A quick quote from Brian Hare, Ph.D https://evolutionaryanthropology.duke.edu/people/brian-hare “There are so many questions that we have as dog lovers that are impossible to truly answer based on expertise and individual observation alone. Our most powerful tool is to work together collectively and contribute data to citizen science projects that can bring the full power of […]

https://fs.blog/2018/12/spacing-effect/ I like the above article because it reminds us that rote and repetition are not necessarily the best tools for learning. Ebbinghaus’ theories, which were based on language and symbols, are still reasonable in considering training our dogs. Great food for thought! Ebbinghaus found: 1. It takes longer to forget material after each subsequent […]

The American Kennel Club, Inc. ("AKC") grants nonexclusive, limited permission to website owners to develop a link ("Permitted Link") from the owner's website (the "Linking Site") to the AKC website home page (www.akc.org) or any other page of the AKC website, subject to the following terms and conditions: Permitted Links shall be: text-based and may […]

https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/fact-sheet/fact-sheet-national-canine-division https://youtu.be/Sz2gTaLFD2o At an EU/US working group meeting I recently attended, there was much reference to the national odor recognition test that was established by the ATF. The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms), DOS (Department of State), and FPS (Federal Protective Service) all mentioned the use of the preliminary test for their certification/validation […]

I will start by stating that I was raised as an Air Force brat and was told I could never have a dog, because we moved so frequently. So, being an obstinate child, I asked for a dog for every birthday that I was old enough to speak. When I was 14 I “borrowed” a […]

2026 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL December 12 & 13, 2026 All Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting Breeds and Junior Showmanship Competition  will be Judged on Saturday All Working, Terrier, Herding Breeds, Miscellaneous and Best in Show will be Judged on Sunday The 2026 event will showcase the top canine athletes […]

What are the age requirements to participate? Puppies must be at least four months of age but under six months on the day of the event. Will my puppy earn points towards his Championship? No, championship points are not awarded in the 4 to 6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition, however, points towards a Certificate of […]

The AKC invites the top three Obedience dogs of each breed, based on Obedience Trial Championship points, to the event that takes place March 19-20 in Tulsa, OK. This year, Jasmine is the only All-American Dog entered in the NOC. Jasmine holds the AKC title of Utility Dog (UD) and is a High in Trial […]

The 13th AKC® Obedience & Rally Junior Showcase was held December 14-15, 2024, in conjunction with the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. In AKC Rally®, junior handlers competed in Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, Rally Advanced, Rally Excellent, and/or Rally Master based on the dog’s […]

CGC-Ready is how the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is implemented in settings where staff or volunteer trainers train dogs either 1) for their existing owners, or 2) or to prepare them for adoption. The CGC-Ready program applies when CGC training is provided in settings and agencies such as: Rescue organizations (including all of AKC’s […]