From the Heart Animal Behavior
Service area: Serves Salinas and surrounding areas in Monterey County, California.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
- Competition / Agility
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Barking Excessively
- Separation Anxiety
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Recall
- Leash Pulling
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Day Training
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Small
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Group training classes are held at a 10,000 sq ft indoor facility in Salinas. Programs include levels of obedience training, Fun-gility, Small Dog Social (weekly Saturday 9am session), and private in-home sessions for behavior modification. All programs require pre-training questions to be completed and brought to the first session. Family members are encouraged to participate. Daycare is offered daily with extended hours and includes supervised play and socialization.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing details are not publicly listed. Services include donation-based Small Dog Social, and private consultations and group classes require direct contact for rates. Daycare pricing is not specified.
Policies
All dogs must have current vaccinations and a negative fecal test within the past year to attend classes, daycare, or Small Dog Social. No treats are allowed during Small Dog Social. Clients must download and complete pre-training questions before attending any program.
Testimonials
“Love Barbara and her training methods. Kai my Baby Chow Chow puppy attended puppy class. He is also signed up for Drop In Class and he attends doggie daycare. I love that he gets to socialize as you know Chows can be rather aloof, but here he loves interacting with his classmates! Great place.”
– Client
“We have trained four dogs with Barbara DeGroodt at From the Heart. I can’t imagine a better place to train your dog or a better trainer to work with. There’s a reason she was selected as national Dog Trainer of the Year in 2011 – she’s simply the best.”
– Client
“After rescuing Axel, our new addition to our family, we were at a loss on how to resolve some major behavioral problems. With Babara’s one-on-one training in our home, we are now on our way to better understanding how to resolve these problems and she has given us some great tools.”
– Client
About the Trainer
From the Heart Dog Training, led by Barbara DeGroodt, is a dog training business based in Salinas, California, offering group classes, private in-home training, and doggie daycare. Their approach emphasizes trust, positive reinforcement, and building a strong bond between dog and owner, with a motto of “Respect your pet: train without pain!” They provide training in a 10,000-square-foot indoor facility and also offer specialized programs like Small Dog Social for dogs under 30 pounds or under 6 months, and Fun-gility for playful agility. Their daycare service, Paws at Play™, operates with extended hours (6am–6pm) and prioritizes dog safety and socialization. All services require current vaccinations and a negative fecal test within the past year. No treats are allowed during Small Dog Social sessions, and it operates as a donation-based event.
Barbara offers consultations for behavior problems, often conducted in the home, and encourages full family participation in training. They focus on transforming undesirable behaviors into desirable ones through patience, play, and consistent guidance. The business is known for its compassionate, hands-on style and has received recognition, including being named National Dog Trainer of the Year in 2011.
Accomplishments
Barbara DeGroodt was named National Dog Trainer of the Year in 2011. She is the owner and primary trainer of From the Heart Animal Behavior Counseling and Dog Training.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients must download and complete the Pre-Training Questions & Release Form, ensure their dog’s shots are current and fecal test is negative within the past year, and then contact the business to schedule a session. All family members are encouraged to participate in the first session.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- Accredited
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Dog day care center
Location
561 Brunken Ave I, Salinas, CA 93901Listing Tools for Trainers
For From the Heart Animal Behavior Only
Update Your Info
To update your profile, contact us with your changes.
Share Your Achievement!
Let the world know you’ve been recognized by Goody Doggy as a top-ranked dog trainer in Salinas. Add your achievement badges to your website to stand out from the competition and convert more website visitors into clients.
Upgrade Your Profile - Get Featured!
Become the obvious choice for dog owners in the Salinas area and grow your dog training business.
- 3x More Views – Featured profiles are seen first and visited the most
- Qualified Leads – A constant stream of motivated Salinas clients
- Enhance Your Profile – Stand out from the crowd with more photos, social media links, and custom sales copy
- More Web Traffic – Improve your site’s search engine exposure (SEO)
- Build Your Brand – Establish trustworthiness and prestige