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Hearts and Paws — Dog Training in Austin, TX

Hearts and Paws is a dog training business in Austin, Texas offering board and train, private lessons, in-home training, and group classes, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as reward-based training, accept aggression and reactivity cases, and publish pricing from $45 per day to $1,750.

Austin, TX • Training facility • 4.4 ★ (106 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Nov 1, 2026

Transparency Score

78 / 100

Moderately transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 67%
Method transparency: 100%
Program clarity: 70%

About Hearts and Paws

Based on what the business publishes about itself

According to their website, Smith developed a behavior rehoming training program that the Austin Humane Society still uses today.

The business describes their approach as reward-based and positive reinforcement, stating they avoid force or fear-based methods. Their North Austin facility includes a climate-controlled indoor training space and large outdoor play yards.

Beyond standard obedience, Hearts and Paws offers behavior counseling for issues like reactivity and anxiety, plus dog sports including agility, nosework, rally obedience, and lure coursing. Trick class participants can earn official AKC Trick Dog titles. The business also runs daycare, overnight boarding, and a summer camp program combining kids and dog training activities. Their site emphasizes child-friendly class design for families training together.

What dog training programs does Hearts and Paws offer?

Hearts and Paws lists 9 training programs across board and train, private lessons, in-home training, and group classes. Details below come from their published materials as reviewed by Barklen.

SuperDog Camp Board and Train

$1,750

The dog boards for two weeks while receiving daily training covering sit, stand, down, come when called, loose leash walking, bed stay, and polite greetings. The program is customized to each dog's needs, with weekly progress updates sent to the owner.

The dog stays at the facility with daily training and play sessions, followed by an in-home lesson to transfer skills to the owner.

Best for: Dogs needing a full foundation of basic obedience skills while the owner is away.

Requirements: Prior approval required for this training.

Duration: 2 weeks

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash

Includes: Boarding included, Owner handoff sessions, Follow-up sessions

Touch Up Camp

$45 per day

For dogs who've already completed Super Dog Camp or need less intensive work, the owner specifies a focus area and trainers work on it during a regular daycare or boarding stay.

Training happens during an existing daycare or boarding day, with an exit lesson for dogs new to training.

Best for: Dogs with prior training at Hearts and Paws needing a refresher or targeted skill work.

Requirements: Exit lesson is required for dogs that have not done training classes with us before

Focus: Basic obedience

Includes: Refresher sessions

Private Training - On-Site

$125 per session

One-on-one weekly lessons at the training facility covering basic obedience, leash walking, crate training, and other household manners, with homework between sessions.

Owner and dog meet weekly for an hour-long session at the training center with practice assignments in between.

Best for: Puppies or adult dogs needing customizable training targeted to specific goals.

Requirements: An extra $25 per session is added for aggression cases.

Duration: 1 session

Package: $563 for a 5-session package

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training, Recall & off-leash

Private Lessons (1 session)

Hearts and Paws publishes 2 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.

In-Home Training options at Hearts and Paws
Option	Length	Price	What differs
Private Lessons - In-Home	1 session	$150 per session	Recall & off-leash; For owners who prefer training to happen in their own home setting.; An extra $25 per session is added for aggression cases.
Private Lessons - Off-Site (Public Settings)	1 session	$150 per session	Socialization; For dogs who have learned basic skills and need practice in distracting public environments.

Private Lessons - In-Home

Trainer visits the home weekly for hour-long one-on-one session.

Private Lessons - Off-Site (Public Settings)

Trainer meets the owner and dog at a public location for a one-hour session.

Foundations Agility - Level 1

$240 per course

An 8-week introductory agility class covering contact obstacles, tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and foundational skills like attention, come, stay, and targeting.

Dogs and handlers attend a weekly one-hour class over 8 weeks.

Best for: Dogs new to agility obstacles and handling.

Duration: 8 weeks

Focus: Agility & dog sports, Basic obedience

Group Classes - Puppy Start

Price not published.

A group class for puppies that includes socialization time with other friendly puppies alongside basic training.

Puppies attend a classroom setting with playgroup socialization time included.

Best for: Young puppies who are friendly and ready to socialize with other dogs.

Focus: Puppy training, Socialization, Basic obedience

Group Classes - Basic Companion

Price not published.

A basic obedience group class covering manners and foundational skills, taught indoors in a climate-controlled classroom with a limited student-to-teacher ratio.

Up to ten dogs and their families attend class together indoors at the facility.

Best for: Families with dogs needing basic manners training; children 6 and older may participate.

Requirements: Classes limited to ten dogs with family members 6 years and older.

Focus: Basic obedience, Socialization

Introduction to Nosework: Mastering the Indication

Price not published.

Focus: Scent work

How much does Hearts and Paws cost?

Hearts and Paws publishes pricing for 6 of 9 training programs, starting at $45 per day. Programs without a listed price are marked below.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at Hearts and Paws in Austin, TX
Program	Price	Length
SuperDog Camp Board and Train	$1,750	2 weeks
Touch Up Camp	$45 per day	Not stated

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at Hearts and Paws in Austin, TX
Program	Price	Length
Private Training - On-Site	$125 per session$563 for a 5-session package	1 session

In-Home Training pricing

In-Home Training pricing at Hearts and Paws in Austin, TX
Program	Price	Length
Private Lessons - In-Home	$150 per session$675 for a 5-session package	1 session
Private Lessons - Off-Site (Public Settings)	$150 per session$675 for a 5-session package	1 session

Group Classes pricing

Group Classes pricing at Hearts and Paws in Austin, TX
Program	Price	Length
Foundations Agility - Level 1	$240 per course	8 weeks
Group Classes - Puppy Start	Not published	Not stated
Group Classes - Basic Companion	Not published	Not stated
Introduction to Nosework: Mastering the Indication	Not published	Not stated

Consultations and evaluations

Behavior Counseling: Not published

What training methods does Hearts and Paws use?

Hearts and Paws describes its approach as reward-based training without corrections or aversive tools. Their materials state they accept aggression and reactivity cases.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs Hearts and Paws?

As described in the business's own materials

Diana Smith, Founder & Canine Behaviorist

According to their site, has over 25 years of dog training experience and has worked with local shelters and rescue groups, including developing a behavior rehoming training program still used by the Austin Humane Society.

Credentials listed on their site: CPDT-KA and CGC Evaluator. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Anthony Carlin, General Manager/Trainer

According to their site, began training through the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and was mentored by founder Diana Smith. Focuses on strengthening the bond between dogs and their families, especially those with young children. Also works as a therapy dog trainer for the Austin State Hospital and is involved with Divine Canines therapy dog training.

Credentials listed on their site: CPDT-KA, APDT member, and AKC CGC Evaluator. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Paul Mann, Behaviorist / Private Training / Dog Sports

According to their site, trainer at Hearts and Paws specializing in behavior work, private training, and dog sports.

Credentials listed on their site: NADOI-C and CGC Evaluator. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Kathryn Butts, Nosework Instructor

According to their site, trainer at Hearts and Paws who teaches nosework classes.

Credentials listed on their site: CPDT-KA. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Where does Hearts and Paws offer dog training?

Hearts and Paws operates from a dedicated training facility in Austin, TX, offering board and train stays at their facility, private lessons, group classes, and in-home training at the client's home.

Their site says they serve Austin-area dog owners with puppies, adopted dogs, and adolescent dogs, with particular attention to families with children through child-friendly classes and a kids' summer camp.

Located in North Austin, the facility is climate-controlled with large outdoor play yards and an indoor training gym/classroom space.

The Pond Springs Road address is in northwest Austin. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't described on the site.

How does Hearts and Paws compare with other Austin dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 15 published Austin listings (36 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Hearts and Paws.

Price: 98% below the Austin midpoint at entry price for board and train ($45–$1,750 vs. $1,245–$6,600); entry price within the published Austin range for private lessons ($125 vs. $110–$140); entry price within the published Austin range for in-home training ($150 vs. $129–$210).

Reviews: 4.4★ from 106 Google reviews, among 15 published Austin programs.

Transparency: 78 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 67% price transparency and 70% program clarity. 5 of 15 Austin listings show certifications; this business lists CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator, and APDT.

Published prices at Hearts and Paws compared with Austin ranges
Program type	Hearts and Paws	Austin range	Barklen read
Board and Train	$45–$1,750	$1,245–$6,600 across 8 Austin programs	98% below the Austin midpoint at entry price
Private Lessons	$125	$110–$140 across 6 Austin programs	Entry price within the published Austin range
In-Home Training	$150	$129–$210 across 5 Austin programs	Entry price within the published Austin range

What should you ask Hearts and Paws before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask for current pricing on Group Classes - Puppy Start, Group Classes - Basic Companion, and Introduction to Nosework: Mastering the Indication, which are not published online.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training tools, if any, they use and when.
Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.

Location and hours

13291 Pond Springs Rd, Austin, TX

Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Hearts and Paws against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.

Details the public materials do not address (overnight staffing, insurance, guarantee, and dogs per trainer) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Nov 1, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed: 9 programs (board and train, private lessons, in-home training, group classes)
Published pricing: Published for 6 of 9 programs
Training method: Reward-based
Aggression and reactivity cases: Accepts aggression cases
Facility: Training facility
Owner visits during programs: Owner visits allowed
Progress updates: Weekly updates
Certifications: CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator, APDT
Years in business: 25+ years
Booking: Email only
Waitlist: Mentions a waitlist