I can't wait to help you and your dog!
My passion is for helping people train their dog to be great family pets and to have the most fun with dog agility!
ABOUT HEATHER
My story began when I was just 6 years old.
My family got a golden retriever that my brother named Sparky. We all still talk about him as the best dog that ever lived.
My love of animals was really fostered by my mom who brought all kinds of critters into our lives when my sister, brother, and I were kids. We had dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits...and the list goes on.
I loved animals so much I went to school for wildlife biology and animal behavior. I just wanted to be with animals and be outside every day.
I also discovered I enjoyed teaching people when I worked for the Buffalo Science Museum as their outreach and science camp teacher. So I continued my schooling to become a certified teacher for 7th-12th grade biology and general science.
Instead of ending up a school teacher, I went to work for the federal government as a wildlife biologist. I had a great time working all over the country and life was good.
I HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME, BUT...
Then I hit this life-changing moment.
I adopted my dog Sadie. She was a black lab/chow/shepherd mix that destroyed everything when left alone and had a penchant for killing squirrels. She led my search for dog training methods that work. And I tried it ALL!
Nothing worked or made sense until I discovered clicker training and other positive training methods. Sadie became a well behaved dog that I could travel and adventure with for many years. (...and squirrels became safe again!) And I became passionate about sharing this knowledge with other dog owners.
I went through the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior and became a certified dog trainer. I've now been training dogs and teaching people as a professional dog trainer since 2008. I continue my education and love learning new things and keeping my skills current.
I'm also a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor, which means I've been through a rigorous program to learn how to help dogs who are fearful, aggressive, anxious, and reactive through the most natural way that dogs learn.
I've put my two passions together - my love for animals through training dogs and the joy I find in teaching people! I've helped hundreds of dog owners, just like you, train their dogs so they listen and make great family pets.
Dog Agility also become a passion of mine and that's a whole other story I'll share on another page.
I can't wait to help you and your dog or puppy have a great life together!
