Rent safe and private dog parks hosted by locals

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David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

Heather Brush

Dog trainer in Spokane

#711 in United States, #79 in Washington, #4 in Spokane

United States

Spokane

https://brushuptraining.com/

Service areas:

Spokane

I have been training for 20+ years. I focus on positive, science based training and finding the easiest, most fun way to reach my clients' goals, while helping them create great relationships with their dogs. I am passionate about education and attend multiple conferences and seminars each year so I can help my clients with the most up to date and successful solutions possible. I have a wide variety of training experience, having started my career working with large cats (lions, tigers, and pumas - oh my!), as well as many other exotic animals (coatimundi, African crested porcupine, Patagonian cavies, prairie dogs, etc) and non exotics (including rabbits, horses, cats, and chickens - I actually ran a chicken training seminar for clients one year, to help them improve their training skills!). I have even trained a fish - a blood parrot cichlid named Simon. Why does my non-dog training matter? Because it has encouraged me to think outside the box, REALLY understand the science behind training, and become the best trainer possible. You might be able to push a friendly dog into a sit (though I don't encourage it), but you probably shouldn't do that to a tiger and can't to a fish. I understand how to work within each individual animals' parameters and help them learn in the best way for them - and their humans. I always encourage people to teach their pets tricks because so many are practical, it's fun and no pressure, and it really helps build that bond that we all want with our pets!

Certifications:

CCPDT-KA

Dog training services include

  • Deaf dog training
  • Reactive dog training
  • Puppy training

More info about Heather Brush's dog training:

I teach all the basics, like manners and puppy training, private sessions, as well as challenges like reactivity and mild aggression. To be unique, though, I also offer lots of fun things, like introduction to parkour, tricks and games classes, clicker training, and other fun and relationship building, boredom busting activities!

Behavioral issue focus:

I love building confidence in shy and fearful dogs. I do a lot of work with dogs who react to other dogs and people, as well as some with mild aggression. I have worked with several disabled dogs (deaf, blind, and blind deaf) as well.

Dog training methods:

I am a science based, positive reinforcement trainer who believes is setting your dog up to succeed and then rewarding that success. With all clients, especially those with challenges, we will discuss management plans, realistic expectations, creating safe and comfortable situations for both dogs and people, multi stage training plans, relationship building and boredom busting activities, and more, depending on client needs.

Why I became a dog trainer:

As mentioned in my profile I began training with large cats, unfortunately that job market isn't very large so when a dog training job opened near me I hopped on the opportunity to give it a shot. I have LOVED learning and building my skills as a trainer and am so grateful for all the wonderful clients I've had over the years, so many of whom have become friends. I have continued to train for so long because I really enjoy helping people solve challenges and watching both humans and dogs build confidence, learn and grow. I can't stop grinning on the days when my clients say "That thing we worked on last week? It's working!" I can't imagine not getting to work with and help people like this. And we have so much fun!

My favorite part of being a dog trainer:

Watching people and dogs succeed, grow, and have fun. The look on a client's face when they tell me that their dog didn't have the usual bad reaction for the first time, or that their shy dog went up to someone, or that their dog has really gotten good at a trick is just magic. Watching dogs think - and be given the time to solve the puzzle of "What does my human want?" - and figure things out is just amazing. I love getting to help my clients and their animals be better together. Building a relationship with ANY animal you work with is the most important thing to me.

My #1 dog training tip:

With any problem think "Don't do that, do this instead." If your dog is jumping, for example, what behaviors could you train that they CAN'T do while jumping? Then train the different behavior and reward it heavily. Don't bark at the other dog, look at me and eat cookies instead. Don't dig in the yard, dig in this sandbox instead. This is the phrase I ask all of my clients to remember, if they remember nothing else from class, because it is the way to solve all problem behaviors.


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Sniffspot Dog running on field

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

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