Specializing in training your dog in your Vermont home

We’re Committed to Safe and Effective Dog Training

Our modern, efficient dog training methods make the most of owner and trainer time, as well as dog attention spans. We get to the root of your dog’s problem and treat it with methods that are proven – not just junk science. Our methods are dog and people friendly — not to mention fun!

We never hurt dogs and owners don't have to either. Dogs may learn to avoid pain in other training methods, but they rarely learn to do what we want them to as easily when they are in distress. That's the basis of our philosophy. Plus, we think dogs are a lot of fun and should be enjoyed as pets and pals. They should like us or even "love" us, but they shouldn't fear us.

We Employ Two Approaches to Dog Training

Not all trainers can effectively implement these techniques.

Reward Strategy

This trains dogs who are emotionally sound to do what we want, such as walking nicely on a leash or coming when called, through the use of rewards such as treats, play or going outside.

Don't worry. Giving treats won't last forever. They're a training tool that works, but once your dog is trained, it will only take an occasional treat or praise to keep your dog on the right track.

Desensitization and Counterconditioning

This method is used with emotionally distressed dogs to change the dog's view of whatever is upsetting it.

When the owner keeps the “evil” thing at a comfortable distance, then we can teach the dog to be OK with it. This includes helping dogs to accept other dogs on walks, bikes, kids or whatever. Desensitization (basically this is "shrinking" the scarey thing by keeping the dog a comfortable distance from it or by keeping exposures to it brief) is also used with dogs who object to eye contact, being handled or other things that make him/her uncomfortable.

We never use painful leash corrections or aversive therapies such as choke collars.

  © 2004 Follow the Leader Dog Training Services/Jill Halstead · Member: Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Dog Training Services

Chittenden County Vermont

Follow the Leader, owned by experienced dog trainer Jill Halstead, teaches all aspects of dog training & dog behavior. Clicker training, dog training basics, aggressive dogs, aggression issues, chewing and biting, dog socialization, leash training, puppy training and more. Jill has been training dogs in the

Jill Halstead is a graduate of the renowned San Francisco SPCA Dog Trainer Academy which is directed by author and trainer Jean Donaldson. You may be familiar with some of Jean's books including Culture Clash, Dogs are From Neptune and Mine!.

Through four years of training shelter dogs at the Chittenden County Humane Society, Jill has been convinced of the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training methods - even with the most difficult dogs. Those are the only types of methods we use. They are the only methods proven to train dogs without fallout like aggression and fear.

She was lucky enough to have been the owner of a sweet, well-behaved Border Collie cross named Bailey, who she trained to be a registered therapy dog. Sadly, Bailey passed away in May at the age of about 14. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Bailey was adopted from the Humane Society of Chittenden County at the age of two or three. Mixed-breed shelter dogs rock!