Hilton Hounds

23/06/2024

Register today for this limited availability Power Hour!

HiltonHounds.com/group-courses

23/06/2024

Great info from our friends at to kick of this Super Hot Week!

When in doubt, go see your vet!!!! Heat Stroke is no Joke!

22/06/2024

New Basic Obedience Class posted! Space is limited!

Register online at HiltonHounds.com/group-courses

22/06/2024

New Social Pup Obedience Class posted! Space is limited!

Register online at HiltonHounds.com/group-courses

21/06/2024

🐾🌟 Elevate Mealtime: Why Enrichment Activities Beat the Food Bowl for Your Dog 🍽️🐶

🌟🍽️ By replacing your dog's food bowl with enrichment activities, you transform mealtime into an exciting and enriching experience that caters to their natural instincts, promotes mental and physical well-being, and strengthens the bond between you and your furry companion. Elevate your dog's dining experience and watch them thrive with every engaging and rewarding mealtime adventure. 🐾💚 🌟🐶

19/06/2024

🐾🌿 Embracing Their Nature: Letting Your Dog Be a Dog in Chasing, Sniffing, and Exploring 🐶🐾

🌟 As pet parents, we cherish our canine companions for their unique quirks, playful antics, and unwavering loyalty. But amidst our busy lives and structured routines, it's crucial to remember that dogs have innate needs and instincts that are deeply ingrained in their DNA. Allowing them to engage in natural behaviors like chasing, sniffing, and exploring isn't just a luxury - it's a vital part of honoring their essence and well-being. Let's delve into why embracing your dog's innate nature and fulfilling their instincts are essential for their holistic health and happiness. 🌿🐾

🐶💨 Why are activities like chasing, sniffing, and exploring so crucial for dogs?

1️⃣ Fulfilling Their Instincts: Dogs are descendants of hunters and explorers, wired to chase prey, scent out hidden treasures, and roam their surroundings. Engaging in activities that mimic these natural behaviors allows dogs to fulfill their innate instincts, providing mental stimulation, enrichment, and a sense of purpose.

2️⃣ Mental and Physical Exercise: Chasing a ball, following a scent trail, or investigating new sights and smells isn't just play - it's essential mental and physical exercise for dogs. These activities keep their minds sharp, bodies active, and spirits high, promoting overall health, vitality, and well-being.

3️⃣ Emotional Fulfillment: Allowing your dog to be a dog - to run, sniff, explore, and engage with their environment - fosters emotional fulfillment and contentment. It satisfies their curiosity, strengthens their bond with you, and nurtures a sense of joy, freedom, and autonomy that is essential for their emotional health.

🌟🐕 Letting your dog be a dog isn't just a gift - it's a responsibility to nurture their holistic well-being, foster their natural instincts, and celebrate the joy of companionship in its purest form. 🐾💚 🌟🐶

17/06/2024

🐾💔 Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Why Punishing Fear Leads to More Fear in Dog Training 🐶🚫

🌟 Punishing fear in dogs, rather than addressing it with compassion and understanding, can create a cycle of anxiety, mistrust, and heightened fear responses. Let's explore why punishing fear leads to more fear and how we can cultivate a nurturing and supportive training environment for our furry friends. 🐾💭

🐶💔 Why does punishing fear trigger a negative spiral in dog training?

1️⃣ Amplifying Anxiety: Punishing a dog for exhibiting fear-based behaviors can intensify their anxiety and stress. Rather than alleviating their fears, punishment reinforces the association between fear and negative consequences, heightening their distress and potentially escalating their fearful responses.

2️⃣ Undermining Trust: Dogs look to us for guidance, reassurance, and support in moments of fear. By punishing fear-based reactions, we erode their trust in us as a source of safety and security, creating a sense of unpredictability and unease that further exacerbates their fear and uncertainty.

3️⃣ Reinforcing Fear Responses: Punishment can inadvertently reinforce fear-based behaviors by adding a layer of negative association to situations that already trigger fear in dogs. This can lead to a cycle of fear-driven responses, avoidance behaviors, and heightened anxiety that hinders their progress and impedes their ability to overcome their fears.

🌟🚫 How can we address fear in dogs without resorting to punishment?

🐾💖 Positive Reinforcement: Focus on positive reinforcement techniques that reward calm, confident behaviors and encourage your dog to feel safe and relaxed in challenging situations. By reinforcing desired responses with praise, treats, and gentle redirection, you can help your dog navigate their fears with confidence and reassurance.

🌟🐕 By approaching fear with compassion, patience, and supportive guidance, we create a nurturing environment where our dogs can feel safe and empowered to overcome their fears with confidence and resilience. 🐾💖 🌟🐶

14/06/2024

🐾🌟 Elevating Every Moment: The Power of Integrating Training into Your Daily Routine 🐶💫

🌟 Training isn't just a scheduled activity - it's a mindset, a lifestyle, and a transformative approach to nurturing a strong, harmonious bond with your canine companion. By integrating training into your daily routine, you infuse every moment with learning, connection, and growth, creating a dynamic and enriching environment that enhances your relationship with your furry friend. 🐾💖

🧠💬 Why is it vital to incorporate training into your daily life, rather than confining it to specific time slots?

Training as part of your daily routine establishes consistency and reinforces positive behaviors throughout the day. By incorporating training cues, commands, and reinforcement into everyday interactions, you create a structured and predictable environment that supports your dog's learning and development. Infusing training into your daily activities keeps your dog mentally stimulated, engaged, and responsive. By incorporating short training sessions, interactive games, and enrichment activities into your routine, you provide mental exercise, challenge, and excitement that keep your pup's mind sharp and engaged.

🌟🐕 Embracing training as a continuous journey rather than a standalone task transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for growth, connection, and enrichment. Whether it's practicing recalls during a walk, reinforcing commands during playtime, or incorporating training cues into daily interactions, every interaction becomes a chance to strengthen your bond and nurture your dog's skills. 🐾💫

🐾💡 Let's shift our perspective from viewing training as a separate activity to embracing it as an integral part of our daily lives. By infusing each moment with purpose, intention, and positive reinforcement, we create a dynamic and interactive environment that fosters learning, communication, and joy for both you and your beloved canine companion. 🌟🐶 🐾💖

12/06/2024

🐾🦴 Exploring the Chewy Side of Canine Play: Why Dogs Use Humans as Personal Chew Toys 🐶🌟

🌟 Ever found yourself in a playful tug-of-war with your furry friend who seems to view you as their personal chew toy? From gentle nips to playful bites on your clothes, dogs engage in this behavior for various reasons that go beyond a simple desire to nibble. 🐾💬

🌟🦴 How can we address this behavior positively?

🐾 Avoid yelling "Ouch": Yelling or reacting loudly to playful biting can inadvertently reinforce the behavior by providing attention. Instead, calmly redirect your dog's focus to a suitable toy or engage in a different activity to discourage nipping.

🐾 Provide appropriate toys: Offer a variety of safe and engaging toys that satisfy your dog's natural chewing instincts. Encourage interactive play with toys that allow them to engage their minds and bodies in a constructive manner.

🐾 Gentle redirection: When your dog uses you as a chew toy, gently redirect their attention to a toy, praise them for appropriate play, and reinforce positive behaviors to guide them towards more acceptable play alternatives.

🐶💖 Understanding the reasons behind why dogs use humans as chew toys can help us respond with patience, guidance, and positive reinforcement. By channeling their playful energy into constructive play, we can strengthen our bond, enhance their learning, and create a harmonious environment where both humans and dogs can enjoy playful interactions. 🌟🐾 🦴🐾

11/06/2024

My tiny foster pup, Dexter, is having a rough time medically. Hes blind and deaf, but is such a cuddly, loving little guy. He wouldn't eat and developed a cough within days of being pulled from the shelter. So he went to the vet, got medications and was getting better every day. Unfortunately, his cough got worse over the weekend, so back to the vet we went. Today we discovered that he has Pneumonia and needs medicated breathing treatments overnight.

If you can spare even $1, everything will help with his medical bills ♡ Dex isn't the only FCRR pup who has had large, unexpected bills this week

Venmo

We are super thankful for Pressly Animal Hospital,PLLC for always getting us in quickly and doing everything they can to help every Fighting Chance Ranch & Rescue NC Foster ♡

05/06/2024

🐾👧🐶 The Importance of Involving Children in Dog Care & Training 🌟💖

🌟 The relationship between children and dogs is a magical bond filled with joy, learning, and unconditional love. Engaging children in the care and training of our canine companions not only fosters responsibility and empathy but also strengthens the connection between them, creating a foundation of respect, trust, and companionship that lasts a lifetime. 🐾👧 🌟🐶 🐾💖

03/06/2024

🐾🌟 Unleashing Potential: Training Blind and Deaf Dogs to Shine Bright 🐶✨

🌟 Training our furry companions is a journey of discovery, growth, and mutual understanding. But what about blind and deaf dogs? Despite their special needs, these extraordinary pups are not limited by their challenges - they are capable of learning, excelling, and thriving just like any other dog. 🐾💖

👁️👂 Training blind and deaf dogs requires a thoughtful and innovative approach that prioritizes communication, trust, and adaptation. By tapping into their other senses and strengths, such as touch & and scent, we can create a training framework that celebrates their unique abilities and empowers them to shine brightly. 🧠🌟

🐾💡 Here are essential principles to consider:

1️⃣ Communication: For Deaf dogs, replace verbal cues with tactile signals, hand gestures, and positive reinforcement to effectively communicate with your dog. For Blind dogs, use touch cues, such as gentle taps, to convey commands and praise, fostering a strong bond built on understanding and connection.

2️⃣ Enrichment: Engage your dog's senses through interactive toys, scent-based activities, and tactile experiences that stimulate their mind and provide mental enrichment. By designing a training regimen that caters to their sensory strengths, you can create a rewarding environment that nurtures their skills and confidence.

3️⃣ Patience and Empathy: Training a blind and deaf dog requires patience, empathy, and a deep appreciation for their unique perspective. Approach each training session with patience, consistency, and compassion, celebrating progress and milestones with encouragement and support.

🌟🐕 By recognizing the resilience and potential of blind and deaf dogs, we can unlock a world of possibilities and achievements. 🌟🐶 🐾💖

01/06/2024

Keeping our furry companions happy and healthy starts with prevention! 🐾 Don't forget the importance of flea/tick and heartworm prevention for your beloved pups. These pesky parasites can wreak havoc on their well-being, causing discomfort, illness, and even life-threatening conditions. Stay ahead of the game by regularly using preventative treatments recommended by your veterinarian. It's not just about keeping your dog itch-free and heartworm-free, it's about giving them the best shot at a long, vibrant life filled with tail wags and endless adventures! ❤️🐶

31/05/2024

Bringing a new fur-baby home? 🐾 Introducing them to your current dog requires a thoughtful approach. Here's a three-step guide, featuring the crucial parallel walks:

1. **Parallel Walks**: Start by taking both dogs for separate walks side by side, in a neutral setting like a park. This allows them to observe each other's presence without feeling threatened. Keep the leashes loose and maintain a calm demeanor to promote positive vibes.

2. **Neutral Meeting**: Once they've become familiar with each other's presence, arrange a neutral meeting in a fenced yard or open area. Keep both dogs on leashes and allow them to approach each other at their own pace. Monitor their body language closely for signs of stress or tension.

3. **Supervised Interaction**: After successful parallel walks and a neutral meeting, it's time for supervised interaction indoors. Keep the initial meetings short and positive, offering treats and praise for good behavior. If any signs of tension arise, separate them and try again later.

Remember, every dog has its own personality, so introductions may take time. Stay patient and positive, and prioritize the safety and comfort of both dogs throughout the process. With proper introductions, your furry pals will hopefully become inseparable in no time! 🐶💕

27/05/2024

🐾💖 Unpacking the Paradox: Being Your Dog's Favorite and Least Interesting Person 🤔🐶

🌟 As dog owners, we often find ourselves in a fascinating paradox - we are simultaneously our dog's favorite person and the least interesting person in their world. How can this be? 🐾❓

🐶🌟 Dogs are incredibly loyal and loving creatures, forming deep emotional bonds with their humans and often showing unwavering affection and attachment. As their primary caregiver and source of comfort, you hold a special place in your dog's heart as their favorite person, cherished for your love, attention, and companionship. 💖🐾

🙌 However, when it comes to everyday interactions and activities, you may also find yourself falling into the role of the least interesting person in your dog's eyes. Why is this the case? 🤔🐾

🏆 Training sheds light on this intriguing dynamic. Building a strong relationship with your dog goes beyond being the provider of food and shelter. It involves creating value in yourself through engagement, stimulation, and positive reinforcement. By incorporating training, play, and enrichment activities into your routine, you can captivate your dog's interest, challenge their minds, and establish yourself as a source of fun, excitement, and learning. 🐾🧠

🌟🐕 Training isn't just about teaching commands - it's about fostering a bond based on respect, trust, and shared experiences. By investing time and effort in building a meaningful relationship with your dog, you can transform yourself from the least interesting person into their favorite playmate, teacher, and confidant. 🐾💭

🐾💖 Training is the bridge that connects you on a deeper level. Together, you can unlock the potential for growth, connection, and joy in your shared journey. 🌟🐶 🐾💖

24/05/2024

Dogs have their own cool way of beating the heat! 🌞 Contrary to popular belief, they don't sweat through their skin like we do. Instead, they rely on their tongues and paw pads to regulate their body temperature. When you see a dog panting, it's their way of cooling down by evaporating moisture from their tongue. So yes, it's absolutely true! 🐶 Next time you see your furry friend panting, know that they're just staying cool in their unique doggy way. 🐾

24/05/2024

Fostering is the only way to keep dogs from dying. YOU CAN FOSTER! If you need info on where to start, send me a message!

I'm not special, anyone can do this!

22/05/2024

🐾🏡 The 3-Day/3-Week/3-Month Rule: Building a Strong Foundation with Your New Pup! 🐶💖

🌟 Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also requires patience & understanding

🐾💬 Here's a breakdown of the rule and its significance in the journey of welcoming a new dog into your life:

🌟 3 Days: The First Impression 🐾
The initial three days are crucial for your dog to adjust to their new surroundings and form a sense of security and trust. Allow your pup time to explore their new home at their own pace, establish a routine, and begin to bond with you and your family. Focus on creating a calm, welcoming environment and providing gentle guidance as your dog adapts to their new life.

🌟 3 Weeks: Settling In and Building Confidence 🏡
The following three weeks are a period of settling in, building routines, and deepening your relationship with your dog. Use this time to establish consistent training, socialization, and enrichment activities that promote confidence, positive behaviors, and a sense of belonging. Patience, consistency, and understanding are key as you navigate the adjustment period together.

🌟 3 Months: Solidifying the Bond and Routine 💖
By the three-month mark, you and your dog have likely established a strong foundation of trust, communication, and mutual understanding. Continue to reinforce positive behaviors, address any challenges with patience and positive reinforcement, and celebrate the milestones and progress you've achieved together. Solidify your bond through ongoing training, quality time together, and a nurturing environment that supports your dog's well-being and happiness.

🐾💖 Embracing the 3-day/3-week/3-month rule sets the stage for a successful and fulfilling relationship with your new dog. Remember that every pup is unique, and the journey of adjustment and bonding may vary. Approach each milestone with compassion, dedication, and a commitment to nurturing a lifelong connection with your beloved companion. 🌟🐶 🏡🐾

20/05/2024

🐾🌟 Treats: The Tasty Tool for Training Success! 🐶🍖

🌟 Treats aren't just delicious rewards - they're powerful motivators that can enhance your dog's training experience and accelerate their learning. From basic commands to advanced tricks, using treats strategically can make training sessions engaging, effective, and enjoyable for both you and your furry companion. 🐾💡

🍖💖 Here's why treats are a beneficial training tool for your pup:

1️⃣ Positive Reinforcement: Treats serve as positive reinforcement, reinforcing desired behaviors and encouraging your dog to repeat them. By rewarding good behavior with a tasty treat, you create a strong association between the action and the reward, making learning fun and rewarding for your pup.

2️⃣ Focus and Engagement: Treats capture your dog's attention and motivate them to participate in training exercises. The anticipation of receiving a treat keeps your pup engaged, focused, and eager to learn, making training sessions more productive and successful.

3️⃣ Bonding and Trust: Using treats in training strengthens the bond between you and your dog. It creates a positive and rewarding experience that fosters trust, communication, and a sense of partnership between you and your furry friend. Treats become a symbol of your love, support, and encouragement during the training process.

🐾💭 Incorporating treats into your training routine can transform learning into a fun and interactive experience for your pup. It promotes positive behaviors, boosts confidence, and deepens your bond, setting the stage for successful training outcomes and a harmonious relationship with your four-legged companion. 🌟🐶 🍖🐾

16/05/2024

🐾🌟 The Tale of the Wag: Decoding the Language of Dog Tails 🐶💬

🐾 We've all seen it - that joyful, rhythmic wag of a dog's tail that instantly warms our hearts and brings a smile to our faces. But did you know that a wagging tail isn't always a sign of happiness? 🤔🐾

1️⃣ Happiness: Of course, the classic image of a dog wagging its tail in delight is a genuine expression of happiness and affection. A loose, wide wag often accompanied by a relaxed body posture signifies a content and joyful pup.

2️⃣ Excitement: Dogs may wag their tails rapidly and enthusiastically when they're excited or anticipating something fun, like a walk or playtime. This energetic wag is a sign of anticipation and eagerness to engage.

3️⃣ Alertness: A stiff and upright tail wag, often accompanied by a rigid body stance, can indicate alertness or vigilance. Dogs may display this type of wag when they're assessing a situation or feeling cautious.

4️⃣ Anxiety: Contrary to popular belief, a low, slow wag with the tail held low or tucked between the legs can signal anxiety, fear, or discomfort. This subdued wag reflects a dog's unease or stress in a particular situation.

5️⃣ Aggression: In some cases, a fast, high wag with a tense body posture can indicate aggression or a warning signal. Dogs may wag their tails in this manner when they feel threatened or are displaying dominant behavior.

🐾💭 Understanding the nuances of tail wagging can help us decipher our dogs' emotions and respond appropriately to their needs. Paying attention to the context, body language, and other signals accompanying the wag can provide valuable insights into our furry friends' state of mind. 🌟🐶

🐾🌟 Next time you see your pup wagging their tail, take a moment to consider the message behind the wag - it's a fascinating glimpse into the rich and varied world of canine communication. Let's embrace the wag in all its forms and appreciate the unique language of our beloved dogs. 🐾💖 🐾🌟

12/05/2024

Ok, so maybe the transport turned into a foster until she heads to . Please tell me how we deserve dogs! With a wound like THAT, this is the friendliest, gentlest, most easy-going dog ever. She's just happy to hang out with you and wants to be *under* a Human- but with no separation anxiety, crate trained, and potty trained. Her name is Nala, but I think we should call her Perfection

11/05/2024

Well, today I was sad that Mac didn't have a meet & greet and needed a distraction. posted a transport need for . Sweet Nala was sitting at the shelter with a horrific wound from an embedded collar. I volunteered, and was coordinating and texting me within minutes. So off I went to get Nala from and take her to where was waiting to take over. The real story is how many different people are tagged in this post. People come together every day for these dogs, making a difference. If you don't know where to start, message me or any of the people tagged here! Dogs need us. Every day. And sometimes I'm lucky enough to be part of it.

10/05/2024

6 dogs hanging out at the park may not look like a big deal. But each of these dogs is a foster from who is reactive to dogs, people, or both, on leash. This can make walking and even getting adopted, challenging. So we met and we worked on it! These Fosters are committed to practicing and getting better! In just an hour, with the right information and a bit of patience, they were able to stand together and practice their new skills! ♡ Focusing on their human and working on building their confidence around other dogs! Practice is the only way to improve.

The big take away is barking & reactivity is not a problem behavior - it's a symptom on anxiety, fear, or overstimulation. When we punish a symptom, we don't fix the cause of the behavior. Instead we have to cha ge the way dogs think about interacting with the world on leash. They have to feel safe and confident - THEN we can focus on the behavior.

08/05/2024

No classes tonight! Stay Home and Stay Safe!

07/05/2024

Our long awaited next LoSo Social Pup Obedience class starts June 7th! Register now before it sells out!

Register online at HiltonHounds.com/group-courses

07/05/2024

Meet Figgy. A 4lbs little nugget who was too cute for words. I never got to see if she would actually fit in my pocket. I never got to see her in her new PJs that came overnight from Amazon. She never got a pup cup. We did all the right things, the shelter found a rescue, and the rescue found a foster. I was that foster, I was supposed to be picking her up right about now to start the good life. To go try to find a harness small enough for her, to get brushes and conditioner to try to tame that mane.

Unfortunately, she passed away during her spay surgery this morning. I hope she knew I was coming for her. That I already loved her. I had already thought about foster failing her (pending approval from Stryker). My husband named her Figgy because he said she looked like a Fox-Piggie. I think she was definitely a chihuahua- porcupine cross. I just hope she knew we were trying. I hope she knew she mattered. I debated posting since she never actually made it to me, but I've cried too many tears over her to let her be forgotten ♡

If you looked at that little face and smiled, laughed, questioned her species, or fell in love like I did, venmo a few dollars to in Figgy's memory so they can keep trying to save the ones who need us most.

04/05/2024

03/05/2024

🐾🏡 Unlocking the Benefits of Crate Training for Your Pup! 🗝️🐶

🌟 Crate training isn't just about confinement - it's a valuable tool that provides comfort, security, and structure for your furry friend. From housebreaking to creating a safe space, crate training offers a multitude of benefits for your pup's well-being and development. 🏡🐾

🐾🔐 Here's why crate training is a game-changer for your dog:

1️⃣ Safe Haven: A crate serves as a den-like retreat where your pup can relax, unwind, and feel secure in their own space. It becomes a comforting sanctuary that reduces anxiety and stress, especially in busy or unfamiliar environments.

2️⃣ Housebreaking Aid: Crates help establish a routine for potty training by encouraging bladder control and minimizing accidents. Dogs instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area, making crate training an effective tool for housebreaking success.

3️⃣ Travel Companion: Whether it's a road trip or a visit to the vet, a crate-trained dog is more comfortable and secure during travel. The familiarity of their crate provides a sense of stability and reassurance in new or potentially stressful situations.

🏡💖 Embrace crate training as a positive and beneficial practice that promotes your dog's safety, well-being, and overall happiness. It's not just a crate - it's a cozy retreat and a training tool that sets your pup up for success in various aspects of their life. 🐾🌟 🗝️🐶

02/05/2024

🎃🥜 Treat your pup to a tail-wagging delight with these pumpkin & peanut butter dog treats! 🐾 Whip up a batch of love and watch those tails wag in anticipation! 🍪

02/05/2024

Small dog, big expectations! Don't skip obedience and socialization with the little dogs! They can do everything a big dog can do! They deserve to love full adventurous lives too ♡