Specializing in training your dog in your Vermont home

Testimonials

"Thank you so much for all your help. (My husband) was awed with your calm and clear expertise as I was the first time we met. You absolutely know the best way to help all of us."
– A.W., Shelburne, VT

"He is doing great. I've had him off leash for most of the time outside and he's been great. He headed up the hill toward the pasture the other day and I called him, he stopped looked at me and then looked up the hill, I called again and he came running to me."
– S.M. Northfield, VT

"Thanks again for all your help. You have really helped me, to make life for my dogs the best it can be. I really had my hands full with (my dog.) I love her to death, but it was really hard to control her and now she is such a good girl. The look in her eyes now is so different, before you could see the fear and how unsure she was, now she is so happy. Her big brown eyes just sparkle. It melts my heart in a good way now."
– J.V. Barre, VT

"Thank you so much for coming and helping me out. You made some great suggestions and observations. I am determined to help (my dog) and I think your plan will offer an excellent stepping stone for results. You really seem to know your stuff and I can tell (my dog) really liked you! Thanks again. I will keep in contact with any questions or progressions I find."
– L.H. Burlington, VT

"Thank you so much for the very thorough report. We were so impressed with you and all the information you offered. (My dog) missed you when you left, because she kept going back and forth to the doors!"
– J.F. Waitsfield, VT

"I will happily tell our Vet about you and I agree with you about the lack of information regarding where to go for dogs with fear-based issues. We even talked to our Vet about it and all he told us was to "keep her out of trouble." It wasn't very helpful or motivating."
– Anonymous


To view our "Archived Testimonials", click here


 

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!