality, you don't need to ever completely phase […]

Everyday with your dog is a great day. And we show our dogs we love them everyday when we feed them, play with them, even just take them outside for a walk. But on National Love Your Pet Day, you might want to find an extra special way to show your dog just how much […]

As Kayla Stanley was taking photos at her local dog club in 2018, she realized she wanted her own dogs to get in on the fun. But at the time she only had two older dogs and a Beagle who weren't interested in dog sports. Kayla told her husband they needed another dog just for […]

Do you feel like your dog isn’t living up to your expectations? If you constantly feel discouraged or disappointed in your dog or your training sessions, chances are it’s because your expectations are too high or unrealistic. Setting realistic training expectations is important regardless of whether you’re taking your first dog to puppy kindergarten or are competing […]

WINNER Leslie Gelesh & Eli (Miniature Poodle) Batman FURever SEMI-FINALISTS Muriel McMullen & Maddie (Australian Terrier) The Grrrinch Faye Roche & Brio (Miniature Poodle) My Olympic Gold Medal Star: Brio Outstanding Performances from the 2021 AKC Trick Dog National Competition In addition to the competition winners listed above, here are some outstanding performances from 2021 (in random order). Many […]

Emily Wentland, an 18-year-old from Ohio, got started training and showing her dogs through 4-H when she was just eight and began competing in AKC sports at 13. She and her Miniature American Shepherds and Borzoi (Woodridge's I Shot The Sheriff CD NAP OJP CGC TKE "Gunner," Shadowland's Designer Gucci Girl NAJ CGC TKE "Gucci," […]

Teddy is one of five 2021 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients, winning the Therapy Dog category. This category recognizes certified therapy dogs working in hospitals, schools, disaster sites, war zones, and wherever else the affection of a good dog can provide comfort. Team Teddy is all about emotional acuity and familial commitment that elicits […]

Have you ever wished you could teach your dog to talk? We know our dogs understand a tremendous amount of language, but what if they could speak directly to us? Can you teach your dog to talk? In short, the answer is yes. Christina Hunger MA, CCC-SLP, a San Diego based speech-language pathologist, has discovered […]

After the ESPN Airing of the popular special, AKC Heroes: 2021 Awards for Canine Excellence on ESPN2, the AKC is excited to share the winners of this year's AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These annual awards celebrate loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and/or communities. Five […]

The AKC® Humane Fund is proud to announce the winners of the 22nd annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These awards celebrate five loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities. The five winners were carefully chosen from a pool of nearly 1,000 impressive nominations. The […]

Benny is one of five 2021 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients. He won the Exemplary Companion category. This category recognizes dogs without formal training or certification that have nonetheless distinguished themselves in some way and have made a meaningful contribution to their owners or communities. Apparently, when they handed out a job description to […]

What’s your word recognition when it comes to Guinness – a world’s authority on record-breaking achievements or an iconic Irish beer? Well, there’s a four-legged option begging for your attention, too, who comes from a long line of champions. Meet CH There’s Nothing Like a Guinness, a 7-year-old, 40-pound Puli, owned and bred by Fran […]

The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American […]

Rescue Pups Step Out in Music Video  Professional musician Randy Raatz featured his dogs Teddy and Mojo in a video in which his band covers the tune “Steppin’ Out” – a great way to open our issue with the theme On the Town! Combine 40 years-plus of making music with a lifelong love of dogs. […]