Heather's Heroes

Heather's Heroes Helping humans & dogs ditch chaos for calm. Inventor of The Sidekick®, the OG Transitional Leash®. Trusted by trainers & loved by owners worldwide.

We transform lives, strengthen bonds, and keep dogs safe out in the world. Become Your Dog’s Hero today!

12/31/2025

How I set Zoey up for success, step by step 💜🐾

Before the muzzle ever came into the picture, Zoey and I built her calm foundation using the Sidekick® Transitional Leash®. That foundation mattered. It gave us communication, structure, and clarity. It helped Zoey learn how to move through the world with guidance, and it helped me be the calm, clear handler sensitive dogs need.

Once that foundation was in place, I layered the muzzle on top of it for added safety during higher-stress situations, like holiday gatherings, new environments, and lots of unfamiliar people. The muzzle wasn’t the starting point, it was a support layer. It allowed Zoey to experience those situations without being overwhelmed, and it allowed everyone around her to relax, including me. 😉

We started with the Sidekick® Transitional Leash® and the muzzle together.
As her confidence grew, we transitioned to just the leash.
From there, I used supportive shadowing, not to control her, but to guide her and be present if she needed me.
Eventually, at her pace, Zoey was able to be off-leash around my entire family and guests, calm and comfortable.

This is what real progress looks like.

We don’t rush.
We don’t skip steps.
We don’t remove tools before the dog is ready.

Tools are added to create safety and confidence, and they’re removed as the dog and the handler grow. It all starts with the right foundation, clear communication, and meeting the dog where they are.

That’s how Zoey succeeds.
That’s how relationships are built.
And that’s what Heather’s Heroes is all about.

Go Zoey 💜🐾

There’s a growing trend online right now that takes complex, real-world dog behavior and tries to boil it down into abso...
12/31/2025

There’s a growing trend online right now that takes complex, real-world dog behavior and tries to boil it down into absolutes: pressure bad, tools bad, stress bad, compliance bad. And while it may sound ethical on the surface, it completely ignores how dogs actually live, learn, and survive in the real world.

At Heather’s Heroes, we don’t live in extremes.

We don’t believe dogs should be flooded, yanked, corrected endlessly, or pushed past their limits just to “prove a point.”
But we also don’t believe that structure, guidance, or physical tools automatically equal abuse.

Pressure is not the enemy.
Misuse, poor timing, lack of skill, and lack of understanding are.

Dogs experience pressure every single day of their lives:
Environmental pressure
Social pressure
Genetic pressure
Arousal pressure
Expectational pressure

Pretending dogs can be trained in a vacuum where pressure doesn’t exist is not ethical — it’s unrealistic.

What matters is how pressure is applied, how much, when, and why.

We do not use tools to punish emotion.
We do not use tools to force obedience.
We do not use tools to shut dogs down.

We use tools to:
Slow situations down
Create clarity
Add safety
Support the handler
Prevent escalation
Keep dogs out of shelters

A slip lead is not a choke collar by default.
A head-based tool is not automatically harmful.
Guiding movement is not abuse when done correctly and intentionally.

What *is* dangerous is handing people zero structure, zero physical support, and then blaming them when their dog fails in the real world.

Guardian breeds, working breeds, powerful dogs — these dogs don’t fail because someone used a tool.
They fail because humans are given theory without practical application, emotion without structure, and ideology without accountability.

Calm behavior is not the same as shutdown.
Structure is not dominance.
Leadership is not control.

And correction, when appropriate, is not cruelty — it’s information.

Dogs don’t need to be micromanaged emotionally, but they also don’t need to be left to self-regulate in situations they are not equipped to handle yet.

We don’t teach people to “apply more pressure when the dog struggles.”
We teach people to change the picture so the dog can succeed.

That includes:
Proper tool selection
Proper fit
Proper handling mechanics
Timing
Repetition
Clear expectations
And yes — accountability for the human, not just the dog

Labeling all pressure-based handling as abuse may feel morally superior, but it does nothing to help the dogs that are actually at risk of euthanasia, surrender, or serious incidents.

This industry doesn’t need more extremes.
It needs better education, better handling, better tools, and better leadership.

Dogs don’t need less guidance.
They need better guidance.

That’s Heather’s Heroes.

12/26/2025

Why I choose to muzzle Zoey 🐾❤️
Zoey is a sensitive dog. That sensitivity is part of who she is, and it’s something I recognized from the very beginning. She’s deeply bonded to her people, thoughtful, and affectionate, but she’s also uncomfortable with strangers moving into her space too quickly.

Early on, Zoey had double entropion surgery, which meant repeated vet visits and a lot of handling where being touched usually led to discomfort. Experiences like that matter. They shape how a dog feels about hands, proximity, and unfamiliar people, even when no one has bad intentions.

My goal with Zoey isn’t to force her to like everyone or push her past what she can handle. My goal is calm, quiet, and comfortable. She does great with our family, and after a few minutes of slow, respectful introductions, she’s usually great with new people too. But rushing that process isn’t fair to her.

That’s why I muzzle her.

The muzzle isn’t about fear, punishment, or labeling her as dangerous. It’s about safety, confidence, and clarity. Zoey likes to get close to sniff, but that closeness can make her nervous if things move too fast. The muzzle allows me to protect her from being over-touched or overwhelmed, and it allows the people around her to relax as well.

When everyone feels safe, learning can happen. Trust can grow. And Zoey can navigate the world without pressure.

Muzzles don’t mean failure.
They mean responsible handling.
They mean advocacy.
They mean meeting the dog in front of you where they are.

Go Zoey 🖤

Heather’s Hints 🐾In hard seasons, it’s natural to lean on our dogs. They don’t ask questions. They don’t judge. They jus...
12/25/2025

Heather’s Hints 🐾

In hard seasons, it’s natural to lean on our dogs. They don’t ask questions. They don’t judge. They just stay—pressed close, steady, and present when we need it most.🥹🐾❤️

But here’s the reminder I give myself often: if we’re leaning on them emotionally, we owe it to them to give just as much back. Calm guidance. Clear boundaries. Walks that fill their cup. Training that builds confidence. Rest, play, and purpose.

Our dogs give us loyalty, comfort, and unconditional love. The greatest gift we can return is leadership, structure, and a life where they feel safe, fulfilled, and understood. That’s how we honor everything they give us. 🤍🐶

12/24/2025

Heather’s Hints 🐾

Feeding time is one of the most common places fights and resource guarding start.

If dogs can access each other’s bowls, crowd space, or feel pressure while eating, you’re setting them up to make bad decisions. Even dogs who “normally get along” can react when food is involved.

The solution is simple:
Separate dogs
Control space in the room
Or crate them while they eat

In this video, I’m feeding Zoey, Treya, and Hazley in a small space at my family's home and showing how clear boundaries and structure keep everyone calm, focused, and safe.

Management isn’t failure.
It’s leadership.

Set dogs up to succeed at meals and you’ll prevent problems before they ever start. Want to learn how? Check out Become Your Dog's Hero online course.

12/24/2025

Small dogs deserve the same clarity, safety, and confidence as big dogs.

The Mini Sidekick®️ was designed specifically for small dogs who pull, panic, freeze, or spin at the end of the leash. It gives handlers clear communication without relying on strength, yanking, or constant correction. Less chaos. More calm. Better walks.

Paired with the Become Your Dog’s Hero training process, the Mini Sidekick®️ helps small dogs learn how to think through stress instead of reacting to it. We focus on timing, pressure and release, structure, and repetition so dogs understand what to do, not just what not to do.

This isn’t about overpowering a small dog.
It’s about giving them guidance, confidence, and a job they can succeed at.

Small dog. Big feelings.
Simple tool. Proven process.
Calmer walks start here.

12/23/2025

🚫 Why letting your dog fence fight is hurting them

If your dog is left outside unsupervised and spends their time
• running the fence line
• barking at dogs or people
• rehearsing fence fighting

That is not harmless behavior.
That is daily practice.

Dogs repeat what works for them.
Fence running and fence fighting build arousal, frustration, and reactivity fast.

Here is what is really happening 👇

• Your dog is practicing barrier frustration
• They are learning to self escalate without guidance
• They rehearse territorial behavior over and over
• That energy does not stay in the yard

It shows up later on leash
It shows up in the car
It shows up at the vet
It shows up around other dogs

Unsupervised backyard time does not equal enrichment.
Structure, engagement, and leadership do.

If your dog needs outdoor time
Go with them
Interrupt bad habits early
Reward calm behavior
Teach them how to settle, not spiral

Calm is taught.
Good habits are built.
Bad habits are rehearsed when no one is watching.

Be your dog’s hero, not their audience.

I'm I qualified? 😉
12/23/2025

I'm I qualified? 😉

12/23/2025

Took Zoey back to my old home base at K9 Lifeline today, and it hit me right in the heart. ❤️🐾🥹

Walk the Walk®️ is a weekly handling class I started about 12 years ago. Every Sunday. For clients who have completed training. And it has stayed consistent all these years.

No pressure to be perfect.
Just real handling, real dogs, and real support.

Being back there reminded me how powerful ongoing guidance and community really are. I miss having access to something like this in my new hometown more than I realized.

Progress does not come from one class.
It comes from showing up, week after week, with support.

I will always be proud of this class and what it continues to give people and their dogs.

Heather's Heroes

12/19/2025

Why fit a muzzle over the top of the Sidekick? Let’s talk about it.

This video shows how to properly fit a muzzle over the Sidekick®️ and why this matters so much when working with difficult or aggressive dogs, especially in public spaces.

Muzzles are not about punishment.
They are about safety, clarity, and confidence.

When we are working with dogs who are struggling, a muzzle can:
• Keep everyone safe
• Lower handler stress
• Give the dog clear structure
• Allow training to happen without fear

And here is the part I feel strongly about.
All dogs should be muzzle conditioned.

You never want the first time your dog wears a muzzle to be during a crisis. Injury, illness, or a stressful vet visit is not the time to introduce something new. When dogs are already comfortable with a muzzle, those moments become calmer and easier for everyone involved.

Confidence builds confidence.
For the human and for the dog.

Training is about preparation, not panic.
Safety tools used correctly help dogs succeed.

12/18/2025

💡Heather’s Hints:
Custom fitting a Baskerville muzzle takes just a few minutes and makes a huge difference.
Quick steps:
1. Place the muzzle in boiling water for about 2 minutes
2. Carefully reshape and mold it to your dog’s face
3. Rinse under cold water to set the shape
Check out Zoey rocking her properly fitted muzzle over the Sidekick®. 😁🐾❤️
Better fit = clearer communication and a calmer dog.

12/18/2025

Heather's Hints: Why fit a muzzle over the top of the Sidekick? Let’s talk about it. 😁🐾

This video shows how to properly fit a muzzle over the Sidekick®️ and why this matters so much when working with difficult or aggressive dogs, especially in public spaces.

Muzzles are not about punishment.
They are about safety, clarity, and confidence.

When we are working with dogs who are struggling, a muzzle can:
• Keep everyone safe
• Lower handler stress
• Give the dog clear structure
• Allow training to happen without fear

And here is the part I feel strongly about.
All dogs should be muzzle conditioned.

You never want the first time your dog wears a muzzle to be during a crisis. Injury, illness, or a stressful vet visit is not the time to introduce something new. When dogs are already comfortable with a muzzle, those moments become calmer and easier for everyone involved.

Confidence builds confidence.
For the human and for the dog.

Training is about preparation, not panic.
Safety tools used correctly help dogs succeed.

Address

1014 E Draper Pkwy
Draper, UT
84020

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18012721159

Website

https://dogshero.info/m/heathersheroes

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