Meika's Helping Paws

Meika's Helping Paws Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Meika's Helping Paws, Dog trainer, Savannah, GA.

Professional Dog Trainer Specializing in Behavior Solutions & Service Dog Training

Book a FREE consultation today through https://meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us/

Happy Thanksgiving from Meika’s Helping Paws! 💚🐾We are grateful for our pawsome fam, your wonderful pups, and the trust ...
11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Meika’s Helping Paws! 💚🐾

We are grateful for our pawsome fam, your wonderful pups, and the trust you place in us every day.

Wishing everyone a holiday filled with warmth, gratitude, and joy. 💛🦃

📍 Savannah, GA (and nearby areas)
📧 [email protected]
💬 PM us on Facebook or Instagram
🌐 meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us

🥧Holiday foods can be confusing — even for experienced dog owners!🍗👉🏻Here’s your Thanksgiving cheat sheet📝: which foods ...
11/26/2025

🥧Holiday foods can be confusing — even for experienced dog owners!🍗

👉🏻Here’s your Thanksgiving cheat sheet📝: which foods are SAFE and which ones your dog should AVOID⚠️

Share to help another fur parent! 💚🐾

📍 Savannah, GA (and nearby areas)
📧 [email protected]
💬 PM us on Facebook or Instagram
🌐 meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us

Introducing the new couple - "Allis"Together, Avalon and Ellis, are plotting to cause as much chaos, destruction, sheer ...
11/23/2025

Introducing the new couple - "Allis"

Together, Avalon and Ellis, are plotting to cause as much chaos, destruction, sheer pandemonium, and unhinged chattering energy as they prepare to bring a new meaning to the term "power couple."


If there’s one thing boxers are known for, it’s their big personalities packed inside those square, expressive faces and...
11/19/2025

If there’s one thing boxers are known for, it’s their big personalities packed inside those square, expressive faces and wiggly, wiggly bodies.

Historically bred in Germany as working and guardian dogs, boxers were developed to be powerful, athletic, and incredibly loyal. But what truly sets them apart is their temperament: goofy, affectionate, endlessly playful, and fiercely devoted to their people.

Boxers are the type of dogs who feel everything in full volume—joy, excitement, curiosity, love—and they show it with full-body wiggles that look like their entire spine is celebrating life. They’re energetic, bright, mischievous, and sensitive all at once. They thrive on connection, structure, and a job to do… even if the job is simply “look adorable and follow Mom everywhere.”

Which brings me to my newest puppy client: Henley

A young boxer pup with a heart of gold 💛 and a butt that never stops dancing, Henley greets every moment like it’s her best day ever. She’s bouncy, brilliant, eager to learn, and already showing those classic boxer traits—huge expressions, quick bonding, and a wiggle that could power a small village.

I’m so excited to help channel all that boxer enthusiasm into confidence, manners, impulse control, and solid foundations that will set her up for a lifetime of success.

If you’ve got a high-energy pup like Henley (boxer or otherwise) and want to build better communication, reduce chaos, and start your training journey on the right foot, my programs are open for new clients.

📩 Send a message to learn which program is the best fit for you and your dog! 🐾✨

📍Savannah, GA and the surrounding low country area
📞 (912) - 663 - 9699
📧 [email protected]
🌐Visit: www.meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us

Training Tip Tuesday: Leash Walking 🐾If your dog treats the leash like it’s a tow rope and you’re just along for the rid...
11/18/2025

Training Tip Tuesday: Leash Walking 🐾

If your dog treats the leash like it’s a tow rope and you’re just along for the ride, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doomed. Leash walking is one of the most common struggles owners face, but it’s also one of the most transformative skills once your dog truly understands it.

Here’s today’s tip:

Start before the chaos begins.

That means practicing in a low-distraction environment where your dog can actually succeed. Reinforce the moments they check in with you, walk beside you, or keep that beautiful slack in the leash. Every time they make the right choice, pay them like they just did something spectacular—because to them, they did.

Then slowly, gradually, increase the challenge. New smells. New environments. New temptations. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s building a dog who sees you as the most important part of the walk, not the squirrel, the smell, or the invisible monster only they can see.

Remember: leash walking isn’t about control.

It’s about communication, partnership, and helping your dog feel guided rather than restrained.

Your shoulder will thank you. Your dog will thank you. And your neighbors will thank you when they no longer see you waterskiing down the sidewalk 🚶‍♀️🐕💨

Happy Training Tip Tuesday! Let me know below: what’s your dog’s biggest distraction on walks?

.heyraerae

🚨🐾 Schedule Update — No Group Class Tomorrow! 🐾🚨Hey Pawsome Fam! Just a quick heads-up — there will be no group class to...
11/14/2025

🚨🐾 Schedule Update — No Group Class Tomorrow! 🐾🚨

Hey Pawsome Fam! Just a quick heads-up — there will be no group class tomorrow, November 15th due to the Savannah Marathon affecting Daffin Park and the majority of the Savannah area, causing road closures and traffic delays. 🏃‍♀️🚧

To ensure everyone’s safety and avoid travel difficulties, we’ll be pausing group training for the day.

Group class will resume on Tuesday, November 18th at 4:30 PM! 🐕💚

Thank you all for your understanding and flexibility — stay safe, enjoy your weekend, and cheer on the marathon runners if you’re nearby! 🎉🐾

📍 Savannah, GA (and nearby areas)
📧 [email protected]
💬 PM us on Facebook or Instagram
🌐 meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us

Opie is a striking mix of Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Husky, and American Pit Bull Terrier — and h...
11/13/2025

Opie is a striking mix of Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Husky, and American Pit Bull Terrier — and he’s the perfect example of how genetics shape behavior. From the moment we met, Opie’s instincts were on full display. He wanted to constantly circle me, keeping a close eye on my movements — a clear nod to the herding drive from both the Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd. That herding instinct, without an appropriate outlet, often shows up as nipping or trying to control movement — not aggression, but a deeply rooted behavior once necessary for keeping livestock in line.

His body language told another story, too: tense, rigid, and uncertain. Those traits can be traced to his Rottweiler lineage — a powerful guardian breed bred for confidence and protection. When a Rottweiler’s confidence collides with fear or insecurity, it can turn into stranger danger, where their default is to act first to create space and safety. Add in a dash of Pit Bull Terrier — loyal, determined, and sometimes pushy when frustrated or under-stimulated — and you’ve got a dog who feels everything deeply but hasn’t yet learned what to do with those big feelings.

When I turned my back and took a step forward during our first session, Opie began to charge toward me — not out of dominance, but out of instinct and insecurity. As a professional trainer, this told me he was torn between curiosity and fear. His behavior wasn’t about being “aggressive”; it was his way of saying, “I don’t feel safe, and I don’t know how to handle this situation.”

Our work with Opie will focus on helping him build emotional stability and confidence in a world that doesn’t make sense to him right now. We’ll create structured routines, teach him how to regulate his impulses, and give him safe, fulfilling outlets for those natural herding, guarding, and working instincts. Dogs like Opie remind us that behavior is communication — and when we listen with understanding, not judgment, we can help them find peace in a world not built for them.

Keeping your dog engaged during training isn’t about demanding their attention—it’s about earning it. 🐾 Dogs stay focuse...
11/12/2025

Keeping your dog engaged during training isn’t about demanding their attention—it’s about earning it. 🐾 Dogs stay focused when training feels fun, rewarding, and clear. Mix things up: keep sessions short, sprinkle in games, change locations, and celebrate those little wins. 🎯 The more your dog sees you as the source of good things—treats, toys, praise, play—the more they’ll tune in and stay motivated.

And remember, engagement starts before obedience. If your dog’s mind is wandering, pause and reconnect instead of repeating cues. Get silly, move around, make eye contact, and remind them that working with you is the best game in town. 💪

For future service dogs like Hemlock, though, all it took was a giant stick we found at the park. 😂🌲

Today, we honor all who have served — the brave men, women, and loyal working dogs who dedicated their lives to protecti...
11/11/2025

Today, we honor all who have served — the brave men, women, and loyal working dogs who dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom 🇺🇸

✨ Did you know?✨
Dogs have served alongside soldiers since World War I and II, bravely working as messengers, search and rescue partners, and loyal companions on the front lines? 🐕‍🦺

Their courage and devotion saved countless lives — and their legacy continues today through the working dogs who stand by our veterans. 💚🐾

Confidence in dogs doesn’t come from praise alone — it comes from experience, clarity, and consistency.A confident dog i...
11/08/2025

Confidence in dogs doesn’t come from praise alone — it comes from experience, clarity, and consistency.

A confident dog isn’t one that’s “always happy” or “super social.” A confident dog is one who can think through stress instead of reacting to it. One who can walk into a new situation and go, “I’ve got this. I know how to handle it.”

So how do we build that kind of confidence?

✨ 1️⃣ Set clear expectations.
Dogs thrive when they understand what’s being asked of them. Structure actually reduces anxiety — it gives them a roadmap for success. The more predictability you build into their routine, the more control they feel over their environment.

✨ 2️⃣ Reward effort, not perfection.
When your dog offers a try — even a small one — celebrate that! Confidence builds through success, and success builds through repetition. Whether it’s walking calmly past another dog or simply not barking at a noise they used to, each win matters.

✨ 3️⃣ Controlled exposure is key.
Confidence doesn’t grow by tossing your dog into overwhelming situations. It grows through gradual, thoughtful exposure. Start small: one new sound, one new texture, one new environment at a time. Let your dog observe before they engage.

✨ 4️⃣ Avoid “comforting” fear with coddling.
It’s human nature to want to soothe, but when we “baby talk” a nervous dog, we often reinforce the fear. Instead, stay calm, neutral, and confident yourself — your dog will follow your lead.

✨ 5️⃣ For service dogs — confidence is non-negotiable.
A service dog needs to recover quickly from unexpected noises, strangers approaching, or sudden changes in environment. We build that resilience through foundation training: exposure, neutrality, problem-solving, and independence.

🎯 Confidence doesn’t come from freedom — it comes from trust, guidance, and gradual wins.

So next time your dog hesitates, don’t rush them. Stand beside them, give them time to think, and celebrate the small step forward. That’s how real confidence is built.

🐾 Let’s Talk About “Socialization” — Because It’s Not What You Think! 🐾We hear it all the time — “I need to socialize my...
11/06/2025

🐾 Let’s Talk About “Socialization” — Because It’s Not What You Think! 🐾

We hear it all the time — “I need to socialize my dog!”
And while that’s a great goal, most people picture one thing: throwing their dog into a crowd of other dogs or people and hoping they’ll “get used to it.” 😬

But here’s the truth ⬇️

🌎 What Socialization Is:

✅ Exposure done right — introducing your dog to new environments, sounds, textures, and experiences in a calm, positive way.
✅ Learning how to be neutral — your dog doesn’t have to greet everyone or every dog; they just need to feel safe and confident around them.
✅ Building trust — helping your dog understand that you will guide them through the world, not toss them into it.
✅ Creating emotional stability — a socialized dog isn’t a “party animal” — they’re a dog who can relax anywhere without being overwhelmed.

🚫 What Socialization Isn’t:

❌ Forcing your dog to “face their fears.”
❌ Taking your reactive or nervous dog to a busy dog park hoping they’ll “get over it.”
❌ Letting every person or dog say hi “because it’s good for them.”
❌ Overloading your puppy with too much, too soon.

Proper socialization is about quality over quantity. It’s not about how many people or dogs your pup meets — it’s about how they feel during and after each experience.

When done right, socialization builds confidence, trust, and a dog who can handle life’s curveballs — from crowded sidewalks to clumsy toddlers to those terrifying trash cans that move on their own. 🗑️👀

✨ Remember: we don’t need social butterflies. We need calm, confident dogs who can exist in the world peacefully.

🎓🐾 Congratulations to Ricky Bobby! 🐾🎓We’re so proud of Ricky Bobby and his amazing progress! This smart pup graduated wi...
11/03/2025

🎓🐾 Congratulations to Ricky Bobby! 🐾🎓
We’re so proud of Ricky Bobby and his amazing progress! This smart pup graduated with flying colors after showing incredible focus, confidence, and transformation throughout training.

With trainer Blake’s expert guidance and Cassidy’s dedication and consistency, Ricky Bobby’s reactivity has become much more manageable — he’s now calm, confident, and well-mannered, ready to take on every new adventure! 🙌🐶

A huge thank-you to Cassidy for all the time, love, and effort you’ve invested in Ricky Bobby’s journey — and for leaving a wonderful 5-star review sharing your experience with Meika’s Helping Paws! 💚🐾

📍 Savannah, GA (and nearby areas)
📞 (912)-663-9699
📧 [email protected]
💬 PM us on Facebook or Instagram
🌐 meikashelpingpaws.com/contact-us

Address

Savannah, GA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+19126639699

Website

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