About Fetch Worthy Dog Training
Affordable Dog Training in Austin, TX, and surrounding areas, including Buda, Kyle, TX, and more.
Founder
Shelly Haines, VSA-CDT, FFCP
Education & Experience
Shelly is a graduate of the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy, where she spent countless hours working to earn her certification as a qualified professional dog trainer (VSA-CDT), Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), certified AKC Evaluator, andProfessional member of the Pet Professional Guild(PPG).
With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, Shelly applies the principles of learning and behavior to her work with both canine and human clients. She’s drawn to animals and natural systems and began honing her skills as a wildlife research associate, humane society behavior counselor, and class dog trainer. Shelly has over a decade of experience as an educator and volunteers with her church’s community co-op.
Shelly aims to create lasting, cooperative bonds between her clients and their dogs in a welcoming, fun, and stress-free environment that benefits and delights everyone. She stays up to date by continuing her educationin behavioral scienceand training her dog (Kai).
Dog Training Methods & Philosophy
Fetch Worthy Dog Training is rooted in science and compassion. We focus on growth, not problems.
We are committed to doing no harm, ensuring the best for our clients and their dogs. You don’t need harsh training tools; you need skilled professionals. Our evidence-based methods deliver practical, ethical training through individualized plans that establish fair boundaries and discipline without fear or pain.
We don’t set your dog up to make mistakes so we can correct them, and we will not force your dog to handle adversity on human terms. We utilize behavioral science and canine ethology, grounded in compassion and ethics. These training techniques require a skilled professional.
We teach you how to communicate appropriately with your dog, understand their language, and master the science and art of training. We view dogs as sentient beings with needs that need to be met. We want you to enjoy training your dog and enhance your bond through communication and compassion. We care about your dog’s success as much as you do.
How Do We Work?
We work with dedicated and committed guardians who align with our process through private and online training sessions. We work with all breeds, from brand-new puppies to rowdy adolescents, seniors, or newly adopted rescue dogs. At a competitive price, we accept credit cards and payment plans (third-party processors). We provide lifelong online support and clear training plans, prioritizing transparency & honesty and the well-being of both humans and animals.
Fetch Worthy Values
- Being Human: Being silly and sometimes using bad words, and genuinely caring about you and your dog. The goal here is to support our community and be with you during celebrations and times of loss. You know those people who say they work with dogs because they don’t like people? That is not the case here.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Fetch Worthy is committed to aligning with other businesses and clients that prioritize diversity and inclusion. We proudly support individuals from diverse backgrounds, relationship statuses, and ethnicities, fostering an environment free from judgment.
- Open and Honest Communication: We won’t lead you on with unrealistic promises. We’ll shoot straight about what we can and can’t do. Keep an eye on your favorite loafers—your new puppy might think they’re a chew toy!
- Support Social Justice andPositive Human-Dog Initiatives: Collaborate with organizations that advocate for issues such as human rights, safe interactions between people and their dogs, and reproductive rights of humans, as well as small women-owned businesses.
- Teamwork over Rivalry: We recognize that we can’t achieve our goals on our own, which is why we have many partners collaborating with us. We’re focused on collaboration and teamwork. If you’re interested in working with us, we’d love to hear from you. If you want to learn from our experiences, that’s wonderful too! There’s so much to accomplish, and we’re committed to joining forces to tackle challenges instead of competing against one another.
- Promoting Ethical and Sustainable Practices: We support other businesses that prioritize fair, sustainable labor, environmental sustainability, and other ethical considerations for human-canine well-being.
Dog Training is Unregulated
Dog training is an unregulated industry, and sadly, many trainers still use antiquated methods designed to hurt and/or scare dogs, misunderstand how dogs operate, fail to meet their needs, and are not truthful about the techniques or education. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, these “aversive” training approaches can lead to dogs becoming more fearful and aggressive. Whether you work with me or someone else, I encourage you to find a professional who only uses evidence-based training methods. Read the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) position statement about punishment to better understand why force training should not be an option, especially when working to help fearful and reactive dogs.
Dog Training Lessons
Private Dog Training
Private lessons can take place in your home or a designated location, where I will teach you how to train your dog. Only offered in packages to be more successful with several lessons than with a single lesson.
Puppy Training Program
Fetch Worthy’s puppy program can be conducted at home for the most comprehensive program. Let me be your first resort, not your last. Fetch Worthy has successfully worked with hundreds of families.
Group Class Austin & Kyle
None Offered: Group classes are held in South Austin and Kyle, Texas, for Basic Manners, Advanced Canine Good Citizen training, and recall and leash walking. Classes are for dogs at least 6 months old.
Wonderful experience for myself and my dog. I have an 8 month old Cavapoo that is full of energy. We have worked with Shelly on leash tugging, recall and avoiding reaction to dogs, cars, people etc. During walks. Shelly is so patient and kind with my dog. Truly custom style training that fits my dogs behaviors. Shelly has eagle eyes and can anticipate need for redirecting using treats or “u-turn “ during training. My dog and I have learned that working together can be very rewarding.
Cheryl W.
Training with Shelly has been a huge help as we’ve added a new puppy to our home. She is calm and patient with our pup, and us. We’ve learned so many more tips and tricks that were new to us despite working with previous trainers. We have been able to focus on the aspects of training that are most important to us and have already seen great benefit after just a few sessions.
Courtney R.
What’s Modern Dog Training?
Modern Dog Training is the way to describe positive dog training that is rooted in science, canine ethology, and learning theory.
You don’t need harsh training equipment to change aggression and fear. When used, most often there’s negative fallout.
To ensure that you and your dog have a safe and funlearning experience, the only dog training methods used are the ones recommended by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.