We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

An Ambassador for Many & Therapy Dog Extraordinaire: Meet Petey As a 4-month-old puppy, Petey was running loose and struck by a car, left for dead. A passer-by rescued him, and Petey was lucky to be adopted by a dog trainer who recognized the pit bull had the makings of a great therapy dog. Like […]

Her name evokes images of a beloved princess or the ancient goddess of the hunt—Diana. She easily slips in and out of these roles, sometimes on the same day. One moment, she’s gleaming white, pouffed, and proud in the show ring. Turn around, and she’s dripping with pond water, her curls flattened out as she […]

Ivy the Chihuahua may be tiny, but she is a survivor. Rescued from a dumpster as a puppy, the eight-and-a-half-year-old dog is a true Renaissance pup. Owned by Rockford, Illinois, resident Jennifer Walker, Ivy has earned over 40 titles as an AKC Therapy Dog and canine athlete. Bringing Ivy Home In 2014, Walker and her […]

Being a savvy pet owner, you spent your dog’s entire life so far trying to be the best. Right from the start, you've worked with your veterinarian to ensure your puppy’s diet was appropriate, vaccines were up-to-date, your dog was parasite-free, and more. Many owners have even offered nutritional supplements for maximum health, such as […]

As a dog owner, I frequently come across the 10-percent rule. It sounds simple. "Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog's diet," say veterinarians everywhere. I've quoted this so many times I've lost count, but then, as I was in the middle of a training session with my dog, treat […]

As a responsible dog owner, you're always looking to keep your pet in good health. One way to do that is by creating and keeping up a fitness plan. Maintaining appropriate canine exercise levels can help prevent injuries, lessen the impacts of age-related issues like arthritis, and help them stay physically active for longer. Here's […]

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

Humans don't question their ability to love their dogs. We feed and exercise them, set our schedules based on their needs, get up with them in the middle of the night, buy them silly toys, and tell them our deepest secrets. For years, however, scientists and animal behaviorists have researched whether our dogs have the […]

Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding to them. For example, if your dog gets a treat when they sit, they will be more likely to sit again in the future. That’s why positive reinforcement training, or training with rewards, is so effective. As with any skill, to be as successful as possible, positive reinforcement training […]