Heesun Andes, Owner and Head Trainer

 

Heesun Andes is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she received her B.A. and completed her certification in Companion Animal Science, at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Heesun Andes is the Owner and Head Trainer of Pet Karma Dog Training LLC in Clinton, NJ, and is the Head of Behavior at Hunterdon Hills Animal Hospital, where she offers group Puppy Kindergarten classes, private training, Canine Good Citizen, AKC Trick Dog, Dog Sports such a K9 Nosework and apprenticeship programs for young professionals who would like to learn about dog training in the veterinary field. Heesun is a AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator, Canine Good Citizen and AKC Trick Dog Evaluator, and works cooperatively with Veterinary Hospitals across New Jersey. 

 

Heesun's background in dog training began with her father, who trained military dogs for bomb detection and search and rescue. Heesun helped prepare and attended many working dog trials with KNPV in the Netherlands starting at age 7. However, she never thought dog training would become her career until her senior dog Trinity was diagnosed with separation anxiety. Many close family, friends, and pet care professionals advised Heesun to euthanize her, however, Heesun refused to give up on her Trinity. Her mission to save Trinity is what sparked Heesun's journey into the world of dog behavior. Attending seminars and conferences around the world and learning one-on-one with renowned dog behaviorists such as Dr. Ian Dunbar-all in order to find an answer for Trinity. After five years, with much help, Trinity's separation anxiety improved tremendously. After helping Trinity, she realized there may be other pet parents having these same struggles. She made it her goal and passion to help as many families as she could, teaching behavior modification for dogs that most pet professionals would not work with.  

 

As a result of her early experiences, Heesun prioritizes puppy socialization and temperament training as early as 7-8 weeks of age, to help raise happy, confident, well-tempered, and well-socialized dogs. She believes an early start in socialization and continued developmental training, is one of the keys to supporting a dog's chance at a happy life. Heesun also believes that adult dogs deserve a chance at rehabilitation, and she is committed to discovering and providing the best methods for dog training in her community. Her mission is to help each client build a deep and joyful connection with their dog. Heesun is the developer of the behavior modification method, Play Therapy and Third Variable Training.    

 

Heesun is an ANWI Associate Nosework Instructor with the National Association of Canine Scentwork, is an active member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the IAABC, where she is currently persuing her CDBC Behaviorist certification.  Heesun is passionate about competion dog sports such as canine scent work and dock diving, and actively competes with her Belgian Malinois/GSD Lakota and 11 year old Staffordshire Terrier, Trinity.   

Heesun's goal in 2018 is to develop business programs for High School youth and College age young adults, by offering business apprenticeships for students who would like to learn how to start their own businesses in the field of dog behavior and pet care. Prior to becoming a professional Dog Trainer, Heesun worked as a Program Director for Rutgers University and the Bonner Foundation developing programs for students to serve their local communities in exchange for scholarships for school. She is thrilled to be able to make the connection between community service and dog training. She spends her free time hiking with her husband David and their two dogs,  American Staffordshire Terrier, Trinity, and Lakota.