Sunday PACK Training

PACK Training with Dale Ward at Portsmouth Humane Society today. We discussed hand signals in accordance to commands, tips on walking dogs properly and I ordered a harness designed to discourage relentless pulling.

Walked Frank and had a short training session. Will try to add a week day to volunteering, I just have not decided which.

Smitten had the opportunity to demonstrate his skills today!

Frank 

Frank spots a friend across the street.

Handsome Boy!

Smitten is sitting perfectly for Dale Ward at Volunteer PACK Training

Enjoying the weather with Frank.

Frank's Boxer features are clear in this picture.

First Snow of the Year

MLK Day

Frank, Pearle and their friends were walked this morning by two PHS volunteers. This pic that was sent to me today just filled my heart with joy!

Visiting Frank & Pearle

It was a gorgeous clear day here in Portsmouth, Virginia. Great day to get out there and do some walking with Frank & Pearle. 

Frank was happy to get out there and exercise so we took a nice long hike around the PHS property. He is getting better about pulling but I think we need to try a harness as was suggested another volunteer. He is getting better about focusing attention on me when he is too hyper focused on worldly distractions. 

In one of the visitation rooms at PHS, while listening to music, we play catch and keep away. Frank is gentle when I give treats or ask for the ball. He loosens his bite and allows me to take the ball. I brushed his coat out and massaged him. I feel like I am preparing him for his forever home.   He is such a good dog.

Pearle, patiently waits for me to walk her when I bring Frank in. She is pretty good on leash and getting better with each visit. She loves walking around and smelling the air. When we go inside she is ready to play and get some belly rubs. Pearle is such a sweet girl.

I love volunteering at the shelter and recommend that everyone try it since it is so fulfilling  I really do not understand how Frank, Pearle and all the wonderful dogs, as well as cats, end up in this vulnerable position. PHS is wonderful in accommodating and attempting to find homes for these amazing creatures. Thanks for visiting this blog. Think about adopting ♡

First Day walking Frank and Pearl

I finished my bark free training with Dale Ward who volunteers her time at the Portsmouth Humane Society training volunteers to work with the dogs.  Completion of the training permits me to walk the dogs and train them. Before taking them out I visit each kennel with the clicker and give treats to those who sit quietly as I pass. Believe it or not about 98% of the dogs are clicker trained NOT to bark at people as they pass since it increases their chances at potential adoption.

I walked Frank first which he seemed to love. He loves to explore and his nose works overtime to catch each smell. We also did enrichment by playing with a red Kong filled with treats. Frank needs more training on the leash but he did great on his first day.

Pearl is a sweet girl and has a pretty grey coat with white markings and big brown eyes. My first time  interacting with her we had a great walk and then play time enrichment.

It was a great first day!

The Stray That Stole My Heart

On September 26th 2012, while driving down King Street in Portsmouth, Virginia to school, I was forced to come to a sudden stop because of a dog that darted into the street. I pulled over and he continued to walk in and out of traffic causing two other cars to swerve after nearly hitting him with their vehicles.

Instinctively, I opened the back door to my little Scion and whistled. I had done this many times in the past to strays hoping that they would actually jump in the back seat. This time it actually worked and this beautiful, obviously very lost, Boxer/Pit mix hopped into my car to take a seat behind directly behind me. I kept my composure but was shocked and a bit scared since I did not know him and at first glimpse he could look quite menacing. I played it off and greeted him as I drove to the Portsmouth Humane Society (PHS). He calmly stayed seated during the entire trip.

The folks at PHS named him Frank after taking him in. Unfortunately, he was not chipped and no one has come looking for him. The wonderful thing is that he is safe and he has a roommate named Pearle but as great a dog he is, there is more work to be done in hopes for someone to adopt him and Pearle. I have decided to help Frank & Pearle find their forever homes. I currently volunteer at the Portsmouth Humane Society in order to make sure they get exercise, enrichment and socialization so the chances increase. I will document our interactions and post them. Thank you for stopping by.

Portsmouth Humane Society

Dales-Dog-Training-Academy