Playing Fur Keeps LLC Dog Training and Services

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Playing Fur Keeps LLC Dog Training and Services Playing Fur Keeps was founded in 2016, with the hopes of helping dogs stay in their furever homes. Over 3 million dogs enter shelters each year in the US alone.

Playing Fur Keeps is a certified dog training service in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Casey DeKam, the owner and trainer, is an Animal Behavioral College graduate holding seven certifications, including a specialized certification for training shelter/rescue dogs. PFK provides safe, effective, gentle dog training for dogs of all breeds and puppies of any age. Training techniques are strongly b

ased upon positive reinforcement and the building of a proper leadership structure. PFK believes in the L.I.M.A approach and feels strongly that positive punishments, even if force free, should be nothing more than last resort efforts. Although positive punishments may be employed as a last resort within the L.I.M.A approach, any corrective measures used by PFK are designed to be painless and not to induce a fear response. PFK’s goal will always remain to create a positive bond designed to fuel a dog’s drive to please those that they love and respect most. A dog that “listens” out of fear of consequence will never be a confident and well-bonded dog. Therefore, PFK does not believe that pain holds any place in dog training. A Little About Me:
After years of fostering rescue dogs and volunteering in local shelters, I one day decided that I COULD do more. I could no longer just sit back and continue to watch great dogs needlessly suffer through the pain of abandonment. The #1 reason for owner surrenders? Behavioral issues. Many of which can be corrected through owner dedication and basic training. So, I set out on a two-and-a-half-year journey, in which I gained certificates from Animal Behavioral college in 7 different areas. In 2016, I took the leap and began building my business, with 1 main goal in mind. Providing affordable and effective training to my community, in hopes of keeping more dogs out of our area shelters. That goal will never change!

I am down to 3 July starts. I have nearly 20 weekend inquiries to work through, so I do not expect those to make it thro...
24/06/2025

I am down to 3 July starts. I have nearly 20 weekend inquiries to work through, so I do not expect those to make it through day end. Therefore, August availability has been updated! :)

Please look out for those furbabies this weekend!! There are plenty of indoor games to provide exercise and enrichment w...
21/06/2025

Please look out for those furbabies this weekend!! There are plenty of indoor games to provide exercise and enrichment while limiting outdoor time. A rigorous game of hide and seek with the whole family is a favorite of mine!

Here are some other great ideas: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/canine-diy-enrichment

With the hot weather this week, we want to share some critical info from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - MDARD on how to keep you pets safe in extreme heat!

Learn more here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/HSWMHeat

What can I say? 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣🥰
08/06/2025

What can I say? 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣🥰

06/06/2025
Still a few July starts available for 6 week courses! Last chance to get the whole family involved before the kiddos go ...
04/06/2025

Still a few July starts available for 6 week courses! Last chance to get the whole family involved before the kiddos go back to school. 😎😎😎

Y'all, I'm just so blessed. Not only because I get to do what I love so deeply, but also because of the amazing people ...
30/05/2025

Y'all, I'm just so blessed. Not only because I get to do what I love so deeply, but also because of the amazing people my work has brought into my life. I'm blessed to have had so many clients turn into friends, and even family. 🥰

Thank you so much, Miriam Flannigan for making a special trip to brighten my day with all of these birthday goodies, and for surprising me with some extra lovens from my "godson". I'm so grateful this journey brought me into your family's orbit. 💕💕💕

July availability has been updated! Last chance to get through a 6-week course before summer break ends. :)
27/05/2025

July availability has been updated! Last chance to get through a 6-week course before summer break ends. :)

27/05/2025

I will be getting July availability posted by day end. So sorry for the delay!

Currently, May and June are full for all services. I will have some July Package course availability. Personalized Training is full through July and booking into August.

24/05/2025

ATTENTION PAST AND PRESENT CLIENTS:

I am searching for some honest feedback from you. 😊
Today, I received some negative feedback regarding my training contract. While I have never received feedback thus far in my career, whether positive or negative, regarding my training contract, I still want to take this feedback seriously. I feel as if my training contract is pretty basic and straightforward, covering liability, cancelation policy, copyright protections of my material, and the contractual obligation to notify me of any findings of parasites (in order to protect all other clientele). However, I want to be certain I am not missing anything.

Upon reviewing your training contract, did anyone feel shocked or offended that my services included a training contract?

Did a training contract make you feel “forced” into the service that you booked for?

Was there any particular portion that made you feel as if you were “signing your life away”?

Thank you in advance for the honest feedback. I genuinely appreciate it. 🥰

I recently spoke on the importance of reviews for small, serviced based business growth. However, for me personally, I o...
22/05/2025

I recently spoke on the importance of reviews for small, serviced based business growth. However, for me personally, I often draw an emotional benefit from reviews, too. While I would not give up my work for anything, I would be lying if I claimed that some cases did not cause a higher level of emotional drainage than others. While my days are usually full of “rainbows and butterflies”, there are some trying moments along the way. The hardest part of my career often lies within finding ways to motivate handlers to dedicate the appropriate amount of effort needed to reach their goals and help their furry companions reach their full potential. On days in which I find my tank running low and in need of some inspiration to help me dig deeper, I often read through all of my amazing reviews to find the encouragement that I need, to better project encouragement onto clients struggling to find their own motivation.

I was just reading through them yesterday, and I found myself inspired to share some of my absolute favorites from over the years!! I am so blessed to have been a part of these journeys, and I thank you for your inspiring words! 💕🥰💕

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Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:00 - 19:30
Wednesday 10:00 - 19:30
Thursday 10:00 - 19:30
Friday 10:00 - 18:30
Saturday 10:30 - 15:00

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