Dog Training and Puppy Training in the Columbia and Lexington Area
Adventures With Snickers
Adventures With Snickers
It has been 15 years since we had a puppy! Wanting to return to the breed we love and have had the most of over the years, golden retriever. The choice was one from Topbrass Kennel dominant breeder of field golden retrievers in the country, we share his puppyhood. Top Brass Packed Full of Nuts aka Snickers was picked up from Iowa October 2022. He was the most precocious 8 week old puppy we ever met...and he still is precocious! Many of you have been following this journey and laughed and aawww right along with us as Snickers grows up. He is with us at the store and now he is learning to greet people without being so rambunctious. He is still months away from being an official greeter in the store so when you come in you may be "used" to train Snickers. He is in his crate when we are busy and cannot watch him, he does not bark, he is learning to be away from us ( avoiding separation anxiety) and crate time keeps him out of mischief. At home we have more time to watch him so he is out of the crate more, but not 100% of the time. When he is out of the crate we are teaching him what he can and cannot have or do when loose in the house. Yes, it's a lot of repetition and sometimes aggravating but you have a young puppy just learning the rules. As Snickers matures and we can start giving him more unsupervised time, he will know what to do (and not do!). But that is not in the near future for Snickers. It's a great way to brighten up your day with a visit to Snickers FB page, click on link below. We are having a blast and glad we can share it with you.
How to raise a puppy
Love is the easy part when getting a puppy. Least stressful way to housebreak is a crate. We have a free article on our website, click on drop down menu and select Crate Training Your Puppy. It is guidelines to help you through the first few months. Your crate is also used to keep puppy safe when you cannot watch them, even when you are at home! Pup should be in crate when you are distracted, pup is out of crate when you are able to have eyes on him/her at all times. Crating also teaches your pup to be independent, not always having to be by a humans side. This will help avoid separation anxiety. Especially people who work from home, you think pup needs to be out with you all the time. First of all you cannot watch them all the time! You have work to do so pup can be in the crate then come out when you have a break.
First 6-7 months of pups life is so important. Puppy imprinting is about you and pup bonding. If you only have one pup it is easier because he/she gets all the attention. If you have other dogs make sure the pup gets one on one time with the humans and not always with the other dogs. In the past we let an older dog play with a pup for one hour a day till 6-7 months old. After that pup can hang out with anyone in the "pack". Doesn't mean the puppy is ready to run free in the house - you still have a very young puppy! The link below takes you to our puppy's FB page- Adventures with Snickers. Check out the posts of what he does.
Get your puppy out in public
We hear people with puppies, in regards to training, say "I didn't do anything - I didn't want to mess him/her up". It's actually hard to mess up a puppy in normal situations. Besides training- a huge necessity for puppies is to explore the big wide world. Before they have all their puppy boosters you can still get them out. Sitting in your front yard and letting them hear and see everything going by in the neighborhood. Visiting friends and family, going to parks when less crowded. Walk over different surfaces, rocks, grates, logs/branches. The skys the limit once all boosters are done. Spring events, ballfields, stores- you don't have to go in just walking around busy areas helps. The more they see, hear, smell, touch the more confident pup you will have. The link below takes you to our puppy's FB page - Adventures with Snickers. Check out the posts of what he does.
Dog Food & CBD Products For Dog
Apex Dog Food
Why Apex?
- Our Holistic Approach.
Out with the Bad. In with the Good. - Our foods contain no corn, wheat, soy or by-products and are naturally preserved with Vitamin E. No chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin are used.
Great for sensitive skin and stomachs.
Formulated to reduce shedding. - Comes in Chicken, Lamb and Salmon
- 5lb.. 15lb., and 30lb. bags
CBD Products For Dogs
CBD Products For Dogs
- CBD by Honest Paws helps with Nervous and Anxious Behavior. Fear of Thunder and Fireworks. Travel Stress. Joint Health. Seasonal Allergies and more. CBD works with the endocannabinoid system, which all humans and animals have. CBD helps the system promote balance in the body for mental and physical health. A variety of choices to use CBD oil include soft chews, tincture(oil), peanut butter, coconut oil, and biscuit.
Our Training Building
Our Store
Welcome To Our Store
The store is now OPEN !
Wednesday - Friday 11:00 AM. - 7:00 PM.
Saturday - 9:00 AM. - 3:PM.
Closed Sunday, Monday &Tuesday
Treats, Grooming Supplies, Training Equipment, Crates, Ex Pens, Collars, Leashes and More...
The Leash Connection 1616 West Main Street, Lexington
803-318-9601
It's "Woof" a Visit!
Our Staff Knows The Products We Sell
After 45 years of training dogs, competing at obedience trials and selling products at major dog shows in the southeast we have the knowledge to help you find solutions to your problems.
Best Prices Period
If you live in Lexington or West Columbia and want to save MONEY on your dog supplies then you owe it to yourself to stop in and compare our prices.
It's "Woof" a Visit!
About Richard
Richard Martinez & SPECIAL
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
Richard Martinez & SPECIAL
If you have dog attention how hard can it be to train your dog. Have fun training don't look at it as a chore. Make it a way of life.
Doing Bite Work With DOC
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
Richard Martinez & SPECIAL
Obedience is the key to any sport that you will do with your dog. Notice how controlled this dog is doing a hold and bark. (OBEDIENCE)
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
Judge giving instructions for the drop on recall.
Herding With TY
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
San Bernardino, California Gaines Tournament With SUNDANCE
Working on "Come Bye" & "Away To Me" (Direction)
Stick Jumping With SPECIAL
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
Having fun with Special.
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
Teaching ALCAPONY To Lie Down On Command
You don't train a half ton flight animal
who could kill you in the blink of an eye.You prove to him he can trust you more than his own instincts.
About Us
Meet Your Instructor
Carmen and Richard have been training dogs for over 50 years. In 1976, starting like everyone trying to get your dog to mind you, Richard discovered his true talent working with dogs. Carmen then learned from Richard and they have been helping dog owners through The Leash Connection since 1985. Before the internet (shock! the internet has not always existed?!) we sold supplies at AKC dog shows throughout the southeast. Being at the shows allowed Richard to compete at obedience trials offered at same location as conformation shows. Richard also competed nationally at Gaines events in 1980's and 90's. As the internet evolved the need for supply vendors at dog shows decreased. We did develop a website and was online selling supplies for 20 years. We also were no longer traveling to shows and focused more on training. Basic obedience, aggressive dogs, field dog training, Schutzhund work, herding dogs. All that work has led to a vast knowledge of training and we look forward to sharing it with you in our group classes. Teaching you to become a strong leader of the pack is our goal.
Come train. It's "Woof" a Visit!
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
After finishing class at any time you find yourself having a question or a problem give us a call and we will get you back on
track with your training program.
Thank You For Your Support
The Leash Connection
803-318-9601
