Helping Howls Training

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United States
Midlothian, VA
Helping Howls Training

Helping you, Help your dog through positive, fear-free based methods. We specialize in pet & service dog training.

02/13/2026

He has been training through our program alongside his handler, with every step built around their goals. Not just passing a test, but becoming a steady partner for their real life.

Slow is fast. We focus on level appropriate progression so layers are built correctly. We can help you do this too!

We support teams in RVA & NoVA through in person training, virtual coaching, and board and train programs.

Dm us to get started or reach out:
📍Richmond, VA
🌃Nothern VA >
💻 Virtual training available anywhere
💬 (804) 215-7153
🔗 www.HelpingHowls.com

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tags/keywords

service dog foundations
real-world service dog training
public access preparation
foundation skills for service dogs
raise and train service dogs
service dog programs
owner-trained service dogs
ethical service dog training
owner trained service dogs

12/18/2024

SDit Zeke showing off his willingness to climb & use his cues in various positions. This specific position will be formed into a task to aid his handler.

Looking for assistance with owner training? Message us today for more information on our owner training program.

11/30/2023

Why do Service Dog Trainers HATE Off-Breeds?

Well...they don't (or at least I don't)

As a handler who had a successful off-breed & rescue as a service dog for about 7 years, I know first hand off-breeds can be service dogs.

However, just because it CAN be done, doesn't mean it's the good/ideal option for every handler. This is why trainers often recommend the Terrific Two which tend to be a good fit for majority of disabilities & lifestyles.

At the end of the day, it's about weighing all options, pros, cons, etc. I personally went from an off-breed & rescue to a well-bred labrador after weighing everything out.

Why did you choose your breed?

11/26/2023

Consider this: Can your dog do what you're asking?

This may seem silly or nonsensical, but it's an important question when a dog isn't listening. Let me use an example:

I asked Obsidian to sit, and he wouldn't. Before this he was disengaged, sniffing, and overall not acting like himself in public. So, I asked if he had to go the bathroom which he replied he did. Immediately going outside in grass he had liquid diarrhea. He felt he COULD NOT sit without potentially pottying in the store.

Now, imagine if I instead simply collar corrected or used some other aversive method (which I would do none of)...that could potentially harm both our relationship & the items in public.

Listen to your dog & give both you and your dog grace!

Has your dog ever "been bad" when it was actually a health issue? Let me know in the comments.

11/24/2023

ALL-ACCESS SALE IS LIVE! SIGN-UP NOW VIA LINK IN BIO.

It's getting colder...but our training classes are just warming up! Join us for a variety of different classes suited for a variety of dogs & skill levels.

Information:
-Classes will be held on zoom
-Sign-ups are available in LIMITED quantities per course
-Some classes may require equipment (like our treibball class for example)
-Closed captioning will be available
-Video on is encouraged but not required
-Class descriptions will be available soon
-Must be 18+ or have a parent or guardian's permission to purchase

For more information go to our website or contact us.

I'm so excited to offer these classes to you all!

08/31/2023

I'm officially apart of Atlas' Trainer Certification Program!

Since the dog training industry is unregulated, ANY person can say they are a dog trainer. This means it's up to the trainers themselves to pursue credentials & education. The service dog training field has continually had trainers with lack of skill, bad ethics, and pure negligence. I believe as service dog trainers, we owe it to the community to show we are committed to providing ethical, qualified service dog training. I chose to apply for the Atlas program as they are not only an ADI candidate, they also have similar believes to me. They believe in accessible service dog training, something that is very close to my heart.

These next sixth months will be full of learning, apprenticeships, studying, and more. I am excited to join this program, and to continue to help you all as well.

Thank you all for supporting me as a trainer, friend, and disabled service dog handler.

My education currently:
- CPDT-KA
- FFCP
- AKC Evaluator
- In progress: Bachelors of Biology
- In progress: Atlas Certified Trainer
- Many, Many Apprenticeships!

08/28/2023

Make Success Easy so that Failure is Hard

What does this mean & how can we do it?

Making success easy means to set up your expectations, criteria, etc leveled to your dog's ability at the moment of training. This includes choosing appropriate training environments, duration, and training goals.

When we do this, it makes it very difficult for your dog to have failure during your sessions. Less failure means more positive feelings towards working together & training from both you and your dog.

We can also help make success easy by having appropriate breaks during our session. Taking breaks to play a game of chase or tug helps to reinforce the training itself as well as decrease our hyper-focus on our dog getting it "perfect". This includes ending sessions on a high note.

By making success easy, and failure hard we increase their positive response to training, decrease the risk of burnout, and build the relationship.

There are many more ways to make success easy for your dog. Comment below some ways you make success easy for your dog!
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Note: Keeping a training journal as well as videoing your sessions can help you decided if/when to level your training up or down, evaluate your handling, and look for any holes, mistakes, etc. Journals can also be a big help in your trainer assisting you virtually as well.

What is failure: Mistakes are also a normal part of training, and actually help you select what behaviors you do or do not want. They also help us gauge where our dog is at level & environment wise to help them succeed by looking to frequency etc. Failure in this context will basically be a session where nothing happened because we leveled up too fast or the environment is too difficult.

08/27/2023

Smoky Quartz Training Update! He's mastered some tasks & public access settings!
..right?

He actually hasn't worked on tasks at all! But if this was posted on social media, someone may have easily believed this from another handler.

Social media is a great place to learn, but that doesn't mean everything posted is fact or reality. Rather, it may actually be hyperbole or not true at all...especially when it comes to training & progress.

In reality for Smoky, he has only worked on foundation behaviors & skills. We are taking his training slow & making everything he learns a game! I'm in no rush.

If social media becomes a burden on your team, it may be time to take a break. Taking a break is OK, and it may save your team's relationship depending on how much it affects you.

Has social media impacted your team?

08/02/2023

Service Dogs & Air Travel: An In-Depth Guide to Flying

Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 6:00pm EST

Cost:
Current Clients- $30
Service Dog Handlers: $50
All others- $60

Spot are limited. Sign-ups end August 25 at Midnight.
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This seminar is designed for service dog teams and teams in training who are preparing air travel, or for teams that have flown in the past but had difficulty. This is not a dog training class.
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Everything you need to know from training and packing, to paperwork and arranging additional accommodation with airlines. This course provides training outlines and detailed lists to help you feel ready to tackle your first flight and any potential hiccups.

This course provides a detailed walk-through of everything you can expect to encounter and how to navigate your first flight experience. We cover every little detail so you'll be prepared to take on your first flying experience with confidence.
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To sign-up comment below, DM us, or contact us via our website. Feel free to ask any questions below!

07/24/2023

I'll say this again & again: Just because it will look good for social media, doesn't mean it needs to be done OR that it's good for you dog.

You'll hear me say this especially to my puppy clients who see other handlers on social media taking their puppy to difficult locations super young. Just because they are doing doesn't mean it's good for their dog. But many handlers don't know this, and wil then push their puppy into situations they may not be ready for - just for social media.

Social media is NOT reality often times, and NOT your trainer. If you're concerned or have questions about your dog's progress...talk to your trainer!

Need help with service dog training? We offer affordable virtual sessions for service dogs, at $20 per hour. DM us to schedule!

Address

3902 Bellson Park Drive
Midlothian, VA
23112

Telephone

+18042157153

Website

http://www.helpinghowls.com/

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