Heart Dog Behavior and Training

12/11/2025

Hello Heart Dog friends! We’re looking for help finding this sweet girl a home as her owner became ill and can no longer provide care for her. She is about 5 years old, spayed, up-to-date on vaccines and has a history of being good with other dogs. If anyone happens to know someone who can help give this girl a chance or could even just give this post a share to spread the word, we’d be eternally grateful ❤️

12/02/2025

Meet Jax and Opie! These two handsome boys started experiencing some sibling tension, which understandably worried their parents. They reached out to us for help and together we created a behavior plan focused on safety, structure and rebuilding positive habits at home.

Behavior change is a journey and Jax and Opie’s guardians have been doing an incredible job guiding them through it! They recently sent us this photo of the boys practicing their mat settle side-by-side, helping them build impulse control, on-cue relaxation, a safe alternative behavior, and a positive association with each other’s presence. We are so happy to be working with these good boys and their dedicated humans!

11/18/2025

Wren and his person, fellow dog trainer Jenn, are working hard together to build Wren’s confidence in Small Dog, Big World! It’s so much fun to see him, and the other petite pups in class, grow and learn together.

11/03/2025

Love this story about one of our fantastic dog training colleagues!

10/31/2025

The upcoming holidays can be a source of so much joy and merriment- no one wants it ruined by a trip to the emergency vet, a dog fight, or a bite to a family member. By practicing good management, active supervision, anticipating your dog’s needs, and staying vigilant about holiday toxins, you can ensure that you and your dog enjoy this holiday season!

10/15/2025

Between the rainy moments, it’s been perfect Sniffari weather here in Albuquerque this week- we hope you’re enjoying these pockets of beautiful early autumn weather with your pups!

In the sweetest coincidence, Miss Della, pictured here on a sniffing walk in the foothills, was not a stranger to us when we met for the first time to set up some walking sessions- it turned out that she had been in the behavior modification program at the shelter in 2023 and already knew Jess and Maria from her time there! We love getting to see familiar doggy faces, living their best lives with their families!!

10/04/2025

Hey Heart Dog Community, Jess here to introduce a new class we’ll be offering at The Pet Resource Center at Animal Humane! If you’ve known me for really any length of time, you know that after growing up with, working with, and being the guardian of my own small breed dogs, I have a special place for the littles in my heart. Due to the unique challenges small breeds face in our world, I’ve wanted to offer a foundations class tailored to them for YEARS (literally- I’ve been talking about this for the last decade) and am so excited to be getting the chance now! Small Dog, Big World will be a 6-week class meant to empower small-breed dogs and their people by focusing on body language, communication between human and dog, and learning basic manners in a way that respects the differences in how small dogs navigate a world not made for their size!

The class is for dogs under 25 pounds who are 6 months or older, and will be limited to 4 dogs for this pilot session of classes.

It will begin on Tuesday, October 21st at 5:30 pm and be available to sign up for within the next couple of days via the link in our bio! Can’t wait to see you and your little dogs there 🐕 🎉

09/03/2025

Beaker’s human has been working diligently with us on his dog and stranger directed reactivity, and recently shared a wonderful progress update! “I just wanted to say thank you for the work that you have put in for Beaker and I. We both have so much more confidence in our abilities and he is getting better and better around other dogs and people. We were brave enough today to go walk near the river (and stop to play in it too). Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see his continued progress with your help.” We love getting to help people and their dogs live life to the fullest and are so proud of this pair for their dedication!

08/13/2025

We’re happy to share our first round of Civilized Canine graduates from Animal Humane’s Pet Resource Center! This class was small but mighty and worked so hard to learn and grow with their pups, Millie and Shadow. We’re so proud of all of their dedication 🐶 🎉

07/28/2025

Cleaning out your linen closet this summer? Share your unwanted towels, blankets, and flat sheets with our local shelters!

📣 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗! 📣

Your kindness directly helps our shelter animals live better lives. Every little bit makes a big difference! Thank you for being so supportive! 🫶

Where to Donate:
📍 Drop off at 3001 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.
🛒 Shop our Amazon Wish List: https://ow.ly/zZho50Ulh8O

07/05/2025

Do you think pain is a contributing factor to your dog’s behavior concerns? Do you feel like something deeper is going on than meets the eye? Lauren is the person to talk to! We recommend her Dynamic Dog services so strongly!

🎉 Today marks one year of being a Dynamic Dog Practitioner!

This past year has been full of learning, growing, and, most importantly, helping dogs whose challenges were so often mislabeled as “just behavior.”

Dynamic Dog Assessments have given me the tools to see the whole dog, connecting posture, gait, pain, and behavior in ways that change lives.

There was a dog who hid under the bed for days after storms until we discovered subtle back discomfort changing how she moved.

A dog who went from pacing and panic during fireworks to calmer days once nerve pain was addressed.

And a dog who struggled with reactivity and frustration until we realized bilateral hip dysplasia was limiting her movement.

All of these dogs reminded me that pain, posture, and behavior are never separate. They are threads in the same story.

When we listen to dogs through their bodies as well as their actions, we find answers we might otherwise miss.

If your dog’s behavior has changed suddenly, or if something just doesn’t add up, don’t lose hope. We can always look deeper together.

Thank you to everyone who trusted me with their dog’s story this year. Here’s to another year of helping dogs move, feel, and live better.

07/02/2025

Sweet, spunky Mars struggled with dog-directed reactivity after being adopted from the shelter and settling into his new home. His family has been so patient and dedicated, doing everything they can to help him feel safe in the world! With that patience and persistence in positive reinforcement training, Mars was successfully able to make his first canine friend outside of the shelter! We’re so proud of all of his family’s hard work! Congratulations Team Mars 🎉🎉