MIDDLEBURG – Tasley Wheeler started cleaning kennels at a guide dog facility in New York when she was 14. She worked with service dogs for the visually impaired, got her training certificate in New York and has worked with different species in training facilities.

“That’s when I decided to open Homemade Hounds in 2012,” she said.

Homemade Hounds is a boarding and training facility focused on low-cost training options, behavior modification, and socialization courses for families and animal rescue organizations.

“We really work with kids and families, women specifically. Women have different physical needs than men because we are built a little differently,” Wheeler said. “When you have a 120-pound dog pulling you across the street, that keeps you limited in your own brain as to what you can accomplish, so we would like to remove those obstacles.

“We focus more on women’s physicality and thought processes to give us good insight to really help women the edge up on these types of training.”

Wheeler and her staff work with dog owners of all ages to help build better relationships with their canines. It’s not about trying to overpower or control the dog, she said, but working with them to build their trust.

“We teach children how not to get bit, how to touch the dog the right way, how to read their body language. We are trying to keep everyone safe and happy and dogs in homes,” she said.

Homemade Hounds also works with local shelters, teaching obedience, socialization and a few fun tricks. The program not only helps the dog but improves the shelter environment.

“We have a very good relationship with Clay County Animal Services. We have a number of different rescue partners that we deal with who bring us the problem dogs or the dogs that need evaluation,” Wheeler said.

“You’d be surprised how easily my staff can build a good connection with the dog and find out what the problem actually is so we can recommend further on what kind of home they should go into.”

Homemade Hounds offers private lessons as well as group classes. They will also partner with other rescue organizations like Twisted Oaks Rescue to educate the public about dog handling and training at the Clay County Fair during Pet Adoption Day on Sunday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cattlemen’s Arena at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

“We’re specifically looking to bring out Clay County Animal Services, Twisted Oaks Rescue Services, and quite a few other animal-related places like Pet Supply Plus,” Wheeler said.

The Clay County Animal Services will also assist fair guests with dogs that need fur-ever homes and provide them information about medical care, such as low-cost spay and neuter, and all their other medical needs.

“It’s a wonderful time in rescue – I’ve been doing these 20-something years -- and it’s a really cool thing to see everyone come together to be a beacon of light for these animals,” Wheeler said.

Besides dogs, there will be a meet and greet and a trainer table where people can ask questions about the adoption process. Homemade Hounds will also be hosting a trick show for young owners and their loyal canines. The dog show will be held on Sunday, April 9, at noon.

“The whole point of the kid’s trick dog show is to give them the opportunity to show off their dogs and get them involved in dog training at a young age. That makes a huge difference later on,” she said.

To learn more about Homemade Hounds, call (904) 203-7314 or email them at www.homemadehounds.com.