Des Moines, IA
Haylee (Hayl) E. Bergeland
Haylee Bergeland, also known as Hayl, founded the Iowa Human-Animal Bond Society (IHABS) in 2018. She built upon her experience in the human services industry, combining her passion for the human-animal bond with her background as a certified professional animal trainer and behavior consultant. IHABS grew from her previous work with The Hound Society, LLC, an animal training and behavior consulting business she owned, and her years of experience as a therapy canine team.
Training Philosophy
Haylee is a force-free, fear-free, pain-free, and coercion-free trainer. She focuses on positive reinforcement, antecedent and environmental control and manipulations, and mutual understanding. Her goal is to create long-lasting, trusting relationships with canine companions, built on a foundation of positive, practical and science-based learning theories. She implements her training philosophy called Stress Prevention Training, giving clients the knowledge they need to ensure their dog is happy, healthy and successful in every day life.
Services
IHABS offers a variety of services, including:
- Therapy Animal Training & Registration: IHABS provides training and registration for therapy animals, including both professional certification and volunteer-based programs.
- Group Canine Training Classes, Seminars and Workshops: IHABS offers group classes, seminars, and workshops on various dog training topics.
- Private Lessons: Haylee offers private lessons for individuals looking for personalized training for their dogs.
- Behavior Consults: Haylee provides behavior consultations to help owners address specific behavioral issues in their dogs.
- De-Stress Program: IHABS offers a De-Stress & Support Program, providing registered therapy animals for sessions of comfort, support, relaxation and de-stressing for businesses, colleges, and schools.
- Reading Assistance & Sensory Sensitive Activities: IHABS partners with local libraries and schools to offer programs that encourage reading, writing, and studying skills as well as enhance sensory activities, gross and fine motor skills, and other developmental and learning experiences.
- Be a Tree Program: IHABS offers a dog bite prevention program for school-age children, parents, and staff, teaching children how to read dog body language and how to act safely around dogs.
- Crisis Intervention & Response Canines: IHABS has created a Crisis Intervention & Response Canines program to provide specially trained human-canine response teams to those impacted by crises, trauma, and disasters.
Certifications
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA)
- Associate Member of Animal Assisted Intervention International (AAII)
- Certified in Mental Health First Aid
- Certificate in Psychological First Aid
- Registered Behavior Technician (ABA) through the BACB
- Diploma in Veterinary Assistance
- Fear-Free Certified Animal Trainer
- Licensed Be a Tree Program Presenter (Doggone Safe)
- Certificate from Karen Pryor Academy in Shelter Training and Enrichment
- Previous Professional & Supporting Member of both the APDT & IAABC
- Canine Good Citizen evaluator
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Specializations
Haylee specializes in:
- Therapy Animal Training: Training and registering therapy animals for various settings.
- Positive Reinforcement Training: Using positive reinforcement methods to train dogs.
- Behavior Modification: Addressing and modifying unwanted behaviors in dogs.
- Stress Prevention Training: Helping dogs navigate the human world with confidence.
- Animal Assisted Interventions: Utilizing animals to provide therapeutic benefits in various settings.
Training Methods
Haylee uses positive reinforcement training methods, focusing on rewarding desired behaviors and ignoring or redirecting unwanted behaviors. She also incorporates antecedent and environmental control and manipulations to help dogs succeed in various situations.
Social Media Links
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Media Appearances
Haylee is the Editor of Pet Health and Behavior for Daily Paws and was previously the Animal Behavior and Training Consultant for Happy Paws magazine (Fear Free Pets).
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.
