Mindful Mutz Training & Behavior Consulting llc

09/06/2025

Hey Guys! ❣️🐾
Excited to share! - Brand new website is finally live! Whoooaa! Check it out- updated info and now you can finally find all of my training and behavior intake forms directly on the website!

Professional, compassionate dog training in Asheville. Customized solutions for behavior, manners, and enrichment to strengthen your bond with your dog.

30/05/2025

Come see us, Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville & tons of amazing-adoptable pups this weekend! ❣️🐾

12/05/2025

**Sharing this courtesy post for a client- please contact: [email protected] for more info.
Feel free to share! ❣️🐾

Hi, I’m Terra!
I am a dog-park-loving high-jumper who thrives on belly rubs. I can sit, stay, and (with direction) spin around for treats. My favorite pastime as a new Ashevillian was wrestling with large dogs at the French Broad River dog park. I am very athletic and I’ve been known to climb a sloping tree trunk or two. Nowadays, I am thrilled with walks and I have learned to ease up on the pulling with frequent prompts. I weigh about 35 pounds, and I am about 3 years old. I tolerate teeth- and hair-brushing nicely from my Mom. I get my nails trimmed at PetSmart, though, because I am not going to cooperate with that nonsense unless you have the right equipment.

I have a serious working dog instinct, which means I need structure and hobbies (toys, a kong, a rubber bone) in the house. I will do best in a home with a large fenced yard, because I love to zoom around and the house isn’t enough. Because I love playing with dogs so much, it’s possible I’d do well in a home with another medium-to-big dog, but I haven’t had another dog in my house, so I’m not sure. My strong prey drive and herding instinct means that other small animals aren’t advisable.

My parents would love to keep me, but due to an unavoidable change in family circumstances, they cannot. With the right home, I will keep you entertained with my quick moves when we play and my lightning speed when I have a chance to run. BTW, I am very good-looking and you’ll get lots of compliments whenever we go on walks. It’s best if we maintain a no on-leash greeting policy, however, because I can be unpredictable.

I really need a home with only one devoted parent or a couple who both love and interact with me, so that no one becomes the odd man out that I guard my parent(s) from. I am happiest with just the family in the house, and if there are visitors, I am best left in the kennel or on a tether out of reach of any visiting men. I’m pretty good with visiting women, though, although I may be a little overzealous in my greetings. I will keep the house safe from mailmen, UPS drivers, and loud noises in the night. No one would dare break in with me on duty.
Thanks for reading and please feel free to share!

Please contact:
[email protected]

28/04/2025

Hi Everyone!
Voting for the WNC Best Of, 2025 is happening! Just a few days left to vote, until the end of April. 
I would be so grateful for your vote this year in the Pets\Trainer, section.
Thank You!!!!
♥️ Heather

Here is the link to vote!! 

https://mountainx.com/bestofwnc/

19/12/2024

Hey Guys! Gift cards now available through Christmas Eve!
Call, text or reach out for more info! (828)-230-6389 — 🎄❣️🐾

18/12/2024

Couldn’t be more proud of this sweet guy, absolutely rocking it in the airport & on his very 1st flight as an official service dog, after 2yrs of hard work.
So honored to be a part of his journey. Great job, Miles! So proud of you and your mom!! ❤️🐾

04/12/2024

This little testimonial update made my day!  Thanks for the fantastic feedback & putting the work in, Terri Leslie!

22/09/2024

Wow-Thank You to all of our amazing clients & friends! We are so honored to have been voted 2nd place this year in the WNC Best Of!
This wouldn’t be possible without you all. Thanks for the continued trust, love & support!
❤️ Heather- MindfulMutz

07/07/2024

Such a great turnout for our recent Behavior Workshop! 😍🐾 A huge thanks to everyone that came out and for the Wolf Laurel community for hosting!

19/05/2024

Hi❣️ Heather here, owner & operator of MindfulMutz. I just wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself to anyone that might be new here, as it’s been a while!  
Growing up in Asheville (yes, I am a native!), I often found myself drawn to every dog  within 100 mile radius of wherever I was… I often visited the neighborhood dogs,  on my route to and from the school bus stop in the less than trendy at that time West Asheville neighborhoods, where I grew up.
Not having a dog of my own, although longing so badly for one, I befriended many dogs over the years, several of whom I recall eagerly greeted me with full body wags at the end of their chain, which they endured day in and day out…  
I consider what I know now as an adult and professional and consider myself quite lucky, honestly, that I was never bitten as a child, innocently befriending these dogs. Nonetheless, I was always madly in love with & intrigued by dogs, as I think so many of us dog loving humans can say if we reflect back to our childhood…
This adoration ultimately led me to working with dogs in a variety of settings, including several shelter organizations.
During this time, I found myself wanting to know more. Why.
Why did this dog land in the shelter? Why did this dog bite this person? Why did this one attack his housemate? Why is this one so anxious she hasn’t eaten for 3 days since she’s been here? And so on…
Ultimately, I decided to pursue a formal and professional education and career in canine behavior and training, graduating with honors from San Francisco based The Academy for Dog Trainers in 2009.
Upon graduation, I began my professional career as a lead trainer with a behavior center, pursuing my national professional credentialing through the CCPDT, and more recently becoming a FPPE; licensed educator with Family Paws Parent Education.
Although I feel like there are not enough hours in the day sometimes (am I the only one that feels like this?!😂) , I strive to continue my professional growth, education & credentialing.
I’m passionate about providing my clients, both human and dog with humane and kind support, recognizing that every situation, human and dog is unique and needs to be treated as such.
Our dogs deserve to be heard and understood, first and foremost. They deserve for us to meet their needs as they so willingly seem to meet ours without complaint day in and day out.
I really think that most of us are simply looking for ways to live life harmoniously with our four-legged friends.
❤️Warmly, Heather

13/05/2024

Ready to go-go!!♥️🐾

06/05/2024

Dogs will be dogs!
It is our job to help direct & coach them on how to be the best dogs they can be while living in our human world, filled with expectations, often completely foreign for our canine companions.
We must remember that most of the annoying & problematic basic behavior challenges are normal and often, functional species specific behaviors for our dogs… Digging, chewing, barking, foraging for food (because, let’s face it, no dog ever survived out in the wild by only eating food that was on the ground!).
Just telling our dogs “no” is simply not enough information…
We need to reframe our thoughts, and instead of simply telling them “no” try to reframe it… “no, not that but try this instead”-
Interrupt and redirect… Even better yet,
think proactively about setting your dog up for success so that they have appropriate outlets for natural behaviors & are not as tempted to rehearse & practice unwanted behaviors because after all, practice makes perfect.
Just as we are, dogs are creatures of habit. It’s important to help them establish good habits and routines.

Next time you catch your dog doing something “naughty”, stop and ask yourself what your dogs needs might be in the moment…
Are you meeting those needs?
Are you being fair with your communication?
Are you setting the dog up for success?
Sometimes this simple reframing can be so very powerful.
Our dogs are doing the best they can with the information we give them.
Let’s make sure we are giving them the right guidance!
What are some of your favorite creative outlets for meeting your dogs needs? Let’s hear them!
❤️ Heather
MindfulMutz