Semper Fidelis Canines

19/08/2024

This is training. It may just look like a dog laying down on the floor but it’s more than that. For a dog like Butterscotch here, this was what quite a bit of training looked like for her. She is a higher energy dog and easily excitable. So for her it would take a lot to relax and be in a calmer state. She had to learn there was a time and place for both.

19/08/2024

Semper Fidelis Felines
Night night from the kitties 🐈‍⬛ 💤

13/08/2024

Oh boy is it hot and humid out 🥵
Had to cut the evenings playtime and walkies short. Way more fun to do some enrichment and play time indoors 🐶🐾

13/08/2024

Walkies time with these two lovely ladies 🥰❤️

13/08/2024

Semper Fidelis FELINES 🐱🐾

10/08/2024

Welcome Teepo and Kara (and pet parent George) to the Semper Fidelis Canines/ Felines family 🐱🐾

10/08/2024

09/08/2024

Ace and Zeke (eeeekkk! So stinkin’ cute 🥰)
Another Min Pin take over! What ever will we do?!? 😂

04/08/2024

Boarding at Semper Fidelis Canines 🐶🐾

Boarding 🐶🐾
The ultimate home boarding experience. We are known as the “Ritz Carlton” of in-home dog boarding in Cape Coral for a reason 😏 (Private air conditioned space). Separate dedicated dog proof dog yard/ training yard with training platform, doggie pool (depending on the time of year we also have a dig pit, and sensory ball and toy pit).
No unsupervised playtime in the dog yard at anytime. PERIOD ❤️

21/07/2024

First we’re going to get into the terms for boarding:
1. Vaccinations and negative f***l in the past 6-12 months.

DA2PP
Rabies
Bordetella
Leptospirosis

*Puppies must have puppy boosters completed (typically 14-16 weeks)
*heartworm preventative required because if you live in Florida and your dog is not on a heart worm prevent it is negligent PERIOD.

This applies to any dogs who are visiting on site
i.e. boarding, boarding and training, group training, doggie daycare, behavioral evaluations, etc..

2. Behavioral evaluation
This will be conducted on site and will require a paid temperament testing/ behavioral assessment to determine how well they would do in our boarding environment.

3. In order to board they must either be crate trained or be able to be contained in a doggie playpen/ enclosure.
In order for us to rotate dogs and prevent any property damage.

4. All behavioral issues MUST BE DISCLOSED.
This does not eliminate them from being able to board, and training options will be offered at additional cost.

Boarding is either 1. Only one family at a time if the dog(s) has reactivity issues and do not do well with other dogs OR 2. Boarded with up to 4 total families of dog friendly dogs (temperament tested).

CLIENT DOGS DO NOT INTERACT WITH OUR PERSONAL DOGS DURING THERE STAY (the only time this would be allowed is if the dog(s) have been trained by one of our trainers)

No dog is EVER left unsupervised in the dog yard. PERIOD.

04/07/2024

Still light out, no fireworks yet keep on letting your dog(s) out to potty before the noise begins. If you don’t have to take them out while it’s going on why do it? If you’ve desensitized your dog(s) to these sounds and they tolerate it well then continue but if not then keep on letting them out up until it starts.

Remember to leash your dogs when you do to avoid any possible issues ❤️
And be extra careful with people coming in and out of the house! Last thing you want is a dog(s) slipping out by accident 😞

Don’t forget to have collars with there tags on them!❤️

04/07/2024

Just wanted to share again:

‼FIND A DOG in LEE COUNTY? HERE ARE MICROCHIP SCANNING STATIONS WITH PEOPLE AFFILIATED WITH A 501C3 WHO CAN OBTAIN OWNER INFORMATION!🚨🚨🚨🚨 Our stations reunite hundreds of dogs each year by doing ongoing scanning stations 365 days a year. But 4th of July is the worst!
TAKE SCREEN SHOT OF THIS POST!

Microchip Scanning Stations

***Station 1:
NE Cape Coral area
Melisa Harris-York
Text 239-633 -5319

***Station 2:
Lehigh / Buckingham area
Text Maranda Wyatt
239-357-8998

*** Station 3:
SW Cape Coral
Lori Briggs
Call or text 313-475-9132

***Station 4:
Central Lehigh
Crystal Brooks
Call or Text 938-4501

***Station 5:
San Carlos Park
Michelle Minor
Call or text 239-287-1459

***Station 6:
Buckingham/Tice
Lauren Donato
Call or text 631-356-4073

***Station 7:
North Cape Coral
Lori Berroa
Call 239-738-4416

***Station 8:
North Ft Myers
Rita Kelly
Call or Text 239-222-3464

***Station 9:
Central Ft Myers
Sherri-Lee Valvasori
Call or text 786-720-7479

***Station 10:
NW Cape Coral area
Call or text Linda Shellmer
(781) 915-8519

***Station 11
Ft. Myers McGregor/College
Cindy Alexander-Walker
Call or Text 201-788-8893

We scan found dogs in hopes to relocate them with their owner instead of sending them into Lee County.
Each day we have tons of people reach out to us & bring found dogs. "OPERATION SCAN PLAN" is ongoing forever.

..

04/07/2024

Now is a good time to start giving water or even doing early feedings for your babies, and letting them out a few times just incase.

04/07/2024

Some suggestions we have that we personally do for our girls:
Take them out to potty before things start to go off.
Even if you have a fenced yard, leash them when you take them out
Move there kennel to an area of your house where they will hear the least amount of noise from the fireworks as possible and give lots of comfort items such as stuffed animals, things they can chew or lick or sniff to comfort and self soothe.
Consider using a thunder shirt (can be easily made and there are lots of helpful videos online on how to do so ❤️)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/WzFJ2hdm81kECWie/?mibextid=WC7FNe

July 4th poses one of the biggest safety concerns of the year for dogs. So many get spooked by fireworks and escape or get loose during this night. You can never be too safe! My main, biggest points to keep in mind are:

🇺🇸 Keep your dog on leash after dark if going outside - even if your yard is fenced! It’s not worth the risk.

🇺🇸 Use a snug fitting martingale collar OR a British slip lead.

🇺🇸 Finish all exercise outdoors before sunset.

🇺🇸 Feed last meal early and do last potty break early.

🇺🇸 Use crates or gates to prevent access to doorways.

🇺🇸 Verify that microchip info is up to date.

🇺🇸 Keep ID tags on collars.

🇺🇸 Give your dog something to do to stay occupied!

03/07/2024

Daily drop in visits with these little ladies will brighten even the darkest of days 🐶🐾

02/07/2024

Teaching kids and dogs to respect one another and live together respectfully is your responsibility and a requirement if you have a household with both ❤️

24/06/2024

Cannot say this enough! ❤️

23/06/2024

Boarding update: We are still discussing how we want to move forward with our boarding services. It was a very popular service we offered and recieved amazing feedback from those who utilized this service. We appreciate all of our amazing client families, and hope to have a more detailed update in the near future. We are ALWAYS looking for fun and creative ways to best serve our clients, and to improve upon the services we offer.

We appreciate your patience, and support during this time as we look for the best ways to serve our clients moving forward.

Matt and Vanessa Hughes
Owners of Semper Fidelis Canines

(And remember we continue to provide care for your pups in your absence during this time however we do so by caring for them in the comfort of your/ there home/ safe space)

23/06/2024

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend 🐶🐾
We’re still here! As our focus has shifted to in-home care/ drop in visits, and training there have been fewer posts. With boarding it was easier to snap some cute and fun photos of our boarding families where as with the in-home visits and training it has not. We will be sure to try and remember to get some snap shots of our pups when we can!

07/06/2024

Saw this amazing video the other day where Joe Rogan was talking about the Belgian Malanoise breed. As we continue to see an increase in these dogs being surrendered (German Shepards, Huskies, etc…working dogs) it is important to remind everyone how important it is to do your research before you make a commitment or take on the responsibility without knowing what you’re getting yourself into. It isn’t a short term commitment. It isn’t something that you want to do without knowing or atleast considering potential life changes marriage, travel, children, moving, your work life, etc…
Google a research the breed or breeds that your dog likely has. Ask questions about them. Find out what they will need from you to thrive and have the best possible life you can give them because that’s what you’re signing up for 🐶🐾

04/06/2024

Happy birthday ladies 🩷🐾

04/06/2024

We also celebrate Mama Winnie’s birthday at this time too. She came to us just days before delivering her liter of 8. At the time she was estimated to be 5 years old, making this her 8th birthday 🐶🐾

04/06/2024

Happy 3rd Birthday to our favorite little lady Butterscotch 🐶🐾
I watched this sweet little pup being born. She was one of mama Winnie’s puppies in a liter of 8. My double foster fail 🩷

04/06/2024

It is important to understand the difference between socialization and environmentals 🐾

A slow introduction to both PEOPLE and the ENVIRONMENT they will encounter in the world around them ❤️

*sometimes worded differently like socialization and environmental exposure or environmental desensitization (among others)

It’s teaching them these things are not a threat to them and making the big scary world exciting and fun 🙂

04/06/2024

Help for those “rehoming due to pregnancy”
(those with small children)

Delivery preparation 🩷 Time to tighten up on training. In this case it’s making sure to tighten up on training and teach any additional things that could be helpful. Waiting until after is setting oneself up for failure or much more difficulty.

As parents we recommend (in addition to basic commands which are the foundation to all) a very solid understanding of the following if you have young children or are expecting:

1. PLACE (and on more than one surface! Very important! More than one location!)
2. LEAVE IT (this can save pacifiers and small items like baby mittens and socks, and stuffed animals and baby blankets)
3. RECALL (recall recall recall becuase it saves lives! And small children and sleepy parents forget to close doors and gates)
And lastly teaching your dog not to jump up on ANYONE. Place and working at thresholds helps with bolting out the door of course, and can also be used to help with chasing. Do not forget some dogs have a stronger prey drive depending on the breed or breeds they are. Chasing and jumping are two of the biggest issues (and mouthing).
You have to teach children and dogs how to live respectfully with one another for safety reasons. And if you are responsible it makes for an amazing relationship and bond for both 🐾”

25/05/2024

My very close friend sharing her experience with her Mali (Malanoise). Again, not a novice breed. And we are seeing more and more being surrendered due to owner irresponsibility and lack of knowledge of the breed when making a commitment to them.
(German Shepards, and other working dogs)