The Heeling Shepherd

08/09/2026

07/15/2026

Client demo videos: Pepper’s version 🌶️

07/03/2026

Swipe for the cutest head tilt from Franklin the dog➡️

Now that I have your attention, I hope you have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend!

Don’t forget to leash those dogs - they don’t know what the scary boom booms are for 💥

06/30/2026

Our biggest sale yet!

This one is close to my heart. After losing Isa in January, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give for one more walk with her.

Leash walking skills are something I implemented early with Isa, and I enjoyed eight years of beautiful walks with my devoted companion by my side, through so many states, trails, and travels.

I hope everyone gets to experience that with their dog. Whether you want to tackle the local trails or master the neighborhood loop, I want you to love your walks!

For the month of July only, get a free follow up session with the purchase of 1 private lesson for leash walking!

Availability is limited, so send me a message or go to theheelingshepherd.com to inquire today.

06/12/2026

This is what so many pet owners and trainers miss…

Your history of training dogs is only relevant to a point where the dog in front of you is concerned. Whether you’ve owned dogs for 20 years, or even if you travel to homes and teach folks how to live well with dogs.

There are many “cookie cutter” training programs out there that take your dog through a set number of skills, use predetermined tools, and promise your dog to be trained in two weeks.

But the dog in front of you may not subscribe to that. As a trainer and a pet owner, having a diverse set of skills and tools at my disposal means I can create a unique behavior plan for YOUR dog in YOUR situation.

Sometimes that includes trial and error. Trying out new tools. Taking things slower or moving on quicker, depending on the dog and human.

Pepper is a great example of this. She will be a different dog in a year. She came to me as half the dog she is today.
She was crate trained by just plopping her in. For her, the crate was safer than the outside world.
She doesn’t have much for manners on leash - we’re prioritizing engagement and joy.
She’s not off-leash trained yet - IYKYK 😂 slow and steady with this one.

If I were to take her on the same journey as, say, Tigo, she would turn out just a mess. Much in the same way that different meals come from different ingredients, and require different cook time.

When I’m baking a Pepper pie, I have to look at what I have and where it’s reasonable for her to go.

So I won’t shy away from a harness, or a head halter, or an ecollar, or make these generalizing sweeping statements against a tool or method.

Because I know I’ll run into a dog that is just bound to turn that on its head, and I am willing to be changed by them.

05/27/2026

Toby is a young boy whose howls and barks have been known to echo through the neighborhood. He’s been uncontrollable to the point of some serious behavior concerns.

Even with the intervention of several other trainers, Toby’s people were at a loss of how to handle this rambunctious teenager.

I’ve been working with Toby for a few months now and here are a few crucial pieces of the puzzle for changing his ways:

⭐️ confidence building: Toby was confused and unsure about how to handle any changes in his life or routine. Celebrating all of his wins, helping him feel safe when he’s unsure. Setting him up for “conquerable challenges.”

⭐️ boundaries: you cannot ignore someone when they’re calling you back. You cannot load up and explode when challenges come your way. When you follow guidance, you earn more freedom.

⭐️ appropriate outlets: fun walks. Novel experiences. Running. Play. Food searches. Giving Toby appropriate ways to be a dog makes it so much more reasonable to ask him to get through difficult experiences.

Every dog grows and changes through behavioral challenges in their own special way. Toby was struggling in a lot of ways, and he’s so lucky to have a dedicated family to help him show up as his best self.

05/19/2026

We’re baaaaack!

Officially back to training dogs and their people this week - starting off with Curtis!

This little doodle guy tried to bite me several times our first session just for existing in the same space as him. How dare I.

Turns out, sweet Curtis was struggling with some insecurities after recent life changes, and he was choosing some not-so-polite ways to cry for help.

Not every dog progresses as quick as Curtis, but I helped his very dedicated owner set up a better greeting strategy - add in some confidence building and boundaries, and we have a whole new Curtis these days.

Excited to be back to it! ✨