Caryn Rousseau
ASAP

Sure, your dog is talented. He can run in a circle on command. He can play dead. He might even be able to open a cooler and bring you a can of soda. Don't you want to show him off?

Now you can.

A new Web site -- http://www.worldwidefido.com -- lets users post videos of their dogs and enter them into different categories: Cutest Dog, Best Trick, Best Friend or Most Outrageous. Pooches can even be deemed "Today's Top Dog." The site features monthly winners and even a doggie blog. It's the brainchild of Albie Hecht, chief executive of Worldwide Biggies Inc., who came up with the idea after noticing how popular pet videos have become on other viral video Web sites.

"The fact that (dogs) are so smart and can do so many things, I think blows people away," Hecht says.

And here's where Worldwide Fido merges YouTube with "American Idol" -- the site lets users "throw a dog a bone" when they like a trick or think a dog is cute. The more bones a dog gets, the better that dog's chances of winning prizes or being for a Web series or possibly on a television series that Hecht is developing.

There is a humanitarian side to the Web site too. Hecht is reaching out to pet rescue shelters across the country to have them post videos of dogs who need to be adopted instead of the usual still photos.

"I think seeing a video and seeing the dog in action can give you a closer connection," Hecht said.

Caryn Rousseau is an asap reporter based in Kansas City, Mo.