A HOUND ABOUT TOWN
Dog Training & Walking

Why Work With Us?
About Heather Burton:

Heather was a volunteer dog walker and training class assistant at the SF/SPCA for more than a year when she adopted what she likes to call a "special needs" dog.  This canine addition to her family was a very shy, fearful girl that didn't have much experience in life or dog/dog interactions.  Both Heather and her special girl had much to learn about how to successfully make it in this crazy, mixed-up world together.  In order to be the best guardian she could be, Heather enrolled in the SF/SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers and graduated with an Honors Certificate in Training & Counseling, and the rest is history.  Heather takes nearly all types of behavior cases, but she continues to have an affinity for working with the scaredy-cat dogs because she can't imagine anything more rewarding than helping frightened creatures gain confidence and to the ability to gently expand their horizons.

Heather has a stong belief in continuing education and in maintaining strong professional relationships in the animal services community (see listings).  She has also received a Certificate in Group Dog Walking & Pet First Aid from dogTEC Dog Walking Academy and is working towards becoming a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).

Certificates:

  • Honors Certificate in Training & Counseling (CTC) from the SF/SPCA's Academy for Dog Trainers 
  • Certificate in Group Dog Walking & Pet First Aid from dogTEC Dog Walking Academy
  • In the process of becoming a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through internationally recognized APDT

A Sampling of Other Continuing Ed:

  • 2009 APDT 5 day Dog Trainers' Educational Conference
  • Jesus Ruiz's (Univ. of N. Texas) Constructional Aggression Treatment Seminar
  • Ken Ramirez's 7 day Animal Training Seminar (Learning Theories to Behavior Modification)
  • The SF/SPCA's Growly Dog Seminar 
  • The SF/SPCA's Resource Guarding Workshop
  • The SF/SPCA's Temperament Testing Workshop
  • The SF/SPCA's Profiling Dangerous Dogs Workshop
  • The SF/SPCA's "Help My Dog's Afraid" Workshop

Professionalism & Relationships:

  • APDT Member #72645
  • A Bonded & Insured LLC
  • Behavior Consultant & temperament tester for SF Animal Care and Control
  • Board of Directors, Critter Lovers At Work (CLAW)