New York’s four-legged finest are now officially representing the state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that names the “working dog” as the official New York state dog. All breeds trained to provide a service are celebrated in this law, from the German Shepherd Dog that stands guard at Grand Central to the Belgian Malinois […]

Dog lovers all over the US have reason to celebrate news from the NAIA, which reported recently that the number of dogs entering US shelters has dropped significantly over the past few decades to new lows. Digging deeper into the matter, NAIA also learned that only about three percent of dogs in our country’s shelters […]

Therapy dog service is very rewarding for the owners and dogs and the recipients of the unconditional puppy love. Not every dog is cut out to become a certified therapy dog, but there is a lot you can do to start working towards that goal, even with a young puppy. It is never too early […]

Does your dog already know “High Five”? Then go further and teach her to play Patty Cake with you! Get on your dog’s level and have your dog sit in front of you. Put your right hand in front of her left paw and wait until she gives you High 5 with her left paw. […]

Start by showing your dog how to enter and exit. Use a small children’s pool to introduce your dog to the water. While on leash toss a special toy into the water. If she is still reluctant you can take a high-value treat and lure her in, placing the treat by her nose and praising […]

As a pet owner, your dog’s safety starts with you. Although canines are extremely smart animals, they take their cues from their owners and rely on them to meet most of their needs, including keeping them calm during times of crisis. “Dogs are deeply sensitive to human emotions, especially in their particular guardians,” says Sally […]

Many people use the terms “therapy dog” and “service dog” interchangeably, but there are major differences between the two jobs. A service dog helps individuals perform tasks they cannot do for themselves because of a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act governs the use of service dogs in public places. A service dog will often […]

In wake of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, two AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers have been deployed to offer aid. What The Trailers Do Each trailer is fully stocked with non-perishable supplies to house at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared. The trailers contain items such as: crates, bowls, leashes, AKC Reunite microchips, […]

With the devastation of Hurricane Harvey reaching far and wide, many concerned citizens are wondering what they can do to assist in the relief efforts. Here are some ways you can contribute to helping canines and humans who are suffering from the storm’s impact. 1. Donate To help those affected by Hurricane Harvey you can […]

As more military veterans have returned from war zones, there is an increased awareness of PTSD. PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a severe anxiety disorder that results from experiencing an extremely traumatic event such as war (explosions), death, accidents, brutality, or extreme weather and massive destruction (buildings falling, roofs caving in). Most people know that […]