Mainely Hounds LLC

02/11/2025

The more you know 👀🐶

02/09/2025

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉🐾

I’m officially a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist through ! 🏅🥩🌿

This has been in the works for a while, and I couldn’t be more excited to add this to my toolbox. Behavior and nutrition are deeply connected—what our dogs eat directly impacts their health, energy, and emotional well-being.

I’ve seen firsthand how the right diet can transform a dog’s life (Mulligan is proof of that!), and now I’m even better equipped to help others on their journey.

If you’re looking to support your dog from the inside out, I’ve got you! Let’s chat about how nutrition can play a role in behavior, longevity, and overall happiness. 💛🐕

02/06/2025

From off-leash adventures to calm, focused obedience, we help dogs and their humans build confidence, connection, and trust.

📍 Beach days without the stress
📍 Hiking with reliable recall
📍 Sitting patiently and staying engaged
📍 A balanced, happy dog that listens and thrives

We take a holistic, relationship-based approach to training—because a well-trained dog is a well-understood dog.

📩 DM us to learn more and get started!

02/03/2025

The real key to a well-trained dog isn’t just obedience—it’s emotional regulation. A dog who can stay calm, confident, and connected to you in different situations is the one who truly thrives.

Here’s how to make it happen:

🐾 Meet Their Needs First – A dog who feels safe, nourished, and fulfilled is ready to learn. Physical exercise, mental stimulation, and proper nutrition all play a role.

🧠 Focus on Emotional Regulation – Instead of just teaching commands, help your dog navigate their emotions. Teach them how to settle, handle frustration, and recover from excitement.

💡 Reinforce the Right State of Mind – Training isn’t just about getting behaviors; it’s about shaping how your dog feels. Reward calmness, patience, and engagement with you.

❤️ Build a Strong Relationship – Trust and connection matter more than perfect obedience. Your dog should look to you for guidance, not just for treats.

🐕 Set Them Up for Success – Create an environment where your dog can practice good habits instead of constantly correcting bad ones.

A well-trained dog isn’t just a dog who listens—it’s a dog who feels secure, balanced, and in tune with their human.

What’s one thing you do to help your dog feel happy and regulated? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️🐶

01/28/2025

Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough for your dog? Maybe you wish you had started training sooner, done better, or gotten it “right” the first time?

You’re not alone. At times I experienced shame, guilt, and regret on my journey. These feelings can trigger fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses—not just in us, but in our dogs too. If we’re in survival mode, they feel it. Ask me how I know this?

The truth is, emotional regulation starts with us. When we take a step back to identify, connect, and speak our truth, we open the door to healing.

✨ Identify the triggers that put you or your dog in survival mode.
✨ Connect with yourself and your dog through calm, grounded energy.
✨ Speak words of kindness and encouragement—to yourself and to your dog.

Progress, not perfection, is what matters. The relationship you’re building is enough. The effort you’re making is enough. You are enough.

When we regulate our emotions, we model that calm for our dogs. Together, we grow stronger and more connected.

💚 You’re not alone in this journey. Let’s support each other. Share your experience below! ⬇️

01/26/2025

👩🐶Looking to build your relationship and better connect with your dog? Here are 4 easy ways:

1. Increase Eye Contact
Eye contact is a powerful way to build trust with your dog. Practice during calm moments—call their name, and reward them when they look into your eyes. This builds focus and connection over time.

2. Hold Them Accountable
Dogs thrive with clear boundaries. Follow through on commands with consistency and patience. Being fair but firm helps your dog trust your leadership and understand their role in your relationship.

3. Engage in Structured Play
Playtime can be more than just fun—it’s an opportunity for bonding! Incorporate games like fetch or tug-of-war with rules. End the game on your terms, so your dog learns to follow your lead while enjoying the activity.

4. Practice Calm Connection
Spend quiet time together, like practicing relaxed leash walks or resting by your side. These moments reinforce your bond and create a sense of safety for your dog.

💡 Remember, your relationship is built on mutual trust, respect, and communication. Small steps lead to big changes!

What’s your favorite way to connect with your dog? Let me know below! 👇

01/23/2025

✌️❤️🐶

01/21/2025

When a dog’s nails split, it can be not only messy but painful and might indicate an underlying issue. Here are some common causes and solutions to prevent or address the problem. Thankfully it can be relatively easy to prevent!

Causes:
1. Dry or Brittle Nails. Dehydration or a lack of essential nutrients like biotin or omega fatty acids.
2. Overgrown Nails. Long nails are more prone to catching on surfaces and splitting.
3. Trauma. Nails can split when they snag on rough surfaces or during vigorous activity.
4. Underlying Health Issues. Conditions like fungal infections, hypothyroidism, or autoimmune diseases can weaken nails.
5. Improper Grooming. Using dull or incorrect clippers can cause nails to crack or split during trimming.

🩹 Immediate Care for Bleeding Nails
1️⃣ Stop the bleeding with cornstarch or natural styptic powder.
2️⃣ Clean with diluted betadine (avoid peroxide!).
3️⃣ Protect with a breathable bandage and soothe with calendula cream or paw balm.

🌱 Strengthen Nails Naturally
✨ Boost Nutrition:
• Biotin (eggs, liver, fish) for strong nails.
• Omega-3s (fish oil, flaxseed) to reduce brittleness.
• Collagen or bone broth for nail & joint health.

✨ Hydrate Nails:
Apply coconut or vitamin E oil weekly to keep them moisturized.

✨ Gentle Grooming:
Use sharp clippers or a grinder to prevent cracks and keep edges smooth.

🐾 Environmental Tips
• Walk on soft surfaces like grass to avoid stress on nails.
• Use protective booties during outdoor adventures.

💚 Holistic Healing for Cracks
• Aloe Vera Gel for soothing.
• Calendula Cream to reduce inflammation.
• Manuka Honey to fight infection naturally.

Tag a dog parent who needs this! 🐕

01/19/2025

A MUST book!!! 😍

❄️SNOW SESSIONS❄️
Guys, we’re FINALLY going to have enough snow coming in for our first pop up snow minis of the season!

Snow days are pure magic for dogs…the excitement, the play, and the joy in every moment is worth documenting. This Monday, January 20th, in North Yarmouth, ME, let’s capture your dog’s love for winter with a fun, snowy photo session.

Only 5 spots available, with packages starting at $199.
Click here to book instantly: https://book.usesession.com/s/PfyLEf4GsY

Message me for any concerns/questions!

See you and your dogs in the snow ❄️🐾

01/15/2025

I’m about to get real with you here 🫣. Our Dogs Are Mirrors of Ourselves

Have you ever noticed how much your dog reflects pieces of you? 🪞✨

Take a moment to think:
• What qualities do you love about your dog? Their patience? Loyalty? Playfulness?
• What do you find challenging? Are they reactive? Stubborn? Anxious?

Now, look inward: Do these traits show up in your own life?

Our dogs often teach us what we need to learn about ourselves. Their behaviors—both the good and the challenging—offer us a chance to reflect, grow, and become better humans.

🐾 This week’s challenge:
Pause and observe your dog. What can they teach you about your emotions, boundaries, or reactions? What small changes can you make to lead both of you toward a calmer, more connected life?

Drop a ❤️ if you’re ready to reflect and grow alongside your pup! Share what your dog has taught you in the comments—your story might inspire someone else on their journey.

Mulligan has taught me resilience, patience, and the power of self-reflection. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.

01/14/2025

Just a few of the reasons our clients choose . 🥰🥰🥰

01/11/2025

Training your dog before issues arise is one of the greatest gifts you can give them—and yourself. 🐾💛

It’s not just about avoiding problems; it’s about building a strong foundation of trust, communication, and understanding from day one. Think of it like teaching your dog how to navigate the world in a way that keeps them safe, happy, and confident.

Preventative training:
✨ Strengthens your bond
✨ Reduces stress for both of you
✨ Helps your dog thrive emotionally and socially
✨ Makes it easier to handle unexpected challenges

Don’t wait for issues to appear—be proactive and set your dog up for success. Because a little training now saves a lot of heartache later! 💡

What’s one skill or habit you wish you had worked on earlier with your pup? Share below! 👇

01/08/2025

What do you think? Agree or disagree? Let’s discuss! 👇

01/03/2025

Allow me to reintroduce myself 🥰

01/03/2025

Even if you CAN bring your dog, it doesn’t mean you SHOULD.🐾 Sometimes leaving them at home is the kindest choice. Public outings can be overwhelming and stressful for many dogs (it’s stressful for just me!). Prioritize their comfort and emotional well-being. 💛

01/01/2025

Never stop exploring 🥰🌲💦🐾🏕️

12/28/2024

Ever ask your dog for a sit and then give up because well…you are tired of repeating yourself, the behavior you wanted them to stop has passed, you feel “bad”, or you have too much going on and you get distracted?

I get it..but…each time you don’t follow through you lose trust, clarity, reliability for future asks, and create frustration for you both.

Here’s how to succeed:

1) Keep your command simple and clear. The less words the better

2) Use positive reinforcement like praise or treats when they comply

3) Be patient but persistent. If they hesitate or seem confused. Help guide them to the right decision

4) Don’t repeat yourself. Follow through and kindly but firmly make it happen.

Pretty soon you will notice your pup is more confident and happy. And so are you! 🥰