Playing Fur Keeps LLC Dog Training and Services

17/08/2024

Do you guys remember Sully, the puppy mill pup that needed some friends earlier in the year to help him find some comfort after 6 months of being shut down in his new home? Look at Sully being the big helper now! 🥰 Sully and the sweetest girl in the world, Xena, have been helping sweet Kiko here find some comfort in this new world of hers. Kiko is basically feral (with humans), after spending what is believed to be 3-4 YEARS being used to breed at an Amish puppy mill. They were thankfully shut down! Poor Kiko hadn't even experienced grass you guys. 💔

Kiko could use some more friends. She is up to date on all but her influenza (her new friends should be), and just had a clean f***l test. Kiko's temperament immediately changes upon the sight of a new friend and she needs more. Kiko is not ready to leave the home, but she has a beautiful fenced in yard she loves to share! If you would be interested in volunteering a friend for Kiko, please join my volunteer group. I don't charge for setting up these playdates, even when I can manage to be present for them. While Kiko lights up with another dog around, it's obvious she was never able to play and is still trying to figure that out. She needs friends that will move at her pace, which at this point is lots of sniffs and simply being a close as she can. 💕

As always, PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A PUPPY IF YOU CANNOT MEET THE PARENTS TO SEE THAT THEY ARE WELL SOCIALIZED AND CARED FOR!! Kiko did not deserve this life. No puppy mill puppy, mother, nor father deserve a life of confinement with zero love.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Playingfurkeepsvolunteers/?ref=share

15/08/2024

This week I booked my 4th client of the year that saw a balanced trainer in the earlier years of their dog’s life, that encouraged the use of aversive tools such as E-collars and prong collars. Each one of these clients found themselves facing increased fear, anxiety, and/or reactivity due to the negative effects of these “tools” and/or the negative associations that paired other living beings to positive punishment. With so much controversy (as there should be) surrounding these tools, it can be so hard for a pet parent to stand up and say, “I made the wrong choice, and now I want to fix it”. If you are in this situation, please know that I am a safe space to talk this through. I will not judge you, nor will I shame you. I will applaud your choice to put your dog first, over your pride. I will also applaud your willingness to consider other routes! I consider myself honored to have helped these clients ditch these so called “tools” and watch their relationship with their dog flourish, as well as their dog’s confidence!

Even if you simply want to talk, my inbox is always open. I will happily do my best to help you understand how a dog's mind works, and the risks that these "tools" hold over the emotional state of a dog due to their processing style.

13/08/2024

What angels. I will repost their Amazon Wish List in the comments, if anyone would like to support their (much needed) mission. I ordered 4 high need items from Playing Fur Keeps. 💕🐶💕

A new Greenville veterinary clinic aims to provide care to animals at shelters and rescues.

10/08/2024

Grand Rapids, and all of its surrounding communities, are so blessed to have this organization.

GRPBA and the relationships we build with those we serve are more important then anything we do or provide.

Our outreach program began in 2017 as primarily pet food bank, pet transportation assistance and assistance with training and behavior. Today it has expanded to serve more people & pets in the community in addition to many more services / support we provide that continues to grow as we listen to the needs in our community.

Today we received a call from one of our senior friends in our home based services program, she has been with us since 2019 referred to GRPBA by another senior services agency. She has a large breed senior dog who has been by her side for 13 years. She's 91 years old, uses a walker now and has limited mobility.

She contacted us today because at 3am this morning her pups legs gave out. She called family to come help him up into his dog bed and make him comfortable. She contacted GRPBA to talk about his health and care, she has a appointment tomorrow with her Veterinarian for a exam. She was not asking for transportation assistance, she just wanted to talk to someone about what options may be presented to her tomorrow.

What if he does not regain use of his legs? Her limited mobility to assist a large dog who cannot walk.

She just wanted to talk, have someone listen and be reassured. We talked about what a great life he has had, what a good boy and companion he has been for her. We discussed quality of life and the possibility of him not regaining the use of his legs and if he is uncomfortable. Sometimes our friends in our outreach program just need someone to talk to, to ask questions and have someone who will listen, be supportive, this is especially true for the senior community we serve.

We are so much more then a resource for pet food once a month, we believe in building relationships to better serve the person and pet and our community. From difficult conversations to team crisis fostering a pup who's parent is in short term nursing care so we can keep them together. There is so much of what we do that is support in a different nature.

Today we are all hoping for the best for our friends and will be there for them tomorrow for whatever they need.

07/08/2024

He's only 19 inches tall, but his neck is 21 inches around...

This should be fun! 🤣

02/08/2024

Heading to TC for a much needed long weekend. I'll do my best to return messages on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend everyone! 😎

01/08/2024

Every. Day. 💕

31/07/2024

I have updated availability to include October. Also, I have an extra September start that I previously overlooked!! Fridays at 3:30 will also open up in late September. Message me today to claim it. :)

31/07/2024

30/07/2024

Down to one September start for 6 Week Packages. I'll post October ASAP.

26/07/2024

Only 3 September starts left! Message me today to claim one, before they are gone. :)

26/07/2024

🥰🥰🥰

23/07/2024

I think it is the perfect Tuesday for a random Tip Tuesday! 😁

I always encourage my clients to "stop and think, before you act". Dogs learn through associative learning. While there are different subcategories to that statement, at the end of the day it's all about association. A dog will make the connection you lay in front of them. This does not make them mischievous; it is simply how they process.

For example, today I had the pleasure of working with a really nice man who was at his wits end with leash skills. He went to a popular local facility for help, and he has practiced the tools he was given for months now. After months of practice, he found himself still heavily treat reliant, and not seeing any true change. He was frustrating and not understanding why on earth after months of endless treats his dog was still not offering a consistent loose leash or heel.

Well, I can tell you that his dog was not being mischievous at all, his dog was simply making the connections that were laid out for her. Every time the dog would hit the end of her leash, she would immediately come back to the treat pouch, awaiting her reward.
All of this time, he was unknowingly rewarding the behavior he was trying so hard to extinguish.

Your timing is everything.

If we train ourselves to stop and think about the connections that could be made through our own actions, we can grow to be confident in our timing, ensuring the connections we intend to make are appropriately paired. 😉

Happy Tuesday!

20/07/2024

🚨!PLEASE BE AWARE!🚨

Someone out there is spoofing the KCAS phone number. Community members are getting a false call saying that their lost animal is at the shelter, but the pet owner has to pay money so a vet can do surgery on the pet. THIS IS NOT FROM US! 🤯

We do call owners when we think their pet is here. We tell the owners to come to the shelter and reunite with their pet. Any financial transactions are done when the customer is AT the shelter.

Keep in mind:
- We post animals in the shelter on our Lost and Found page. That can be found here: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/lost-and-found.htm
- We will not ask you to send us money for a vague surgery.
- You are always welcome to call us at 616.632.7300 or come into the shelter to see if your animal is here.

Beware, be careful, and don’t give your money to people on the phone!

20/07/2024

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣‼️

16/07/2024

Screaming THANK YOU to whomever has been talking me up on Reddit! I have seen a big uptick recently of inquiries with comments along the lines of "the folks on Reddit have high very praise for you". I appreciate you immensely! 🥰

August is already full, and September is filling up fast. 2024 has brough 8 months of being booked solid at full time hours, with no signs of slowing down. I wouldn't be able to say that without those of you out there singing my praises! You're the real MVPS! 🤜🤛

13/07/2024

I am officially full booked through both July and August. I have updated September availability.

12/07/2024

20% of sales from this collection, created in collaboration with , will be donated to Michele's Rescue. Available through July 29.

02/07/2024

July is officially full.

August is already limited to two package options, but they have been added below. I do still have some Saturdays available in August, for personalized training! :)

01/07/2024

The best (professional) advice I was ever given was to “think about what really makes you different in your field and never lose focus of that”. For me, it is my deep roots in rescue that will forever be my “different”. I’ve nursed foster dogs back from the brink of death, and from skin and bones. I’ve held dogs as they grieved the loss of the only life they have ever known, and I’ve given safe space for traumatized souls to heal the scars of their abusers. Those experiences are the roots of my success.

It doesn’t matter if a dog came from an expensive breeder, a backyard, or a shelter, they could each be at risk to know the same pain. Every dog that stands in front of me is a dog that I want nothing more than to shelter from ever knowing a pain that does not better the quality of their lives. The best way that I can do that is to set (2-legged) clients up for long term success and long-term success lies much deeper than teaching learned skill sets like sit and stay. The structure you provide, the foundation from which you build your relationship, your confidence, your consistency, your ability to communicate clearly, all have endless ripple effects on your dog’s (future) behavior.

I often hear comments like “I think my dog loves you more than me” or “you’re the Dog Whisperer”. If I am magical, I promise you that it is earned magic. What makes me different is that I want to teach YOU how to earn some of that same “magic” and in turn, walk away knowing that you are “Playing Fur Keeps”.

29/06/2024

🥰🥰🥰

25/06/2024

I feel horrible that I keep having to turn people away that are desperate for timely starts. I've had to turn away 3 puppies already this week who's handlers are frustrated and overwhelmed by common puppy behaviors, such as nipping.

The first step in being a responsible puppy parent is being proactive. Don't wait to set up things like vaccinations and training, be proactive! Waiting until problem behaviors and frustration levels build will not help you or your new puppy. Instead, you risk creating even more "work" for yourself down the road.

My evening slots are currently booking into September. Getting into a good, reputable trainer is rarely going to be immediate. The more structure you provide from day 1, the smoother coexisting will be. If you know you have a new puppy/dog joining your family, please don't wait until you are desperate to find help. Scheduling training in advance does not mean you are a failure, it means you are a responsible pet parent that wants to be set up for a lifetime of success!! 💕🐶💕

24/06/2024

This spoiled meatball had a BLAST visiting his first Sniffspot today! 🥰

21/06/2024

TDBBS LLC is voluntarily recalling 3,551 bags of Green Tripe dog treats due to the potential presence of foreign metal objects in the dog treat. The recall is limited to certain lots distributed February to May 2024 and sold nationwide in retail stores and through online mail orders. Click below to see affected lots.

See a complete list of all dog food recalls and FDA warnings since 2009, as tracked by the editors of the Dog Food Advisor.

21/06/2024

July availability has dwindled to 2 package starts. I'll post August options ASAP. I do still have 1 spot for the group class beginning 7/11!!

17/06/2024

Only 4 slots left for 6 Week Packages starts in July! Message me today to claim yours! :)

17/06/2024

Wonderful tips from Grand Rapids Pitbull Alliance as we face dangerous temps this week! Keep those furbabies safe and cool! If you do find yourself with an over heating pup, please note that ice water is a NO, for drinking or application. Cooling them too fast is dangerous and can lead to shock.

Hot Weather Advisory Reminder 🥵🔥

We are going to be experiencing very high temperatures this week.

Pets will overheat in this heat and humidity.

Keep them cool, provide lots of water, consider skipping the daily walk. If you need to walk them do so in the shade, stay on the grass, bring water and keep the walks brief.

Provide indoor enrichment frozen Kongs, Flavored ice cubes, pupsicles, scatter feed or feed out of a food puzzle or snuffle mat.

Keep outdoor time short, be sure you have a space in the shade for them and clean water they can access

Play in the kiddy pool 🌊 bob for treats!

Keep them hydrated!

Cars and the Sun and Heat 🚗

Please refrain from leaving you pets in your car, the best place for them to be on a hot day like today is at home. If you must run errands with your pup please only do errands that allow you to drive thru, or curbside.

While humans cool themselves by relying on an extensive system of sweat glands and evaporation, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.

Parked cars quickly trap the sun’s heat. Even on a day when it’s 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car with all the windows closed can hit 89 degrees in just 10 minutes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Think about the temperature inside a greenhouse compared to the outside temperature.

On a hot day, the temperature inside a closed car can shoot as high as 114 degrees in the same amount of time. Leaving the windows open a crack doesn’t eliminate the danger of heatstroke or death.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, studies have shown that cracking a window changes these figures very little. A parked car with the windows cracked heats up at almost the exact same rate as a car with the windows rolled up, putting pets in serious danger.