A Wellbeing Centred Approach
At HeartDog we believe that living and working with dogs is about more than simply training them to fit into our lives. We take a stand for enhancing wellbeing of both dogs and their people in all areas of life. From physical and mental health, to social and emotional wellness, there are many facets to understanding dogs and people. It's essential that we look at the whole picture if we are to support relationships between dogs and their people most effectively and build fulfilling, life long connections built on a foundation of trust and understanding.
This is why we take a wellbeing centred approach to working with guardians and professionals alike. Gone are the days where we focus solely on task or outcome - for us the importance very much lies in the quality of the journey and depth of understanding we create with other beings (both human and canine) that we share our lives with.
We work directly with both canine professionals and dog guardians looking to develop their approach to living and working with dogs. A shift is happening in the dog training world and it's exciting!
Our First Event
The HeartDog International Wellbeing Summit was a mega success! Throughout December 2022 we hosted a series of webinars with world renowned experts exploring every aspect of wellbeing for dogs, their guardians and the professionals who support them. We delved into some important (and at times controversial) topics that really set the cornerstone for HeartDog and illustrate how we believe we should live and work with dogs.
Our speakers included Suzanne Clothier, Leslie McDevitt, Kim Brophey, Sindhoor Pangal, Andrew Hale and many more industry-leading professionals!
Did you miss the HeartDog summit? Don't worry! You can still access all the webinars and bonus content entirely FREE until the end of 2023. Simply follow the link below to register for access.
TAKE ME TO THE SUMMIT ⟩
Both Ends of the Lead
At HeartDog we are not only about dogs. We also care passionately about the wellbeing of humans!
We know that living with a dog can be challenging and even stressful. Dog guardians are often at the end of their tether when they reach out to us.
As professionals, we have to support both ends of the lead if we want our clients to create the harmonious and joyful relationship with their dogs that we know is possible.
So our approach considers the needs of both ends of the lead. We offer solutions that help both dog and guardian to release tension, regulate their emotions and build resilience. Our approach is kind to all.
We also know that canine professionals regularly experience burnout and overwhelm. So we are committed to supporting you in your own self care to ensure that you are able to stay physically and emotionally healthy as you work with dogs and their people.
A bit about us...
We are Michelle Dart & Janet Finlay and together we founded HeartDog to help shift the dog industry in the direction of wellbeing focused education.
We have both had successful careers in the dog world in the UK and internationally working with guardians, and more recently, dog professionals from all over the world. But we wanted to create a lasting legacy. Something that will make a difference to many and create connection in an industry that can feel isolating all too often.
Our lives were completely transformed through our experiences of sharing life with our own heart dogs - Logan and Mirri - who literally made us who we are today. From our personal home life, to our careers and passion for creating a voice for our canine companions, we owe everything to them.
Find out more about our journey by heading to our about page.
What Our Clients Say
