Kikis Canines LLC

Kikis Canines LLC Educating owners. Empowering dogs🐾🦮

Professional Training • Boarding • Daycare • Dayschool

🌾 Private Home Farm Facility | Orange, VA

08/10/2026

Luna Bella, oh how I miss you.🪽🌈🐾

We lived 9 lives together, truly. I held her the DAY she was born, and from that day forward, I was there every single day of her life. And she was there for mine.

She was there through being sick and hospital stays, through my college days, through meeting my person, creating a family, going to ALL baby appointments, and immediately becoming our little girl’s “woof woof.” She saw so many versions of me. She quite literally grew up with me while I grew into the person, partner, and mom I am now.

Of course I miss the big things. I miss everything we went through together and all the memories we made. But I think I miss the little things the most.

The dorky croissant wags. The face kisses. Scarlet’s excitement to “get Mommy’s doggie.” Looking over and simply seeing her there.

I miss being able to hug her when I needed to. I miss our long sits where I could just think with her by my side. I didn’t have to talk or explain anything. She was just there - like she had been through every other chapter of my life. It’s the ordinary things that leave the biggest empty spaces.

I held her on the very first day of her life, and I held her through the very last chapter of it too. Somewhere between those two moments, we lived what feels like nine different lives together.

She watched me grow up. I watched her grow old. She watched me find my person, build a home, create a family, and become a mom. And I got to watch my little girl love the same dog who had already loved me through so much life.

I’m thankful for every single day I got with her. But God, I would give anything for one more completely ordinary one.

One more croissant wag. One more face kiss. One more “Mommy’s doggie.” One more long, quiet sit with my Luna Bella beside me. I just miss my girl.

The little things most of all.

08/05/2026

🐾 Kiki’s Corner | Educational Series

Topic #3: A Tired Dog Isn’t Always a Trained Dog

One of the biggest misconceptions in the dog world is the saying, “A tired dog is a good dog.” While physical exercise is important, it’s only one small piece of the puzzle.

I can take a dog on a five-mile hike, throw the ball until they’re exhausted, or let them run around for hours. They’ll probably come home and sleep - but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve learned anything.

Training isn’t about creating a tired dog. It’s about creating a dog that knows how to make good choices. Can they settle in the house without being told? Can they ignore distractions? Can they control their impulses? Can they relax even when they still have energy? Those are the skills that make life with your dog enjoyable.

Mental enrichment, clear communication, structure, and consistency will often do far more for a dog than simply wearing them out physically. Exercise absolutely has its place, but exercise alone won’t teach manners, confidence, or self-control.

At Kiki’s Canines, one of my biggest goals isn’t just to have dogs that can perform commands - it’s to help them learn how to live successfully alongside their families. Whether that’s calmly relaxing at home, walking politely in public, or making good choices when life gets exciting, those everyday moments matter far more than how tired they are.

A truly well-trained dog isn’t just the one that’s exhausted at the end of the day. It’s the one that has learned how to think, make good decisions, and settle into everyday life with confidence.

Train the mind - not just the body. 🐾

- Kim (Kiki) Gronauer
Owner & Head Trainer
Professional Trainer
& Canine Behaviorist

🐾 Chief Update 🐾I’ve had quite a few people asking how Chief is doing, so I figured I’d give everyone an update!Overall,...
08/05/2026

🐾 Chief Update 🐾

I’ve had quite a few people asking how Chief is doing, so I figured I’d give everyone an update!

Overall, he’s doing really well. Right now, I’m focusing on all of the little nitpicky things at home because they all tie into the bigger picture of building his confidence for public access. Every small piece matters.

He also has some new gear on the way! It all says “In Training” to help give us a little more space while he continues building that confidence. Some of you may recognize it because it’s from the same maker as the vest R***r wears!🦮 (We’re trying out these vests from a maker we’re hoping to officially partner with!)

A lot of our work lately has actually been at home. Since Chief is now neutered, we’re also helping him settle into a new dynamic with Xena May. Losing Luna Bella changed our whole pack. She really was the glue that held everyone together, and we’re all still adjusting in different ways.

As for me… I’ll be honest. It’s still extremely stressful not having a fully trained service dog working in public with me. A dog that’s still learning just isn’t the same as having a finished partner you can rely on completely, and that’s simply part of the process.

Thankfully, I haven’t truly needed a service dog in public lately, but these last few hot days would’ve been a huge help. Instead, I’ve just been listening to my body, slowing way down, and not pushing it. If it’s too hot for me, it’s too hot, and I know that’s okay. Slowing down like this is tough though.

Emotionally, I still feel like Luna Bella is still with me in this journey. I think about her every day, and in a way, she’s still helping guide us. It's still incredibly hard for me, but her memory keeps me strong.

I also want to say this because I think it’s important: Chief is a fantastic dog. He’s an absolutely incredible demo dog, and I truly believe he has the potential to become a great service dog. The question has never been whether he’s a good enough dog. The question is simply whether we can get there together. Service dog work is hard, and not every dog enjoys or thrives in public access. My job is to listen to him just as much as I ask him to listen to me. Period.

As for another dog… that’s never completely off the table. If this doesn’t work out with Chief, then yes, my next step will likely be finding another prospect. I’ve been researching breeders, different dogs, and different breeds, but for now my focus is exactly where it should be - on Chief.

I’m hoping we’ll get there together. One step at a time. ♥️

🐾📚 Ball and Stick Library! 🦴🥎A huge THANK YOU to one of our amazing Kikis Canines families for surprising us with these ...
08/05/2026

🐾📚 Ball and Stick Library! 🦴🥎

A huge THANK YOU to one of our amazing Kikis Canines families for surprising us with these adorable Ball Library and Stick Library stations! 🥹

Our pups can now “check out” a ball or stick during playtime, and we’ll have an easy way to keep the yard organized and fun for everyone. It’s such a simple idea that adds so much enrichment to the dogs’ day!

We are incredibly grateful for clients who not only trust us with their dogs but also help make Kikis Canines an even better place for every pup that visits. Your kindness and generosity truly mean the world to us.

Thank you for thinking of us and all of our four-legged guests - we can’t wait to see everyone enjoying their new libraries! 🐶🎾🪵

It takes a village to build something special, and we sure have the best one. 💛🐾

Thank you again Diesel and family!!♥️

08/05/2026

☔️ Rainy days don’t have to be boring!

Some dogs think the rain is the greatest thing ever… and others act like touching one wet blade of grass is the end of the world. 😂

If you’re stuck inside today, here are a few easy ways to keep your pup busy:

🐾 Practice a few commands or teach a new trick.
🐾 Hide treats around the house and let them sniff them out.
🐾 Pull out a puzzle toy or stuffed Kong.
🐾 Play tug or a little game of fetch down the hallway.
🐾 Give them a chew and let them settle in.

And if your dog loves the rain… throw on a rain jacket and let them enjoy it! A muddy sniff walk can make for a very happy dog.

What kind of dog do you have?
🌧️ Loves the rain?
🙈 Hates it?
😂 Or refuses to go outside unless the weather is absolutely perfect?

07/30/2026

🐾 Kiki’s Corner

Topic #3: Leave the Past in the Past

(Hard Topic!)

One thing I see quite often is people unintentionally holding their rescue dog back because of what they think happened before they came home.

Before anyone misunderstands me, let me say this first - I absolutely LOVE rescue dogs. I own rescue dogs. Xena May is a rescue, and I proudly wear “Who Rescued Who?” on my work shirts because I believe every dog deserves a second chance. This isn’t about ignoring where a dog came from. It’s about giving them the opportunity to become who they can be!

When people tell me, “He’s a rescue,” “She was abused,” or “He had a rough past,” my first thought is always, “Okay… but who is that dog today?”
The truth is, we don’t always know what happened before they came into our lives. Sometimes we know pieces of their story, and sometimes we know nothing at all. While a dog’s past may explain certain behaviors, it doesn’t have to define the rest of their life.

Dogs don’t live the way we do. They aren’t lying awake every night replaying what happened years ago. They wake up thinking about what’s happening today. They learn from consistency, communication, routine, and the experiences they have now. That’s why it’s so important not to get stuck training the past instead of training the dog standing in front of you.

As trainers, we always want to find the root cause of a behavior because dog training is a web - everything connects. Behavior isn’t black and white, and understanding why something is happening matters. But once we’ve identified that root cause, we also have to ask ourselves, “How do we help this dog move forward?” If every behavior continues to be excused simply because they’re a rescue, we may actually be preventing them from reaching their full potential.

And here’s the really exciting part… rescue dogs are some of the most rewarding dogs you’ll ever meet. Watching a dog that was once unsure start wagging their tail with confidence, make new friends, trust their people, or learn something they never thought they could do is one of the greatest privileges of my job. Those little victories become huge milestones, and they’re worth celebrating every single time.

Sometimes, without realizing it, the owners are the ones carrying the past more than the dog is. Every introduction becomes, “He’s a rescue…” Every challenge is met with, “Well, he was abused…” Every setback gets tied back to a life the dog may not even remember the way we imagine. Meanwhile, the dog is simply looking to you for direction, leadership, and confidence. They aren’t asking to be defined by yesterday- they’re asking to know what today looks like.

That doesn’t mean we throw compassion out the window. Quite the opposite. Rescue dogs deserve endless patience, understanding, and grace. But they also deserve structure. They deserve boundaries. They deserve clear communication. They deserve someone who believes they’re capable of learning instead of assuming they’ll always be broken.

Some of the most confident, stable, incredible dogs I’ve ever worked with started out as rescues. They didn’t become successful because everyone focused on what happened before- they became successful because someone finally believed in what they could become.

You aren’t responsible for your dog’s past.

But you have the incredible privilege of shaping their future.

Be the chapter that teaches them the world can be safe again. Be the person who gives them confidence instead of pure pity. Be the reason they discover that life can be different now.

Your dog’s past is part of their story…

It doesn’t have to be their identity. 🐾♥️

— Kim (Kiki) Gronauer
Owner & Head Trainer
Professional Trainer & Canine Behaviorist

🐾Let’s do a big Kiki’s Canines update! ♥️First off… THANK YOU. 🥹❤️ You all have been keeping us BUSY!📚 Lessons have been...
07/30/2026

🐾Let’s do a big Kiki’s Canines update! ♥️

First off… THANK YOU. 🥹❤️ You all have been keeping us BUSY!

📚 Lessons have been absolutely amazing, and I’m still completely booked full! It’s been so much fun helping so many different teams reach their goals.

🎓 Dayschool has been POPPIN’ lately! We’ve had a wonderful mix of our regulars and bunch of new faces learning, playing, and building confidence every single day.

🏡 And the Dog House is still full of wagging tails! We’ve had some wonderful boarding guests staying with us, making new friends, enjoying group play, and settling right into farm life.

Between lessons, Dayschool, boarding, and all of the behind-the-scenes projects, it’s been nonstop around here - and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. ♥️

Here’s to many more happy pups, muddy paws, and making memories together! 🐶🌻🐾

🚨🐾 New Friend Alert! 🐾🚨Everyone meet Iko! ❤️He’s a BIG boy with an even bigger heart. 🥹 Giant paws, gentle soul, and alr...
07/30/2026

🚨🐾 New Friend Alert! 🐾🚨

Everyone meet Iko! ❤️

He’s a BIG boy with an even bigger heart. 🥹 Giant paws, gentle soul, and already making himself right at home with us. We can’t wait for all the adventures, naps, and fun this sweet guy has in store! 🐶❤️

Welcome to the Kiki’s Canines family, Iko! 🐾

07/26/2026

🐾 Where can I see your group play or videos of my dog while they are here?

Joey has you covered on his page! 🎥🐶

He posts group play videos almost every day over here on Hoosier Canine!

Be sure to check out this page for Kiki's Canines photos, updates, and information, but don't forget to then head over to Canine to catch all the fun videos on his stories! ❤️🐾

It’s checkout day around here for most of our pups! 🐾❤️After lots of zoomies, naps in the cold AC, group plays, belly ru...
07/26/2026

It’s checkout day around here for most of our pups! 🐾❤️

After lots of zoomies, naps in the cold AC, group plays, belly rubs, and making new friends, everyone starts heading home today!

It’s always bittersweet saying goodbye, but we absolutely love seeing all of our happy, tired pups head home to their families after a fun-filled stay. 🥹🐶

Thank you to everyone who trusted Kikis Canines with your best friend this week. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for their next adventure! 🐾❤️

Address

12125 Holly Lane
Orange, VA
22960

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+15405329021

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