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Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 3pm Saturday 9am - 3pm

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Tamara McKinney Professional Dog Training

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Charleston, SC
Tamara McKinney Professional Dog Training

Professional Dog Trainer in Charleston, SC. Building strong, fun relationships with families and their canine friends with balanced training techniques.
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08/26/2024

Leona & Falko were so ready for group class this past Saturday & the weather was perfect!

What did you do with your dog over the weekend?? Post a pic below!

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July!

We hope everyone has a fun filled & safe celebration today! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

05/28/2024

We train ‘em all, big and small!

Kumo is a Pomeranian mix puppy, hanging out with his new buddy Falko after a session. In addition to obedience, we worked on proper doggy etiquette when meeting a new dog on leash. Teaching manners for dog interactions helps them learn how to politely say hi without getting overstimulated, jumping and getting tangled in the leash. We also cover simply ignoring other dogs we may pass by, to show them not every dog is necessarily a “friend” or wants to interact.

Always make sure you’re asking for permission from the other owner before letting your dog say hi, to respect boundaries for those who may not be friendly, nervous, anxious etc. Just because your pup is friendly doesn’t automatically mean all others are. 😉 🐾

Kumo & Falko became fast friends, despite their enormous size difference! A 95 pound difference to be exact 🤣

Can you guess how much little Kumo weighs??

Fun fact: Kumo means “cloud” in Japanese, which is just a perfect name for this little guy!

Show me your “tiny & huge” buddies in the comments 😍

02/20/2024

Happy National Love your Pet Day! 🥰

I’d love to see pics of your favorite furry family members below 👇😍🐶🐾

02/14/2024

Welcome to training Gus!

Gus is staying with me for a couple of weeks to work on his fearfulness and obedience commands, as well as building some confidence. This boy is 7 months old and already huge!

Stay tuned for his progress updates 😁

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from our family to yours ❤️🎄🎅🐾🐶

11/21/2023

Hey everyone!

Just a heads up, I will be out of town until 11/29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. I will return calls/messages after I return, I hope everyone has a fabulous Turkey Day! 🦃

11/07/2023

Rehoming Post 🏠🐾 for a previous client of mine, who’s circumstances have changed recently.

“Piper is a 4 year old Pit who is a spayed female.

She would do best in a home with no kids and no other dogs, although she has lived with another male dog previously.

She loves to snuggle, play tug of war, long walks, and sunning herself for hours. She does have anxiety and would require a structured home with a family who will be patient with her and continue to enforce her training with boundaries & structure, so she can thrive!

She has gone through professional on & off leash training and knows: sit/stay/wait/leave it/heel/down/speak and place/spot. She will come with all her training equipment (prong collar, leather leash and ecollar) and it’s highly recommended to continue utilizing her tools to keep her on the right track.

Anyone interested is required to have a meet & greet and should have experience with sensitive dogs.”

Owner is having to re-home her due to issues with the HOA/noise complaints in an apartment.

‼️🚨 I will donate 2 handling sessions to her new adopter, which must be completed within 60 days of her adoption. Handling sessions will cover her commands, proper use of training equipment and making sure adopter knows how to utilize & keep up with her training, to make the transition into her new home successful. ‼️🚨

PM for more info and I can put you in touch with her owner.

11/04/2023

Falko is excited for Turkey Day! What are your plans for the holidays??

10/01/2023

Happy National Black Dog Day to these 2 boys! 🐾🐕‍🦺🐶

Did you know black dogs are least likely to be adopted? Statistically, they wait 4 times longer to be adopted from shelters, than lighter coated and more colorful dogs. 😢 This is called “Black dog syndrome”.

There was a study done where experts asked the “why” on this topic and answers were:

• “Superstitious people see black dogs as dangerous or evil” 🙄

Have y’all ever seen dogs with blue eyes?? I think they can look a lot more creepy than black dogs and we personally have a blue eyed collie mix too! They stare right into your soul 🤣

• Their facial expressions are harder to see, so people “don’t connect with them as easily” 😑

C’mon y’all, we all know the love of a dog is all in the “puppy eyes” they give us 👀🥺

• “Black/darker colored dogs don’t photograph as well”

While it may be a little more challenging, you just gotta find the right lighting and watch that beautiful coat SHINE in the sun! 💡☀️

Fun facts on why black dogs are the best:

• They are chic and always in fashion 🎩
They will match any pair of shoes you want to wear!

•They never look dirty 🧼
White/blonde dogs are so hard to keep clean, especially if it just rained and it’s muddy out! 😭

• Black fur blends into your dark pants, coat or couch 😉
If you have a white couch or outfit, buy a good vacuum & a lint roller and let the odds be ever in your favor 🤪

• Black dogs are just as loyal, playful, and loving as other canines. Maybe more so. ❤️

Couldn’t agree with that last one more 🖤🖤

3rd 📸 cred: Imagery by Ayla : Atlanta Family Photographer 🥰

09/16/2023

Falko Boy had a great 1st Birthday yesterday! 🎂🥳🎈🎉

09/11/2023

Now that we are officially in the peak of Hurricane season, here’s a reminder & checklist to make sure your furry friends are prepared as well. Did you know 83% of pet owners live in communities or areas that are affected by natural disasters?

Don’t leave your pets behind, the ASPCA reported that last year alone more than 37,000 pets needed assistance due to being left behind, tied to poles or just “let loose” outside. They will be scared, stressed and uncomfortable as it is but are safer WITH you.

Make sure you have plenty of water- usually 1 gallon of water per dog per day just like for humans, plenty of food (at least 7 days worth for each pet), collars on with your info (you can also write your dogs name & your phone number on their belly in case collars slip off), leashes, harnesses can also be helpful if you have an easily spooked dog that may slip out of their collar.

Do not let your dogs outside in the brunt of the weather, it’s not safe for them or for you. Careful letting them wade in flooded waters as all kinds of wildlife can turn up with flooding and other hazards such as parasites, etc.

Everyone stay SAFE and be prepared!

09/06/2023

Success story:

My clients Tricia Allison & Conrad Moore reached out to me around this time last year, regarding their dog Arto and his intense reactivity and anxiety. They were worried he would either hurt himself or others due to this behavior and decided to sign him up for some behavior modification training and we got to work! Not long after the sign up, they found out they were expecting a new baby and definitely wanted to have more control of him and get him to be able to relax and be calm. If you have or had a dog with anxiety, then you know they are anything but calm 🤣

We quickly figured out his explosive reactive behavior stemmed from the anxiety itself, so we incorporated structure, boundaries and set expectations for Arto to help him be the best he could be and create peace in the home.

We wanted to make sure he would be desensitized to a lot of the things that come with having a baby in the house down to him being comfortable walking next to a stroller. We even did a walk around their neighborhood with the empty baby stroller with him walking in a nice heel, I’m sure the neighbors were like 👀🤔 but he did great!

He finished his training just in time and their little girl was born about a week after our last session.

Below is an update from them on how Arto is doing with his new sister coming home!

08/27/2023

In honor of National Dog WEEKEND 🤪

Instead of posting picture perfect portrait photos of our pups, I wanted to do something different this year and share some candid photos of them being loved on by our families!

Wether it was on a vacation trip, holidays or them coming to visit us in Charleston, our puppies are so loved & welcomed by everyone and always included when they can be.

They are nothing less than spoiled by their Oma & Opa and Uncle & Aunties! ❤️

I’d love to see pics of your pups and families so feel free to share them in the comments!

07/18/2023

Good Morning yall!

Just a heads up, I will be out of town for vacation 7/22-8/1.

If you have an emergency or need a schedule change, please send me a text. All other messages will be returned/responded to on 8/2.

I hope everyone has a great week! ☀️

**For your viewing pleasure, a pic of the crew on our last trip to FL in Nov 2022. Please no comments on how TINY our baby puppy Falko was, I might have a breakdown 🤣😭🤣😭**

07/06/2023

Who else just had the sweetest, tiniest baby puppy literally 10 seconds ago? Who’s somehow now morphed into a handsome GROWN puppy 😭😫😭😫

Share your photos below!

06/09/2023

“The relationship between a
working dog and a dog handler, are as close as a man and a dog can become. You see this loyalty, the devotion, unlike any
other and the protectiveness.”
-Robert Crais

My working boys ❤️

05/14/2023

Throwback video of a group class from last year, with some really cool drone footage thanks to Taco’s dad Sal!

It’s so neat to see everyone working with their dogs at all these different angles! The drone itself was a great distraction for the dogs 😂

05/02/2023

Can your dog do this? If yes, props to you for putting in all the hard work to get your pup to be the best they can be! If not, send me a message for more info on training programs and let’s make it happen. 💪🐾🐕

05/01/2023

We had an awesome group class this past Saturday, thank you to everyone who came out to join us!

*Group classes are for alumni’s of TMPDT and a great way to keep up with training & socializing, after your pup has completed a 1 on 1 program.

Happy training!

04/10/2023

The McKinney pack hopes everyone had a wonderful & safe Easter weekend 🐣🪺🐰

Did you take Easter photos of your pup for the holiday?? If so, post them below if you’d like to share!

03/31/2023

Had a great session with Austin & his puppy Snowball today, he’s going to be a great handler with her!

When we have a family dog, it’s important to set expectations & boundaries for the pup to respect and respond even to the little humans in the home as well.

This helps avoid the dog “picking” on the kids and treating them like littermates or their equal. Have you ever had a puppy that chases the kids, play bites or nips on their clothes? Start having the kids participate in their training! It often builds confidence for the kids knowing that their pup will listen to them when giving commands or taking them on a walk.

Involving everyone the dog interacts with at home, makes for a balanced and happy household 😊

03/16/2023

Mama Justine took Falko for his 6.5 month weigh in at Best Friends Animal Clinic today. He’s 68 pounds, still getting bigger by the minute 😭

Then they went for an outing at Lowe's Home Improvement shopping for plants & some socializing and desensitization. When you have multiple owners/handlers in the home who interact with the dog daily, it’s important for everyone to participate in training, handling & socializing so they learn to respect & respond to everyone equally.

Where did our BABY PUPPY GO!? 😩🥺

03/09/2023

Happy TWELFTH 😭 Birthday to our bestest boy Luke! 🎂🥳🎉 How do the last 11.5 years feel like they flew by?

You’re such a good big brother, companion, working dog, snuggle buddy and loved by so many. Happy retirement old boy! 🐶🐾🐕

02/22/2023

Lilli, Bentley & Cinnamon put in 110% of work & effort, the boys have come such a long way since we started!

If you’re having issues with reactivity or aggression and want a change, send me a message for more info. 🐶🐾🐕

02/20/2023

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold on Saturday to come to group class! Can you believe 90% of these dogs used to be extremely dog reactive/aggressive??

Controlled socialization is so much more important & safer vs dog parks. A lot of my clients (dogs) became reactive or dog aggressive after a negative experience or interaction at a dog park, this is uncontrolled socialization.

It’s a free for all, where you have no control over the environment or the other dogs which can be a dangerous position to put your pup in.

Do these bad experiences happen to everyone? No. Consider yourself lucky. Then again, why risk it?

There are much safer & productive ways to socialize and have fun 😉

01/22/2023

Did you know puppies go through a “fear period”? On average, this period is between the age of 4-9 months. Certain things can become scary, cause nervousness, or anxiety wether it’s the garbage truck, cars, people, other dogs, children etc.

It’s the most important time in a dogs life to be socialized and exposed to many different sounds and environments. If we miss this window, it’s possible that you’ll have to rehabilitate this later on in life.

Set your puppies up for success by starting this early! Of course make sure you don’t do public outings until they’re fully vaccinated.

🐶🐕🐾

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas from the McKinney pack! I hope everyone had a fun, safe and joyous Christmas with their pups 🎅🎄🎅

12/20/2022

Thank you to everyone who made it to group class this past Saturday! I’ve seen SO much progress from everyone’s dogs this year and am proud of you all. 💪🤩

Keep up the great work and I’ll see you all in 2023 🎊🍾🐾

Address

Charleston, SC
29405

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 3pm
Saturday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+18435976664

Website

facebook.com

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Videos

Falko Boy had a great 1st Birthday yesterday! 🎂🥳🎈🎉

Throwback video of a group class from last year, with some really cool drone footage thanks to Taco’s dad Sal! It’s so neat to see everyone working with their dogs at all these different angles! The drone itself was a great distraction for the dogs 😂

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold on Saturday to come to group class! Can you believe 90% of these dogs used to be extremely dog reactive/aggressive?? Controlled socialization is so much more important & safer vs dog parks. A lot of my clients (dogs) became reactive or dog aggressive after a negative experience or interaction at a dog park, this is uncontrolled socialization. It’s a free for all, where you have no control over the environment or the other dogs which can be a dangerous position to put your pup in. Do these bad experiences happen to everyone? No. Consider yourself lucky. Then again, why risk it? There are much safer & productive ways to socialize and have fun 😉

Thank you to everyone who made it to group class this past Saturday! I’ve seen SO much progress from everyone’s dogs this year and am proud of you all. 💪🤩 Keep up the great work and I’ll see you all in 2023 🎊🍾🐾

It’s CHOOSE-DAY! Choose the day you strive to have today, here’s some cute Darcy content to lead the way! 😍 🐾🐶

Luke is a good boy. Luke takes his work very seriously. Luke pays his bills. I love Luke. Luke loves me. Get you a LUKE! 😍❤️ #tamaramckinneyprofessionaldogtraining #HesTiredOfMe #billsbillsbills #work #parkcircle #dogtrainerlife

Little Luka & owner Kira absolutely knocked their last session out of the park today! We did some distraction work at Charleston International Airport since they are going on a trip soon & wanted to prep Luka for his first time at the airport. They both have been working so hard with their on & off leash obedience and it shows! So proud of them 💪😍 #TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #Obedience #OnLeash #OffLeash #Distractions #HardWork #MiniAussie #LittleDogsNeedTrainingToo #Luka #CharlestonDogTrainer #CharlestonSC

❗️BOTTOM LINE❗️Breed of the day- Rottweiler * Descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions. * Originated in Germany and known in German as “Rottweiler Metzgerhund” (Rottweil Butchers’ Dog) because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts loaded with butcher meat to the markets. 🥩🍖 * Rottweilers are in the working dog category, they excel when they are given a “job”. 💪 * Temperament is good natured, very devoted, eager to work, steady and fearless. * Average lifespan is 8-10 years. 🙁 BUT… * Rottweilers require a calm, stable and firm "pack leader" or they will assume that role for you. Not in a good way. * Rottweilers are a powerful breed with well-developed genetic herding and guarding instincts. Potentially dangerous behaviour in Rottweilers usually results from irresponsible ownership, abuse, neglect, or lack of socialization and training. * Health issues to watch out for- hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma (bone cancer), DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy), osteochondritis dissecans (a condition affecting the shoulder joints). A reputable breeder will have the hips and elbows of all breeding dogs X-rayed and read by a recognised specialist, and will have the paperwork to prove it. If overfed and under-exercised, they are prone to obesity. * He has a self-assured aloofness and doesn't make friends with people immediately or indiscriminately. Instead, he takes a wait-and-see attitude with new people or situations. * Although they absolutely THINK they are lap dogs, these guys are big dogs! Between females and males, they range from 80-135 pounds! Not to mention, they can act like a bull in a china shop 😂 ❗️BOTTOM LINE❗️ Rotties are a WORKING breed and should be stimulated as such, to prevent behavioral issues. If you’re looking for a prissy or dainty dog, the Rottie is NOT for you. They are good with children (remember to ALWAYS respect boundaries). They have a protective instinct (but be careful not to

❗️Bottom Line❗️ Breed of the Day- Chihuahua • One of the longest living dog breeds (average 15-20 years) 😱😳 • Their temperament is devoted, lively, full of spirit, bold & intelligent. • One of the smallest breed of dogs. • Named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. 🇲🇽🇲🇽 • The ancestors of the Chihuahua were originally bred for various purposes, such as companionship, religious ceremonies & rituals and food. However, modern Chihuahuas are bred solely for companionship today. • The fastest speed they can run is 10-15 mph. 🏃🏻‍♂️💨 • They can have a short coat as well as long coats. BUT.. • Sadly, these guys have a predisposition to several neurological diseases as well as other medical issues such as epilepsy, CHF & patella Luxation. • They are extreme barkers and known to be “ankle biters”. 📣💥 • Can have a terrier like demeanor and exhibit “Napoleon Syndrome”. Strong leadership is a must. • Are often difficult to potty train • Are usually standoffish & suspicious of strangers. • Do best with older children (10+) who will more likely respect their boundaries and are more aware of surroundings due to their small size. ❗️BOTTOM LINE❗️ If you’re thinking about getting a chihuahua, get ready to be in it for the long haul due to their long lifespan. Be strict from day 1 with potty training & overall obedience. Just because they are small dogs does not mean they don’t need training, which is a common misconception with most small breeds. Be prepared to constantly look under your feet to avoid stepping on them. Be aware of the health conditions they are prone to and socialize properly & responsibly as soon as they are fully vaccinated, with other animals & people.

Here to satisfy your puppy fever for today! You’re welcome 😆🐶🐾❤️

Dog Breed of the Day- The “bottom line” ⚠️ Listen to the video below for more in depth info on this stoic breed! ⚠️ German Shepherd aka Deutscher Shäferhund or GSD Did you know? * The GSD was first recognized by the AKC in 1908 and originated in Germany. * Are extremely intelligent, loyal, willing to please and courageous. * Is a very active, athletic breed and requires a lot of mental & physical exercise. But did you also know: •GSD’s are highly prone to developing anxiety (separation, social & reactivity) if not trained or exercised properly. If they do not get proper stimulation, their frustration can lead to behavioral problems. •They shed. ALOT. This is not a “hypoallergenic” breed. Meaning they also blow their coat twice a year like most double coated breeds. * Is notorious for being overweight. Over feeding & too many treats is not love. Again, exercise & conditioning are important. Bottom line: Research the breed(s) you are considering and make sure they align with your lifestyle. Looks & cuteness shouldn’t be the only thing to take into consideration. You want to make sure it’s a good fit for both you and the dog.

I just have to brag on Titan and owner Jalaina, they have put so much work into his training and we’re only 5 sessions in. Going from previously reactive, over-excited, pulling on the leash & jumping to THIS, look how happy he is! Can’t wait to see the results of his off leash training in the next few weeks, nice work you two! 💪 #TamaraMckinneyProfessionalDogTraining #BasicObedience #Transformation #Heel #DownStay #Distractions #Focus #DedicatedClients #TrainedDog #HappyDog #BalancedTraining #CharlestonDogTrainer

Handsome Beau has finished his on leash program and is headed back to his foster home tonight! He is available for adoption through Libby and Mace's Place Animal Rescue, his new adopter will get 2 free handling sessions to help him transition into his new home and stay consistent with his training. 🐶🐾🐶🐾 #TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #Rescue #BasicObedience #HappyBoy #CharlestonDogTraining

7 month old Finley has finished her on and off leash program this week and I couldn’t be more proud of her, Barb & Jack! They were so fun to work with and I look forward to seeing them at group classes in the future 🐶🐾🐶🐾 #TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #GoldenRetriever #Puppy #HappyGirl #OffLeash #Functional #Influence #CharlestonDogTrainer

Functionality & Fun! #GroupClass #TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #Come #Heel

#TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #GroupClass #SaturdayMornings #WeekendVibe

Group Class tomorrow at 9:30am at Riverfront Park! Got something new and fun for y’all, so don’t miss it! 😎 #TamaraMcKinneyProfessionalDogTraining #GroupClass #SaturdayMornings #WeekendVibes #LetsGetIt