Hearts and Paws

Hearts and Paws offers group classes in a climate-controlled facility with a maximum of 10 dogs per class, focusing on basic obedience, puppy socialization, and dog sports. Private lessons are available on-site, in-home, or in public settings, tailored to individual goals with weekly sessions and homework. The SuperDog Board-and-Train program is a two-week intensive program teaching foundational commands and behavior modification. Behavior counseling addresses aggression, anxiety, fear, and reactivity through personalized plans. Club Pup Camp is a summer program for children and dogs to train and bond together. All programs use positive reinforcement and include follow-up support.

Pricing Summary

Private lessons at the facility cost $125 per session; in-home lessons are $150 per session, with an additional $25 for aggression cases. Discounted packages of three or more lessons are available. Group classes have a standard fee with a $20 certificate offered for repeat enrollment. Board-and-train programs are customized and require direct inquiry. Daycare and boarding rates are not listed publicly.

Hearts and Paws is a professional dog training business in Austin, TX, offering reward-based, positive reinforcement training for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs. They provide group classes, private lessons, board-and-train programs, behavior counseling, and dog sports training to help owners build strong, lasting relationships with their dogs. Their services include puppy kindergarten, obedience training, leash manners, reactivity management, and separation anxiety support. They also offer daycare and boarding with supervised playgroups, and a unique summer camp program called Club Pup Camp that pairs children with their dogs for joint training and bonding. All training is led by certified professionals, including Diana Smith, a CPDT-KA with over 25 years of experience, and other certified trainers like Paul Mann and Kathryn Butts. Their facility is climate-controlled, child-friendly, and designed for small class sizes to ensure personalized attention.

They emphasize humane, science-backed methods that avoid fear or force, focusing on communication, trust, and fun. Clients can choose from on-site training at their facility, in-home sessions, or intensive board-and-train programs. Their programs are tailored to individual needs, whether addressing barking, chewing, jumping, or aggression, and they provide ongoing support through homework and follow-up sessions. Families appreciate their compassionate approach, consistent results, and availability for last-minute care.

Hearts and Paws also offers specialized services like Canine Good Citizen testing, nosework, and agility training, making them a comprehensive resource for Austin dog owners seeking ethical, effective training and care.

Accomplishments

Diana Smith, founder and lead trainer, has over 25 years of experience and is a CPDT-KA certified trainer with over 2,000 hours of study under leading behaviorists. She is a charter member of the APDT, a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator, and developed Club Pup Camp, the largest and longest-running kids-and-dogs camp in the U.S. She has worked with Austin Humane Society’s BRATT program and has competitive titles in obedience, agility, rally, and field trials. Other trainers include CPDT-KA and NADOI-C certified professionals.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can email Paul Mann for private lessons or behavior counseling, or Diana Smith for board-and-train programs. Group classes can be registered for via the online class schedule. A consultation is not offered for free, but clients are encouraged to review program details and contact the team directly to discuss needs and schedule an initial session.