Carolina Classic Canine

10/03/2025

10/03/2025

We're looking for dog training apprentices and pet care professionals to join our team. Whether you're an experienced pet professional or just starting out, we offer flexible hours, a supportive team, and hands-on experience working with dogs.

🔹 Dog Training Apprentices receive intensive, paid training to learn force-free, positive reinforcement methods.
🔹 Pet Care Professionals provide in-home pet sitting and care for clients across our service area.

Both roles require a valid driver’s license as travel is involved. If you love working with animals and want to be part of our team, we’d love to hear from you!

📞 Text (864) 247-4890 or email us at [email protected] to apply.

(Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.)

Manners don't make the dog, they make the dog awesome!

10/03/2025

😖HUMP?

So your dog suddenly starts hu***ng a pillow, a toy, your leg, or worse, your mother-in-law...🙊
It's a behaviour that can be confusing and potentially amusing to some at the same time, but this behaviour can also make you utterly mortified when your dog starts to hump your visiting friend or family member.

The common reason for hu***ng is linked to heightened emotions which can be anxiety and stress, excitement, s*xual arousal, and/or frustration. It is 𝐍𝐎𝐓 dominance!

Puppies don’t hit puberty until around six to eight months of age. Just like in human teenagers, these hormonal shifts can influence their behaviour. So, when puppies begin to hump, it’s not about s*x – it’s all about playful behaviour. It’s one of the ways they first learn about social interactions with other dogs. They use this hu***ng behaviour to encourage a ‘play and chase’ game, however, it can also be used in the context of being in a situation where they are feeling a little unsure of what to do.

🐾As pups get older and enter their adolescent phase, they may start to hump due to pheromones, and s*xual arousal driven by the surge in hormones like testosterone in males, leading to increased s*xual urges; however, this is not always the case. Dogs are quite expressive, and they can have various ways of showing their emotions.

While some dogs might bark excessively or exhibit hyperactivity (‘zoomies’), others might resort to hu***ng. It's not uncommon for dogs to react to heightened emotions by engaging in this behaviour. It can be a form of displacement behaviour and they use it when they're uncertain about how to handle a situation, just like people might bite their nails when they're nervous, dogs might hump when they're stressed. It could be their way of dealing with anxiety.

So, if your dog suddenly starts hu***ng in a new place, they may be feeling a bit uneasy or it could be their method of dealing with a situation by releasing extra stored energy and tension.

❗️ It is important to remember that circumstances play a significant role – meaning 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦!

Understanding why a dog is hu***ng entails observing your immediate environment and the dog's body language. The overall environment can provide insights into the motivation behind the behaviour.

For instance, if a dog starts hu***ng during a play session, it might be a sign of playfulness rather than s*xual motivation. On the other hand, when a dog begins hu***ng objects like pillows or even your mother-in-law's leg, it could indicate stress or limited social skills.
This behaviour might suggest that the dog is unsure about how to manage situations that are exciting or overwhelming, leading to heightened emotional reactions.

If the hu***ng behaviour becomes problematic, especially in social settings or with people who the dog may not be comfortable with, it's essential to address it through positive reinforcement training and environmental management. The goal would be to redirect the behaviour towards a more appropriate outlet.

Providing appropriate mental and physical stimulation can also help reduce excessive mounting, as it might be a response to excess energy or boredom.

Hu***ng behaviour in dogs is influenced by a combination of factors, including hormones, individual personality, stress, frustration, excitement, and play. As dogs mature, their reasons for hu***ng can change, making it important for dog owners to interpret the behaviour in context and respond appropriately.

So, the next time you catch your dog hu***ng something unexpectedly, remember that it's not just a random act and the dog isn't doing something wrong. It could be a mix of things – from hormones and stress to social cues and playfulness. Understanding why dogs hump adds a bit of insight into their world and can help you respond in an appropriate manner which can help your dog through a situation.

25/02/2025

Does it feel like your dog is walking you instead of the other way around? 🐶😂

Loose leash walking changes everything. No more pulling, no more frustration, just your dog walking calmly right by your side. 🐾

We use fear-free, positive reinforcement training to teach dogs how to walk politely without yanking your arm off. Call us at (864) 247-4890 to schedule your pup's evaluation today.

(Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.)

24/02/2025

Teaching your dog "place" gives them a reliable way to stay calm and focused when needed. This skill is great for:

- Greeting guests politely 🐶
- Staying out of the kitchen during meals
- Creating a safe space for relaxation ♥

We use fear-free, force-free, positive reinforcement training methods to make this an easy, stress-free habit for your dog.

Call (864) 247-4890 to schedule your evaluation today!

(Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.)

24/02/2025

Reminder! We’re already booking into 2026, and once we’re full, we’re full! If you’re planning a vacation or need pet care for the holidays, now is the time to reserve your dates. Call us at (864) 247-4890. 🐶

(Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.)

24/02/2025

Training isn't just about teaching skills! You're building trust, instilling confidence, and creating a strong bond between you and your dog. Fear and punishment have no place in training. 🐶❤️

Positive reinforcement in dog training is ethical because it rewards desired behaviours, fostering trust and respect. It avoids fear and aggression, common in punishment-based methods, promoting a happier, more confident dog. This approach is effective and compassionate, ensuring dogs learn in a humane way. Canine Principles only uses ethical and kind methods with both dogs and people.

14/02/2025

💖 Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Carolina Classic Canine! 💖

14/02/2025

ARE YOU WORTH COMING BACK TO?

I’m often horrified when I watch people trying to get their dogs to come back to them when they call.

They call and call and get increasingly angry and frustrated as their dog keeps ignoring them.

When their dog eventually comes back, or has been chased and "captured” by the now really angry person, they get screamed at, yanked about, or punished in some way for taking so long and not listening.

Why on earth would a dog want to return to someone who does this to them!

The most common reason dogs don’t come back when we call is because it’s not a positive experience.

A new environment is generally far more rewarding, stimulating and exciting than coming back to us.
An exciting scent or seeing something to chase can all override a response to recall.

Make coming back to you well worth it by always making it a rewarding experience and keep practicing this throughout a dog’s life.

Have a little patience if it takes longer than you would like, let your dog finish what they’re doing before calling them, practice in different locations and environments and never reprimand or punish them for coming back.

There is never a guarantee of a perfect recall each and every time, but making it a rewarding experience will greatly improve the rate of success.

10/02/2025

Tug-of-war isn’t just a fun game, it’s a great way to teach your dog essential skills like “drop it,” bite inhibition, and impulse control.

By playing tug intentionally, you can guide your dog to use their mouth gently and learn when to release an object, helping them play and behave with purpose. Intentional tug is just one of the many skills we focus on in our training programs.

Want to learn more? Call Allison at (864) 247-4890 to schedule your evaluation today!

📍 Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA

10/02/2025

If some guy (or girl) tells you to ignore your dog's cries, to show your dog you're in charge or disregards how your dog feels, then grab your beautiful, vulnerable dog and run the other way. Our dogs rely on us to understand and care for them, to be their advocates and protectors from harm. Let's live up to their needs. It's our responsibility.

06/02/2025

🎓 Congratulations, Sam! 🐾

Sam has just graduated Level 2 of our training program! His owner, Vickie, said, “I am really seeing an improvement! I thought he was hopeless.” 😄

Our goal is to help both dogs and their owners succeed using fear-free, force-free methods. If you’re ready to begin your dog’s training, call us at (864) 247-4890 to schedule your evaluation today!

📍 Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.

06/02/2025

Is your pet joining this Sunday's festivities? Keep these 6 unsafe foods out of their reach. Save & share with a pet parent!

05/02/2025

At Carolina Classic Canine, we pride ourselves on providing top-quality in-home pet care. We have a small team of trained, vetted, and insured sitters that're dedicated to making sure your pets feel safe, loved, and well-cared-for while you're away. We always assign a primary and backup sitter to each booking, and there’s a manager on call for extra peace of mind.

With limited availability, we recommend booking your dates as soon as possible to ensure your pets get the best care. We're currently taking reservations into 2026, so now’s the time to reserve your pet’s staycation!

Call (864) 247-4890 to book today!

📍 Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.

04/02/2025

Why travel for training when we bring it to you? At Carolina Classic Canine, we offer personalized, fear-free dog training that helps your pup build confidence and master essential skills, all in the comfort of your own home!

Call (864) 247-4890 today to schedule your evaluation.

02/02/2025

Dog training and behaviour is mostly hands off. The better educated we are the better we recognise motivations, anxieties, triggers and needs, Recognition is the first and most important step towards empathetic and ethical dog training.

Want to learn more about dog behaviour? Comment your goals below and we can help you.

01/02/2025

Here's Elmo showing off his long-range recall. He did fantastic, even with so many distractions around him! His focus and confidence have grown so much through his training, and we couldn't be prouder.

At Carolina Classic Canine, we offer 3 levels of dog training, all using fear-free, force-free methods. Our personalized training plans help dogs like Elmo build confidence and refine their skills. After completing all 12 lessons in our program, your dog will be ready for the AKC Good Canine Citizen test, which is included in our 12-lesson package.

Our entire team is dedicated to helping you and your dog reach your goals, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call (864) 247-4890 to learn more and schedule your evaluation today!

📍 Based in Walhalla, SC. Serving all of Upstate SC and select areas of NC and GA.