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Clear Mind Canine is a dog training business in Felton, California offering Private Lessons, In-Home Training, and Virtual Training, with published programs from $75.
Felton • CA • Home-based trainer • 4.6 ★ (18 Google reviews)
Last verified: Sep 5, 2026
76 / 100
Moderately transparent
How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.
What they say about themselves
Heather Ross, who runs Clear Mind Canine, brings an unusual combination of credentials to her work: she holds both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA certifications, trained at Trish King's Academy of Dog Behavior, and competes at high levels in Schutzhund with her own dogs. According to her site, her Dutch Shepherd Tango won national championships in 2018 and 2019 and placed as Vice World Champion in 2019. She began fostering shelter dogs in 2005 and founded a nonprofit rescue in 2010 before starting her training practice.
Her approach, as she describes it, focuses on motivation rather than punishment—using food, toys, and relationship-building while drawing on neuroscience concepts around how dogs learn. She emphasizes working with a dog's emotional state so they can make good choices independently rather than requiring constant direction. Sessions happen at a training field in the Ben Lomond area near Felton, though she also offers virtual training via Zoom for clients anywhere.
The business focuses heavily on reactivity and aggression cases, with Ross using her own trained dogs as neutral helpers for controlled exposure work. She also works with high-drive dogs, new puppies, and owners wanting adventure skills for hiking or camping. Her site mentions an ongoing coaching membership model with monthly sessions and weekly check-ins, and she notes she's open to bartering arrangements to make training more accessible.
Private lessons, virtual sessions, and specialized programs for reactive dogs form the core offerings at Clear Mind Canine. A five-session puppy primer ($750) targets socialization and basic skills for dogs 8-12 weeks old, while reactive dog programs address leash reactivity, aggression, and fear across multiple formats. They also offer cooperative care training focused on reducing handling anxiety.
All prices are published upfront. In-person private lessons run $425 for three sessions or $675 for five. Reactive dog programs cost $450 online, $850 in person, or $850 for a seven-session hybrid format. Single virtual sessions are $75 each.
This package covers common issues like recall, loose leash walking, resource guarding, barking, and polite greetings through a mix of in-person and Zoom lessons.
Two in-person lessons at the Ben Lomond location plus three Zoom check-in lessons.
Best for: Owners wanting a mix of in-person and remote sessions for common obedience or behavior issues.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Resource guarding
Duration: 5 sessions
Three in-person one-hour lessons at the Ben Lomond training location addressing specific obedience or behavior goals.
Three separate one-hour in-person lessons at the trainer's facility.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Resource guarding
Duration: 3 sessions; 3-session package $425
Five in-person one-hour lessons at the Ben Lomond training location for more extensive obedience or behavior work.
Five separate one-hour in-person lessons at the trainer's facility.
Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Resource guarding
Duration: 5 sessions; 5-session package $675
Combines in-person sessions at a neutral dog setting with Zoom lessons and an online training portal for reactive dogs.
Three in-person sessions plus four Zoom lessons, working initially at the training location then in real-world settings.
Best for: Dogs reactive to people or dogs, needing both hands-on and remote support.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 7 sessions
Five in-person sessions building reactivity skills, starting near a neutral dog then progressing to real-world practice.
Five one-hour in-person lessons, with later sessions moving into real-world environments.
Best for: Dogs reactive to people or dogs who need in-person, hands-on work.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 5 sessions
Teaches the dog to voluntarily cooperate with grooming, vet care, and other handling procedures using choice-based techniques, combining in-person and Zoom lessons.
Two in-person lessons and three Zoom lessons with a written step-by-step course and video examples.
Best for: Dogs that struggle with nail trims, vet visits, grooming, or handling.
Focus: Fear & anxiety
Duration: 5 sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Training Packages — Hybrid Online/In Person | $450 per program | 5 sessions |
| In Person Training Three Lesson Package | $425 per program | 3 sessions |
| In Person Training Five Lesson Package | $675 per program | 5 sessions |
| Reactive Dog Program — Hybrid Online/In Person | $850 per program | 7 sessions |
| Reactive Dog Program — In Person Training | $850 per program | 5 sessions |
| Hands off Handling - Cooperative Care Program — Hybrid Online/In Person | $475 per program | 5 sessions |
Covers socialization, house/crate training, sit, down, wait, loose leash walking, and come, delivered through an in-home consultation followed by lessons and phone check-ups.
Starts with an at-home consultation, then four in-person lessons and three check-up phone calls.
Best for: Puppies aged 8-12 weeks at the start of the program.
Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience
Duration: 5 sessions
Includes: Follow-up sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Primer Program | $750 per program | 5 sessions |
A fully virtual version of the reactive dog program with Zoom lessons, an online portal of training modules, and ongoing email/text support.
Five Zoom lessons plus online training modules and text/email support between sessions.
Best for: Dogs who are reactive to people or other dogs, worked with remotely.
Focus: Leash reactivity, Aggression, Fear & anxiety
Duration: 5 sessions
A single 45-minute online session over Zoom or phone reviewing video of the dog's behavior and demonstrating training skills live.
Owner and trainer meet via video call, reviewing footage and demonstrating techniques, followed by written notes.
Focus: Basic obedience
Focus: Fear & anxiety
Duration: 5 sessions
| Program | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Reactive Dog Program — Online Learning | $450 per program | 5 sessions |
| Online Learning Session | $75 per session | — |
| Hands off Handling - Cooperative Care Program — Online Training | $375 per program | 5 sessions |
The site describes their approach in general terms without naming specific techniques or tools. They do accept dogs with aggression histories, including reactivity and resource guarding cases.
Method: Method unclear
Their website describes their approach in general terms without specifying which methods or tools they use.
Certifications: CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Verification still pending or not yet requested. See our methodology for what verification does and does not mean.
Fourteen years in business, with CBCC-KA and CPDT-KA certifications listed. Weekly video updates are provided during training. Insurance, guarantees, and overnight staffing details aren't mentioned, and a waitlist is currently in effect.
Facility: Home-based trainer
Owner visits: not specified on their website.
Video updates: Weekly updates
Overnight staffing: not specified on their website.
Insurance: not specified on their website.
Guarantee: not specified on their website.
Waitlist: Yes
Dogs per trainer: not specified on their website.
Booking: Contact form
Price: Clear Mind Canine does not publish board & train pricing. Across Felton, 10 programs publish prices from about $345 to $850.
Reviews: Clear Mind Canine shows 4.6★ from 18 Google reviews among 1 published Felton programs.
Transparency: This listing scores 76 out of 100 (price 100%, program clarity 81%). 1 of 1 Felton listings show certifications; this business lists CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA.
Training operates from a home-based setup on Highway 9 in Felton. Parking and accessibility information isn't published on the site.
Hwy 9, Felton, CA
Friday: Closed
Monday: 9AM-2:30PM
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 9AM-2:30PM
Saturday: Closed
Thursday: 9AM-2:30PM
Wednesday: 9AM-2:30PM
Reach out directly or send a quote request through Clear Mind Canine.
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