Inquiry, History & Intake Form
Tell us about your dog, your goals, and where things feel hardest right now.
Call or Text: (325) 242-9464
Serving: the Abilene, Texas area
Hoofbeats &
Heartbeats
Gentle training. Grounded care.
Positive reinforcement dog training for real-life living.
Serving the Abilene, Texas area
You love your dog. You just wish everyday life felt a little easier.
You pictured peaceful walks, relaxed visits with friends, maybe even enjoying a coffee shop patio together. You imagined adventures, companionship, and a dog who could comfortably share more of your world.
Instead, some days feel like you're constantly managing barking, pulling, jumping, fear, or overwhelm. You love your dog dearly, but you're tired of wondering whether things will ever get easier.
You don't need a perfect dog. You want a happy, confident companion you can enjoy life with.
At Hoofbeats & Heartbeats, we understand. Through gentle, positive-reinforcement training built around your dog's individual needs and your everyday life, we'll help you build better communication, greater confidence, and more calm—one achievable step at a time.
Gentle training. Grounded care. More life together.
Dog Training Designed for Real Life
Choose the support that fits your dog, your goals, and your schedule.
Every program is built around calm behavior, emotional wellbeing, and helping dogs comfortably fit into everyday life.
Good to know — for every package
- Every session is 60 minutes. The initial assessment is included in your first scheduled session, not billed separately.
- Every package includes a training plan, written practice recommendations, progress tracking, and an end-of-program review.
- Training is individualized for each dog and family. Trainer-led sessions, owner coaching, and field trips are selected according to training goals and your dog’s comfort and readiness.
- Real-world training may include neighborhood walks, appropriate public settings, vehicle entry, car travel, or veterinary visit preparation, depending on your dog’s readiness and your family’s goals.
- Your dog’s comfort comes first. No dog will be pushed into an environment or situation beyond its current ability to cope.
- Training is sold in packages, not individual sessions. Pricing is the same for Puppy Foundations, Everyday Essentials, and Fresh Start: Starter $395, Complete $595, and Extended $895.
Ready to find your calm? Choose your program below, then use its package button to start an inquiry with your selection already filled in.
Puppy Foundations
Building calm, confidence, and real-life skills from the start.
Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming fast. This program helps you move beyond survival mode and focus on the practical skills puppies need to grow into calm, confident companions.
We work on focus, settling, leash skills, appropriate socialization, handling, manners in the home, and learning how to calmly exist in the world around them.
Because the goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping you raise a dog you can confidently enjoy through everyday life.
A strong foundation
Starter
$395
4 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families looking for a strong foundation and practical guidance.
- Initial behavioral and training assessment during the first session.
- Individualized training plan.
- Owner coaching and hands-on instruction.
- Written homework and practice recommendations.
- Private Google Sheets progress tracker.
- End-of-program progress review.
The balanced option for busy dog owners
Complete
$595
6 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting more consistent support and hands-on training assistance.
- Everything included in Starter.
- Up to two trainer-led day-training sessions, depending on individual training goals.
- Owner coaching and skill-transfer sessions.
- Additional opportunities to practice and reinforce skills in everyday situations.
Six sessions total. Trainer-led sessions are included within the six sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!More room for real-world practice
Extended
$895
8 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting comprehensive support, individualized training, and real-world application.
- Everything included in Complete.
- Up to three trainer-led day-training sessions.
- Up to two customized real-world training sessions or field trips.
- Flexible combinations of trainer-led training and owner-and-dog coaching outings.
- Additional support for transferring skills into everyday environments.
Eight sessions total. Field trips and trainer-led sessions are included within the eight purchased sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!Everyday Essentials
Practical training for calm, reliable living.
For dogs who pull, jump, bark, ignore cues when distracted, struggle to settle, or become overly excited by every sound, person, or movement around them.
We focus on leash walking, polite greetings, focus around distractions, settling in the home, impulse control, coming when called, confidence in new environments, and staying connected to you when the world gets busy.
Because training shouldn’t feel like a battle.
A strong foundation
Starter
$395
4 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families looking for a strong foundation and practical guidance.
- Initial behavioral and training assessment during the first session.
- Individualized training plan.
- Owner coaching and hands-on instruction.
- Written homework and practice recommendations.
- Private Google Sheets progress tracker.
- End-of-program progress review.
The balanced option for busy dog owners
Complete
$595
6 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting more consistent support and hands-on training assistance.
- Everything included in Starter.
- Up to two trainer-led day-training sessions, depending on individual training goals.
- Owner coaching and skill-transfer sessions.
- Additional opportunities to practice and reinforce skills in everyday situations.
Six sessions total. Trainer-led sessions are included within the six sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!More room for real-world practice
Extended
$895
8 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting comprehensive support, individualized training, and real-world application.
- Everything included in Complete.
- Up to three trainer-led day-training sessions.
- Up to two customized real-world training sessions or field trips.
- Flexible combinations of trainer-led training and owner-and-dog coaching outings.
- Additional support for transferring skills into everyday environments.
Eight sessions total. Field trips and trainer-led sessions are included within the eight purchased sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!Fresh Start
Helping rescue dogs build confidence, calm, and trust in their new life.
Rescue dogs often need more than obedience training. They need time, patience, understanding, and guidance that helps them feel safe while learning how to navigate an entirely new world.
Training may include confidence building, decompression support, leash skills, reducing stress behaviors, handling sensitivity, building routines, polite manners, and helping your dog feel safe and connected.
Because rescue dogs don’t need perfection. They need someone willing to help them feel safe enough to begin again.
A strong foundation
Starter
$395
4 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families looking for a strong foundation and practical guidance.
- Initial behavioral and training assessment during the first session.
- Individualized training plan.
- Owner coaching and hands-on instruction.
- Written homework and practice recommendations.
- Private Google Sheets progress tracker.
- End-of-program progress review.
The balanced option for busy dog owners
Complete
$595
6 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting more consistent support and hands-on training assistance.
- Everything included in Starter.
- Up to two trainer-led day-training sessions, depending on individual training goals.
- Owner coaching and skill-transfer sessions.
- Additional opportunities to practice and reinforce skills in everyday situations.
Six sessions total. Trainer-led sessions are included within the six sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!More room for real-world practice
Extended
$895
8 private sessions · 60 minutes each
For families wanting comprehensive support, individualized training, and real-world application.
- Everything included in Complete.
- Up to three trainer-led day-training sessions.
- Up to two customized real-world training sessions or field trips.
- Flexible combinations of trainer-led training and owner-and-dog coaching outings.
- Additional support for transferring skills into everyday environments.
Eight sessions total. Field trips and trainer-led sessions are included within the eight purchased sessions, not added to them.
Bring On the Calm!Canine & Equine Massage Therapy
Certified bodywork to support your animal's comfort, mobility, and calm.
Massage therapy can support dogs and horses recovering from injury or surgery, aging animals with stiffness or arthritis, active and working animals, and anxious animals who carry tension in their bodies. Gentle, hands-on bodywork can help improve circulation, ease muscle tension, support mobility, and promote deep relaxation.
I am a certified canine and equine massage therapist through Equissage, trained under Mary Scheiber. Sessions average about one hour.
$85 per session.
Please note: Under Texas law, animal massage therapy is offered only with the oversight of a licensed veterinarian. I'm happy to coordinate with your animal's veterinarian to make sure massage is a safe, appropriate fit for their needs.
About Us
Meet the Trainer
At Hoofbeats & Heartbeats, Heather White believes training begins with respect for the dog in front of us. Every dog has their own history, personality, confidence level, and way of experiencing the world.
My Approach
I believe dogs learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported — not forced.
Every dog is different, which is why I meet each dog exactly where they are emotionally, behaviorally, and developmentally. Whether a dog is fearful, overexcited, overwhelmed, distracted, or simply still learning how to navigate the world, we work from that place together.
Rather than forcing behaviors or pushing dogs beyond what they're ready for, I focus on creating opportunities for success through positive reinforcement, guidance, trust, and clear communication.
My goal is to help dogs feel more confident and capable while helping their humans feel calmer, more connected, and better understood too.
CATCH Certified Dog Trainer
Committed to humane, practical, positive reinforcement training for real life.
Why "Hoofbeats & Heartbeats"?
The name reflects what I love most: the steady rhythm of horses' hooves and the quiet beat of the connection we share with the animals in our lives. Whether four legs or four paws, every animal deserves to be understood — not just managed. That belief is at the heart of every training session.
My Training Philosophy
I don't believe in "quick fixes," dominance theory, or training tools that work through fear or pain. I believe in building dogs up, not shutting them down. Real, lasting change comes from understanding why your dog is doing what they're doing — then helping them learn a better way through patience, repetition, and trust.
Modern, science-based training isn't permissive. It's clear, consistent, and kind. Your dog can learn boundaries, manners, and impulse control without ever being yelled at, jerked on a leash, or shocked into compliance.
What Sets My Training Apart
- It happens in your real life. Training in your home and neighborhood means the skills your dog learns actually stick where you need them.
- The whole family is part of it. For most programs, I coach you alongside your dog so progress doesn't disappear when I leave. With Day Training, I work directly with your dog first, then meet with you and your family afterward to walk you through what we worked on and show you exactly how to keep it consistent — so the training stays on track when I'm not around.
- Your dog's emotional wellbeing comes first. A dog who feels safe learns faster — and trusts you more in the process.
- No force, no fear, no fancy gadgets. Just clear communication, well-timed reinforcement, and a plan built around your dog.
Who I Love Working With
I work with all kinds of dogs and all kinds of families — first-time puppy owners, families adjusting to a new rescue, busy households juggling kids and dogs, and folks who simply want a calmer, more connected life with the dog they already love. If you're committed to your dog's wellbeing and open to a gentler way of training, we'll work beautifully together.
My Story
My journey to dog training didn't start with a certification. It started with a Doberman mix named Lillith.
I'm a military veteran, and like a lot of people who've served, I came home carrying things that don't show up on an X-ray. Which had a way of making the world feel loud and unpredictable, and for a while, I wasn't sure how to navigate it.
Lillith figured it out before I did. She was a rescue — sensitive, intuitive, and somehow always knew exactly what I needed before I could put it into words. She had this quiet way of anchoring me when everything else felt unsteady. I don't use the word "saved" lightly, but she saved me. She also showed me something I've never forgotten: dogs have an extraordinary capacity to meet us exactly where we are. No judgment. No conditions. Just presence.
Lillith passed, and the loss was real — the way it always is when you lose a dog who was more than just a pet. But her legacy lives on in the work I do now.
I went on to earn my certification through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy, and I'm also a certified equine and canine massage therapist through Equissage with Mary Scheiber. I've spent years working with shelter dogs as a foster — because I believe deeply that many dogs just need time and a little patience before they show the world who they really are. Sounds familiar, honestly.
Today I share my life with Freddie — my service dog, my partner in crime, and the most intelligent chaos agent I've ever met. She's a cattle dog/Weimaraner mix hiding in a Labrador's body, and she keeps me humble every single day. She also jumps into trees to chase squirrels, which tells you everything you need to know about her. She's joined by Sunny, a husky/Great Pyrenees mix who is equal parts majestic and dramatic; Captain, a border collie mix who takes his job title very seriously; Tango, a husky/terrier mix with opinions about everything; and Peaches, a shepherd mix who appears to have been assembled at a slight reduction in height — we think a corgi may have been involved somewhere down the line.
Peaches came to me as a foster, completely shut down, with nothing left to give the world. Today she is best described as what happens when a tank meets an energizer bunny. She is proof of everything I believe about dogs — and honestly about people too. Sometimes all it takes is time, patience, and someone who refuses to give up on you. Together, the five of them ensure that peace and quiet remain a distant memory in our house — and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I work with dogs and their people using positive, relationship-based training methods — whether your dog is a brand new puppy, a rescue still finding their footing, or a longtime companion with some habits you'd like to work on.
Every dog deserves a chance. I've seen firsthand what happens when they get one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about training, pricing, and how we work together.
What is positive reinforcement dog training?
Positive reinforcement training rewards the behaviors you want to see — using treats, praise, play, and clear communication — instead of using punishment or fear. It builds trust between you and your dog, creates lasting behavior change, and helps your dog feel safe while learning. It's the most widely endorsed approach by modern veterinary behaviorists and professional dog trainers.
Where do you offer training? Do you come to my home?
Yes! Currently, all training is done in your home and the real-world environments where you and your dog actually live — neighborhoods, parks, sidewalks, and other everyday settings. This helps your dog learn skills that transfer directly into their daily life. I serve Abilene, Tye, Buffalo Gap, Tuscola, Clyde, Merkel, and surrounding communities. Board-and-train options are coming soon.
How much does dog training cost?
Puppy Foundations, Everyday Essentials, and Fresh Start share the same package pricing: Starter is $395 for four sessions, Complete is $595 for six sessions, and Extended is $895 for eight sessions. All sessions are private and 60 minutes. Training is sold in packages, not individual sessions.
What is included in every training package?
Every package includes an initial behavioral and training assessment during the first scheduled session, not billed separately; an individualized training plan; owner coaching and hands-on instruction; written homework and practice recommendations; a private Google Sheets progress tracker; and an end-of-program progress review.
Are trainer-led sessions and field trips extra sessions?
No. Complete includes up to two trainer-led day-training sessions within its six sessions, depending on individual training goals. Extended includes up to three trainer-led day-training sessions and up to two customized real-world training sessions or field trips within its eight purchased sessions. These are included sessions, not additional sessions.
How are real-world training settings chosen?
Training is individualized for each dog and family. Trainer-led sessions, owner coaching, and field trips are selected according to training goals and the dog's comfort and readiness. Real-world training may include neighborhood walks, appropriate public settings, vehicle entry, car travel, or veterinary visit preparation. No dog will be pushed into an environment or situation beyond its current ability to cope.
Do you work with rescue dogs?
Absolutely. The Fresh Start program is built specifically for rescue dogs and their families. Rescue dogs often need more than obedience — they need time, patience, and trust-building. We focus on decompression, confidence building, handling sensitivity, and gentle leash skills to help your rescue dog feel safe enough to begin again.
Is my dog too old for training?
Not at all — dogs of every age can learn. Older dogs often surprise their families with how quickly they pick up new skills once given clear communication and the right kind of support. Whether your dog is 8 weeks or 10 years old, training meets them where they are.
How long until I see results?
Progress varies with your dog's history, comfort and readiness, your training goals, and consistency between sessions. We use your individualized plan, practice recommendations, progress tracker, and end-of-program review to guide the work. No specific behavioral outcome or timeline is guaranteed.
What is Day Training and how does it work?
Day Training is professional one-on-one training where I work directly with your dog during the day in real-life environments while you focus on work and life. You receive simple, manageable guidance to maintain progress. Complete includes up to two trainer-led day-training sessions, depending on individual training goals; Extended includes up to three. These sessions count toward the package total.
Do you offer a military or veteran discount?
Yes! All active duty service members, veterans, and immediate military family members receive 20% off every training package. Just mark it on your intake form or let me know when you reach out. It's my way of saying thank you for your service.
Are you certified?
Yes. I am a CATCH Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT), which means I've completed formal coursework and hands-on training in modern, science-based, force-free methods. I'm committed to humane, practical, positive reinforcement training rooted in your dog's emotional wellbeing.
From Chaos to Calm — Without Rearranging Your Entire Life
You don’t need to figure this out alone. Whether you’re raising a puppy, helping a rescue dog adjust, or struggling with everyday behavior challenges, we’re here to help create a calmer, more connected life with your dog.
Call or Text: (325) 242-9464
Serving the Abilene, Texas area