Salty Raccoon Ranch Kennels & Training

09/02/2026

🐦 Meet the NEW Guinea Fowl Squad! 🐦

There’s a little more noise, personality, and feathered chaos happening around Salty Raccoon Ranch! 😂

We recently welcomed this beautiful group of show-bred Guinea Fowl to the ranch, and they’re settling into their new home quite nicely.

These aren’t just here to wander around the ranch yelling about absolutely everything—although we’re pretty sure they consider that an important part of their job description. 🤣 They’ll also become part of our breeding program, with plans to hatch and raise our own little Guinea keets right here on the ranch! 🐣

We’re excited to watch this new adventure unfold and hopefully have lots of tiny spotted babies running around before we know it.

Welcome to the ranch, Guinea Squad! 🤎

Now the real question is…
How long before they believe they own the entire place? 😂

08/27/2026

How did you celebrate National Dog Day?
Post a picture of your pup in the comments.

08/24/2026

08/11/2026

🐾 REAL-WORLD PUPPY TRAINING AT 14 WEEKS OLD! 🛒

Paladin von Merryman Haus had another BIG first—his first farm store visit where he walked the entire trip on his own four paws! ❤️

A trip to the farm store might look like a simple outing, but for a young puppy, it’s an entire training classroom.

Paladin practiced:
🐾 Walking calmly behind the shopping cart
🐾 Heeling through the aisles
🐾 Sit & Down with distractions
🐾 “Leave It” around tempting smells and items
🐾 Calmly walking past other shoppers
🐾 Waiting patiently in the checkout line

And that checkout line deserves some extra credit! 😂 All those snacks sitting conveniently at German Shepherd puppy nose level, and Paladin managed to keep his taste-testing services to himself. 👏

At 14 weeks old, we aren’t looking for perfection. We’re building a foundation.

These carefully planned outings help puppies learn that new places, people, sounds, smells, surfaces, and distractions are simply part of everyday life. We’re working on confidence, handler engagement, impulse control, neutrality, and the ability to think and respond even when the environment gets exciting.

Socialization isn’t about meeting everyone—it’s about teaching a puppy how to confidently and appropriately exist in the world around them. ❤️

One little adventure at a time, Paladin is learning some pretty BIG life skills. 🐾

08/10/2026

Update: Barney has found his new family! Barney will be a wonderful addition to anyone’s family! Check him out

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LeyNnD3qm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HQt8z78Cj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Lambing School Sept. 12, 2026! RSVP today to save your spot!

08/06/2026

🤠🐾 The Quick Draw “Q” Journey Begins! 🐾🤠

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from Salty Raccoon Ranch!

Yeti Von Shield and Indiana’s Iris Von Merryman Haus have been successfully bred! ❤️

If all goes as planned, we are expecting The Quick Draw “Q” Litter to arrive around October 4, 2026, with puppies expected to begin going home around the second week of December at approximately 9 weeks of age.

This is a repeat pairing that has already produced our Marvelous “M” and Outlaw “O” litters. Watching those puppies grow into confident Service Dogs in Training, AKC competitors, and wonderful family companions has been incredibly rewarding, and we are excited to follow the next chapter of this proven pairing.

As many of you know, the Quick Draw “Q” Litter will be our final planned litter before an extended breeding pause. We will not be planning another breeding until 2028. During that time, we’ll be focusing on our family, continuing to train and title our own dogs, advancing our personal service dogs, attending dog shows and competitions, and serving our nation’s veterans through my career.

If you’ve been following our program and would like to learn more about our breeding philosophy, puppy-raising program, or future opportunities to join the Salty Raccoon Ranch family, we invite you to reach out through our website or send us a message. We’d love to answer your questions and help you determine whether our program is the right fit for your goals.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to share each milestone of the Quick Draw “Q” Litter with you!

❤️ Samme & the Salty Raccoon Ranch Family

08/05/2026

🎈🐾 A Confident Puppy Starts with the Right Distance

Paladin Von Merryman Haus “Jethro” had his first introduction to the giant inflatable outside one of our favorite taco stands—and he handled it like a champ! 💙

One of the most valuable lessons in puppy socialization is learning not to rush the introduction.

When your puppy encounters something new, start at a distance where they can notice it without becoming overwhelmed. At that distance, they’re able to observe, think, and make good choices. Reward calm behavior, keep the experience fun, and gradually decrease the distance only as your puppy becomes more confident.

If your puppy starts barking, pulling away, freezing, or refusing treats, they’re telling you the challenge is too difficult. That’s your cue to create more distance—not force them closer.

Our goal isn’t to make puppies “brave” by pushing them through scary situations. Our goal is to build genuine confidence through repeated positive experiences.

Every successful introduction today helps create a confident, stable adult dog tomorrow. 🐾

🌟 How does your dog react to unusual decorations or inflatables?

👇We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!