So now you are ready for the next step after puppyhood for a potential future therapy dog. A great place to start in preparing your dog for therapy work is to take an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class. Some therapy dog organizations require a dog to obtain a CGC certificate as a prerequisite for […]

Shaping is a great way to teach your dog how to problem solve. Many dogs get stuck in the trap of waiting to be told what to do or waiting for a cookie to appear in front of their nose and lure them to the correct position. While luring is a great training technique, there's […]

With nice spring weather not far away, many dogs will be spending more time in their backyards. What’s one of their favorite outdoor pastimes? Digging! Here are some ideas to help you and your dog agree on landscaping decisions. First, some of the reasons dogs dig: To pursue animals like moles, chipmunks, gophers, and rabbits. […]

This is a cute trick that will have your dog rolling her ball with her nose in no time. To get started, you will just need your dog’s bowl and a soccer ball. Start training this game on carpet so the ball does not roll far away and result in your dog chasing the ball. […]

Best known for being active and affectionate, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is a unique hunting breed. Here are some fun facts about its history and function.

The loyal Briard, also known as the "Chien Berger de Brie," is a strong and powerful sheepherding dog, originally from France. Fans of the breed call the dynamic and alert Briard "a heart wrapped in fur." Here are some interesting facts about this member of the Herding Group that will have you calling yourself a […]

It’s a cold heart, indeed, that can resist a Havanese. Even if you prefer large dogs, working dogs, or no dogs at all, this bundle of charm can turn you into a fan. What’s so winning about this toy breed?   1. Just look at him! That silky coat, arched tail, and soulful brown eyes […]

Although one of the earliest breeds to be registered with the AKC, the Field Spaniel almost faded into obscurity prior to the 1960s. And that would be a shame because this is one terrific dog. In the field, he’s known for endurance and energy, equally adept on land or water. But where the Field Spaniel […]

The short-legged but muscular Cesky Terrier is relatively rare in the United States, with less than 600 dogs to be found in the country. These fairly small terriers are sensitive and full of energy, but are not quite as excitable as some other terrier breeds. Cesky is pronounced "chess-key" after the breed’s country of origin, […]

She radiates joy, but it’s her fighting spirit that defines the heart of a 13-week-old German Wirehaired Pointer that is about to embark on a coast-to-coast flight to a new home. Appropriately, Joy is her name. And, adds her breeder, Laura Reeves, of Grants Pass, Ore., “This is the case of the right dog at […]