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Heeling Arts Academy

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Valley City, ND
Heeling Arts Academy

Whether it’s behaving on walks or calmly allowing visitors in your home, all dogs need a purpose.

We are happy to help your dog find its place within your family.

07/25/2023

Class will be canceled tonight due to heavy rain and lightning. Will let everyone know a make up day soon! Stay safe!

07/12/2023

Classes start July 18. Still have a few spots available.

Message us to reserve your spot. See you all soon!

04/28/2023

It's that time of year again!

We will be holding a basic obedience class from July 18-August 22 on Tuesdays at 5:30-6:15p.

Email or message Heeling Arts Academy to reserve your spot! Limit of 8 dogs and must have proof of current vaccinations.

We look forward to working with you and your pups!

06/27/2022

Fourth of July is a time for loud and family filled celebration but we can't deny that some dogs would prefer we just didn't.

If your pup is one of those dogs, see below for some tips to help prepare yourself and your pooch for the firework season.

1. Take an updated picture.
--Take a face on and a side view photo of your dog so you have one handy if they get loose.
2. Make sure fences, doors and windows are locked up tight.
--Dogs running on fear can get very creative to get out of a situation.
3. Make sure their tags are updated with the proper info and keep a collar on at all times.
4. Go outside with your dog when you let them out.
--Most people don't think their dogs can escape their fenced in yard but it's really nothing for a motivated dog to jump/climb/dig their way out of even six foot fences.
5. Create a nice den area in the quietest area of your house.
--Putting down a nest for your pup in the quietest area and playing some music can help drown out the sounds of the fireworks.

Be safe and have a happy 4th!

05/12/2022

Class will be canceled tonight due to the sudden on and off rain. I apologize for the extremely short notice.

See you all next week!

04/09/2022

This week Prophet worked on ‘spot’.

I personally feel like this tool is one of the most versatile in the home. It allows you to put your dog in a safe area for a short amount of time so you can greet guests, cook dinner, watch a movie, etc. You can name this command anything you wish, ‘spot’ just tends to be the most common.

Now, this command doesn’t need a bed specifically. I like to teach this command on a raised platform as it clearly shows the dog what is ‘on’ and ‘off’. Once they understand the criteria, you can change the platform to anything. I’ve used towels, pillows, the couch and a rug.

I like to view this command as an ‘open kennel’ type. The dog is allowed to do whatever they so wish, but they cannot leave that area. If you plan on having them stay for a bit, give them a toy or a bone to chew that can keep them occupied just like you would a kennel, if you so choose.

We will be teaching this handy skill in our summer classes! We will also be available for private one-on-one sessions, contact us to set up your free consultation.

03/31/2022

It was finally nice enough to work outside this last week without being completely covered in mud! (Well before a certain white precipitation came back for a brief visit.) Prophet got an introduction to ‘stay’ this last week. He was a very good boi and got the hang of it fairly quickly. When working with ‘stay’ you want to make sure that you start off slow and build up at a consistent rate. If you notice your dog popping up it’s easy enough to go back a step or two and cement the process.

If you notice your dog correcting themselves, give them a huge jackpot reward. This was a conscious effort on their part to listen to the command.

Stay tuned for more of Prophet next week!

03/23/2022

The first thing Prophet has worked on this week is name recognition and loading the clicker.

Clicker training works best when you ‘load’ the clicker. This means that you set a standard of when the clicker sound is made, a treat is coming. You know you have properly loaded the clicker when the dog's head immediately turns to find the treat once the sound is heard.

03/19/2022

This week we have welcomed a temporary guest, Prophet!

This cute little guy will be boarding with us for the next couple months. Check in periodically as he shows off all the skills he learns. We’ll be focusing on kennel training, basic obedience, and simple handling (similar to a basic vet appointments).

02/08/2022

Winter can be cold and long for both us and our faithful companions. Temps dropping to double digits below zero, then wind chills taking the temp even farther below, adding inches upon inches of deep snow--who knew winter could make math even more depressing? Some dogs up here in the good ole north may enjoy these cold temps and (occasionally) fluffy snowbanks, so why not use this to our advantage?

When the weather is warmer (or at least manageable for your dog) put the larger number of inches to your advantage and have them run in the snowbanks. This makes them wade through and work harder in a shorter amount of distance.

Some other ideas for outside:

If you have enough snow or really small dogs plus patience (a snowblower also helps) make a maze so they can have a zoomie session or explore. You’ll may put in a few connected paths, but eventually you’ll see they’ll put in their own routes too.

Play fetch. You may have to use a frisbee or a rope toy so it has a harder time falling into the snow. If your dog must have a ball, a rubber ball with holes in it is also an option. If you have a larger dog, mini basketballs or soccer balls are a good in the snow.

Some dogs also enjoy the simplicity of just snow toss. Either catching snow balls or snow coming out of a shovel.

Even some of the colder loving house dogs cannot endure the extreme chills of North Dakotas blustering blizzards for long periods of times. So there has to be alternatives in these trying times, right? Of course. Sometimes you just have to be creative.

Here are some inside activities to help your dog blow off some steam besides playing (tug, fetch, flirt, etc.). Playing is great, but you may not have the space for it and that’s what we are going to focus on here. This will focus mainly on mental stimulation which can tire your dog out twice as fast:

Slow feeders. Even if your dog is not a fast eater, this helps work their brains a bit more. It spreads the food out more and it is in an intricate shape requiring them to move around and lick up the food.

Snuffle mats/rugs. Similar idea as above, but makes them work a bit harder. This simulates how a dog would snuffle food out in the wild causing them to forage for their food. You can also do varying levels of difficulty while teaching them how to use it.

12/26/2021

Everyone at Heeling Arts Academy want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS DOG
by Shel Silverstein

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleepin’ all cozy upstairs,
While I’m guardin’ the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now–footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who’s this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard–
And a big sack for robbin’ the house?

I’m barkin’ I’m growlin’ I’m bittin’ his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,
The stockin’s are safe as can be.
Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I’ve guarded the tree.

10/16/2021

Spooky Scary Skele- Collars

There are some collars out there that can seem a bit scary or controversial. But as with any training tool, it’s on the human to use them properly, safely, and effectively. Today we’ll focus on the stim collar. Also known as shock collar, e-collar, or electronic collar.

Before we move on, we must clarify the misnomer of shock collars. These collars do not administer harmful “shocks”, they provide an electrical stimulation similar to a TENS unit that us humans use. High-end proper stim collars offer multiple forms of stimulation on one type of collar. For example, the Mini Educator provides stims of many levels, pure vibration, or just a tone.

These types of collars were originally used with hunting dogs to help correct a dog's behavior from a distance. They are now used for both hunting, working, and pet use.

Stim collars can be used for any size and breed of dog. However, like many corrective tools, they are not recommended to be used on fearful dogs.

When used properly, an e-collar does not harm or injure the dog. Before one even considers using the collar, the dog should first know the command or task that is required of them, be at the very least 6 months old, and MOST importantly the HUMAN should be properly trained on all the inner workings of the system, when to correct, and how to correct. This tool is not for beginner trainers or handlers and it is recommended for the person to be properly shown by a professional trainer.

Do not go “cheap” with these collars. Cheap is where you hear of the horror stories of products malfunctioning and injuring dogs along with extreme improper care. You want a proper collar that is going to perform the way you expect. Distance, weight, and controls are some criteria when picking out specific models of stim collars. Heeling Arts Academy has experience with two brands: the SportsDog and Educator lines. Both brands have multiple models to choose from so that you can find that right fit for you and your dog.

As with all training tools, the goal is to eventually phase out these collars so your dog behaves on a general flat collar.

This is of course only a brief overview of stim collars and what is needed. If you are interested, we recommend looking into it more and/or contacting us.

If you have any additional questions about e-collars, give us a call, email, or message us directly.

07/28/2021

Yesterday was our final group class for the season. We want to say thanks to everyone who joined us for our first year of classes!

We're excited to offer more group sessions next year. We also offer private sessions all year round.

07/02/2021

Fourth of July is just around the corner, and fireworks season is in full swing.

Unfortunately, there are some dogs that don’t enjoy the theatrics as much. The flashes, bangs and squeals of fireworks can be a bit much and can lead to dogs running away or shaking in fear.

Below are a few tips to help mitigate firework fear this season.

If you go for nightly walks with your dog, move it to an earlier time and make sure to do it during the daylight hours to avoid being out during any shows. Even if you don’t do nightly walks, it may benefit to take your dog out for some exercise. This can help wear them out and lessen the amount of anxious energy later.

When dusk hits make sure all windows and curtains are closed to help muffle the sounds from outside.

Watching TV, listening to music or even just having white noise on helps keep a constant noise level to help mask any erratic sounds.

Have some safe spots set up for your dog. Beds, blankets, pillows, towels, even toys can be mixed and matched in different corners for your dog to retreat to.

Kennels are a great option to create a little den. Keep the door open, and then cover the majority of the kennel with a blanket or sheet. Having a fan nearby can help keep it cool and provide some white noise.

Fear of fireworks does not have to be a permanent condition for your dog. Most dogs with firework fear can be trained out of it. This will take time and, depending on the dog, require several small steps to achieve the goal. If you would like help, contact us for some tips and tricks to desensitize your pup.

06/13/2021

We are super excited for our first training session coming up this Tuesday!

We can’t wait to meet all of you and your dogs.

We’ll start class in the parking lot of the church then move to the grass lot with the most shade.

Here’s a few items to bring for class:

• 6 ft leash
• Current vax records
• LOOOOOOOOTS of treats. Variety is recommended to keep your dog engaged.

05/18/2021

All spots have been filled! If you are interested in future classes please continue to let us know as that will determine if we have enough interest to hold additional classes this summer.

We are proud to announce our first training class!

All ages are welcomed. We will be going over basic obedience commands. These include: sit, down, stay, touch, recall, heel, and spot.

Limited spots available! Message us through Facebook or send us an email to reserve your spot now.

[email protected]

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Valley City, ND
58072

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Videos

This week Prophet worked on ‘spot’. I personally feel like this tool is one of the most versatile in the home. It allows you to put your dog in a safe area for a short amount of time so you can greet guests, cook dinner, watch a movie, etc. You can name this command anything you wish, ‘spot’ just tends to be the most common. Now, this command doesn’t need a bed specifically. I like to teach this command on a raised platform as it clearly shows the dog what is ‘on’ and ‘off’. Once they understand the criteria, you can change the platform to anything. I’ve used towels, pillows, the couch and a rug. I like to view this command as an ‘open kennel’ type. The dog is allowed to do whatever they so wish, but they cannot leave that area. If you plan on having them stay for a bit, give them a toy or a bone to chew that can keep them occupied just like you would a kennel, if you so choose. We will be teaching this handy skill in our summer classes! We will also be available for private one-on-one sessions, contact us to set up your free consultation.

It was finally nice enough to work outside this last week without being completely covered in mud! (Well before a certain white precipitation came back for a brief visit.) Prophet got an introduction to ‘stay’ this last week. He was a very good boi and got the hang of it fairly quickly. When working with ‘stay’ you want to make sure that you start off slow and build up at a consistent rate. If you notice your dog popping up it’s easy enough to go back a step or two and cement the process. If you notice your dog correcting themselves, give them a huge jackpot reward. This was a conscious effort on their part to listen to the command. Stay tuned for more of Prophet next week!

Prophet Name/Loading the Clicker

The first thing Prophet has worked on this week is name recognition and loading the clicker. Clicker training works best when you ‘load’ the clicker. This means that you set a standard of when the clicker sound is made, a treat is coming. You know you have properly loaded the clicker when the dog's head immediately turns to find the treat once the sound is heard.