Lead Companion Dog Trainer: Heidi Theis
I have been training dogs for 38 years and I feel very lucky to do for work what I love, training dogs! I started training with my first German Shepherd Dog in 1987 and it was obvious that I had a love and talent for dog training. Because of this, I quickly started doing obedience training classes for the boarding kennel where I worked when I was going to college. After college, my dogs were doing so well in a competitive dogsport called Schutzhund, that I had fellow competitors hiring me for private training to help their dogs excel. Over these years, I have gained a unique and vast understanding and knowledge of dog behavior and various training methods. I still compete with my dogs in Schutzhund and most recently in 2024, I scored an amazing 95 points in obedience under a strong judge. In our discipline, this high of an obedience score only comes with an exceptionally, genetically capable dog, combined with a trainer with a true knowledge of dog behavior and talented training ability.
Training Apprentice: Brandon Theis
My son, Brandon Theis, is now my training apprentice. He has the "dog gene" as we like to say! He is a dog lover and he has the same natural, unique feel for dogs that I have. It is exciting being able to work with him as he learns how to master dog training as well. Brandon assists me at most private lessons as well as our elite group training sessions. He is so talented that he is also the main helper at our Schutzhund club, and he is really excelling here as well. Brandon is not only talented, but he is also quite the gentleman, and you will appreciate meeting such a good and helpful person. Brandon also offers boarding, board/exercise, or board/train/exercise at his home. Brandon also offers Schtuzhund titles for breeders to attain Basic, Advanced, or Premium breeding levels for their German Shepherd Dogs, this is independent of me. I do not offer this service as I am a Judge for our dogsport organization, and I'm not permitted to do this type of training.
