Dog Training is OUR Passion.
We are constantly increasing our knowledge and keeping up with the current science of positive, force free dog training and behavioral modification methods. Or goal is to provide the most effective and humane training methods there are to offer. We are Veterinary recommended and award winning, along with a 5 star Google rating.
After 25 years of professionally training dogs, we have seen it all, and helped thousands of families build lasting relationships with their pets using love, compassion, patience and empathy. We know quality training takes time and there are no shortcuts to a well trained dog. We expect participation from all family members. There must be consistent, clear communication throughout the entire family when working with your family pet and yes, we use all positive methods when working with children, moms and dads, after all, learning should be fun!
In all of our programs we teach your dog how to learn new valuable skills using fun games that support important lessons such as loose leash walks, coming when called, stay/place cues, standing for treatment and grooming, along with the specific needs of your unique family. We take them for walks around town and public parks giving them “real life” experiences to practice those important lessons. OUR goal is that your pup returns home with the education that helps them be your Friend for Life!
As part of all of our training programs your dog will receive a comfortable, properly fitting harness and a leash that supports our humane training methods.
WE NEVER use, suggest or support the use of e-collars (shock collars), prong (pinch) collars, choke (nylon or chain) collars, yelling, hitting, throwing objects or any such inhumane methods or tools when training your dog. These tools and methods have been proven via scientific research to be detrimental to the mental, emotional and physical health of your pet, as well as, damaging to the relationship between you and your pet.
We train YOU too. We provide you with support via phone, email and up to 6 private one hour lessons when needed for 3 months after their initial 2 weeks are over, this is included at no additional cost to you.
Natalie Hawkins
Natalie Hawkins CFFT has been professionally training dogs since she began Friends for Life; Holistic Pet Training in July of 2000. During her 20+ years of working with people and their pets she has become a supporter of Force Free and Positive Methods training. She believes success in a relationship requires patience , guidance, support and understanding. Natalie uses scientifically proven methods to help families with their pets. As a pet dog trainer and owner of many dogs herself she understands the unique relationship dogs have with their families and how to best teach, guide and support that relationship. Natalie will never use methods that cause pain, force or fear or tools such as shock (ECollars), prong or choke collars on your dog!
Natalie has 4 amazing dogs, Sookie Fae (MAS), Clara Rose (Border Collie) Doc Brown (Australian Shepherd) and Arrow (Blue Heeler).
Natalie is currently Certified with the Fear Free Pets holding the title:
Certified Professional Fear Free Trainer, and a Professional Member of N.I.C.E - National Institute of Canine Ethics
Over the years she has attained many certificates of completion for online courses in canine training, and behavior modification, and has attended many seminars with focus on behavior modification with emphasis on aggression. She is always learning and using only the most current scientifically based positive reinforcement force free methods in her training programs.
Professional Member of : APDT, ABBA, PPG and an AKC CGC Evaluator
Jerry Romo
Jerry Romo has been learning from Natalie for the past several years and has just retired from his 23 year profession as a over the road driver. Jerry is passionate about dog training and learning to be a positive methods trainer. He is patient and always provides a fun environment for dogs and their owners to learn in. He is a wealth of knowledge, caring and supportive. He moved to Colorado after his retirement bringing with him his “truck dog” Arrow (ACD).