January is National Train Your Dog Month and there's no better way to celebrate the bond between you and your canine companion than by introducing some fun into your daily routine. Tricks training is a great way to do that. National Train Your Dog Month was established six years ago by the Association of Professional […]

For victims of domestic violence, facing their abuser to testify in court can be terrifying and stressful, which is why the role Penny plays is gold. Penny is the first dog in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to provide canine-assisted court services and therapy through the Crisis Center North in Pittsburgh. Penny’s handler, Rachel Olszewski, explains that […]

For many at-risk youth in New York City, violence and crime is an inescapable fact of life. But Audrey Hendler is hoping to change that, with the help of about 25 four-legged teaching assistants. In 2010, Hendler launched A Fair Shake for Youth, a program that brings therapy dogs into middle schools in under-served communities […]

In 2007, football star Michael Vick plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges for running a dogfighting ring out of his “Bad Newz Kennels” in Virginia. Fifty-one dogs were rescued during a raid, and many were rehabilitated. He served 18 months in jail, and then continued on with this professional life, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles […]

AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Christie Canfield CPDT-KA is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and teaches CGC prep classes. Here, she gives some helpful hints for skills that will help your dog with the CGC evaluation and also for everyday manners. The AKC Canine Good Citizen title is a benchmark achievement in training your dog. […]

Diligently working on training your dog? Canine Good Citizen is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior and lays the foundation for future training. Would your dog pass the test? Take this quiz to find out.  

Canine Good Citizen®The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is recognized as the gold standard for good canine manners. Dogs who pass the 10-step test will earn the AKC’s official “CGC” title. This e-book is a great place to learn what the CGC is all about. It includes a breakdown of the test items and what […]

Overview Pugs are: Even-tempered, charming, mischievous, loving, and adaptable; The largest breed in the AKC Toy Group—portable but sturdy; Originally from Asia, though long associated with The Netherlands; A very popular pet the world over; Easy to groom, but—despite its short coat— a dog that sheds. Pugs love: Kids; Adults who are still kids at […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

In the official Canine Good Citizen book, "CITIZEN CANINE," I described a procedure that I called "Sit and Watch." This is for dogs who lunge on leash when they see other dogs, or for dogs who become overly excited when other dogs pass by. It works like this: Teach your dog to sit-stay in a […]