Kris' Pet Priorities LLC

Kris' Pet Priorities LLC Owner/Behavior Consultant Kris Hopkins is a professional trainer with 37 yrs of animal experience Kris A. Kris is a 1989 B.S.

Dog training in State College, PA and Altoona, PA and surrounding areas through a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant with over 30 years experience with animal behavior and training. Hopkins CPDT-KA can assist with any breed of dog, cat, bird or other animal, and all behavior problems. Animal Science / Wildlife Science graduate of Penn State University who worked for as a

senior zookeeper for the Erie Zoo, handled State College Police Dept.s only 2 police K9s and worked 3 years for a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) PhD. Kris is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), Eastern Police Canine Association, Doggone Safe, Missing Pet Partnership, Mt. Nittany Dog Training Club (MNDTC) and the founder and President of the Working K9 Association of Central Pennsylvania (WKACP). Call Kris for a free consultation on your pet's needs. We have single session behavior assessments and training packages that meet the needs of any pet. She takes cases within 60 miles of State College, PA. She can also do computer training sessions for some behavioral issues.

09/06/2025
CAT HARASSER IN THE MAKING REIGNED IN!I had such a fun time with these ladies, Michelle and Shirley,  and their new boy ...
09/04/2025

CAT HARASSER IN THE MAKING REIGNED IN!

I had such a fun time with these ladies, Michelle and Shirley, and their new boy BLITZ!! I was so glad they called when they did! Waiting until a dog like BLITZ gets BIG to start obedience training really compounds things and may even create liability.

BLITZ is going to be a Big Boy and he has an extra helping of prey drive and sniffing ability, both which can create problems if not redirected into healthy uses of these gifts! Add to it that BLITZ was blessed to live in the big woods full of critters and a house full
of cats 🐈‍⬛ !

I’m not even Yiddish, but Oy vey 🤦‍♀️!

So I modified BLITZ’s obedience package to make time for extra time for COME, LEAVE IT, and fun prey drive games while also desensitizing him to the family cats 🐈 and teaching BLITZ calmer behavior is expected in connection with them!! And for the record, no cats or wildlife were harmed in the making of a better BLiTZ!

BLITZ was also blessed to have a housemate older dog GIBSON who was incorporated into the training plan to help teach BLITZ manners and give him a fun playmate to drain extra energy!

CONGRATULATIONS BLITZ!!! Keep up the great work Michelle and Shirley! If you survive BLITZ’ first year the rest is downhill easy! 😁. Call 📞 me if you need me.

GOD knows what He is doing ❤️Interesting Fact of the Day...Did you know that the little groove between a dog’s nose and ...
09/04/2025

GOD knows what He is doing ❤️
Interesting Fact of the Day...

Did you know that the little groove between a dog’s nose and upper lip isn’t just a random feature? It’s called the philtrum (or vegetal groove), and it was has an important purpose!

The philtrum collects moisture when a dog licks its lips and saliva collects there. The moisture then travels up to the nose, keeping it damp. A wet nose is far better at grabbing scent particles from the air—boosting a dog’s already incredible olfaction ability. This isn’t a lucky accident of evolution—it’s a perfect example of intentional design by the Creator, equipping dogs with the tools they need from the very beginning.

A dog’s sense of smell is up to 100,000 times stronger than ours.

Every dog’s nose print is unique, just like our fingerprints.

A dog’s nose is not only about smell – it’s also about social skills. Dogs greet each other through sniffing, gathering details about age, s*x, health, and even mood. It’s their way of shaking hands and starting a conversation. Nose-to-nose and nose-to-ground sniffing is the language of dogs.

So next time you see your dog’s nose twitching or their philtrum glistening, remember – it’s more than cute. Humans have a philtrum too, but it isn’t quite as well developed and well used as the dog’s!

The philtrum is God’s masterpiece and special gift to dogs especially!

I got a Baby Rain photo today from his 1st owner Arielle Pelton today!  Rain came to live with us when he was 10 months ...
08/17/2025

I got a Baby Rain photo today from his 1st owner Arielle Pelton today!

Rain came to live with us when he was 10 months old and he was already huge, so a baby photo of him is a real treat! He just turned 3 yrs old on 07/01/2025 and he is all grown up now.

Boss Dog Buster Brown has taught Rain everything he knows. They have become good bromance buddies and lay together a lot. Rain has turned into a great watchdog and alerts us to everything. Buster can now retire and take naps inside while Rain runs patrols in the yard. Rain especially takes care of his very own little girlfriend Zia Mia who is 10 months old now.

Rain is definitely the biggest LOVER in the family. He can’t get close enough to you and he definitely has the biggest, sloppiest kisses trophy 🏆 of any dog Ive ever had.

Here’s to my Lover Boy Rain with the expressive eyes and the biggest heart ♥️!

German Shedder RAIN feels better!
08/04/2025

German Shedder RAIN feels better!

Be very careful using the newest pharmaceuticals on your dog.  It may have health implications for them and YOU.
08/01/2025

Be very careful using the newest pharmaceuticals on your dog. It may have health implications for them and YOU.

Great job PA Game Commission!
07/28/2025

Great job PA Game Commission!

Wardens Eliminate a Rabies Threat in Centre County

Recently, State Game Warden Rick Macklem II and Sergeant Dan Murray responded swiftly to address a serious public safety threat after receiving multiple reports of a gray fox behaving unusually in State College. The fox was reportedly approaching people and pets and, in some cases, attempted to bite or scratch people.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Warden Macklem and Sergeant Murray coordinated efforts over several days with assistance from local police and reports from citizens to set traps and remove the fox.

Thanks to their prompt response, Warden Macklem was able to euthanize the fox safely and humanely. The Department of Health later confirmed the fox tested positive for rabies. All individuals who may have had contact with the animal received appropriate medical care.

Rabies is a deadly virus that affects the central nervous system of all mammals and is typically spread to humans through the bite of an infected animal. It poses a public health risk, as it is nearly 100% fatal without postexposure treatment.

Infected animals may show signs such as aggression, excessive drooling, unusual vocalizations, lack of fear of humans, difficulty walking, paralysis, or disorientation, but some may appear normal.

If you suspect a wild rabid animal, keep a safe distance and contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD immediately. If the case only involves domestic animals, contact the Department of Agriculture. If you believe you or another human have been potentially exposed to rabies, immediately contact the Department of Health.

This incident highlights the critical role conservation officers play in both public safety and animal health.

CORGI GROWING PAINS turn into a PARTY 🎉 🐾🎈🐾🥰🐾 🎉 🐾🎈🐾🥰🐾Congratulations to owners Annabel and Ryan for nipping reactivity (...
07/21/2025

CORGI GROWING PAINS turn into a PARTY 🎉 🐾🎈🐾🥰🐾 🎉 🐾🎈🐾🥰🐾

Congratulations to owners Annabel and Ryan for nipping reactivity (barking and lunging) in the bud that their 9 month old Penbrooke Welsh Corgi KENNY was developing!

Reactivity is common in adolescent dogs who may be lacking confidence regarding strangers and strange dogs. It will start around 6-12 months old when the dog is getting bigger and close to or during their final fear period in development.

In 5 sessions KENNY’s owners were able to learn how to correct KENNY’s outbursts with markers, body language and various equipment , and how to reinforce calming in association to his triggers.

KENNY and his owners did so well that I decided to let KENNY meet ZIA MIA since the small dog park area was vacant! We let them
meet through the fence first and then we did some patterns on leash to cap excitement right before they met on leashes and eventually played in the fenced in area! We taught both dogs that calmness is reinforced .

As of the day seemingly couldn’t get better, KENNY also got to meet the cutest King Charles Cavalier too and the three small dogs absolutely had a wonderful time together, but we had to force some intermissions!

While I am NOT a dog park fan at all, this was possibly the best day ever at a dog park!

(See videos in the comments)

Zia is in princess mode 🤦‍♀️.  Her First heat cycle started on Wednesday 07/16/25.  She is 9 months old.  I like to get ...
07/19/2025

Zia is in princess mode 🤦‍♀️. Her First heat cycle started on Wednesday 07/16/25. She is 9 months old. I like to get them to 2 years before spaying and I sure wish more vets did o***y Sparing Spay (OSS) procedure instead. Its healthier for the dog.

Luckily Zia Mia is not entirely opposed to wearing the “pretty pants” as she is getting lots of treats for them.

Now for a month of protecting her like Fort Knox and keeping the horn toads away. You can kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince baby, but not on my watch 👀😂

Address

Port Matilda, PA
16870

Telephone

+18143602858

Website

https://linktr.ee/krishopkins?subscribe

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Kris’ Pet Priorities LLC offers Animal Behavior Consultations, Assessments and Training in State College, PA and Altoona, PA and surrounding areas through a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant with over 30 years experience with animal behavior and training. Kris A. Hopkins CPDT-KA can assist with any breed of dog, cat, bird or other animal, and all behavior problems. Kris is a 1989 B.S. Animal Science / Wildlife Science graduate of Penn State University who worked for as a senior zookeeper for the Erie Zoo, handled State College Police Dept.s only 2 police K9s and worked 3 years for a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) PhD. Kris is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), Eastern Police Canine Association, Doggone Safe, Missing Pet Partnership, Mt. Nittany Dog Training Club (MNDTC) and the founder and President of the Working K9 Association of Central Pennsylvania (WKACP). Call / email us for your pet's needs or use our scheduling app to get going even faster. https://schedulemypet.as.me/schedule.php

We have single session behavior assessments and training packages that meet the needs of any pet. We take cases within 60 miles of State College, PA. We can also do computer training sessions for some behavioral issues.

We look forward to meeting you and your pet(s)!

Kris A. Hopkins CPDT-KA