From the day she came into Sylvia Kidd’s life nine years ago, Cowpoke stole her heart and blossomed into her soulmate. With a seamless blend, the Blanchard, Oklahoma, teammates and recent participants in the AKC National Agility Championship in nearby Tulsa, serve up a feel-good back story of love and commitment. So, first things first. […]

When some dogs are excited, they show their love and attention in challenging ways—treating people like chew toys. To learn why this behavior happens in the first place and for advice about how to redirect the habit, we turned to the experts: Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, and certified […]

Bulldogs are known for their dedicated demeanor and adorably wrinkled appearance. Unlike other breeds, they require a few special considerations when it comes to exercise, training, and grooming. For tips on navigating your Bulldog's first year and beyond, we've turned to Brenda Fontanos, AKC Bulldog breeder and owner of Font A Nose Bulldog in Lebanon, […]

Training Your Dog to Be a Therapy Dog The AKC GoodDog! Helpline receives frequent inquiries about how to train dogs for therapy work. GDH Trainer Christie Canfield conducts therapy visits with her dog and also teaches therapy dog classes. She tells us the “who, what, when and how” of making a therapy dog. Because of […]

Patti Stanley and 18-pound Lucy, her Miniature Poodle-Miniature Schnauzer mix, were the leaders in the Run for Music 5K in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., and were a tantalizing quarter mile from the finish line when Lucy stopped in her tracks and licked Stanley's leg. “She pulled me to the side of the road and refused to […]

In the search for something to do, a bored dog can become a destructive dog, digging up your garden or chewing on the furniture for example. This is especially true of puppies because they are curious, eager to learn about the world around them, and full of energy. Plus, they may not yet understand the […]

​To see him now, whippy tail wagging as he greets a group of children or takes a treat from his old pals at the waterfront, it’s hard to believe that he once cowered at the sight of a human hand. To see him now, as he zips from weaves to jump, to tunnel, to tire, […]

​Sally Nist, an employee of the U.S. Department of State, had puppy withdrawal when she had to spend a month away from her beloved Border Terrier. So it’s not surprising that she took special interest in a street dog near the compound where she was stationed in Kosovo. One rainy night, Nist returned home to […]

By: Erika MansourianBy: Erika Mansourian A letter has been sent to the residents of 170 West End Avenue, informing them of a new board policy requiring them to prove the breed of their dog, even going so far as demanding a DNA test in some cases. Since 2011, 27 breeds have been banned from the building […]

Vicktory Over Adversity Seeing Audie, tail wagging as he greeted a group of children, it was hard to believe that he once cowered at the sight of a human hand. Watching Audie, as he zipped and weaved from tunnel to tire in a noisy agility ring, it was hard to believe that he once fled […]