Name:
Heather Furby
History:
Heather Furby started training dogs over 40 years ago. Much of the time was helping her own dogs, as well as friends and family, but in 2010, she completed a service dog trainer program through Bergin University of Canine Studies, taught directly by Dr. Bonita (Bonnie) Bergin, widely known as the woman to bring service dog training to the United States. Heather’s love of the human-canine relationship was finally put into practice.
Heather brings a diverse background to dog training which gives her a unique perspective and ability to speak both human and dog!
She spent 25 years in the human development and communication fields, which allowed her to sharpen her ability to understand individual needs while effectively communicating training strategies. She makes the process fun, easy to implement and clients see positive results.
Heather also brings years of experience working with individuals with varying physical, emotional and cognitive abilities. This adds to her unique approach to dog training because she has a deep understanding of the subtleties of movement and body language (and that’s the language of dogs!) She is sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of both dogs and owners that may be contributing to the dog’s behavior problems. She can recommend games and exercises that improve the overall well-being of both dog and human.
Training Philosophy:
Heather believes in wearing Awesome Socks, finding sense in the mysterious things in life and celebrating all our differences, no matter what. QED. Woof.
Casa Luna Canines uses an innovative, games-based approach to dog training and behavior modification. Our background is in Service Dog Training, so we employ those same training techniques. Our goal is to help you understand the way your dog looks at, and reacts to, the world. This means YOU learn to train your dog for new tasks and tricks and will not be dependent on outside trainers for every new situation. Ultimately, dog obedience is about the relationship between dog and human, whether you want to train for companionship, show, sports or security.
Our primary training methods focus on canine cognition (developing the dog’s mind) taught through motivation, positive reinforcement and operant conditioning. We believe that anyone who chooses to have a dog as part of their life must help that dog to do its best to fit into human society and culture. We approach this with (literally) fun and games. We stay away from labels, assumptions and formulas and help you decode your dog’s behavior so they make the best decisions to be Calm. Confident. Connected.
Services:
Casa Luna Canines offers a variety of dog training services, including:
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Semi-Private Group Dog Training Classes:
Doggie Decorum, our signature behavior based training class. It is for dogs who:
- Are 6 months or older
- Have the self control to be around other dogs (but they don’t need to be perfect, just no display of aggressive behaviors or excessive barking)
- Are up to date on all vaccinations
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Private Training:
Private training is perfect for you and your dog if:
- Either of you are not ready for group interaction
- Your dog shows any kind of aggressive behavior towards other dogs or humans,
- Your dog is not ready to settle down in a new environment,
- Or simply if you’re not in the area (lessons can be taught virtually).
- It’s also great if you have specific skills you want to work on and want the one-on-one time with a trainer, for families who want everyone involved in the training and relationship building AND for mulit-dog households.
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Puppy Training:
Did you just bring a new puppy into your house? Maybe it’s your first pup, or first pup in a while, or perhaps you added to your pack!
- The first months of your dog’s life have a lasting impact on behavior.
- It’s imperative to start as early as possible to shape your dog’s brain. The more they learn good behavior, and don’t have time to practice the bad behaviors, the easier it will be to fall in love with your dog and have a lasting relationship!
- We offer WagTime for Puppies (Currently postponed) and Puppy Power Enrichment (10 weeks to 6 months).
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Online Courses:
We’re here. You’re there. (Or maybe you’re here, too, but can’t come to a class!) Don’t let that stop you. Our goal is to help humans learn to understand ‘dog’ and feel equipped to teach your buddy new tricks and tips in any situation. Online courses offer you the chance to learn from the comfort of…anywhere!
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Country Obstacle Course:
Our Country Obstacle Course will be open in early 2024. We are so excited to get this started for you and your dog.
- The obstacle course is similar to agility, but not a recognized, certified, or sanctioned dog club event. It will be outdoors and available to everyone – no matter dog breed human knowledge! It is a course built on accuracy, real life obstacles and fun. We’ll leave speed to the agility folks. This is designed to help you and your dog bond, have an activity to do and learn the world is your playground.
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Canine Good Citizen Evaluation (CGC):
Prove to the world your dog is a reliable family and community member!
- AKC Family Dog is a comprehensive good manners program for all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. While participating in enjoyable activities that are fun for both dogs and people, dogs become well-socialized and develop a lifelong bond with their owners. The result is a dog that any owner can be proud to take into the community.
- Heather Furby, owner of Casa Luna Canines, is an evaluator for the core group of Family Dog Programs for Canine Good Citizen (CGC).
- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy – our Puppy Power Enrichment Course qualifies for the required training
- Canine Good Citizen (CGC) – No class requirement, but our Doggie Decorum Class will help you prepare, if needed or desired.
- AKC Community Canine (Advanced)
- AKC Urban CGC (Advanced)
Certifications:
Heather is an approved AKC Family Dog Evaluator which includes AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, and AKC Urban CGC.
Specializations:
Service Dog Training, Puppy Training, Behavior Modification, Obedience Training, Canine Good Citizen Evaluation
Training Methods:
Casa Luna Canines uses non-aversive methods such as verbal markers (Yes! Good Dog!), physical cues (hand signals, clickers, whistles), luring, targeting and problem solving. Leash corrections are rarely used. No e-collars or pinch collars are used…ever. Never. EVER. Woof.
Customer Reviews:
RASCAL
Heather has taught us the necessary techniques to correct Rascal’s negatively-reactive behavior around people and other dogs. Her positive, supportive approach makes training fun. Thanks to her, Rascal is now calmer and less fearful in new situations.
— Renee Jolivette and Skip Hendricks
SIERRA
Thank you!! We just got back from our walk and she did amazing in and out of the house, and the gate! She stayed inside the open gate until we told her she could go. She’s doing so great! We are grateful for you!!
— Michelle Freschi and Brandon Smith
JACK
We were having training issues with our pup. We took two other dog training courses with two different trainers and were so disappointed. We luckily found Heather with Casa Luna Canines through a referral and what a difference she has made!
We have taken one group class with Heather and a package of training sessions, and we are so happy with the results. She is so knowledgeable and loves what she does. She not only loves dogs but trains both the dog and the dog owner!
— Lori Cavenaugh
SANDY
Casa Luna canines helped me last year with training procedures for a very large over active Tervuren puppy. Heather Furby knows dogs & is wonderful with all breeds!!!
— Penelope Curtis
GRIZZ
DescriptionI’m seriously SO lucky to have found Heather to help pet sit my dog, Grizz. She is such an amazing person who really cares about her clients and always has your animal’s care as her top priority…Her background in dog training is really beneficial since Grizz has some behavioral issues. I was able to check out her place before Grizz’s first stay there, and let me tell you, Heather’s property is like heaven on Earth for a dog. There are lots of dog runs for the pups to play around in, and the whole property provides good shade so I never have to worry about Grizz overheating since he’s got a lot of fur. As long as I’m living in the Grass Valley area, Heather will always be my go-to sitter!
— Zachariah Fissel
THEO
I took my rescue dog to Casa Luna Canines for a CGC class and we both had a great experience! Heather is focused on developing the relationship you have with your dog and not just teaching simple commands, so that both owner and dog develop trusting relationship which makes it easy to develop the skills needed by both to continue to learn and grow.
— Gayle Baker and Eric Meinke
