Heather is the founder and owner of Tail Waggin’ Dog Training, based on Cape Cod, MA. Heather holds her Associates Degree in Business from The University of Southern Maine. Heather earned her Advanced Dog Educator/ Trainer certifications from Jo-Thors’ Dog Training Academy in Marietta, Georgia. Heather is a Certified Training Partner (CPT), certified Animal Training and Behavior specialist and is certified in the Puppy Start Right for Instructors program through Karen Pryor Academy. Heather is also a certified agility instructor through White Mountain Agility School. She is currently working towards a Fear Free Certification. In addition, Heather is a certified evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog certification.
Heather is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and continuously attends seminars and conferences such as the annual APDT Conference and Clicker Expo. Heather holds many medals, awards and ribbons from various competitions nationwide with her own dogs.
Heather is a devoted animal specialist and caring pet owner. She has been working with animals professionally for the past thirty years. A native Cape Codder, she currently has a Border Collie and a rescue Border Collie Mix, and lives in Brewster, MA with her husband and dogs.
Training Philosophy
“Training your dog is all about achieving a positive relationship between you and your dog and having fun while doing so,” says Heather.
Services
Private in-home consultations and training programs tailored to you and your dogs needs. Puppies, basic obedience, aggression, fear, dogs and children, separation anxiety, house training, destruction, barking, digging, handling, growling, jumping, mouthing, pulling on leash. Through positive reinforcement we will develop a plan to work through the behavioral issues you and your dog have.
Certifications
- KPA-CTP, Certified Training Partner (CPT)
- certified Animal Training and Behavior specialist
- certified in the Puppy Start Right for Instructors program through Karen Pryor Academy
- certified agility instructor through White Mountain Agility School
- certified evaluator for the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog certification
Specializations
- Puppy training
- basic obedience
- aggression
- fear
- dogs and children
- separation anxiety
- house training
- destruction
- barking
- digging
- handling
- growling
- jumping
- mouthing
- pulling on leash
- agility training
Training Methods
- science based behavior modification
- clicker training
- positive cues and reinforcement
Customer Reviews
Heather is WONDERFUL. We did a home training with her and after a mere hour, we’re already seeing progress with our baby Homer. Not only does she give you a bounty of amazing information, but she has a fabulous and fun personality that made the hour fly by. She is attentive, cares about your specific questions, and offers gentle feedback and adjustments to what you’re already doing to get your pup into the best behavior possible. I’m looking forward to signing up for manners classes with her soon! 10/10 would recommend!! – Katie W.
Excellent trainer! Uses positive methods and really loves dogs, big or small. We’ve attended her classes for our dogs – a Pom and a Lab mix. Highly recommend Heather! – Gwenn
Heather is a great trainer. She had many good pointers in my puppies success. Both Beau and Smokey are thankful for your help. I recommend her puppy Kindergarten. – Teri
Heather and Janice were awesome! My Pyr was fearful and shy, but they were so good at working with each dog in the class individually. They went over and above to make him feel safe in a new environment. Their teaching tactics are spot on, I don’t think there’s a better trainer on the Cape! – Marci
Heather is awesome and not only helped our new puppy learn how to be well mannered using positive methods, but she helped us as a family (our 6&2 yo came to class with us!) and as new dog owners to have confidence in our ability to welcome and control such a big dog into our lives… we keep her number close in case we ever need “a touch up” because we have 100% confidence in her being able to help us work through whatever comes our way as dog moms! Highly recommended! – Phoebe
Excellent puppy class and Heather and Co worker are Awesome – Dawn
Heather is a great trainer! My sheltie Minnie just got her Manners 1 diploma, and we are training for Manners 2 soon! A very positive and encouraging class! We will be back! – 2/6/21
We’ve been training with Heather over more than ten years. She was incredibly helpful with our old Sheepdog who had some unacceptable ideas about herding cars and people! We had fun and great success with basic obedience and later agility. Now we have a goofy sheepadoodle pup who is doing great in basic manners using her reward-based approach.
Heather runs classes that are just the right mix of demonstration and participation. Positive reinforcement only. We are happy and our dog is our friend. And it works! – Paula
Our Jazzy has gone for Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Manners I and currently is in Basic Manners II. Heather is an excellent and very skilled trainer for both Jazzy as well as us! Highly recommend her positive training style for all dogs. Her assistant Janice is also quite skilled and helpful in reinforcing the proper techniques. – Linda
Heather’s love of dogs really shows in the training and handling your dog and yourself will receive in her classes. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her knowledge of positive reinforcement training techniques is very impressive. My dogs and I have a great quality of life due in large part to Heather’s help. – R. Piquette
Heather is excellent! She helped my crazy pup in both puppy kindergarten and basic manners become a well mannered dog. With her guidance not only is he a well trained pup but I’m a better owner. – Ashling
Heather is a great trainer! Very skilled and compassionate. Willing to work out any issues you and your pup may be experiencing and always has great suggestions. Looking forward to the next class.– Darleen
