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Expert Advice: Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Nose Target or “Touch”
You likely know your dog experiences the world through their nose. But have you ever thought about directing that nose where you want it to go? Nose targeting, often called “Touch," is all about having your dog touch a target with the tip of their nose. And where your dog's nose goes, their head and […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/the-power-of-touch-teach-your-dog-to-nose-target/
| January 20, 2021
![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/best-pet-massage-tools-400x267.png)
Expert Advice: Grooming
Top 7 Best Pet Massage Tools for Dogs
Looking for the best pet massage tools? It's no secret that pets, like many humans, love a massage. And as with people, the feel-good benefits of a massage can have a meaningful impact on overall mental and physical health. It's true, a massage can help your dog by reducing stress, anxiety, and aches and pains, […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/best-pet-massage-tools/
| July 29, 2019
![Bingley](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bingley-hero-image-400x267.jpeg)
Expert Advice: News
From Evacuation Centers to Hospitals, Therapy Dog Bingley’s Comfort Zone Has No Limits
When Bingley and owner Denise Fitzgerald wake up in the morning, he climbs on top of her, places a paw on each side of her neck, and pushes his little flat face against hers. After that greeting, the day just gets better and better for the Templeton, Calif., pair — and everyone they encounter. Bingley, […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/therapy-dog-bingley/
| May 11, 2018
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Expert Advice: Feature
Becoming Therapy Dogs Midway Through Life: Sonnet and Brumby
Millions have had midlife career changes. They touch on an amalgam of motivation, health, skills, and behavioral soundness. Not everyone’s psyche is geared to these life-altering, pressure-point transitions, however. And what about dogs? A pair of Washington state Shetland Sheepdogs — Brumby and Sonnet — are finding it suits them nicely. Both have discovered how […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/for-sonnet-and-brumby-career-change-means-plenty-of-smiles-and-warmth/
| June 18, 2019
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Expert Advice: Advanced Training
Can Handlers Impact the Success of Therapy Dog Sessions?
At a Glance: Researchers identified four distinct therapy dog handling styles: hands-off, permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian The new study suggests the dog's handler may impact the success therapy dog sessions Therapy dogs can have a tremendous impact on the people they interact with. From senior centers to hospitals to schools, these dogs bring joy and […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/could-handlers-potentially-impact-the-success-of-therapy-dog-sessions/
| August 22, 2019
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Expert Advice: Advanced Training
How to Train a Therapy Dog
Humans are learning more and more these days about the health benefits of dogs. As a result, public interest in therapy dogs has been increasing. Therapy dogs provide relief to those in anxiety-provoking situations, bring comfort to those who are grieving or lonely, and offer affection to humans who are in institutions such as hospitals, […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-train-a-therapy-dog/
| December 2, 2019
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Expert Advice: Events
A Focused Gunner Hits the Mark and Now He Has One Happy Family
This is the fourth of a series of features on 2017's AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence Winners who will be honored Dec. 16-17 at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando. "The White Fluffy Puppy That Became a Tow Truck." Sounds like the perfect title for a children's book, doesn't […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/focused-gunner-has-one-happy-family/
| November 27, 2017
![diabetic-support-header](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/diabetic-support-header-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Lifestyle
What Is a Diabetic Alert Dog?
Can dogs do the same job as advanced medical testing equipment? When it comes to blood glucose meters for diabetes, it appears they can. Thanks to our canine companions’ incredible sense of smell, diabetic alert dogs can function as blood sugar level detectors. Although dogs can’t provide exact measurements like a blood glucose meter, and are not meant to replace […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/diabetic-alert-dog/
| March 1, 2018
![Soldier sitting on the ground with a chocolate Labrador retriever standing in his lap.](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/chocolate-lab-military-dog1-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Feature
Dogs Helping Veterans: The Service Dogs Trained to Ease PTSD and More
Not so long ago, De'Angelo Wynn was taking 11 medications for the anxiety, PTSD, and other mental-health struggles he had faced since returning from military deployment in Afghanistan. Now, he's down to just two medications. What changed? The arrival of Jug, a Labrador Retriever who came into his life a little over a year ago. […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/dogs-helping-veterans-the-service-dogs-trained-to-ease-ptsd/
| May 16, 2019
![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Eve-and-Finn-mobility-dogs-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Feature
Meet Three Amazing Mobility Service Dogs and Learn What They Do
Every day, specially trained mobility service dogs help people with balance, strength, or moveability issues live a happy, independent, and fulfilling life. What Do Mobility Service Dogs Do? Mobility service dogs can be trained to perform a variety of tasks, including: Pressing the button on automatic doors Retrieving dropped items Retrieving out-of-reach objects (like a […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/mobility-service-dogs/
| August 1, 2019