Dog Training

Heather Steiner, KPA-CTP, has been working with dogs for over 20 years. Heather’s focus was on the training and rehabilitation of rescue and shelter dogs before founding HALO Dog Training. She is an R+ positive reinforcement dog trainer and communicator who excels at designing training plans for puppies and creating behavior modification plans to address serious behavior issues for dogs of all ages. Heather not only has a special interest in early learning and socialization to prepare puppies for a lifetime spent with people, but also has a keen interest in addressing problem behaviors that will enable dogs to remain in loving homes.



Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Boston University and attended the Karen Pryor Academy where she earned her Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner certification (the gold standard in clicker training) from which she Graduated with Distinction. Heather is the only KPA-CTP clicker trainer in Center City Philadelphia. As such, Heather is dedicated to a humane, force-free training method based on the science of how animals learn. She firmly believes that one must train without pain. Heather is a devotee of clicker training which is intrinsically reinforcing. The method builds trust and understanding between both the teacher and the learner.



Heather is a Professional Premium Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and as such practices a LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) technique of training. She is also a Supporting Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and a member of Philadelphia Ethical Pet Professionals.



Heather lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Julius, and two rescue Akitas, Ava (KPA Partner Dog) and Zsa Zsa (Canine Good Citizen). Heather also devotes her time and skills as a volunteer with PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) , working with dogs in training as K9 Officers and Search and Rescue dogs at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, and rescuing and training Akitas for Big East Akita Rescue (BEAR). When not working or volunteering, Heather can usually be found hiking with her pack.

Areas Served:

• Philadelphia

• Main Line

• South Jersey

Services:

• Day training

• Professional coaching

• Puppies

• Reactivity

• Fear and anxiety

• Separation anxiety