About Project K9

Project K9 was originally founded in 2012 by Heather Bruley, a passionate dog lover with a vision.

Over the years, we have had a few locations. We are located in Hurricane, UT, and have upgraded space in our own home to accommodate a beautiful dog housing facility—it is warm, inviting, and is a haven where dogs have the love and understanding from our wonderful family and staff.

We may have changed our locations over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional training, board and trains, private lessons, and group classes remains unwavering. We know that by offering these services, we transform the lives of both clients and dogs on a daily basis. Every day, we help dog owners have the ability to enjoy their dogs again!

Our goal is simple: we want to help families enjoy their dogs again! Families get their dogs for companionship and love. Maybe times, they struggle with nuisance behavior that create chaos in the home instead. We’re here to fix that!

We recognize that each dog is different and needs customized training methods that work for each family’s lifestyle. That’s why we listen closely to your needs, and figure out what works well for each dog and their families.

With complete devotion, we aim to create a safe and supportive setting where you and your dog can succeed.

At Project K9, we believe training should be enjoyable for both you and your dog. We make each session fun and exciting so that your dog will look forward to it, and you see quick results.

We promise to communicate with you honestly and treat your dog with love and care. We’re with you every step of the way, from the moment you come to us until your dog graduates.

Our top priority is your satisfaction and your dog’s well-being. Join us on this journey of growth and transformation because we believe that every dog has the potential to shine, and we’re here to help them.

Meet the Project K9 Team

Meet Heather Bruley

Owner and Head Trainer

In 2010, I was frustrated with my own unruly lab named Napoleon. He embarrassed me everywhere we went by pulling on leash, jumping up to say hello, humping other dogs, and getting into the trash at home. If you’ve complained about it with your dog, I bet I’ve also gone through it. Not just with Napoleon, but many dogs to come after him as well. He was my first dog as an adult, and boy, did he teach me a ton!

I sought help from a dog trainer who taught me that maybe it wasn’t all him. Maybe I needed to change too. I started going through the training program, learning that I was allowing his behavior to continue and get worse.

By going through this myself, I relate to everyone else who is also experiencing these things, and I can say with certainty… there is hope! It can get better! I’m living proof, and so are my dogs! Napoleon turned into an excellent dog for the next 10 years until his passing. I wouldn’t be the dog trainer today without everything he taught me.

I have realized training dogs is actually training people to train their dogs. I love seeing the transformation as the family and their dog go through the journey together.

I love being a teacher to help people also experience how wonderful it is to have a well behaved dog is so rewarding!

Heather’s Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS/WORKSHOPS

2023: NePoPo Theory and Practical Application by Dominic Goetz
2018: Studied directly under Duke Ferguson from Unleashed Potential, creator of Dog Training Genesis
2017: Attended workshops from the annual IACP Conference
2017: Attended Young Living’s Essential Oils on Animals Conference
2017: Attended Wendy Volhard’s Healthy Dog Conference
2017: Achieved a Certificate from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies under the University of Edinburgh’s Animal Welfare and Law course
2017: Attended Duke University’s Canine Cognition & Emotion course taught by Brian Hare
2016: Visited the Monks of New Skete monastery in New York, and learned directly from the Monks themselves, the writers of “The Art of Raising a Puppy” and “How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend“.
2015: Studied Canine Theriogenology from UC Davis Veterinary Medicine
2014: Earned Certificate from Training Cesar’s Way Fundamentals I, taught exclusively by Cesar Millan himself.
2014: Graduated Marc Goldberg‘s ForceFree workshop (“E-Touch” course, as well as author of “Let Dogs Be Dogs” and “The Art of Training your Dog: How to Gently Teach Good Behavior Using an E-Collar”)
2013: Certified from Martin Deeley’s International School of Dog Training Professionals
2013: Certified Associate member of the IACP (Later promoted to Professional member in 2018)
2012-2017: Continually studying under the supervision of Heather Beck from K9 Lifeline during multiple workshops and seminars relating to canine psychology, running a safe daycare, canine behavior, and how to understand and help dogs with difficult problems. *NOTE: Also attended 7 Difficult Dog workshops, as well as a Difficult Daycare Dog workshop in the following years. (Also learned from Ty Brown, Tyler Muto, Marc Goldberg, and Jason Vasconi, Jay Jack, and Larry Krohn during these workshops)

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

Studied canine psychology and behavior
Pack mentality and social behaviors
Puppy whelping and training before 8 weeks and puppy development (ENS and puppy culture programs)
Canine Anatomy and Nutrition
Raw Nutrition and Holistic/Natural Health
Canine Theriogenology (Study of reproduction and breeding)
Obedience Training
Off Leash Training
Training Through Play
Canine Cognition (aka “Dognition”) and Emotion
Canine Evolution
Animal Welfare and Law
Essential Oils for Animals

HEATHER’S TEACHERS

Cesar Millan from The Dog Whisperer and Cesar 911
Heather Beck from K9 Lifeline
Jason Vasconi from Transform My Dog in Texas
Marc Goldberg from The Chicago Dog Trainer, also the co-author of ‘Let Dogs Be Dogs’
Monks of New Skete in Cambridge, NY (Authors of ‘The Art of Raising a Puppy’ and ‘How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend’, and ‘Let Dogs Be Dogs’)
Gary Cassera from Balanced Dogs
Sirius Dog Trainer Academy by Ian Dunbar
Mike Ritland, author of “Team Dog: Training Dogs the Navy Seal Way”, and “Navy SEAL dogs”
Dick Russell’s DVDs (recently deceased) and Larry Benoit (partner)
Duke Ferguson, owner of Unleashed Potential, creator of Dog Training Genesis Program
Jay Jack, creator and founder of the GRC Dog Sport, expert in Training Through Play

Heather and Project K9 are the absolute best! We wouldn’t trust anyone else with our Great Dane, Luna. With our busy work and travel schedules, it’s hard to leave her at home—especially since she struggles with separation anxiety. But with Heather, we know she’s in the best hands. She gets so much love, attention, and playtime! We’re so grateful for the peace of mind Project K9 gives us.

Heather is AMAZING!!! My husband and I rescued a pup 3 years ago and boy I tell ya what some of her behavior corks had me flabbergasted. The main thing Reba would do is show way too much excitement towards other dogs that we didn't exist to her. She would freak out in the vehicle and on walks (not in an aggressive way, pure excitement). Heather showed us basic behavior techniques and BAM within the first week of training Reba was kicking butt with what we had learned. Now in the vehicle if Reba is getting excited we tell her "down" and she lays down until we give her the command to get up. Out walking if we pass a barking dog Reba just "hears" the bark, but listens to us as we tell her to come. HUGE IMPROVEMENT! Reba wasn't the only one learning things, we were learning things too. What to do, what not to do, how to praise the job well done. Heather made each session so much fun for not only us as the owner, but for Reba too! Towards the end we learned a game and every time we play it Reba is the happiest dog, she LOVES it! We've been done for a few weeks and I still talk to Heather. I Keep her posted with how we're still progressing. We definitely recommend Heather!! Don't bother looking elsewhere Heather is your gal!!! 🙂

My chihuahua mix, Penny, just spent 5 days with Heather. I was a bit concerned only because she’d never been away from me. Heather said she was the best dog 😊. I’m sure it was due in part to the great care she received while there. I’d definitely recommend her & use her again. It also helped ease my mind because I went to meet her & see how her home was set up.

While we lived in southern Utah, Heather worked with our very stubborn standard poodle, Chloe, when Chloe was very young. Heather was patient, thoughtful, and dedicated to Chloe. She helped pave the way for future training when we left Utah. Without Heather’s initial efforts, Chloe’s future training would have been stunted, I believe. Chloe is still stubborn, but has a solid foundation because of Heather. We love Heather and wished we lived closer so she could have continued with Chloe’s training.

I have a sweet girl who needs a gentle hand and Heather was amazing with her. She has kept her when we had to go out of town multiple times and I am so glad that our girl loves it there.

Heather helped us with our Lab who we adopted from the St. George SPCA. The poor guy was traumatized after being abandoned by his family that he was with for 6 years. He was a good boy, but awful on the leash and needed some discipline training. We are an older couple, so a 85 pound lab was a little much for us, but we wanted to give this poor boy a good and loving home. Heather gave us some tips and worked with us on proper training, walking, and commands. She was patient with not only our dog, but with us as well. Today, our lab is a much calmer and obedient dog. We can take him on walks without fear of him being aggressive towards other dogs and people. We could not have gotten this far without the help and guidance of Heather and K9.

About Project K9

Project K9 was originally founded in 2012 by Heather Bruley, a passionate dog lover with a vision.

Meet the Project K9 Team

Meet Heather Bruley

Owner and Head Trainer

Heather’s Certifications

CERTIFICATIONS/WORKSHOPS

ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS

HEATHER’S TEACHERS

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