Your votes have been counted, and we’re delighted to announce the five finalists in the America’s Best Dog Trick Contest in support of positive dog training.

Victor, a four-year-old Poodle, was picked up as a stray by an animal shelter in Worcester. He was then adopted by American Poodles at Work (APAW) where he met his owner, Sharon. Watch their entry in the America’s Best Dog Trick Contest.

Jilli Dog, a Yorkie, was rescued from the streets as a sickly, messy little pup, almost 11 years ago by her owner, Rick. She has gone on to become a most amazing little pooch, making many people smile with her dog trick performances.

Kaine is a three year old, clicker trained, award-winning German Shepherd. Kaine’s favorite trick is painting. He loves to create original pieces of art with his imagination.

Jesse the Jack Russell Terrier began learning tricks through the motivation of tasty lunch meat. And when he was only nine weeks old, he taught himself how to sit up!

Charlie is a “demo” Service Dog for APAW (American Poodles at Work), and accompanies his owner, Jillian, when she speaks to groups about the importance of assistance dogs. Charlie demonstrates many tasks, from turning on lights, to retrieving keys or a phone, or opening doors. He also really loves taking things out of bags… and sometimes putting things into bags where they don’t quite belong.

Ryleigh, a 9-month-old German Shepherd, was trained using positive reinforcement by her owner, Jess, for this entry in the America’s Best Dog Trick Contest.

Watch how Murphy, a Border Collie/Schnauzer mix, learned how to play basketball using positive dog training methods. It all started with putting away her dog toys!

Ivy, a two-year-old Foxhound mix and rescue dog performs amazing tricks for the America’s Best Dog Trick Contest, in support of positive dog training.

Mike in Tacoma, Washington, has created a great “music video” for the America’s Best Dog Trick Contest, featuring his two dogs: Blue, a Blue Heeler mix and rescue dog, and Red, a Border Collie.

Spitfire Spinelli, or “Nels” for short, is a one-year-old cattle dog/husky mix, adopted from a rescue in Tennessee last February when she was 5 months old, by her owner, Sam, age 23.

Here’s a round-up of all the Dog Agility competitions, trials and related events, all around America, in January and February of 2010.

Recently, a group of researchers decided to study whether or not the presence of a dog affects the ability of children to follow directions. Preschoolers were asked to perform basic motor skill tasks in the presence of a dog, a human, and a stuffed life-size dog manipulated by a human. The tasks were either demonstrated first or were to be performed at the same time.

Here in L.A., movie producers have the good sense to put talented dogs to work in the movies. We’re not just talking Marley & Me or Hotel for Dogs. Can you imagine As Good As It Gets without the pooch? The right droop of a tail or cock of a head is box office gold. But speaking of gold, where are the statuettes for the unsung canine movie stars?

Turns out they’re in England, home to the Third Annual Fido Awards.

In Part 1 of our new series on dog agility obstacles, we take a closer look at the weave poles.