Heather began her journey with dogs by fostering rescues from rural shelters, where they needed extensive training to find forever homes. She has worked through extensive behavior training and confidence-building with many of her personal dogs, allowing them to travel and compete in canine sports. Heather founded a non-profit rescue in 2010.
Training Philosophy
Heather’s training philosophy focuses on teaching dogs to make good choices on their own, using motivational methods, clear cues, and prioritizing the dog’s emotional state. She believes in a holistic approach to training, considering the whole dog and balancing their need to be dogs with navigating the human world.
Services
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Private Training Lessons:
Customizable lessons to address specific behavioral issues, obedience skills, advanced Nosework, IGP tracking, competition preparation, and more. Offered in person at her facility in Ben Lomond, CA, or online via Zoom.
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Puppy Primer Program:
Covers socialization, house/crate training, basic obedience skills, and building a strong partnership with your puppy. Offered in person at her facility or at your home in the Felton and Ben Lomond areas.
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Reactive Dog Program:
Designed to help dogs who react to other dogs with barking, lunging, or aggression. Includes behavior modification and obedience skills to help dogs feel better about seeing other dogs. Offered in person, online, or as a hybrid program.
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Cooperative Care Training Program:
Teaches dogs to cooperate with handling for grooming, veterinary care, and other procedures. Offered in person, online, or as a hybrid program.
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The Crag Dog Online Training Course:
Specifically designed for climbers who want to train their dogs to be great companions on climbing adventures. Covers communication, safety, and relationship building, as well as practical skills for navigating rugged terrain.
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Remote/Online Training:
Offers individual Zoom sessions, video reviews, training summaries, and ongoing support via email and text.
Certifications
Heather is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). She is also a regular attendee at seminars and study programs to continue her education.
Specializations
Heather specializes in working with dogs that are dog reactive/aggressive, precision heeling for competition, and engagement/focus around distractions. She also has experience with puppy foundations, socialization, communication, relationship building, and competition training.
Training Methods
Heather uses motivational methods, clear cues, and marker words like “YES” to mark correct behavior. She prioritizes reading the dog’s body language and creating a positive learning environment. Her training methods are based on modern cognitive science and neuroplasticity.
