Purrfect Pooches

Purrfect Pooches PURRFECT POOCHES, NC Dog Training in the Topsail Beach area in North Carolina I am a Certified Dog trainer.

I offer basic obedience training to make your dog or puppy a perfect family member. I also offer Therapy Dog Training, Service Dog Training., Therapy Dog Classes and Agility Classes. I do American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluation and STAR Puppy evaluations for each training obedience class..

We welcome MISTER, a 175 pound Mastiff to our Service Dog training program
05/07/2026

We welcome MISTER, a 175 pound Mastiff to our Service Dog training program

05/06/2026

Due to state mandated repairs the shelter will be closing at 5pm on 5/20/26 and tentatively reopening on 6/3/26.

During this time no animals or staff can be onsite. All operations will stop. All intakes will stop at 4pm on 5/17/26 and all animals MUST BE GONE BY 5pm on 5/20/26!

We have been working for weeks making arrangements with area rescues to network animals out! And we are continuing to do so AROUND THE CLOCK!

What we need from you:

Adopt, sponsor and share our ads!

Keep your pets! Yup we all know… times are tough, life is busy… all the things - but honestly NOW is NOT the time to bring your pet to PCAS unless it is a life or death situation!

Strays LOOK for resources! Stop providing a resource (a reason) and they will stop residing there! The more food, affection and companionship you provide - why would they leave? Put the trash in animal proof containers, dont throw scraps in the woods, don’t “free feed” your pets - assigned times - this is really better for them and saves you money! Set that food down at designated times and pick up in 15min! They will learn the pattern and be ready to eat! Prevents spoilage, over eating and freeloaders🤣

Don’t kitten-nap (kidnap)! Kittens (bottle babies) rarely survive the shelter. Between GI upset, viruses, and fading kitten syndrome - stealing kittens and taking them to the shelter isn’t “saving a life”. Mom is almost ALWAYS around she is hiding, hunting, being a good “wild mom”. Their chances are just as good if not better right there!

Strays are often not far from home. Take a photo and post in the Pender County Lost & Found Pets page, and in any area/community pages to give them a chance to be identified by a local friend or family member!

Due to area shelter over crowding, we have very limited mutual aid resources available during this required shut down! No intakes will be permitted.

We ask for everyones patience and as much assistance as possible helping us clear the shelter ahead of this closure 🥹🫶💕

04/23/2026

Let’s talk about Husky’s…
Huskys are the New Pitbull ..
They are being OVERBRED at astronomical rates by back yard breeders who don’t vet their adopters.

We currently have 2 huskies receiving treatment at emergency 🚨 vets costing the shelter to exhaust our financial resources very quickly.

People are taking in Huskys because of their looks and cuddly factor .

They are not researching the breed or considering the amount of energy these dogs need to expend .

They are master escape artists . They are energetic , need regular exercise , need room to run, need mental stimulation, need socialization and need regular grooming .

Their needs include:
‼️Regular exercise: Huskies are active dogs and require daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy activities such as running, hiking, and playing fetch.

‼️Mental stimulation: Due to their intelligence, Huskies need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. This can include interactive toys, puzzle games, and training sessions.

‼️Socialization: Huskies are social animals and thrive on human interaction. They should be introduced to different people, environments, and other animals to help them develop good social skills.

‼️Grooming: Huskies have a thick double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and to help remove loose hair. They also tend to shed heavily, especially during the shedding season.

‼️Training: Consistent and positive training is essential for Huskies to help them become well-behaved and obedient. They respond well to reward-based training methods.

‼️Adequate space: Huskies are active dogs and need a spacious living environment where they can move around freely. They are not well-suited for apartment living unless they receive sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.

‼️Good nutrition: A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for a Husky's overall health and well-being.

‼️PLEASE STOP BREEDING THESE DOGS .‼️

We just took in 3 , another came in as a stray and we already received 2 calls today for Husky Surrenders.

Shelters are overrrun with these dogs .

The cute puppies that your dog gives birth to are sitting in shelters at a year or 2 of age.

Please be the change , these animals don’t deserve this life.

Spay and Neuter your Pets . It’s life saving .

Felicia is available for adoption and she’s simply perfect 🤩 no cats for her

Two of our Friday night, Agility champions in their own eyes! They did great!
04/19/2026

Two of our Friday night, Agility champions in their own eyes! They did great!

MAY GROUP CLASS SCHEDULEHOLLY RIDGE NC. 910-777-9968Call or TextMONDAY @ 7:00 p.m. MAY 4, 11 18 & 25 ~ PUPPY/ADULT DOG O...
04/17/2026

MAY GROUP CLASS SCHEDULE
HOLLY RIDGE NC. 910-777-9968
Call or Text

MONDAY @ 7:00 p.m. MAY 4, 11 18 & 25 ~ PUPPY/ADULT DOG OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4) ~ (Play/social time @ 6:30 p.m.)

TUESDAY. @ 12:00 (noon) MAY 5, 12, 19 & 26 ~ PUPPY/ADULT DOG OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost (AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4) ~ (Play/social time @ 11:30 a.m.) AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4)

AKC ADVANCED COMMUNITY CANINE CLASS

FRIDAY. @ 7:00 P.M. MAY ~ 7, 14, 21 & 28 PUPPY/ADULT DOG ADVANCED OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost (AKC ADVANCED CGC also called COMMUNITY CANINE, Evaluation done at end of class #4) (Play/social time @ 6:30 p.m.)

Free Open Play Time for Puppies & Dogs 30 minutes before each class to expend some energy and curiosity about the other dogs and people so the dog's mind can concentrate. It is strongly recommended that you come to this or your dog may be anxious and disruptive during class.

The obedience classes are once a week for 4 weeks and will teach you how to train your dog in the basic obedience commands he/she needs to be a good family member. Puppies can learn the same as adult dog; you do not need several sets or levels of classes. He/she will learn, SIT, STAY, LAY DOWN, HEEL, TOUCH, LEAVE IT, TAKE IT, WALK ON A LOOSE LEASH, WAIT, NOT TO JUMP ON PEOPLE, TRADE, COME when called and more. Many dog training skills and techniques will be covered. Also there is a health tip each week (vaccinations, food, toys, teeth brushing, etc.) The cost is $100 for all 4 weeks and includes the AKC CGC or AKC STAR Puppy testing evaluation on week 4.
Call Sandra at 910-777-9968 for more information.

Taught by Sandra Harknett ~ 910-777-9968, Certified Precision Pet Dog Trainer, Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, AKC Approved Testing Evaluator, Therapy Dog Evaluator
LEFT PAW - RIGHT PAW Service Dog Trainer ID

04/17/2026

MAY GROUP CLASS SCHEDULE

MONDAY @ 7:00 p.m. MAY 4, 11 18 & 25 ~ PUPPY/ADULT DOG OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4) ~ (Play/social time @ 6:30 p.m.)

TUESDAY. @ 12:00 (noon) MAY 5, 12, 19 & 26 ~ PUPPY/ADULT DOG OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost (AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4) ~ (Play/social time @ 11:30 a.m.) AKC CGC evaluation done at end of class #4)

AKC ADVANCED COMMUNITY CANINE CLASS
FRIDAY. @ 7:00 P.M. MAY ~ 7, 14, 21 & 28 PUPPY/ADULT DOG ADVANCED OBEDIENCE 4 Weeks / $120 total cost (AKC ADVANCED CGC also called COMMUNITY CANINE, Evaluation done at end of class #4) (Play/social time @ 6:30 p.m.)

Free Open Play Time for Puppies & Dogs 30 minutes before each class to expend some energy and curiosity about the other dogs and people so the dog's mind can concentrate. It is strongly recommended that you come to this or your dog may be anxious and disruptive during class.

The obedience classes are once a week for 4 weeks and will teach you how to train your dog in the basic obedience commands he/she needs to be a good family member. Puppies can learn the same as adult dog; you do not need several sets or levels of classes. He/she will learn, SIT, STAY, LAY DOWN, HEEL, TOUCH, LEAVE IT, TAKE IT, WALK ON A LOOSE LEASH, WAIT, NOT TO JUMP ON PEOPLE, TRADE, COME when called and more. Many dog training skills and techniques will be covered. Also there is a health tip each week (vaccinations, food, toys, teeth brushing, etc.) The cost is $100 for all 4 weeks and includes the AKC CGC or AKC STAR Puppy testing evaluation on week 4.
Call Sandra at 910-777-9968 for more information.

Taught by Sandra Harknett ~ 910-777-9968, Certified Precision Pet Dog Trainer, Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, AKC Approved Testing Evaluator, Therapy Dog Evaluator
LEFT PAW - RIGHT PAW Service Dog Trainer ID

04/08/2026

We need serious help. This adorable munchkin is Sebastian. He showed up yesterday and we were pretty much horrified. He is twelve weeks old, a Great Pyrenees mix and his front leg is not okay. He’s not tucking it under to be adorable. That paw is bent backwards and folded over like a pretzel under his chest and it’s incredibly painful to him. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and I do not enjoy seeing something new, because “new” usually means “really bad.” This is really bad. I don’t know how this happened and I’m not sure I want to know.

What I do know is that he is on his way to the orthopedic surgeon this morning, and this is going to be expensive. There is no version of this that is cheap or simple. And here’s the reality: we do not really have the money for this. Right now we also have THREE girls waiting on bilateral ACL surgeries. That’s six knees and those six knees are in dire need of repair. More on them later this week. We are stretched thin in a way that isn’t fixable with good intentions and caffeine, although I am doing my best on the Red Bull front.

Sebastian deserves a shot at a normal life and we’d like to give it to him. If you’d like to donate $5 to help, you can do so here:

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LPNJEHNPR8AUU
Stripe: https://donate.stripe.com/cN2dTq20J4H7aBi144
Venmo: (make sure you have exactly this spelling – there are copycat accounts that are fake).

Thanks as always. If you donate via Venmo, please make the transaction private and not public. The Nigerian princes are out there scalping your public contact info. If you can’t donate, spread the word. We appreciate all of you as always.

For April only, I’m doing an “Inflation Buster” price of only $69 for the basic 4 week class with the AKC CGC test at t...
03/30/2026

For April only, I’m doing an “Inflation Buster” price of only $69 for the basic 4 week class with the AKC CGC test at the end. Call or text for dates and times. 910-777-9968
Sent from my iPhone

Welcome Katie & Miss, Jolanda & Ollie and Linda & Pippa to the Service Dog Training Program
03/30/2026

Welcome Katie & Miss, Jolanda & Ollie and Linda & Pippa to the Service Dog Training Program

 APRIL CLASS SCHEDULEInflation fighter price of only $69. Regularly $120.
03/28/2026

 APRIL CLASS SCHEDULE
Inflation fighter price of only $69. Regularly $120.

03/27/2026

Long post alert: Vaccination vs. Socialization

We’ve had a run of questions from folks whose puppies were not socialized outside the home until after the close of the critical socialization period. These owners were told—or believed—that puppies must complete their full vaccination series before beginning outings or classes. Unfortunately, many are now seeking help because their puppies are fearful in public.

These breeders and owners made a risk–benefit decision, believing the risk of disease outweighed the benefit of early socialization. I am not here to argue that choice. Every situation is different, and we strongly encourage people to assess their own circumstances and decide accordingly.

However, it’s critical to understand that withholding early socialization carries a significant and very predictable risk—fear of novelty. There is no workaround for this. You don’t get a pass on socialization because you followed other Puppy Culture protocols. Early, thoughtful, exposure to the outside world is a cornerstone of the program, and we devote an entire chapter to this issue - Vaccination vs. Socialization (link in comments)

The reason early socialization is so powerful is that young puppies are wired to imprint experiences with as little as one exposure. You’re getting in there before they have a high level of fear of the novel and getting a huge bang for your buck in terms of imprinting positive experiences. Literally, you can accomplish in 15 minutes what might take months to accomplish with an adult dog.

It’s also far easier and less technical to work with young puppies. You don’t need deep knowledge of learning theory. Pairing novelty with food and attention is usually enough. Most breeders can do this well.

But you are into a whole different space when you have a 12-16 week old puppy. You are no longer socializing a neurologically flexible baby— now you are counterconditioning and desensitizing a strong fear response in a tweenager. Just pairing food and attention with strangers is no longer going to do it. You now need to understand learning theory and how to apply it, which is beyond the scope of most pet owners. So, you’ll probably need the help of a qualified trainer.

Again, I am not quarreling with anyone’s decisions, but this is the exact reason we made Puppy Culture. There is no substitute for early socialization and unfortunately most people are just in over their heads with trying to counter condition an animal that missed this socialization window. That’s what I saw in my practice as a dog trainer and that’s what we sought to avoid by making the film.

Will doing the rest of the protocols in Puppy Culture help if you don’t do early socialization? Sure. You at least will have a puppy with foundation behaviors and has a sense of trust. But there is no substitute for early socialization.

I will wade a little further into this and say that our official line in Puppy Culture (that Drs. Herron and Leal discuss), based on the UC Davis study, is a “do no harm” start point. What we show in the film is the most we officially feel comfortable recommending.

But, even though we cannot recommend it in general, we ourselves have adopted even earlier off premises socialization based on the circumstances of our lines and the relative safety of where we live. This is a deep topic and I did a podcast on this, (link in comments)

We cover the relative risks and benefits early socialization in Puppy Culture. We go into vaccine technology, interview two prominent veterinarians and review the (still) current studies on the risk vs the benefit of early socialization. It’s a big chapter with lots of information so I’m not going to rehash it all here. If you need a refresher please revisit Vaccination vs. Socialization in Puppy Culture. (Link in comments)

Ultimately, the risk–benefit analysis is yours to make. Just understand that waiting carries its own risk—and it’s a very predictable one.

If you now have a puppy past the critical socialization window who is fearful of novelty, I strongly recommend seeking experienced help. One excellent resource is the “Practical Dog Life” Facebook Group. It’s well‑moderated with highly competent trainers.

I will remove comments that criticize people for their individual decisions. It’s a risk benefit analysis that takes a lot of factors into account, and you don’t know the circumstances others are navigating. While the overwhelming evidence shows early socialization can be done safely with appropriate biosafety precautions, that does not mean it is the right choice in every case.

Photo is Reign-Beau, showing 'em how it's done with early socialization!

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Holly Ridge, NC
28445

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(910-777-9968

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