“I would absolutely recommend Heather for anything related to dog-training regardless of the level or degree! Heather has proven not only to prepare dogs for basic obedience training, but also for the “show ring” as well as other aspects/categories!

My experience includes being around many high-level dog trainers and show people over the years. I’ve owned a grand champion mastiff that was in magazines, always at the top in “points” and one of the best of his time placing ‘select’ out of 22 dogs at the televised Westminster dog show!

That stated, in the “show dog” world there is no room for mediocrity - We want only the best to prepare our dogs for manners/socialization as well as competition! Thus, while making the choice for trainers with my latest dogs, I monitored all the recognized handlers/trainers for over a year! I collected opinions, reviews and anything that would help prepare us for the next rounds of competition and Heather consistently caught my attention! Her extremely professional conduct and seemingly unrelenting passion for all of her “babies” regardless of whether they were pets, show dogs or both is second to none!

Thus, after traveling from Texas to meet with Heather, my hopes were immediately solidified! Astonishingly, what impressed me almost as much as Heather’s expertise with the dogs was her unique ability to guide me in such a gentle, intelligible and refreshing manner!

This combination of outstanding skills and warm, communicative personality is very rare in any industry! Needless to say, I’m glad I waited patiently and purposefully selected Heather - Without a second thought, she will be my first-pick trainer/handler going forward!”

“I met Heather Pope in 2017 when I was looking for a trainer for my Australian Shepherd puppy. I wanted a trainer that would be able to work well with a high-strung and highly intelligent breed.

While I have had other dogs of various breeds and mixes, Blue was my first Australian Shepherd and I knew that I would need help in learning the best way to partner and communicate with a breed that was purposely bred to make their own decisions and that would also need constant activity and regularly presented with new things to learn.

Heather Pope was the perfect choice for training Blue. From the very beginning, you could see Heather carefully watching Blue’s reactions as she tried different approaches until Heather narrowed in on what Blue responded to the best. Heather has always been willing to take time to talk to me about Blue’s training and when talking to her, she is genuinely just as excited and caring about your dog as you are. Anything that I have been curious about trying with Blue, Heather has been right there with encouragement and tips on different things to try and how to try them. Heather has worked with Blue for Agility and Scent Tracking in addition to introducing her to some Lure Coursing. All of these different activities has helped provide me with additional activities that I can do with Blue.

Heather is able to fluidly change from the more serious rigorous obedience training to a more relaxed “just having fun” type of training. I approached Heather with what I call the “Zombie Walk” to have fun with Blue as Blue would start walking between my legs already just for fun and playing. Again, Heather was right there with some tips on how to work with Blue on this fun activity and now Blue does the “Zombie Walk” on her own with me every morning and Blue and I have a blast with it. I have to also mention here that Blue is very leery of people in general. Outside of myself, there are not a lot of people that Blue gets her wiggle-butt going for and Heather is absolutely one of her most favorite people. To this day, Blue will do things for Heather that she just will not do for me.

If you’re looking for a trainer that will be there for every aspect of your dog’s training and actually gets excited in talking to you about what you would like to do with your dog, Heather Pope is the trainer that you need. You will find very early on in talking with Heather that this isn’t just a job for her. She has a real passion for what she does and the dogs and people that she helps. ”

“Heather knows her business. She is lovingly firm and consistent. Our whole family went to training, but we wanted our 10 year old to take the lead. Heather was equally patient with our daughter’s training as she was with our dog. Heather has become like family. We would recommend her to anyone! - Rachel”

“Heather is very professional and attentive to the owners and the dogs. - Butch”

”Ms. Heather is patient and gives you more than one chance to do things correctly. She’s always happy. - MG ”

“Heather Pope is the BEST dog trainer around! Your pup will learn quickly and enjoy her positive training techniques! I had the opportunity to see Heather training one-on-one with my dog AND observe her training a group of dogs outdoors. You knew immediately which dogs had been under her training. She gave a “SIT” command to a dog she was working with and 5 dogs within earshot immediately SAT!”

“She [Dixie] is a much better pooch because of you. Thank you for caring about dogs so that they can live with us. My life is richer for that.”

“Thank you so much for an incredible training experience! Your love and passion for dogs is evident! It is like you are looking into their soul through their eyes... they trust you and would do anything for you! I think I will always cherish the day Izzy and I were working on ‘wait’... and for the first time (probably because I was actually looking for it) she was looking right into my eyes for my guidance... what an awesome feeling and connection that was!

I understand now the dedication training will take, but it is so worth it and what better way to interact with our Izzy!”

“Thanks again for all you taught us in class. And for being so patient with Rex! I wasn’t sure if we would get kicked out the first night or not... and when both you and Dave were so kind and willing to teach us, I could have hugged your necks when I left that night. You truly have a gift!”