Salty Raccoon Ranch Kennels & Training

06/11/2026

🐾❤️ GO HOME DAY — POWERHOUSE “P” PUPS ❤️🐾

Today is bittersweet here at Salty Raccoon Ranch.

After 9 weeks of raising, loving, training, and socializing these puppies, the Powerhouse “P” pups are heading home to their forever families.

From tiny newborns in the whelping box to confident, adventurous puppies ready to take on the world, it has been an incredible journey to watch them grow. Over the past 9 weeks they have experienced Puppy Culture and Avidog protocols, early socialization, confidence-building adventures, recalls, crate training, grooming, car rides, livestock exposure, vet visits, and so much more.

Each puppy leaves with a strong foundation, but now the real adventure begins as they bond with their new families and continue learning about the world around them.

To our puppy families, thank you for trusting us with such an important decision. We are honored to be part of your journey and look forward to watching these puppies grow in the years to come.

To the Powerhouse “P” pups—thank you for the puppy kisses, wagging tails, and memories that will stay with us forever. We prayed for you before you were born and loved you every day since.

Welcome to the next chapter, little ones. ❤️

06/05/2026

Information about Screwworms
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HD6W2thTs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

05/30/2026

🐾 Not every dog wants to be touched—and that’s okay.

As dog lovers, it’s easy to assume every wagging tail means “come pet me!” But the truth is that dogs have preferences, personal space, and feelings just like we do.

One of the best things we can teach both adults and children is to respect a dog’s boundaries.

Just because a dog approaches you, sniffs you, or stands nearby doesn’t automatically mean they want physical interaction. Many dogs are simply gathering information about their environment.

Instead, watch for signs that the dog is relaxed and actively seeking attention:
✔ Loose body language
✔ Soft eyes
✔ Leaning into you
✔ Nudging your hand
✔ Play bows
✔ Choosing to stay close

And remember, not all dogs enjoy being petted by strangers—even if they’re friendly.

🚫 Avoid reaching over a dog’s head, hugging them, crowding them, or putting your hands directly in their face.

⚠️ Watch for signs a dog needs space:
• Lip licking
• Yawning
• Looking away
• Moving away
• Ears pinned back
• Tail tucked
• Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)

A growl is not a “bad dog.” A growl is communication. Listen to it.

The goal isn’t to pet every dog you meet. The goal is to create safe, positive interactions where dogs feel respected and understood.

🐾 Respect builds trust.
🐾 Trust builds confidence.
🐾 Confidence builds better dogs.

05/21/2026

Registered Katahdin Hair Lambs—-Rams—can be weathered. Located Hillsboro Indiana

05/21/2026

Creek days + training days all rolled into one 🐾🌲💦

One thing we work on constantly with our dogs is rewarding “check-ins” and reinforcing recall EVERY single time they come when called. Even when they already know it. Even when they’re older. Even when they’re distracted.

Today’s challenge? Recalling dogs out of moving creek water in the middle of the woods 😅 That’s not exactly an easy environment — flowing water, exciting smells, uneven footing, wildlife scents everywhere, and lots of freedom. But that’s exactly WHY we practice in real-world situations.

A reliable recall isn’t built by only training in the living room. It’s built through consistency, repetition, and making coming back to you the BEST choice every single time.

We reward:
🐾 Checking in on their own
🐾 Turning toward us immediately
🐾 Coming through distractions
🐾 Choosing engagement over the environment

That little habit of constantly reinforcing recall creates dogs that WANT to stay connected to their handler — even when the creek is way more fun than we are 😂

And honestly…watching a whole pack confidently navigate woods, water, and terrain while still staying responsive never gets old around here.

05/13/2026

🎬🐾 Public Access Training Night with Sunny 🐾🎬

Tonight we took Sunny to the movie theater for a real-world training outing, and she absolutely amazed me.

Movie theaters are actually one of the harder environments for a future service dog:
🍿 crowded people
🍿 food smells everywhere
🍿 dark rooms
🍿 loud sounds and sudden noises
🍿 tight spaces for long periods of time

Sunny calmly walked beside me while my hands were full carrying popcorn and drinks, confidently entered the dark theater, ignored distractions beautifully, and settled quietly during the movie.

During the film, she also practiced grounding work by laying across my feet applying gentle pressure against my ankles. These grounding tasks can help provide body awareness, regulation, and calm connection during stressful moments.

Then came the moment that reminded me why all the daily training matters…

Sunny began alerting me repeatedly during the movie. When I checked my blood sugar, it had climbed above 200. 👀🩺

Even in a busy theater filled with distractions and popcorn smells, she stayed tuned into ME.

Afterward, she relaxed quietly on the floor and calmly exited the theater right beside me like a little professional.

People often see the “cute dog in public,” but what they don’t see are the thousands of tiny training moments, exposure outings, scent games, relationship building, and consistency that create a dependable working dog.

Needless to say…Sunny earned her popcorn tax tonight 😂🍿💛

05/08/2026

Spent my day off making over 300 pounds of balanced raw dog food for the crew 🐾❤️

Today’s prep included:
🐓 100 chickens
🐄 Beef
🦌 3 deer
🐑 2 sheep
🐇 Rabbit
🫀 Loads of organs
🐟 Fish
🥕 Fresh vegetables & fruits
🌾 Oatmeal

…and honestly, the amount of prep work before the giant grinder even started was a full job by itself 😅

This is one of the biggest reasons I’m so passionate about canine nutrition. Our dogs are athletes, working partners, service dogs, family members, and growing puppies — nutrition matters. I want my dogs fueled with the best ingredients possible to help support healthy growth, muscle development, gut health, coat condition, stamina, and overall wellness.

⚠️ Side note because this is important:
Please don’t jump into homemade/raw feeding on a whim. I’ve spent hundreds of hours studying canine nutrition, taking courses, and learning how to properly balance meals for different ages, activity levels, and developmental needs. Fresh feeding can be wonderful when done correctly, but balance is EVERYTHING.

Now if anyone needs me… I’ll be somewhere smelling like a farm, butcher shop, and fish market combined for the next 3 business days 😂🐾

05/05/2026

This is what real service dog training looks like out in the world 👇

Sunny is sitting right in the middle of a busy Home Depot—carts rolling, people walking by, noise everywhere—and her job is simple…

✨ Stay in place
✨ Ignore strangers
✨ No sniffing
✨ No seeking attention

Even when a worker leaned down and talked directly to her… she held it together beautifully. Calm, focused, and choosing her handler over everything else.

And that right there? That’s not something dogs just “do.”
That’s built through consistent training, clear expectations, and practicing in real-life environments—not just at home.

A service dog’s job isn’t to say hi… it’s to stay steady when it matters most 💛

I’m so proud of this girl and the work she’s putting in.

💬 Would your dog be able to hold this kind of focus in public? Tell me below 👇

https://youtube.com/shorts/OA4E9Em1aTU?si=04cwuUfcIjmbnnyT

Sunny is a Service Dog in Training practicing advanced impulse control in a busy Home Depot.In this clip, she’s sitting in the middle of heavy foot traffic w...