Cirius Kennels is a family owned dog kennel located in Stormville, NY about 70 miles north of New York City in Dutchess County of the Hudson Valley Region.  We are currently raising our kennel of Labrador Retrievers who are used for hunting, search and rescue, and therapy work.  Brian and Jennifer are both Cornell University Graduates with a BS in Animal Science.  We offer dog training for all breeds of dogs and other services in Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan Counties.  We have black and yellow Labrador Retriever puppies ready to go home by the middle of September.

All Pups are in their homes happy and healthy.
Thank you to everyone that showed an interest.
We are anticipating a litter for summer 2009 with Candy and Trek.
The litter will be black and chocolate.
Please contact us via e-mail or phone if you are
interested in reserving a labrador retriever puppy for the upcoming litter.

Join us for "Books with Boomer"
During the months of June and July, Boomer will be at the East Fishkill Public Library for a reading program with school age children.  You can register online for your one-on-one time with Boomer and his handler.

The program is open to children in grades 2-5 that would like to spend time reading a story with Boomer and his handler.  The goal is to help children develop a love for reading.  Books with Boomer is modeled after various reading programs that have been developed to help children gain confidence reading and improve their literacy skills over time. Boomer is a trained and certified therapy dog who loves to be around children. The program utilizes dogs because they are do not judge, criticize or laugh.  The dogs are less intimidating than peers but still allow the child time to read out loud with someone present to help them through trouble spots in a book.  The children that participate in the program will develop increased self confidence over time, improve literacy skills and hopefully learn that reading is enjoyable because they have a "friend" to sit and listen to them read at their own pace.

The children can sign up for a 15 minute slot to read to Boomer.  They can bring their own books or use one from the library.  You may sign up as many times throughout the month as you wish.

You can read more about some of the reading programs that exist across the country:

• Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) - informational brochure (pdf)

• Sit-Stay-Read - program in Chicago

• Tail Waggin' Tutors - Therapy Dogs International

• What are all these dogs doing at school?

• Reading with Rover

• Paws for Reading

Make a Wish Fundraiser - Sept. 15, 2007 at Winterton Day Spa in Bloomingburg, NY
Boomer, Candy and Trek spent the afternoon putting on a demos of retrieving, tracking and more to raise money for the Make a Wish foundation.  View some of the great pictures of the kids throwing bumpers with Boomer at the event.   
 

We offer a variety of services including:

• Obedience training - all breeds of dogs at various levels and needs from personal pets and AKC obedience training to dogs with behavior problems
• AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification
• Therapy Dog and Assistance Dog Training - We trained the first assistance dog for the Epilepsy Society of Southern New York. View the billboard of Hope and Sean for the Epilepsy Awareness Campaign.
• Premium Quality Dog Food Sales
• Tracking/Searching Techniques
• Therapy Dog Services - Registered with The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs

Training tip:  For all of you that bought or received one of those adorable winter puppies, this summer/fall is a great time to start training your pup.  Most puppies are capable of beginning basic training at the age of 5-6 months old depending on the individual.  Don't wait until too many bad habits have developed before you think about training your new pup. By starting at an early age, you can avoid frustration and anxiety and will be on your way to an enjoyable partnership. 

Call or e-mail us today to discuss your needs and meet with us for a free evaluation.