Puppianos

08/10/2024

We will be canceling the Puppy Basics 101 class on October 13 because there weren’t enough participants. We will be offering another one in the Spring of 2025. 🐾

30/09/2024

This handsome guy took a bath, put on his best white socks and blue necktie, and attended a soccer game. Blake was rescued from a hoarding home by Essex County Shelter in January 2024, then transferred to Indian Rivers Humane Society for foster care on August 1. He has since been socialized with children, dogs, and cats, has been leash-trained, crate-trained and knows a few commands. Blake is a hound/beagle mix, about a year-and a half, and is 50lbs. He would love a permanent home, so contact his foster if interested in adopting him! ❤️🐾

26/09/2024

📢📢KING WILLIAM RABIES CLINIC📢📢

21/09/2024

People are all the same in that we all are made up out of bone, blood, muscle, nerves, organs…and dogs are also the same in those ways. But not all people or dogs are the same in their innate attributes, circumstances in which they were born, various stimuli and/or shock to their bodies and minds while growing up, and reactions to their environment. One cannot label every individual from a certain culture of humans as the same, but there are some similarities that arise…just like with dogs.

Sporting dogs are not all the same, but innately speaking, they have some of the same attributes. I will not label all hounds as “not able to be trained”, as I have heard before, but many hounds have a very keen sense of smell and are used many times to sniff out game. They innately know that when they are hot, they will dig to find a cool spot or to avoid lying on itchy grass that attracts gnats and various biting insects. These dogs, rather than being used for hunting, can be easily transitioned into scent training which burns off energy and stimulates their brain. A dog ALWAYS needs a job. Use their attributes to your advantage. Hounds can be trained as I have found with my foster puppies and dogs. They respond quickly to positive reinforcement because most like affection and to be told they are good. They respond very quickly to changes in pitch, so you can use your talking voice in higher or lower ranges to capture their attention. Many hounds are adversely sensitive to harsh commands and negative reinforcement. That is why many that you see in shelters that have been rescued from inexperienced or abusive owners will cower if you approach or talk to them. Many sporting dogs are food-driven, which means that training them with positive reinforcement and treats will have a successful outcome.

In order to have a successful and happy life with your dog, be aware of and take advantage of your dog’s innate attributes. Research thoroughly before choosing a breed, either from a shelter or breeder, and remember…if you give the dog a routine, attention, exercise, food, shelter, training, and love regularly throughout the day and every day, you will rarely have behavioral issues.

20/09/2024

19/09/2024

Good afternoon! I’ve had some interest in the puppy class, and one person asked me about my experience training dogs. I have my info on Canine Safety Training Tips and my personal page, but I missed this page.

My parents own a pet resort founded in 1972. I worked there summers and weekends as a teenager in pet care, bathing, and brushing. While in grad school for music in Maryland, I earned my certificate in grooming from Petsmart. When I returned home in the year 2000, I worked as a groomer, then a trainer at the pet resort, singing professionally on evenings and weekends. I attended courses in the Volhard Dog Training program.

We moved to King William in 2011, and I opened my own grooming business, Puppianos, in 2015. I closed it in 2022 because grooming is not easy long term on the spine and hands. This year I started fostering for Indian Rivers Humane Society and was asked to be Canine Chair.

I noticed that there is little opportunity for people to attend obedience classes in our surrounding area, and I was seeing many posts on social media asking about local trainers.

Since I work from home and have plenty of opportunity to work with dogs, I am hosting a Puppy Basics 101 class starting October 13. You can click on the link and fill out the form to attend. Payment is not expected until the first class.🐾

10/09/2024

At 9 weeks old, I can now see clearly the characteristics of these foster puppies. Rocky, the smallest, looks more like a Jack Russell and with a similar temperament. I could see him tunneling after a small rodent. Eve will be a medium-sized dog, looks like a Doberman with the ears down and has some of the same temperament. She loves to hug but wants to be near the action. Brownie, the largest, reminds me of a Boxer or American Bulldog and is very huggable and playful. The mother looked like a Hound but females can breed with two or more males during a heat, so the litter of pups can be so diverse as to seem like each came from a different breed of dog. All three love attention and need a family to give them the affection and love that that they deserve.

05/09/2024

Still up for grabs, Blake is an all-around excellent dog! He has been socialized, gets along well with dogs and cats, loves to play with our 12-year old son, is crate, leash, and house-trained, and knows the commands “Leave it”, “Sit”, and ”Down”. He is approximately a year and a half, 50lbs, will stand still in the bath, and he doesn’t mind his nails cut. He also loves hugs. I would love to find someone who really treasures Blake and will give him the attention he deserves. Fill out the application if interested, and you can also call me with any questions: (804)370-0332 https://www.indianrivershumane.org/dog-adoption-application/

04/08/2024

We are fostering this sweet dog, so please share so we can find him a home!