-Entries Open Today-  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the third AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge. This virtual conformation competition is open to all AKC recognized breeds including Miscellaneous breeds. Entries close on October 12th at 12pm ET.   Heading the panel as Best in Show and Best […]

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is still accepting comments on its June staff report recommendation that the state’s Licensed Breeder Program should be eliminated due to fundamental flaws with the law that created it, the program’s ineffectiveness, and significant operational costs. The Commission was originally scheduled to consider the recommendation at an August hearing, but […]

Cognition is described as the ability to use perception, memory, attention, and reasoning to assimilate information into knowledge and understanding. Scientists now know that a single construct such as general intelligence does not adequately explain the variation seen in cognitive abilities within and between species such as humans and dogs. The AKC Canine Health Foundation […]

Owners often call into the veterinary clinic and ask if their pet’s illness or injury is an emergency or if it’s safe to observe him for a day. Of course, each dog and each situation is different, so if your pet is hurt or sick, calling your veterinarian for advice is always the best option. […]

At a work session on August 25, the City Council of Casper, Wyoming, continued its ongoing discussion on amending its animal control laws, including clarifying requirements for humane tethering. The council expressed a desire to address those who are keeping dogs in inappropriate conditions while also respecting the rights and practices of those who tether […]

Forty-five years ago Toni Pearson set eyes on a “Samoyed without a tail” that jokingly morphed into an Australian Shepherd. Today, Team Pearson (her husband, David, and twentysomething daughters, Anna and Laura) are all in on this versatile breed under the umbrella of Timberwood Aussies, in Granite Falls, Washington. “When I married David (an Englishman), […]

The Aiken County Council is scheduled to again consider an overreaching animal ordinance at its meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.  The most recent version of the proposal (as available on the county website at the time of the legislative alert) can be viewed here. Concerns, commentary, and recommendations:  Section 4-22 would require registration of […]

8 week old GSD scent discrimination Shaping odor recognition with a puppy. Use of food reward machines removes handler from the dog's natural search patterns. Two of the target containers have the same dog food in them as the dog is being fed from the food reward machines. Initial stages of food machine training A […]

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 […]

Task and Trip at Tractor Supply An example of working the pups through Tractor Supply for environmental stability (ability to work around a variety of things without distraction) and socialization (ability to work around people and animals without distraction). Clown Challenge The Department of Defense has added the Bop n Bozo to some environmental testing. We thought we would […]