Welcome to Heather Pope Training!
Since this is my first blog, I would like to welcome you all and say thank you for being here!
Let me start by getting some basics about my training philosophies and expectations out of the way. The foundation of my training philosophy revolves around my belief that all dogs are unique and should be trained as such. There are so many training methodologies out there and each has a place in the training world. However, there is no ONE training method that works for EVERY dog. Some dogs are treat-motivated while others could care less about food. There are dogs who will do back flips for a tennis ball or a game of tug, but some have absolutely no toy drive whatsoever. There are even those sweet angels who will do anything you ask solely for your approval and a pat on the head. What’s your point, Heather? Well, my point is that every dog is different. It is my job as a trainer to figure out what it is that gets your dog motivated to work for you and which training methods are most effective for you and your individual dog.
You read that correctly. I said “…for you and your dog.” I am not only here to train your dog, but also - scratch that - more so, to train you. You are not off the hook here. I mentioned expectations earlier, so here they are:
Commitment. No dog quirk develops overnight, so don’t expect it to be resolved overnight. I am committed to your team’s success and am in this to see you both succeed. I expect the same commitment from you. If we train together, we are a team and we all have to put in the work.
Patience. We live in a world where everything is immediate. Training is not. Be patient with your dog and stop what you are doing if you find yourself getting frustrated. The goal here is to have fun. If you are frustrated, your dog will sense it and neither of you will enjoy training. I am here to help you know when it is time to step away and regroup.
Consistency. Dogs thrive with consistency and training will fail without it. All I can do is give you the tools to accomplish your goals. It is your job as the most crucial part of this team to be consistent in using those tools in everyday life and standing strong with your rules and boundaries.
So there you have it, folks! These are my core beliefs when it comes to training. We all have a role to play and I am committed to helping you succeed in your training goals. If you like what you have read and are ready to get started, get in touch with me and let’s go!
- Heather Pope