The Town of Huntington, New York, has scheduled a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s animal laws.  These include very broad definitions of when a dog would be considered “at large”, and outdoor tethering requirements that could actually harm dogs.  Those who reside in Huntington are encouraged to attend the hearing on Tuesday, […]

NY Bill Would  Allow Dogs in Outdoor Dining Areas May 18, 2015 The New York State Senate has approved a bill that would allow dogs in “food service establishments”, as long as certain requirements are met.  The AKC supports this bill, which would allow responsible dog owners more opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities and socialization […]

Nebraska Advances Bill Imposing Forfeiture of Animals Without Court Judgment – Contact the Senate April 14, 2015 The Nebraska Legislature is set to consider several measures that will impact dog owners and breeders, including an amendment that could force a dog owner to forfeit their animals for only a suspicion of animal cruelty – even […]

Next time your dog does something great, celebrate with a high five! It's easy and fun to teach your canine companion this cute trick. Choose a quiet, distraction-free area for training and have an ample supply of small and soft, yet still yummy, treats. Examples of “high-value” treats for dogs include chopped up hot dogs […]

Monday, April 27, 2015 On Wednesday, April 29, the Rhode Island House’s Health, Education, and Welfare Committee will consider numerous bills that may impact dogs and their owners.  Of specific concern, House Bill 5800 would reinstate localities’ breed-specific ordinances that were enacted prior to the state’s 2013 ban on such local laws. House Bill 5573 […]

Give Me Some Space! Train your Dog to Back Off This training tip is brought to you by Aryn Hervel of Novato, CA. Aryn owns and runs Leaps & Hounds Dog Training, a behavior consulting and pet dog training business. Aryn and her All-American Dog, MACH4 Crush, are one of the top AKC Agility teams […]

On a microscopic level, your dog’s body is an ecosystem of tiny organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These minute creatures, or microbes, may seem gross, but many of them are essential for good health. This is particularly true in your dog’s digestive system. For example, the microbiota (community of microbes) in the gut aids […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes and shares concerns about substandard kennels.  AKC’s mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. We support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities […]

HJR 86 seeks to keep Missouri’s animal welfare regulations under the state legislature’s oversight instead of being manipulated by outside interests. The resolution, which has already passed the Missouri House of Representatives and the Senate Agriculture and Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committees, is meeting filibuster-type resistance on the Senate floor.  Therefore, it is imperative […]

Senator Florez has amended Senate Bill 250, but the changes do little to address AKC’s fundamental concerns with the bill. It is imperative that California responsible dog owners and breeders immediately contact their Assemblymembers and Senators and ask them to oppose SB 250!!! As expected, the bill now provides that an intact dog with a […]