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
