We started working with Susan when our 5-year old pit-lab mix, Mona, was just a puppy. Susan has taught us everything from just the basics to how to help Mona reduce her anxiety and leash aggression. She understands that the same method doesn’t work for every dog (or owner) and has offered us suggestions on how to change up what we are trying so that it is more effective for Mona. Working with Susan one on one to address specific issues has been hugely beneficial. She helps us understand why Mona acts in certain ways and then coaches us through easy to follow techniques to change our dog’s challenging behavior. Susan’s follow-up emails summarizing the lessons we’ve learned are incredibly helpful. Susan’s passion for dogs shines through with positive support and encouragement. We are so fortunate to have found Susan and be working with her. Mona and I simply adore her!

Susan Spinks is the trainer you want! She knows theory and principles of positive dog training and has studied with the best people in the field, including Pat Miller. But heres the thing: Susan knows dogs--and she genuinely likes them. For Susan, training is not about learning how to make your dog do rote behaviors--its about bonding and working as a team to build a positive relationship. Susans goal is to train the owner/guardian so she/he can provide consistent modeling for the dog. She provides positive feedback to owners/guardians, as well as to the dogs! The result is that you feel encouraged and inspired to do the right thing for your dog. Susan focuses on translating positive reinforcement into action, encouraging patience and a sense of humor. And above all, Susan is a warm, authentic person. You will trust her. So will your dog!

Susan is an excellent trainer, not to mention a kind and caring person. We adopted a 1 1/2 yo dog who was traumatized when we brought her home. Susan came over and shared what we should do to give her space and allow her to acclimate at her own pace. A year later and our dog is happy and joyful. I highly recommend Hearth and Hounds. Great dog trainer!!!

Susan is the best! She is a wonderful person and a patient and compassionate dog trainer. Our dog Roxie loved her! Her advice and methods were the answer to our concerns!

Susan Spinks is the best dog trainer we could have ever hoped for. She uses positive training and her style of teaching has helped our dog, DJ, learn quickly. She has worked wonders on our DJ. He was afraid of the leash and would not walk with us. She has built up his confidence to where he is becoming a happy walker now. She has helped us crate train DJ as well as do recalls and basic commands. Her training is as much about training us as it is for our dog, DJ. Dog training with Susan is so much fun and we enjoy every session. We highly recommend Susan. She knows her dogs!

Our dog’s training is very successful due to Ms. Spink’s experience, knowledge and positive dog trainings approach.I highly recommend her

There is not a single person I would trust my dog to other than Susan. She provides outstanding advice and service. She has worked miracles on my anxious dogs (mostly by training ME).