Could the dog lying beside you on the couch actually be an athlete in the making? If you start researching how to get involved in dog sports, you'll often see lots of young dogs training, so you might feel like you're behind if you have an older dog. But the great thing about dog sports […]

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in our daily routines. Many of us have taken the opportunity to add pets to our families during this time. And our reduced social schedules have allowed for more quality time with our family and pets. Although our cats may have mixed emotions about this change, our dogs […]

Alabama House Bill 235, among other provisions, would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so.  It requires that the dog be leashed or in a pet carrier and under control, and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. HB 235 is on […]

2020 was a year of pain, sadness, and frustration. For our sport, it has meant many months of doing without the weekly dog shows where we compete and socialize. We’re all familiar with the old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” That phrase was never truer than in 2020, when fanciers found innovative […]

When the going gets tough, the tough get dogs. That was the lesson of 2020, when global lockdowns saw dog breeders' waitlists multiply and rescues empty as everyone rushed out for a furry companion. But new findings reveal a stunning 73 percent of people who became first-time dog owners during the COVID-19 crisis have considered […]

Melinda was about to step into the ring at her first-ever Agility trial on a September day when two-year-old Silver Miniature Poodle Tate alerted for an oncoming aura migraine that would cause Melinda to lose vision temporarily. Agility trials are nerve-wracking, high-stress environments. It takes hours and hours of training to prepare for a trial […]

Why do dogs eat rocks? Understanding why some dogs eat rocks, as well as teaching basic obedience skills, can prevent your dog from doing this dangerous behavior.

COVID-19 has changed the way we live and the things that we are able to do with our dogs. But amidst all the cancellations and hardships, one bright light has been the expansion of virtual competition in dog sports, and the ability to participate in dog events remotely. One of the exciting side effects of […]

AKC Virtual Programs: Opportunities Grow for At-Home Titles AKC’s Virtual Title program offers opportunities to earn titles during the pandemic, and many owners have successfully taken advantage of them. Just added to the line-up is Virtual Home Manners. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, this program can get you started on practical skills before you attend a training class. […]

Meet Lexi Halter: Training Her Pup for Good Manners Led to Titles Name: Lexi Halter Age: 16 Hometown: Washington, IN Grade: 10th Family: Parents, Julie and Mark Not long after Lexi received her dog, Morty, as a birthday gift, it became apparent that he needed training to help him learn to behave better around other dogs. They immediately contacted a trainer and enrolled in an […]