Meet the Houndhaven Dogs!

Chocolate Terror (Cindy)

janina — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:40:44 +0000

You can’t help but laugh at this…

Yesterday, the morning volunteers opened one of the doors to find a big (well, little) surprise - Cindy, the chocolate lab puppy, was running loose. The little terror (I say with fondness of course) had free reign. How did this happen? The kennels have a small opening where food and water bowls fit. The evening volunteer (me) had put the puppies to bed in their kennels as usual. I double checked to ensure every dog had a full water bowl, but I did not leave any food bowls because everyone had already eaten. Haha! This was my mistake - I did not leave an empty bowl in the puppy kennels. Why would I need to leave an empty bowl? Well, the puppies apparently are still small enough to fit through the opening where the bowls go! So, our resident chocolate terror must have gotten bored in the night and decided to wriggle and her way through the small opening (it’s about 4 inches tall x 6 inches wide). Oh how I wish I had a hidden camera for that one!

Big Mac!

janina — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:31:57 +0000

With a name like Big Mac, I was expecting to encounter a large dominating, maybe even oaf-like dog. Boy was in for a surprise! Big Mac should have come with a name for a much sweeter food because he is nothing but sweetness! He is loving and affectionate - will snuggle up and bury his head in your chest. he is calm and mellow and walks very well on a leash. I will grant you that he has been under the weather, but I am betting he is always a sweetpea! He is a stunning caramel color with a pink nose (known as a Dudley lab). He is on the skinny side right now - poor guy’s ribs show. But he’ll gain a few pounds before he we adopt him out. Better put in your application now because dogs this sweet and well-behaved go fast!

Dobie (man in black)

janina — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:57:57 +0000

Here is sweet Dobie at Petsmart! What a show off!

Gunner - a gentleman, or should we say gentle dog

janina — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:01:42 +0000

Here is what one of our shelter volunteers had to say about Gunner:

If he were a man, he’d be the strong, silent type. He is both strong and gentle. He is full of energy, yet obedient. He’s very intelligent.

Shortly after his arrival, when we were still giving him “foot baths.” I was walking him, and he got a sticker in his front paw. Immediatley he saw I wanted to help, he sat down, and almost gracefully put his paw in my hand. What he didn’t know was, from that moment on, he had my heart.

So many times, dogs won’t let you help them when they’ve got a sticker in their paw, but he was so willing, it was refreshing. I’ve never encountered a dog (not even my own yellow lab) who was so willing to let me help him! Since he’s not a gentleman, I have to say he’s agentledog. Strong, but gentle.

Brandee

janina — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:09:37 +0000

Brandee is a small lab mix. She is big enough to be a good watch dog but small enough to not reach your kitchen counters : ) She is sweet and playful and has lots of energy. But she is also house broken and knows how to walk on a leash. Brandee loves to play but can’t be in a home with cats. Look at her face - who can say no to that.

Dobie - cute baby!

janina — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:45:45 +0000

Dobie is just a pup - not even 1 year old yet! This cutie patootie has lots of energy and loves to play. He is looking for a home where he gets lots of exercise and lots of play time. Are you the right playmate for him? Come meet him at our next adoption fair - check our website or facebook page for more info.

Autumn - a tomboy or a spa girl?

janina — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:42:39 +0000

Autumn is either a tomboy who is not afraid to get dirty or she loves a good mud mask like any spa-going girl! Here are some photos of her at her foster home - they were playing fetch in and out of the pool and Autumn took a tumble in the mud and then stopped for a photo shoot! This sweet girl is playful and loving and has been waiting several months for the right home to come along. if you think that might be you, come meet Autumn at Petsmart - we are there May 28 and June 11.

Help Houndhaven win prizes or cash from Dr. Becker!

janina — Thu, 19 May 2011 20:21:38 +0000

Houndhaven made it to the Top 50 in this contest.We are 100% run by volunteers and 100% funded through donations. Please vote for Houndhaven and post this to your status for one day to help spread the word. Thank you.

Just cut and paste this link into your browser.

http://www.facebook.com/DrMartyBecker?sk=app_126231547426086

Brian Gisi - professional animal trainer!

janina — Sun, 15 May 2011 20:04:36 +0000

Brian Gisi is the owner of Model Behavior, Animal Training and Behavior Solutions. Brian had an audience of about 15 of our shelter volunteers. He spent time showing us how to handle many of the common situations we encounter and take better control of the dogs. By learning to better guide the dogs’ behavior, we can do a better job of rehabilitating the dogs we take in. Many of Houndhaven’s pooches were at one time stray, abandoned, or abused and don’t always know good behavior. At Houndhaven, we believe that all dogs have the ability to learn; it’s just a matter of all of us having the time, patience, and skills to teach them. Brian gave us tons of tricks, tips, and basic knowledge to help us in this pursuit. Brian generously donated his time to Houndhaven today - what was supposed to be 1 hour turned into 3 and we appreciated every minute of it! With some new skills to practice, we hope that this will help us to guide the dogs’ behavior which puts them in a better place to find loving homes and that’s why we are all here afterall! Here are some photos from today’s event.

Macey - a proper girl

janina — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:19:51 +0000

In case you are thinking about adopting Macey, you should know she likes to sit on furniture. I mean, sit. Not lay around like most dogs. She actually likes to sit.