The Houndry

07/11/2025

with this useful tip!

Here are some tips on how to meet a new dog for the first time!

🐶Let the dog approach you🚶‍♀️
When meeting a dog, it’s important to be calm and go slow. Avoid running up to them or going to pet them immediately. Approaching a dog this way may startle them and can come off as intimidating. You should also avoid direct eye contact, because dogs could take this as a threat👀

👃 Let the dog sniff you first👃
Dogs have an extremely good sense of smell. They use scent to understand, and make decisions about their environment. To let a dog sniff you, don’t extend your hand to their face. Instead, let the dog approach you and sniff you on their own terms.

🙅‍♀️Always be respectful of their boundaries 🤚
Every dog is different and may not enjoy being touched in certain places. Such as on the head! It can be intimidating, especially when the person petting them is a complete stranger.

😌Use a calm, low voice when meeting a dog🤫
It’s common for people to use “baby talk” when first meeting a dog but the correct way is to speak in your normal voice. Keep it calm and low. Using a higher pitched voice can cause them stress and over excitement.

Always pay attention to body language. Just like humans, dogs communicate through body language.

Here are some signs that may mean they are excited to meet you!

🥰Ears are relaxed, not tense or flattened against their head.
🥰Body is relaxed and loose
🥰They lean in to you
🥰They initiate positive contact with you first

Watch out for anything that could mean they are fearful or need space, such as:

😰Showing teeth
😰Stiff, erect tail
😰Licking their lips or yawning excessively
😰Whale eyes
😰Stiff body language

📣It’s also important to note that all dogs react differently to stress📣

07/09/2025

✨ Gear Tip: Why We Love Martingale Collars! ✨

Looking for a safer, more secure collar option for your pup? We highly recommend the martingale collar—and here’s why it’s one of our go-to choices for dogs on adventure hikes:

✅ No Slip, No Escape – Martingales tighten just enough when your dog pulls, preventing them from backing out of the collar—perfect for pups who are a little too clever with slipping gear.

✅ Gentle Control – Unlike choke chains, martingales apply even pressure without choking, making them a safer option for training and everyday walks.

✅ Comfort Meets Function – When fitted correctly, martingales sit loosely on your dog’s neck and only tighten when needed—keeping your dog comfy and secure.

We use them with our adventure dogs because they give us peace of mind on the trail—no escaping, no harsh corrections, just solid, reliable control. 🐕💪

📸 Amanda's Lab, Pike

Have questions about proper fit or how to use one? Drop them in the comments! 👇

07/07/2025

🚨 Would YOU Know What to Do in a Pet Emergency? 🚨

From choking and CPR to snake bites and seizures—this is the class that could save your dog’s life. 🐾

Join us for our Pet First Aid & CPR Certification Course and gain the skills to handle real-life emergencies.

📍 Location: Joyce Conference Room, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce
📅 Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
💵 Cost: $30 per person

Spots are limited — don’t wait until it’s too late to get prepared!

💻 Sign up now at www.TheHoundryLLC.com/pet-firstaid-and-cpr-course or email [email protected] to reserve your seat.

07/03/2025

Sometimes you gotta find a taller friend to get some shade 🌳😎🐾

07/02/2025

🐾 Tuesday Tip: Let Your Dog’s Nose Lead the Way!

Ever heard of a “sniffari”? It’s a walk where your dog gets to sniff and explore to their heart’s content — and it’s one of the best ways to mentally enrich your pup! 🐕💨

A few minutes of focused sniffing can wear them out more than a mile of fast walking. We love to start or end our hikes with 5–10 minutes of “sniff time” on a long line, especially for dogs who need confidence building or decompression.

Try it on your next walk! You’ll have a calmer, happier pup and a stronger connection — all thanks to the magic of their nose. 👃✨

06/30/2025

🚨🐶TRAIL TRAFFIC ALERT 🚴‍♂️

You’re vibin’. Your dog’s sniffin’. And suddenly… “On your left!” 😱

Here’s what to do when a biker sneaks up behind you faster than your dog finds a dead worm to roll in:

➡️ Scoot right – That means both you and your pup. This isn’t a game of trail chicken.
➡️ Reel ‘em in – Keep your leash short so your dog doesn’t do a surprise meet-n-greet mid-pedal.
👂 No tunnel vision – Ditch the earbuds or keep one out. You don’t want to miss the heads-up OR the heron flying overhead.
😄 Be cool – A smile and a “Thanks!” keeps the vibes friendly and the brakes un-slammed.

Let’s keep tails wagging, tires rolling, and trails peaceful. 🐕‍🦺🚲🌲

06/28/2025

Lots and Lots of water is necessary during a heat wave 🥵

06/24/2025

🔥 Tuesday Tip: Protect Those Paws from Summer Sizzle! 🐾☀️

On hot days, sidewalks and trails can burn your dog’s paws — but a layer of beeswax-based paw balm can help keep them safe and comfy.

Here’s why we use it before every summer hike:

🐝 Creates a natural barrier against hot surfaces like pavement, gravel, and sand
💧 Seals in moisture to prevent cracking and dryness
🌿 Soothes sensitive pads after walks in the heat
🐶 Lick-safe and gentle, even for pups with allergies or sensitivities

🔥 Bonus Tip: Use the 5-second rule — if you can't hold the back of your hand to the pavement for 5 seconds, it's too hot for your dog!

We don’t leave home without it — because every paw deserves a little protection on the trail. 🥾🐕

06/23/2025

🚨 Toxic Algae Alert: Keep Your Pup Safe During a High Heat Advisory! 🌊🐾

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be deadly to dogs — and it’s more common in hot, still water like ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams.

Here’s what to watch for:

💚 Water that looks like pea soup or has green/blue scum
☠️ Dead fish or a strange smell near the water
⚠️ Signs in the area warning about algae blooms

Before your dog sips or swims:

✔️ Check the water first
✔️ Stick to clear, flowing water
✔️ When in doubt — keep out!
✔️ Rinse your dog after swimming just in case

Symptoms of exposure include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and lethargy. If your dog shows any of these, get to a vet ASAP.

Let’s keep those tails wagging safely! 🐶💦

06/21/2025

It was a wet one this week and looking to be a hot one next week! 🌧️ 🌞 🌱 🍄