Field Trials US

From the AKC website

“Whereas a dog can break a tooth in a millisecond, dental disease takes a very long time to develop,” Dr. Attas says. “If we’re brushing right from the beginning, their teeth are less likely to develop decay. It will happen more slowly and be a less serious case.” Getting your dog comfortable with tooth brushing takes time and patience. Here are some steps to make brushing your dog’s teeth a positive experience:

1. Start by touching the outside of your dog’s mouth. Praise and reward them with a treat.
2. Lift the top lip and hold it while you touch the dog’s top teeth and gums without a toothbrush. Then, do the same for the bottom lip, teeth, and gums. Reward them with praise and a treat.
3. Choose a toothbrush designed for dogs that fits over your index finger, so you can feel how much pressure you’re applying. Touch the brush to your dog’s teeth (front, side, and back) on the bottom and top of their mouths. Make sure they’re comfortable with this step before introducing toothpaste.
4. Apply a small amount of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog sniff and taste it.
5. Try brushing their top teeth with toothpaste while holding up the upper lip. Praise and reward.
6. Repeat Step 5, going further back into your pet’s mouth (to the side and the back on the top of the mouth).
7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 with the bottom teeth.

Adapted from the AKC Board Liaison Report

An action item emanating from the Board’s April 2024 meeting directed Staff to provide the Board at its May 2024 meeting with an explanation of the 200-mile conflict policy for events, how a club may appeal events that conflict due to distance, who reviews such an appeal, and how the distance between events is stored and calculated.

In July 2021, the Board approved a policy that provides clubs with the option to appeal to Staff event date/site conflicts when the driving mileage is at least approximately 25% greater than the straight-line distance conflict for that sport. Driving distance will be calculated via Google Maps using shortest distance (not quickest), accepting toll roads, and avoiding ferries as parameters.

Clubs have the option to appeal event date/site conflicts when the driving mileage is approximately 25% greater than the straight-line distance conflict for that sport. Driving distance is to be calculated via Google Maps using shortest distance (not quickest), accepting toll roads, and avoiding ferries as parameters. Appeals with a driving distance of 25% or more above the straight-line distance conflict will be reviewed by Staff, who shall approve the appeal once the mileage is confirmed.  Appeals with a driving distance of less than 25% above the straight-line distance conflict will be considered by the Board Appeals Committee, which shall approve or deny the appeal.