About · since 2016
One trainer, one assistant.
Every dog by name.
Heelwork is a small practice in the Twin Cities: private sessions in your home, 4-dog classes in a park or a rented room, and a written plan for every dog.
The team
Two people, both in the field.
Nadia Brekke
Owner · trainer & behavior consultant
Nadia started Heelwork in 2016, after six years on the behavior team of a Twin Cities shelter, where she ran the dog playgroups and wrote plans for dogs who came back after adoption. Most of them came back for the same three reasons: pulling, not coming when called, and barking at other dogs. Those became Heelwork’s Recall and Reactivity programs and the Loose-Leash class, and Puppy Start is there so fewer dogs need them.
She works in clients’ homes within 15 miles of either downtown, and teaches every class herself. At the consult she’ll tell you what she can help with and what needs your vet first. At home there’s Sisu, a 7-year-old shepherd mix who used to bark at every dog on the block, and now mostly doesn’t.
CREDENTIALS
CPDT-KA · Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed
IAABC-ADT · Accredited Dog Trainer
Fear Free Certified Professional
Since 2016
Behavior consults, reactivity, recall
Kia Vang
Class assistant
Kia runs the set-ups in every class: the gates, the visual barriers, the helper dog at exactly 40 ft. That leaves Nadia free to watch your dog and your timing, and it’s why a 4-dog class runs on time.
On weekdays she’s a vet tech at a St. Paul clinic, which shows in Puppy Start: she teaches the handling step, and she knows what a calm ear exam looks like from the other side of the table.
CREDENTIALS
Fear Free Certified Professional
Logging hours toward the CPDT-KA
Since 2022
Puppy Start, class set-ups, handling and cooperative care
THE METHOD
We change what your dog practices, never by making your dog afraid.
Least intrusive, minimally aversive. Every time.
Least intrusive
We start with the easiest change: management, distance, a better reward.
Minimally aversive
No leash pops, no prong, choke or shock collars, no flooding.
Written down
Every step has a criterion, every session a line in the log.
The bag
What's in the bag.
IN THE BAG
NEVER IN THE BAG
Prong collar
Choke chain
Shock collar
Leash pops
Flooding
They can stop a behavior for a moment. They also teach your dog that the world is scary.
Questions
Method questions.
Sudden aggression, a new fear or a bite? Start with your vet. Pain and illness change behavior, and I'll want their notes before we begin.
