From the Heart Animal Behavior

From the Heart Dog Training offers Dog Obedience Training and Doggie Daycare. They also provide consultations for behavior problems and one-on-one instruction, often held in the home. Group classes are conducted at their 10,000 sq ft indoor facility in Salinas.

Their training philosophy emphasizes respect and building a strong bond, with a “train without pain” motto. Specific programs include Basic Training (covering sit, down, stay, heel, etc.), Puppy Training (focusing on early socialization), Fun-gility (low-impact, non-competitive agility), and Small Dog Social (for dogs under 30 lbs or 6 months, focusing on dog language and socialization). Doggie Daycare, called Paws at Play™, offers a supervised, social environment for dogs while owners are away.

Pricing Summary

Fun-gility classes cost $20 per individual class or $150 for 10 sessions. Small Dog Social is a donation-based event with no set fee.

Policies

Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and clients will be contacted to confirm class selection. All dogs attending classes, small dog social, or daycare must have current vaccinations (Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella) and a negative fecal test within one year. Puppies as young as 8 weeks are accepted if they have received one vaccination and are carried inside.

For Doggie Daycare, Fun-gility, and Small Dog Social, dogs must pass an interview and trial day, and be friendly with other dogs and people. Small Dog Social is for dogs under 30 pounds or 6 months of age, and no treats are allowed.

From the Heart Animal Behavior Counseling and Dog Training, owned by Barbara De Groodt, is located in Salinas, CA. Their guiding principle is “Respect your pet: train without pain!” The business offers dog and puppy training classes, doggie daycare, lectures, and specialty classes.

They aim to transform a dog’s behavior into a desirable asset, emphasizing trust and fostering a strong bond between pets and their owners. The business highlights that behavioral problems are a leading cause for pets being surrendered to shelters and that aggressive training methods can exacerbate aggressive behavior.

From the Heart Dog Training provides tools to change undesirable behaviors into desirable ones, ensuring a fulfilling relationship between dogs and their owners.

Accomplishments

Barbara has been training animals for over 60 years, starting at age 8. She has trained horses, alpacas, sheep, cats, and even a hamster for drug detection. She has judged and shown dogs, goats, horses, and steers.

She is a mentor instructor for Animal Behavior College, a frequent presenter at Carrington College’s RVT program, and serves on the advisory board for dog behavior at Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. Barbara is a founding member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and coordinated its growth for several years. She is a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and was inducted into its international Hall of Fame. She was also recognized as Trainer of the Year at Westminster.

How to Get Started!

The first step is to contact them. Next, clients meet the dog trainer, Barbara. The final step is to schedule a date. Clients are encouraged to download and answer pre-training questions and bring them, and all family members are encouraged to participate.

For Doggie Daycare, the process begins with an interview for both the owner and dog, where the dog explores the facility and staff interact with the dog to assess reactions to toys, other dogs, and noise. A “Pre-Training Questions & Release Form” is available for download.