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, Pewee Valley, Crestwood, La Grange, Prospect, and nearby areas.
Free consultation first. Limited availability. One dog and one family at a time.
Training for real life
Calm practice at home, on walks, and around the everyday distractions your dog actually meets.
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, breed or mix, current routine, behavior goals, and any safety concerns.
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
August 5, 2025 · 12 min read
How to Properly Socialize and Desensitize Your Dog
Socialization is not about meeting as many dogs and people as possible. It is about teaching a dog that the world is safe. Here is how that work actually looks.
May 21, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Help a Sensitive or Fearful Dog Handle New Environments
Sensitive and fearful dogs can lose their obedience fast in busy new places. Here is how slow desensitization, distance, and recovery help them build confidence.
May 1, 2026 · 5 min read
What a Structured Training Walk Actually Looks Like
Most dogs walk their humans. Here is what changes when the walk has a job.
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.
My background started with shelter dogs, where I worked with a wide range of temperaments, energy levels, fears, and habits. That shaped the way I train now: clear communication, realistic goals, and steady progress without rushing the dog.
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?
Trail & Heel is positive first. Training starts with clear communication, reinforcement, management, and appropriate equipment for the dog in front of us. The plan depends on the dog, the goal, and what helps the family follow through safely.
Will my dog be off leash during walks?
New dogs should expect to stay leashed unless it is completely safe, appropriate, and agreed upon. My personal dogs are fully off-leash trained and may be off leash on some outings, but client dogs earn that freedom slowly and only when the setting and training support it.
Do you work with aggressive dogs?
The focus is puppies, manners, obedience, leash skills, confidence work, mild to moderate anxiety, and family-dog routines. Severe aggression or active bite-risk cases may need a specialist or veterinary behaviorist first.
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.
Tell me about your dog
Fill out the form to request availability. Share what life looks like right now, what you want to change, and the kind of support you are considering.