A new law was signed this week in New York that allows domestic violence victims to bring their service or therapy dogs with them to an emergency shelter.  The AKC was proud to support this important legislation. Victims of domestic violence are in a vulnerable and frightening situation, and the practical assistance and comfort that a […]

  News From the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. California – A group of animal rights activists has filed a lawsuit against the California Fish […]

Forty-four state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors.  It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”.  For dogs that primarily […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Arizona – House Bill 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may not be the sole consideration for underwriting or determining risk or loss, questionnaires or surveys regarding the presence of a dog on the […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2017 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Alabama — Senate Bill 17 /House Bill 45 would create the “Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission” with authority to license, regulate, and inspect dog and […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking.  Alabama – HB 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals within the meaning of the Americans […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – House Bill 485, among other provisions, would have allowed a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if suspected of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. Minor amendments were adopted in committee, and AKC GR advocated for […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Connecticut – Deputy Speaker Mushinsky has met with two state agencies regarding legislation for therapy dog recognition. A bill is expected to be re-drafted and re-filed for next year. Connecticut – In an October 28 Connecticut Post opinion, […]

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My Champion By Emilee Cragg My name is Emilee Cragg. I am 13 years old and live in Alaska. I have always been passionate about dogs. I started training my first dog, Rosco, an Australian Shepherd, when I was 10 years old. In February of 2015, I decided it was time for a new agility […]

On warm days spent outdoors, it's not uncommon to catch your dog lapping up a bit of pool water. But is it safe for dogs to drink pool water? Here's what to know if you find your pup consuming chlorine. Is Pool Water Safe for Dogs to Drink? If your dog drinks a small amount of […]

When facing a job or career change, some struggle with the transition and others thrive. For Josey, a six-year-old Clumber Spaniel, it was the latter when she switched from search-and-rescue work to the Junior Showmanship ring. “She has an incredible work ethic and exemplifies a breeder’s goal of a sound mind in a sound body,” says […]

This is the thirdof a series of features on 2017's AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence Winners who will be honored Dec. 16-17 at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando. It was apparent from puppyhood that the "Skye" was the limit for this little guy. From the time he was […]

Paid Advertisement My black Curly-Coated Retriever, "Wave," loved his food – until one day, he didn’t. He was healthy and active, and nothing had changed in his life. He just seemed to be bored with the food he previously devoured. In contrast, my current dog, a brown Lagotto Romagnolo, does a Snoopy dance of joy […]

Some recent articles on why dogs need to use their nose in normal development. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/201902/allowing-dogs-sniff-helps-them-think-positively?fbclid=IwAR3ohjklOiK84SVd28pAboOINeau4Vl4rLT4OOIWLWqYC_6pui6XIudrGhI https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2019/02/finding-hidden-food-in-nosework.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CompanionAnimalPsychology+%28Companion+Animal+Psychology+by+Zazie+Todd+PhD%29 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159118304325?via%3Dihub

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

Building a Bond for Training Success  This issue’s training tip is from John Outland, who lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with 10-year old Outland’s Brooklyn UD BN CGCA TKN. Brooklyn spent most of the first two years of her life on the streets.She became John’s dog when his daughter, who had taken in Brooklyn after her homeless owner left town, moved out.   John, who […]

TSA/ACS Hunt test We ask you to take your puppy through this test at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and send us the video. Several downloadable resources are shown below and more information is available in the Blog section of this website. Hunt Test Score Sheet (download below) Hunt Test Score Sheet and Reference […]

The Recycled Dog: Unlocking One Dog’s Potential Through Play This issue’s training article is contributed by agility competitor & AKC Agility League participant Norah C. Strebel of Utah, who shares her story of working with an “unadoptable” rescue dog. Norah discovered the world of dog sports with the adoption of a flying disc-obsessed mixed-breed dog in 2000. […]

Dozens of dogs’ tails wag faster when they see Dori “Bubba” Wilson. The North Carolina resident has been foster “mom” to more than 400 dogs since 2002, giving them love and care until their forever homes are found. But there is something Wilson admits that she did not provide: training. “I had never even trained […]