1. Understand the end goal for a detection dog. This is where behavior assessments and statements of work for purchase are very important (more info available on the website). 2. Use the educational resources on this website. – The blog is short snippets of information that should inspire questions via email or via the Face […]

To help you run the AKC Patch Program successfully at your event, we have created resources that will assist you in setting up the program, inviting youth participants, communicating with youth group leaders, conducting the program and appropriate follow up. As you make your plans, feel free to reach out to us with questions. You […]

Learning Objectives Students will be able to use their senses to observe various objects. Students will be able to sort and classify objects based on their attributes.   Grade Levels K-1   Next Generation Science Standard Grades K-1: Foundational Science Skills   Materials Needed Model pictures Sets of dog pictures (one set for each group) […]

When comes to creating desire for the reward object there are only two approaches. The first is to make use of a young dog’s desire to play and the second is to train the dog to engage the reward object. Play is much easier to use and develop. Using food motivation or negative reinforcement to […]

Managing multiple pets can be challenging. Learn how to prevent conflict, reduce stress, and help dogs and cats thrive together.

Swimmer puppy syndrome is a rare developmental deformity seen in very young puppies. It is called “swimmers” because affected puppies look as though they are swimming when they try to move around the whelping box. Healthy puppies should be able to walk by three weeks, but swimmer puppies are unable to walk or stand due […]

In this issue, we feature a Sophomore team in North Dakota that is part of the Grand Forks Dog Training Club, which has fielded League teams since Season 2! The Sophomore team consists of four experienced agility handlers running their younger dogs, and they have optimized team spirit by creating their own logo and even […]

What do six seconds (an average dive takes around three) in a super athlete's life have to do with you as you step up to the line with your novice dog?

There are approximately 4.8 million English Language Learners (ELL) in the United States. AKC Public Education seeks to share its knowledge about and love for dogs with fun, interactive, dog-themed lessons specifically designed for English Language Learners (ELL).  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="About the Lessons"] The lessons were created by a licensed ELL teacher on staff with […]

Learning Objectives With teacher assistance and through guided reading, students will learn how to subtract within 10.  As a Social Studies Lesson extension, they will learn about different canine careers. Grade Levels K-2 Common Core Standards CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1 Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, […]

Moving the puppy from the pen on the left to the pen on the right created some acute stress. A good detection dog can accommodate and adapt to environmental stress without impacting his performance. This is a minor change–just imagine a dog only accustomed to his own home and property being assessed in a strange […]

Iyong Tapat Kaibigan CAX16 FDC DCAT DN owned by Stephanie Markgraf of Graham, NC Kai continues his reign as the top mixed-breed dog in Coursing Ability Tests with 400 clean runs. He earned his CAX16 at the Winter Wonderland Cluster in Perry, GA over the Thanksgiving holiday running with the Greyhound Association of Northern Georgia. […]

AKC Reunite is the nation’s largest non-profit pet microchip and recovery service protecting over 7 million pets across 33 different species – dogs, cats, horses, birds, turtles and more! Has reunited more than 500,000 lost pets with their owners. Post 9/11, created the Canine Support and Relief Fund to supports volunteer Canine Search and Rescue […]

If you’ve ever watched a dog compete in agility, you can guess the unique bond it creates between a dog and the handler. Even the amateur observer can notice the way the dog looks up at his master for direction and later for approval after soaring through those tunnels, dodging through those weave poles, and […]

Imagine a look of determination on your dog’s face as he runs hard, nimbly making each turn. He keeps his eyes on you while scampering through tunnels, jumping over hurdles, and beaming with pride. The crowds in the stands cheer as you move together in perfect harmony. That’s the sport of Agility. It can be […]

Today (Oct. 7) is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, an event created by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, to educate owners that dogs, cats and other pets need to be kept in shape for their health. A great way to exercise your dog is swimming. It is easy on the joints so it is great […]

IT's Here!  - CAT E-Results and ***New - Online Secretary Report included in the template - check it out!  In order to make the result submission process easier and faster, the Performance Events Department now offers a *CAT E-Results Template which has a new online Secretary's Report that can automatically be submitted.  This template will […]

AKC Government Relations tracked more than 25 state and local measures in 2015 that addressed the issue of tethering. This is a significant increase over the recent past. While AKC does not have a specific policy position statement on this issue, AKC Government Relations has weighed in on several measures that would have impacted dog […]

The Volpino Italiano is a diverse breed. They love to run and do agility, but when done, will jump up on your lap and lay there the rest of the day.

Q. Who does an exhibitor call about an event being held or cancelled if it isn't listed on the AKC.org page of cancellations? A. AKC is working diligently to list all cancelled events on the Event Cancellation page as soon as we receive notification of a cancellation or postponement from the club. You may find […]

In Dachshund field trials braces of dogs are put on the scent line of a rabbit or hare and judged on the quality of their work on the scent line. The Dachshunds should never appear to be running haphazard but rather should display sensible and efficient actions with an intense enthusiasm for hunting. The dogs […]

Graphing and Agility Learning Objectives Students will draw a bar graph to represent a data set with up to four categories.   Grade Levels Grade 2   Common Core Standard CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.D.10 Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, […]

Talcott Mountain Agility Club offered exhibitors a chance to pay their final respects to the chute at the club’s October 1st & 2nd agility trial held at Star Hill Athletic Center, in Tolland, Connecticut. Club members Kristie Hockaday and Andrea Ruzzo created a space for exhibitors to bid farewell to this former piece of equipment. […]

Learn how to keep your dog safe this Halloween. Avoid toxic candy, unsafe costumes, decorations, escape risks, and other common hazards.

Dogs bark. It's a fact of life that nearly all dog owners must accept. Barking is a self-rewarding behavior. But it is important for breeders and kennel owners to understand the different types of barking, and when it has turned into a problem behavior.  Canine Sounds & What They Mean A bark or vocalization is not just a bark or a vocalization.  A dog owner, breeder, or […]

Since I currently have several senior Akitas, it occurred to me how special they are as they age and how much I enjoy our “oldies.” As with any aging animal, they may have unique needs or adjustments with advancing age, but they are truly as vibrant as ever, with loads of personality, infinite patience for […]

The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes is held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin   Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL Friday, December 11, 2026   The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes is a competition created especially for purebred dogs aged 6-18 months (Puppies 6-12 months/ […]

Learning Objective Students will plan and create an informative piece of writing involving a popular dog breed. *Note: This is a multi-day lesson.   Grade Levels K-2   English Language Arts Common Core Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding […]

AKC's herding program began June 13, 1989. The program was the largest and most comprehensive to enter the world of herding. With a group of individuals already interested, the program took off with great enthusiasm. AKC's program was created to be a generic program, it allows the owner/handler of the dog choose from a variety […]

Ever heard the saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie"? Well, it's true — even middle-aged dogs can snooze half the day. But what about senior dogs? Is there such a thing as sleeping too much? Most geriatric dogs require 12 to 15 hours of sleep a day. However, if you notice changes in their slumbering habits, […]