About Heeling Hounds Dog Training
Meet your trainer: Tom Heeren
Meet your trainer: Tom Heeren
Meet your trainer: Tom Heeren
Tom Heeren has always had dogs in his life and has owned Border Collies and Terriers for the past 30 years. Tom has trained many breeds of dogs in Warrnambool and is now a regular volunteer trainer at the Mornington Obedience Dog Club, including over 100 dogs from puppies all the way to dog obedience to an advanced level. Tom's primary in
Tom Heeren has always had dogs in his life and has owned Border Collies and Terriers for the past 30 years. Tom has trained many breeds of dogs in Warrnambool and is now a regular volunteer trainer at the Mornington Obedience Dog Club, including over 100 dogs from puppies all the way to dog obedience to an advanced level. Tom's primary interest is helping owners solve behavioural problems with their dogs.
Tom will design a personalised dog behaviour modification or training program to help build confidence and resilience in your dog. One-on-one sessions will allow you and your dog to learn new skills, consolidate old ones and succeed in a relaxed and less stressful setting rather than a multi-dog class. Starting in your backyard and home environment the training can progress to include more distractions so that you and your dog can feel confident in any situation and have the skills at hand to cope when confronting new challenges.
With two degrees in biological science, a Masters in teaching and an Absolute Dogs certified Pro Dog Trainer in canine behaviour and dog training; Tom is well-qualified to help you and your dog succeed.
Naughty but nice dogs
Meet your trainer: Tom Heeren
Meet your trainer: Tom Heeren
You and your dog are a team, but sometimes the lines of communication are not entirely clear, and your dog exhibits behaviours that are unpleasant or unacceptable. If not correctly addressed, these behaviours can cause the relationship you have with your dog to breakdown, making what was once a pleasant experience into one of constant str
You and your dog are a team, but sometimes the lines of communication are not entirely clear, and your dog exhibits behaviours that are unpleasant or unacceptable. If not correctly addressed, these behaviours can cause the relationship you have with your dog to breakdown, making what was once a pleasant experience into one of constant struggles and despair. Some of these problems can include:
- separation-related behaviours
- leash pulling/lunging
- barking at other dogs, animals and people
- jumping up on people
- destructive behaviour such as chewing furniture or digging
- resource guarding, i.e. growling/defending food or possessions from others
- fear-related behaviours towards strangers or objects such as lawnmowers or vacuum cleaners.
There is hope for you and your dog. By using a combination of balanced positive reinforcement techniques, concept games, and a personalised approach based on the latest scientific understandings of canine behaviour, your dog’s life can be transformed.
Based on the latest science
Based on the latest science
Based on the latest science
Tom keeps up-to-date with the latest scientific canine behavioural and cognitive studies that show that anxious and nervous dogs need space, understanding, patience and lots of time to help them learn to overcome their problems.
There is no quick fix or magic command, and in extreme cases, some dogs may require support throughout their liv
Tom keeps up-to-date with the latest scientific canine behavioural and cognitive studies that show that anxious and nervous dogs need space, understanding, patience and lots of time to help them learn to overcome their problems.
There is no quick fix or magic command, and in extreme cases, some dogs may require support throughout their lives.
Each dog is an individual, and what may work for one dog may not be the best solution for another. By understanding your breed of dog, observing its behaviour and getting to know the owner, a personal program can be developed for you and your dog.
For example, Sidney, Tom's current Border Collie, was surrendered at four months and suffered from a lack of confidence around strangers. In the past two years, Tom's rehabilitation allows Sidney to attend regular Mornington Obedience Dog Club committee meetings, and he is comfortable and confident enough to be patted and sleep beside the feet of other people.
Absolute Dogs Certified
Based on the latest science
Based on the latest science
The Absolute Dogs training methodology is centred around the motto 'There's a game for that!' Dogs, like humans, learn and retain information better if the learning experience is meaningful and fun.
The games-based training approach builds concepts in our dogs. The concepts we can build through games include:
- calmness
- optimism
- thinking in aro
The Absolute Dogs training methodology is centred around the motto 'There's a game for that!' Dogs, like humans, learn and retain information better if the learning experience is meaningful and fun.
The games-based training approach builds concepts in our dogs. The concepts we can build through games include:
- calmness
- optimism
- thinking in arousal
- focus
- grit
- flexibility
- proximity
- arousal up/arousal down
- disengagement
Games training has been shown to reshape a dog's brain and the way they interact with the world around them. Games training turns struggles into strengths.
Being an Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer means that I can develop a custom set of concept games for your dog to help them with their daily struggles.
Certifications and training competencies
