The 2020 AKC Agility Invitational took place December 12-13, 2020 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. The top five dogs in each breed received an invitation to compete in this prestigious event. In addition, the agility competition for junior handlers was held for the tenth year.
Five agility dogs and their owners – one dog/handler team in each of the five height categories – were crowned as the 2020 winners of the AKC Agility Invitational, which brought together 608 dogs from across the country. Continue reading 2020 AKC Agility National Championship Winners→
Competitions were held December 11-13, 2020 in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
If you’re not familiar with rally, think of it as any team sport: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control. Continue reading 2020 AKC Rally National Championship Winners→
The National Obedience Championship is a two-day event and is by invitation only for the top-ranked dogs of each breed. It was held held December 11-13, 2020 in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Continue reading 2020 AKC Obedience National Championship Winners→
Although the virus reportedly makes you lose your sense of smell, it apparently gives you a particular odor dogs can sniff out.
The airport in Helsinki, Finland, is testing passengers for Covid-19 by using trained dogs to sniff out the virus. NBC’s Kelly Cobiella joins Shep Smith on CNBC to discuss what could be a new way to detect for Covid-19.
From The Dog Lady’s mailbag: The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce the launch of its exciting new Virtual Home Manners (VHM) Program. The program is designed to help teach dogs proper manners at home. Teaching their dogs to behave at home is important for owners, mentally stimulating for dogs, and home-based training can take place any time that fits into the schedule of the dog owner. The program will include two levels allowing puppies and dogs of all ages to participate.
“Many companion dogs have been added to families during the pandemic. Basic training for practical home manners should start as soon as we bring a puppy home,” said Doug Ljungren, Vice President of Sports and Events. “By providing home manners training, we lay the foundation for well-behaved dogs who are a joy for their families.” Continue reading AKC LAUNCHES NEW VIRTUAL HOME MANNERS TITLING PROGRAM→
Do you love puppies, but can’t take on the life-long responsibility of another dog right now? Why not consider fostering and socializing for an assistance dog charity?
Puppy socializers take in puppies destined to be guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, or physical assistance dogs for the physically challenged. They may also be used as support dogs for those with autism or other mentally debilitating conditions like PTSD. Continue reading Puppy Socializers→
From the Dog Lady’s mailbag: The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is proud to announce the AKC Temperament Test™ (ATT). The ATT is open to all breeds, including mixed breed dogs.
The temperament of any dog is an important characteristic. Temperament is a dog’s natural predisposition to react a certain way to a stimulus. The AKC Temperament Test includes test items in the following six categories: social, auditory, visual, tactile (touch), proprioceptive (motion), and an unexpected stimulus. Continue reading AKC Temperament Testing→
Photo: Golden MeadowsWe welcome guest blogger Kevin Brenden to the blog today, writing on behalf of Golden Meadows, a Vizsla and Golden Retriever breeder out of Southern California.
[Editor’s Note: As regular readers of this blog know, I always encourage people to adopt dogs from local shelters rather than buying puppies. However, I also recognize that many of my readers are interested in show dogs or have other reasons for looking at professionally bred puppies. So, I’m happy to present this post telling you why finding a reputable breeder is important.]
