About Rock’s Holistic Hounds & Humans

Who runs it

Rock's Holistic Hounds & Humans, which the site abbreviates to RH3, was founded by Shawna Rocknich. She writes that she brings "15 years of experience, a psychology degree, and professional certification through the International School for Certified Dog Trainers," and that she has "volunteered for local shelters training and fostering all types of dogs". Her listed education and credentials also include Pet Food Nutrition Specialist, Canine Massage Practitioner, Licensed Professional Counselor, and certificates in homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy. These are claims made on her own site.

How the training is described

Her stated approach is unambiguous: "My training style is to employ force free methods through positive reinforcement." She also names a specialty: "While I enjoy working with all dogs with all types of issues, my specialty is puppies. You never get a second chance to make a first impression on puppy development." The holistic side is presented as feeding back into the training rather than replacing it, in her summary line "a dog who doesn't feel well, doesn't train well."

What is offered, and at what price

The bookable list is short and priced. A six-week basic obedience class for dogs five months and up is $210. A holistic dog training private lesson, described as "Force-free training focusing upon the whole dog", is $70 for an hour. A free ten-minute phone consultation is offered first. Alongside the training sit canine nutrition consultations, canine homeopathic consultations, and holistic counseling for humans; those are not dog training.

Practical details and one caution

Services may be delivered virtually, in your home, at Pet Supplies Plus, or at Wholi-Moli in Barboursville, and the site notes that "Mileage fees may apply"; the dog training classes are held at Pet Supplies Plus. Note that the site also carries strong views on raw feeding and on vaccination, and that its own disclaimer states she is "not a veterinarian or physician" and that "Consultation with your veterinarian and primary health care provider should precede an agreement to receive services". Health decisions belong with your vet; the training is the part this directory lists.