Puppy Foundations
For puppies under one year.
For young dogs learning potty routines, crate comfort, leash basics, socialization, confidence building, bite inhibition, settling, and household manners.
Louisville Private Dog Training
Private dog training for calmer family life.
Practical one-on-one training for puppies, leash manners, anxious dogs, and everyday obedience in Louisville and surrounding areas.
Free consultation first. Limited availability. One dog and one family at a time.
Have questions?
Call, text, email, or send the quick form below. I am often in a session, so please leave a voicemail and I will call back as soon as I can.
Call or text
Let's talk about your dog
Send the basics and I will follow up. I am often in a session, so if you call, please leave a voicemail and I will call back as soon as I can.
Trail & Heel services
- Puppy foundations
- Private dog training
- Confidence building
- Leash manners
- Real-world obedience
- Free consultation first
Practical training
Training for real life, not perfect conditions.
Most dogs do fine when the house is quiet. The hard part is the normal stuff: visitors, walks, barking, pulling, busy places, kids, routines, and getting your dog to listen when life is moving.
Private Dog Training
Dogs of all ages.
One-on-one coaching for leash manners, recall, polite greetings, settling, routines, impulse control, behavior modification, and clearer communication at home.
Confidence & Real-World Training
Anxious, overexcited dogs of all ages.
Slow, practical work for anxious, sensitive, under-socialized, or easily overwhelmed dogs who need help around new places, sounds, people, and everyday situations.
For some dogs, training may include real-world practice walks, trail work, drop-in support, or a limited board & train stay. Those are recommended case by case after the consultation.
How it works
Simple to start
Free consultation first. Then a practical plan, training sessions, and clear follow-through your family can keep using.
01
Tell me about your dog
Share your dog's age, what is going on right now, and any safety concerns. We can sort out the rest on the call.
02
Free consultation
We talk through what is going on and decide whether Trail & Heel is the right fit.
03
Training plan
You receive digital resources, specific goals, homework, realistic expectations, and a clear order for what to work on first.
04
Sessions and follow-through
We train, adjust as needed, and keep the work clear with progress reports, photos, and next steps your family can keep using.
Learn more
Trail & Heel Blog
June 28, 2026 · 8 min read
Better Chews for Puppies: What I Recommend and What I Avoid
Puppies need to chew, but not every chew is useful or safe. Here are puppy chew options I like, including KONG Puppy Toys, Toppl-style food toys, lick mats, bully sticks, collagen chews, and frozen slow feeders.
Your trainer
A practical trainer for real family dogs.
Hi, I'm Andrew
I work with dogs who need structure, patience, and practical help in normal life.
I especially love helping fearful and anxious dogs learn that the world can feel safer and more predictable. Those dogs do not need to be rushed or flooded. They need clear communication, realistic goals, and steady progress at a pace they can handle.
At home, I have three kids and two dogs, so I understand how important it is for training to fit into family life. The goal is not a dog who only listens in a quiet room. The goal is a dog you can live with, walk with, and enjoy.
FAQ
Do you work with puppies?
Yes. Puppy Foundations can cover crate comfort, potty routines, leash basics, confidence building, bite inhibition, settling, early socialization, and household manners.
Do you work with anxious dogs?
Yes. Confidence and real-world training is available for anxious or sensitive dogs. The pace is slow and practical, with careful exposure to new places, sounds, surfaces, people, and routines.
Do you offer dog walking?
Sometimes, but Trail & Heel is training-first. Real-world practice walks may be recommended when they support leash manners, confidence, exposure work, or better routines. If you only need basic dog walking, I may not be the best fit.
Do you offer board & train?
Yes. Board & train is available on a limited basis, by consultation only, for appropriate dogs and focused goals. It includes structure, practical training, and a careful owner handoff.
How much does training cost?
Pricing depends on your dog, your location, the goals, and the type of support recommended. Start with the free consultation, and I will give you a clear recommendation before anything is scheduled.
What tools do you use?
I am a positive reinforcement based trainer and practice pain-free training methods. Training starts with rewards, clear communication, management, and safe equipment for the dog in front of us. My personal favorite training tool is the long line.
Do you work with aggressive dogs?
It depends on the dog and the type of aggression. A lot of dogs people call aggressive are actually scared, anxious, reactive, or overwhelmed. Give me a call and we can talk through what is happening, what you have already tried, and whether I am the right fit.
Are vaccinations required?
Yes. Vaccination records may be required for real-world practice walks, board & train, and ongoing support. We will talk through requirements before anything is scheduled.