Hart to Heart Canine Training, LLC

Hart to Heart Canine Training, LLC Understanding dogs and what is important to them forms a trusting bond between dogs & their humans

My experience comes from my time fostering, rescuing, and rehabilitating dogs while volunteering for dog rescues and shelters since 2009, plus training clients’ dogs since 2014. Focusing on feral and fearful dogs, I've honed in on what truly works in transforming fearful and feral dogs into happy, thriving companions. Training alone doesn't equate to trust – especially for dogs who have endured t

rauma from hoarding situations, abuse, or neglect, or those who were once street dogs or feral roamers. These dogs need more than just commands; they need compassionate guidance and unwavering support to overcome their fears. I am a Certified Relationship-Based Trainer through the Canine Human Relationship Institute and a Certified Dog Trainer through IACP. I am also in a Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) workgroup with the IACP. I integrate the true meaning of the LIMA principle and Cynopraxic training into my work.Julie Hart is a Certified Relationship-Based Trainer (Canine Human Relationship Institute) and Certified Dog Trainer (IACP) with extensive experience in rehabilitating fearful and feral dogs. With a background in volunteering with dog rescues since 2009 and professional dog training since 2014, Julie has dedicated her life to helping dogs thrive. She is the president of Friends of San Miguel County Animals, a volunteer non-profit benefiting underserved animals in New Mexico. She has worked extensively with the fearful and feral dog population in New Mexico shelters, imparting her expertise by training others in dog rescue rehabilitation, and offering assistance to clients who once believed their dogs were beyond hope. I am also the founder of Rescue Dogs Responsibly - a website and YouTube channel dedicated to assisting people choose safe adoptable dogs. This also educates about dog rescues and shelters about the myriad of behavior and training protocols helpful for dogs

Midnight, my previously feral foster dog, came to visit at adoption event on Saturday. She was going up to say hello to...
06/08/2026

Midnight, my previously feral foster dog, came to visit at adoption event on Saturday. She was going up to say hello to people and dogs. Her adopter has done well at keeping her rehab continuing. It made my heart happy to see her happy

06/08/2026

Taz was going to bark when Kevin got up off the couch this morning. Maybe she doesn’t like moose print pajamas

She made a slight boof, But she paused and looked at Kevin instead.

Then he stepped on her leash, squatted down and scratched her (not on top of the head). When he stops petting it seems like she is thinking about if she wants more pets r not.

This is simply not allowing unwanted behaviors and building preferred behaviors. It was a bit of an experiment but it seems to be working. Why? Could be many reasons as far as negative and positive reinforcement and her not wanting to be touched when she barks so she doesn’t bark (negative consequences). That part isn’t important. What is important is that Taz is becoming less alerting and afraid, and more stable around Kevin. Her welfare is improving. Let’s stop arguing about why.

Note - this may not work with all dogs. Choosing this path with Taz made sense when taking into account the things she needs to learn, her not biting, and what my husband is willing to do. Work with your client.

06/07/2026

Bindi mama and pups that were trapped two weeks ago by a neighbor are all doing well at the shelter. Right now Bindi has to stay in a sterilized area, so as not to bring back diseases on her paws to the pups, so I can’t work with her on leash walking. But she seems happy to meet new people.

Taz has been trying to snuggle with some dog ever since Midnight left. Shiloh finally gave in.
06/04/2026

Taz has been trying to snuggle with some dog ever since Midnight left. Shiloh finally gave in.

06/04/2026

Incorporating Nose-centric techniques into every day life helps dogs assess the environment and any changes to it. Here Taz sniffs my purchase from the local farm store. It helps her assess what is in my hands and if it’s safe or not.

Can’t take all the feral out of a dog. I had a cooler sitting out for the landscaper yesterday. I didn’t realize the ...
06/03/2026

Can’t take all the feral out of a dog. I had a cooler sitting out for the landscaper yesterday. I didn’t realize the lid was unzipped and Tipton decided to help himself to the ice pack inside the cooler. One of the consistencies of previously free roaming dogs is their ability to pick up and grab things that most “pet” dogs would not.

While I know this and generally keep things picked up - life happens and sometimes the pointy eared smarty pants outsmarts me.

Pacing Taz. Taz tends to pace when I sit down in the living room. She seems a bit lost and nervous about what to do. ...
05/31/2026

Pacing Taz. Taz tends to pace when I sit down in the living room. She seems a bit lost and nervous about what to do. She used to cuddle with Midnight but now there is no Midnight and my other dogs are not cuddlers.

To help her, I bought a little bed with sides to give the bed obvious boundaries. I lead her to the bed with her leash. I sit on the couch next to her and massage her while she is in the bed. She has gotten to the point she enjoys physical affection. She calms down and is going to the bed easier and staying there longer.

Sometimes we have to show dogs what to do. Allowing her to pace for long lengths of time isn’t helping her. It’s just making a habit that won’t serve her in a home.

Once she gets adopted this bed and Taz’s new behavior to relax and enjoy petting will transfer to the new person.

This love affair started twoWeeks ago. While Studying the feral/stray dogs I noticed this dog we named Visitor. She c...
05/31/2026

This love affair started two
Weeks ago. While Studying the feral/stray dogs I noticed this dog we named Visitor. She came to the same area daily to get food from People in the parking lot. She is very pregnant. She has a gentle way about her and trusts people enough to take food from hands, but not enough to touch her.

After I went home, this dog kept me awake at night. I wanted to get her off the streets and into a safe home. With her being pregnant, there was no time to waste. Once she had her puppies, I could not trap her and leave the pups behind. Finding the puppy location would likely mean talking to neighbors who may not be receptive.

So I decided to try luring her into my car. With Visitor's reasonable comfort around people, I thought it might be possible. I emptied my car of everything and put down the seats so it could appear as roomy as possible. I had a step stool in tow and four McDonald's burgers.

I parked and waited. Visitor didn’t show. Her friend did, but her friend looks like she is nursing pups, so I don’t want to trap her at this time. I drove up the road and there comes Visitor. By this time she recognizes my car and followed my car back to the public parking lot. I get out the step stool and put it in front of my open hatch. I sprinkle lots of jerky and burgers in my trunk. She hops right in!

But I made the mistake of raising my hand too quickly when reaching towards the hatch to close it. She bolted out

Did I completely blow it? Luckily Visitor was still hungry. I put more treats and a burger path up the step stool and into the trunk. I let her go in and out several times. This time I kept one arm raised with my hand on the hatch so I could close it without making such a noticeable movement.

Once Visitor was well inside the trunk, I threw in more burger (I learned she actually liked the bun the best) and closed the hatch smoothly. She was closed in my car.

I was shocked that this plan worked. I got into the driver's seat, and Visitor came up to the passenger seat. She was concerned when she realized she couldn’t get out of the windows. I placed a slip lead over her head and held it in case she tried to move into my space during the 5-minute drive to the shelter.

At the shelter, she moved into my lap. Inside the fenced area, I handed the staff the leash, then I opened the door, and Visitor jumped out.

She was unhappy about the leash, but she was calm during her vaccine. We took her to her kennel, likely just in time for Visitor to have puppies inside.

This will give Visitor food and shelter and give her pups access to adoptive homes instead of becoming feral dogs on the streets. I am looking forward to making a connection with Visitor and her future puppies.

05/29/2026

There is always an exception to the rule. No dog is joining in Taz alerting to the neighbors’ ruckus. If you follow my page (please do), you have seen me post about the importance of acknowledging your dog’s concerns. This is because usually dogs pack up and join in evaluating what another pack member is barking at. But not with Taz.

I can make a few guesses as to why. Cause she is small? Cause she was physically compromised? Maybe. But I think it may have to do with her over-reacting to many non-concerning things - Crying wolf when there is nothing. Maybe my dogs have learned that her judgment is not sound. Taz is also moving away from the source of concern instead of running towards it, because underneath the barking she is afraid. Typically, dogs run towards the concern. So, should I acknowledge her reactions or take my dogs’ leads and ignore her? I will experiment.

She is reacting on emotion and not facts. Imagine if humans were this discerning.

Address

Sandia Park, NM
87047

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 8pm

Telephone

+17032546582

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hart to Heart Canine Training, LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Hart to Heart Canine Training, LLC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category