The Proper Pup

11/11/2024

Thankful for our nation’s K9 veterans today too! If you want to read more about K9s in service, check out my book .

11/08/2024

I wish for each and every one of you the level of happiness of a dog with a spent water bottle. 🩷🐶 Cliff Howard

11/02/2024

A huge shout-out to Big Tom's Backyard Grill & Bar for excellent food, excellent service, and kindness. They have always been so accommodating to Melissa and her service dog Blanton. Blanton always orders her grilled chicken plain and the kitchen went ahead and cut it up for her ahead of bringing it out. 🩷 Our server brought her a big old bowl of water to wash it down. 🩷 I really appreciate small business with big heart.

11/02/2024

This girl is simply amazing! Not only is she alerting for her mom’s blood sugar levels regularly but she also picks up on obedience commands in a snap. Here she is practicing her heel into long down in Petco. Also, she went shopping and picked out a new fuzzy blanket for herself but… she totally earned it! 🩷🐶 Melissa Davis-Fekany

10/31/2024

One of the Proper Pups being literal for Halloween. 🥰 Let me see your Halloweenies in the comments!

10/26/2024

Not too shabby for this Pup’s first big outing! Scout really is a ⭐️🐶.

10/26/2024

Okay so, anyone who knows me knows… I don’t get offended. I’m a veteran and I’ve been treated like the scum of the Earth (by my TIs 😁) and called every name in the book. I’m thick-skinned. And let me just say, I’m still not offended per se but maybe highly annoyed?
Today I met Scout (pictured) and his mom at Petsmart. This was this baby’s first big outing and his mom Heather was a little anxious about how he would behave in the big wide world. Also, she needed dog food from there so 2fer! We went to a back corner of the store and I started working on some focus drills with him to get him comfortable. After a few minutes, a man in Petsmart shirt walked up and said, “You’re not allowed to do dog training here.” ? Okay. I told him we would leave. We followed him out of the store with his Big Gulp in hand. 😁 We moved on then to Petco where we weren’t ushered out, Scout finished his training session, and his mom got her dog food.
So I do understand that Petsmart offers training services… and maybe they are afraid of competition? I’m not. But maybe they could have explained that, if that was in fact their concern. All I know is that they have just lost two customers (at least). I guess buyer beware. Don’t take your dog into Petsmart with a clicker and treats or you’ll be asked to leave! SMH

10/24/2024

Sweet Cockapoo Scout in week 2 of AKC STAR puppy training! He’s learning how to “down” without pressure. He’s doing an amazing job! Let me know if you need a little puppy learnin’ in your life! I can help with that!

10/23/2024

Meet new trainee Ivy. She’s a working farm girl. SO stinkin cute! 🩷

10/23/2024

My first session with this precious girl Ivy. She’s doing a beautiful heel already but I’m just thrilled with the way she pays complete attention. Totally eager to learn. Sweet baby!

10/23/2024

Anyone just need to boop a pittie nose? I got you.

10/21/2024

This weekend at Pawtoberfest I raffled off a free training session with me. So, I let Ma**er pick the lucky winner… and the suspense is killing us… Kirsten Poindexter you’re the winner! Huzzah!

10/19/2024

Ummm Toby says will you adopt me please?

10/19/2024

Pawtober Fest at Pet D-Tails! This little girl needs a home! 🏡 🐶🩷

10/17/2024

Blanton is just soaking up new information like a sponge! She has already alerted for blood sugar changes, in the way she was instructed, several times! This after just our initial two hour session! But let’s be honest, people are suspicious (maybe rightfully so) of service dogs because of those who get a worthless “certification” for emotional support animals who don’t know how to behave properly in society. The biggest hurdle for Blanton, a dog who provides a legitimate service to her human, and dogs like her, is learning manners in public. So we work on it! Her mom takes her everywhere now, always considerate of others, and teaching Blanton the same curtesies! Keeping her close and under voice control is imperative. So look at this beautiful “heel” and bonus… peep her cute doggie sweater! 🥰

10/17/2024

Not that there’s anything wrong with pointing to get your dog to down, generally, but if you want them to down on a dime… say in an emergency situation… they have to learn how to respond to your voice over your gesture. This was a lightbulb 💡 moment for Deacon. He heard it, thought about, then he GOT it! ❤️🐶

10/16/2024

Come out this Saturday to support East Ridge Animal Services in helping make new lifelong best friends!
I will be there giving free behavioral assessments and advice on perspective adoptions. Also, you can register to win a FREE session with me for you and your pup! 🩷🐶

Have you heard the newest gossip around town?

That's right we are taking adoptions on the road this weekend. You will be able to find us Pet D-Tails, Saturday October 19, 2024. We will be there from 11am until 2pm.

If you want to volunteer to handle a dog, please reach out to the office via telephone 423-468-1432 or message us here.

We look forward to seeing everyone!!!

10/16/2024

Two blood sugar alert dogs practicing their manners and obedience work in public. Remember to ask if petting is okay. 🩷