Austin, TX
Diana Gail Smith
Diana Smith has over 25 years of training experience and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She has over 2,000 hours of study with some of the world's leading dog behaviorists including Dr. Ian Dunbar, John Fisher, and John Rogerson. These course studies focused on treatment programs for separation anxiety, phobias, aggression issues (over ten types), obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as genetic and medical influences on these problems. As a charter member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the largest international body of dog trainers, she has also provided an additional venue for continuing education and professional support.
In addition, Diana has worked with local animal shelters and rescue groups to train volunteers on temperament testing and behavior management. Most notable of these is the Austin Humane Society’s Behavior Rehoming Adoption Training Team (BRATT) which is still being used today. Diana is a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator and holds classes and tests for this program several times a year. Diana has also shown dogs competitively in obedience, agility, rally, conformation, field trials, and working trials and holds several titles.
Diana developed Club Pup Kids and Dogs Camp--the largest and longest running kids with dogs camp nationwide and Austin's favorite summer program for children and teenagers with their dogs.
Training Philosophy
Our methodology in all our training programs fosters quality relationships between human and canine family members. Whether you have a new puppy, adopted dog, or boisterous adolescent, we can give you the insights & strategies that will help you deal with problems such as barking, digging, chewing, housetraining, running off, jumping up, and more. We want to help you keep your dog and have a quality relationship so you’ll be happy & “Together for life.”
Services
Hearts and Paws offers everything from basic obedience training to dog sports.
We offer Multiple Training Programs as well as Boarding & Daycare for all our Doggo Clients
Our reward-based dog training programs are with Certified Professional Dog Trainers. We also offer dog behavior counseling to address specific problem behaviors, and dog boarding & daycare for all our doggo clients. You can also pursue advanced training classes for your talented pup in our group classes or private lessons
Training Programs >
Boarding & Daycare >
There’s something for every dog at Hearts & Paws
Current Classes
See the full schedule of Hearts and Paws class offerings
Daycare and Boarding
Your dog will have fun and be well cared for when you are away
Private Lessons
Flexible training sessions here, your home, or a combination of both!
Board & Train
Go on vacation and come back to a brilliant best friend
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Learn & Play
Thoughtfully assembled Daycare & Boarding Playgroups are where your dog makes friends!
Coming Soon
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Coming Soon 〰️
Kids & dogs team up for training & fun at Club Pup Camp!
Certifications
Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator
Specializations
obedience training, puppy training, agility training, dog sports, behavior counseling, boarding & daycare, Club Pup Kids and Dogs Camp
Training Methods
reward-based training, positive reinforcement
Customer Reviews
Maureen
“My puppy has been here a few time for doggie daycare. They always seem to remember her - and are enthusiastic to see her! Makes me feel so good! I just boarded her for the first time this weekend - when I picked her up she was tired - which means happy! Thank you for taking such good care of my girl Sydney!”
Elisa
“We took our puppies through the puppy course and through basic obedience. We receive compliments all the time about how well behaved our dogs are. I know it’s because of the great foundation they received from Hearts and Paws.”
Kim
I have had a number of dogs go through training at Hearts and Paws over the years they've been in business, and have been uniformly pleased with the result. No matter the type of dog, Diana can reach them and get on their wavelength for training. I have also made extensive use of the daycare and boarding facilities. I've been very satisfied with those services as well. I would recommend Hearts and Paws to any of my friends with dogs!
Cynthia
“We absolutely love Hearts and Paws. My daughter attended camp there last summer and begged to go back -- so she wound up there for three weeks, and they were three of the best weeks of summer ever. Our Lab came out much improved in terms of obedience, and the bond between my daughter and Lab is very real. Everyone there is very caring. “
Renée
“Bella and Harry (the very bad dog) both enjoyed camp at Hearts and Paws so much. Bella says it was her favorite camp ever, and we have to admit both her and the dog learned a lot. We never thought that little dig with a bad attitude would be such a champ at being trained. And teachable. Not sure which one learned more. Great job with communication as well. We will be back for many summers to come!”
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Social Media Links
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Media Appearances
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
