Heather's Heroes

08/30/2026

What is Supportive Shadowing? 🐾
It’s something we use every day at our facility when introducing new daycare and training dogs into a group.
Before we start, I want the dog conditioned to the Sidekick® and understanding the pressure of the tool.
Why?
Because Supportive Shadowing is about giving the dog more freedom while still maintaining that bubble around you.
If they don’t understand that pressure-free zone yet, giving them freedom too soon can lead to compromising the leash and the skills you’ve been building.
For difficult or aggressive dogs wearing a muzzle, you can also leave the Sidekick® on while practicing. The goal is to work at a level where you feel comfortable while giving your dog appropriate freedom.
Build the understanding first. Then expand the freedom. 💜
Learn the full process inside the Become Your Dog’s Hero course.

08/30/2026

Haters gonna hate. 😆 For those that understand, its a game changer and life saver! 🫶🐾

08/30/2026

If you are in Australia... Here ya go!

5 Weeks of learning about your puppy. You also get and a quality leash. Puppies aged 8 weeks to 12 weeks of age. Must have first vaccination at least. Small groups to work with your and your puppy to prepare them for a wonderful life with you.

08/29/2026

Supportive Shadowing is part of the Become Your Dog’s Hero process, but there’s an important piece that comes first. 🐾
Before we get here, the dog has already been conditioned to the Sidekick® and has learned what leash tension means and how to respond to it.
We’ve also put in the work on a more structured walk.
Supportive Shadowing is the next step.
Now we can start giving the dog more freedom to sniff, smell, explore, and take in their environment, without losing the leash skills we’ve already built.
If I feel tension on the leash, I can call my dog back to me, reconnect, and then let them go explore again.
The goal isn’t freedom that turns into pulling, dragging, or reacting.
It’s freedom with boundaries.
Your dog gets more opportunities to make choices and explore, while you’re still there to provide guidance and maintain the expectations they already understand.
For reactive or difficult dogs, getting them sniffing and using their nose can also be incredibly beneficial for helping bring that reactivity down.
Structure first. Then we build more freedom from that foundation.
That’s Supportive Shadowing. 💜🐶
Want to learn how to build these skills with your own dog? Check out the Become Your Dog’s Hero course to learn the full process and start creating more calm, clarity, and freedom together.

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

🐾 Heather’s Hints: Short, but not tight!

When you’re first getting your dog used to the Sidekick®, one of the biggest things to remember is to keep your leash short, but not tight.

You don’t want constant pressure on the leash. You want enough length to guide your dog when they need a little help, then release that pressure when they make the right choice.

If your dog starts fussing with the Sidekick®️, keep it simple:

🐶 Stop moving.
🐶 Use gentle upward pressure to guide them into a sitting position.
🐶 As soon as they settle into that sit, release the pressure.

That release is important. It helps your dog understand what you’re asking for and gives them a clear way through that moment of resistance. Some dogs may fuss with the Sidekick®️ at first, and that’s okay. They’re learning something new!

Short leash. Loose leash. Clear guidance. And lots of consistency. 💜

08/27/2026

Happy 2nd Birthday Zoey! 🐾🫶🎉🥳

08/27/2026

What natural chews and treats does YOUR dog not like, but love?

Artvark Pet Products

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾💜

Today we celebrate the superheroes that wag their tails, steal our hearts, and remind us daily what unconditional love looks like.

At Heather’s Heroes, we believe every dog deserves to feel calm, safe, and understood — and every human deserves the joy of being their dog’s hero. Whether you’re curled up on the couch, out on a walk, or working through training together, take a moment today to honor the bond you share.

To all the pups who make life brighter (and every human committed to helping them thrive) — we see you, we celebrate you, and we’re so grateful for the paw prints you leave on our hearts.

💛 Here’s to more wagging, less pulling, and a lifetime of adventures side by side.
Happy National Dog Day from all of us at Heather’s Heroes!

08/25/2026

✅️QUICK TIP!🐾

Putting On Your Sidekick® as a Head Collar

1. Create two loops.
Pull the leash through the S-hook so you have two loops, with the S-hook hanging in the middle.

2. Over the head.
Place the largest loop, closest to the handle, over your dog’s head first.

3. Over the snout.
Gently place the smaller outer loop over your dog’s snout.

4. Adjust the fit.
Slide the stopper toward your dog until it touches the metal ring. When you apply upward pressure, you should have about 1 to 1½ inches between the stopper and metal ring.

5. Check your positioning.
The S-hook should sit flat directly under your dog’s chin, with the back portion positioned high on the neck, and the stopper between the ears.

6. Clip the safety.
Always attach the black safety clip to your dog’s fixed collar.

Quick Tip: A proper fit matters! Take a few seconds to make sure everything is snug, secure, and positioned correctly before you get started. 🐶