SpotOn Director of Training, Haeleigh Hyatt Featured in Little Things
0 commentsMeet 7 Special Needs Rescue Dogs Who Blossomed Into Confident Performers With Mom’s Help
They hired her, and it was there she began getting interested in dog training and agility. These days, Haeleigh works as the director of training for SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence, which is a collar, app, and training program that allows you to keep your dog safe by creating boundaries almost anywhere you and your dog choose to roam.
Something else interesting about Haeleigh is that she has seven special needs dogs, all of whom she adopted and now trains in agility and specialty tricks.
These dogs have turned into very talented performers, all because of the patience and trust Haeleigh shows each of them and the time she’s invested in training.
Haeleigh offers advice for teaching tricks and bonding with any dog: “Make it a point to get to know each dog and learn what makes them tick. Having a lot of high-energy dogs myself, I love going on hikes or playing a rousing game of fetch. Pay attention to what your dog loves and engage them in activities that fuel that. Most importantly, though, don’t force it! If your new dog is shy, work to gain their trust with lots of treats before putting them in a potentially uncomfortable situation. Once again, patience is key!”
Haeleigh and her sweet dogs are actually talented entertainers who perform all over the US with a group called Aim High Canines. They are skilled at performing agility and disc tricks, dock diving, and more at fairs, festivals, sporting events, and private functions.
Now it’s time to meet Haeleigh’s talented pups!
Mellie
Mellie is a 13-year-old shih tzu mix with a liver shunt and an autoimmune eye condition. Don’t let her age and her medical history fool you, though; she still runs like the wind and loves doing obstacle courses. Her zest for life is unmatched.
Clove
Clove is a 9-year-old Australian shepherd who survived a harrowing cancer scare in 2017. One incredibly risky surgery later, she is (thankfully) making a good recovery. Just look at how well-behaved she is!
Wren
Wren is a 5-year-old border collie who has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsy is very unpredictable and, unfortunately, can take a dog’s life unexpectedly. While Wren still has seizures from time to time, she does not let this stop her. She is the star of the show and loves meeting her adoring fans.
Fflash
Fflash is a 4-year-old border collie who was born with a birth defect. When he was a newborn, this caused him to aspirate his mother’s milk, contract pneumonia, and nearly die. While Fflash is doing much better now, the condition still causes him to occasionally choke on his food. He has required lifesaving measures on more than one occasion. Fortunately, that doesn’t stop him from going hiking in the mountains with his mom!
Sage
Sage is a 6-year-old border collie who came to her secondhand. Her owner decided she wasn’t good enough to be a sheepdog, so he started to seek a new home for her. While she may not have been cut out for life on the farm, Sage has found a new meaning in chasing down Frisbees. On top of that, Sage is expecting puppies this summer!
Eva
Eva is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. Eva was rescued from a small town in Georgia at the age of 5 months. At the time that Haeleigh got her, Eva was severely underweight and had spent so much time in a crate that she couldn’t stand correctly. She was also terrified of the world. Eva has come a long way in a year and a half and has blossomed into a talented, confident dog.
Aiko
Aiko is a 2-year-old Great Dane. She came to Haeleigh after she had spent a year and a half in a home that couldn’t keep up with her energy. She’s not your typical couch potato Great Dane! Aiko is busy learning Frisbee, tricks, and dock diving.
Watch Them Go!
Check out these amazing rescue pups as they show off their unbelievable agility skills and hilarious tricks. Those disc flips are pretty impressive, don’t you think?
We asked Haeleigh which top three items she relies on as a dog owner, and here’s what she had to say:
“Treat dispensing toys like Kong are invaluable. If it’s a rainy day and I can’t go to the park with my dogs, I can always give them a treat-stuffed Kong to help stave off boredom. Right now, I have seven dogs and over 30 Kongs!
“I’m a huge advocate for proper ID tags. If your dog ever gets lost, a good ID tag can be indispensable. My favorite ID tags in the whole wide world are from Silver Paw Tags in Maine. Their tags are heavy-duty stainless steel and have a lifetime guarantee. I really like their cute designs, too!
“Gadgets that let me see where my dogs are and what they are doing are truly a lifesaver. While I usually bring a dog or two to work every day, I can’t take them all with me. I have an indoor security camera with two-way audio set up at home so I can check in on my dogs during the day. When we are outside, I also like using a containment system and GPS tracker, like the SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence, to keep track of them in case they decide to wander. Both the security camera and the SpotOn collar do wonders to put my mind at ease.”
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