Welcome to Hand and Paw DFW!
Tailored Training. Trusted Results.
Tailored Training. Trusted Results.
about hand and paw dfw
At Hand & Paw, I believe that great training strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.
My mission is to help you build a strong, positive bond with your dog through personalized, reward-based training that’s tailored to your goals, your dog’s needs, and your lifestyle.
Whether you’re starting with a new puppy or rescue, brushing up on basic manners, or preparing for therapy dog work, I’m here to support every step of your journey. No two dogs—or owners—are the same, so your training will be designed specifically to meet your needs and bring out the very best in your dog.
From the first sit to advanced obedience, I’m passionate about creating confident, connected, and happy, dogs and owners.
FOUNDER, JEANNIE HELM
A dedicated professional dog trainer since 2019, I have specialized in personalized private and group obedience training, as well as transformative therapy dog workshops. As a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Temperament Test Evaluator, and with Pet First Aid Certification from the American Red Cross, your dog’s safety and success are my highest priorities. Additionally, I have been fortunate to serve with my own personal dogs as a certified therapy team operating within the DFW area, as well as nation-wide on an international canine crisis response team.
Hand and Paw DFW
SERVICES
EVALUATION
During an evaluation, I carefully assess your dog’s behavior, temperament, and responsiveness in a range of everyday situations. This includes observing how your dog interacts with people and other dogs, as well as how they respond to basic handling and foundational cues. I’ll also gather information about your dog’s history, your training goals, and any specific concerns you may have. The evaluation allows me to personalize your training in a way that aligns with both your dog’s unique needs and your lifestyle.
EDUCATION
Whether you’re preparing your home and family for a new dog or puppy, working to better understand your dog’s behavior, or considering therapy dog work, I can guide you through the education and preparation needed to make informed, confident decisions. My goal is to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to choose what’s best for you, your family, and your dog.
PUPPIES
Puppies are constantly learning, and the experiences they have during their first few months of life shape who they will become as adults. Proper socialization, clear boundaries, positive reinforcement training, and age-appropriate enrichment are all critical to helping your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered companion.
OBEDIENCE
The obedience training program is designed to meet your individual goals while honoring your dog’s unique personality and learning style. We begin with essential foundation skills such as sit, down, stay, come, leave it, loose-leash walking, and polite greetings. As your dog gains confidence, we advance to more complex skills—focusing on reliability around distractions, impulse control, and off-leash responsiveness.
Whether you’re starting fresh with a puppy or rescue, or refining obedience with an older dog, each session is grounded in positive reinforcement and built around a strong, trust-based relationship—helping you and your dog become a confident, connected team.
LEASH WALKING
Loose-leash walking training teaches your dog to walk calmly at your side without pulling, making walks more enjoyable and less stressful for both of you. Using positive, reward-based techniques, we build your dog’s focus, improve leash manners, and establish clear communication. The goal is to help your dog stay connected and responsive—even in distracting environments—so that every walk feels more like a partnership than a struggle.
THERAPY FOUNDATIONS
During the therapy dog workshop, your dog will be guided through the essential skills and social experiences needed to prepare for therapy dog certification. Training focuses on calm, appropriate behavior around medical equipment, polite and friendly greetings with unfamiliar people, confidence in new environments, and the ability to remain focused amid distractions. We also strengthen foundational obedience and the working relationship between you and your dog—ensuring you’re both prepared to serve as a confident, compassionate therapy dog team.
Tailored Training. Trusted Results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you work with all ages and breeds of dogs?
Yes! Every dog is unique, regardless of age or breed. During our initial evaluation, we’ll discuss your specific goals and any behavioral concerns you may have. From there, we’ll design a training plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs and learning style. Effective training is never one-size-fits-all—it should always be as unique as the dog in front of you.
I’m busy and may not be able to commit to the same time each week. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Most of my sessions are private and can be scheduled at times that are convenient for you. I strive to offer flexibility to accommodate your schedule while still providing consistent, effective support for you and your dog.
I’d like my dog to become a therapy dog, can you help?
Absolutely. My dog and I serve as a certified Therapy Dog Team, and I can guide you step by step through the process—from foundational training and socialization to preparing for certification testing . Together, we’ll ensure you and your dog are confident, qualified, and ready to serve your community.
How do I get started with
Hand and Paw DFW?
You can get started by calling me directly or filling out the contact form on this website—whichever is more convenient for you. I’ll take the time to answer your questions, learn more about you and your dog, and understand your training goals.
It’s important to me that I’m the right fit for both you and your dog. If I believe another trainer would better meet your needs, I’ll be happy to refer you to someone I trust.
Would I be required to make a
long-term commitment?
Absolutely not. After we’ve discussed your goals and concerns, I’ll complete an evaluation with you and your dog and provide a personalized training recommendation. From there, you can choose to purchase individual private lessons or a package—whichever option you’re most comfortable with.
That said, it’s important to remember that consistency is key to a dog’s learning and long-term success, so regular training and follow-through will always yield the best results.
What payment methods do you accept?
I accept most major credit cards as well as direct bank transfers (ACH payments). If you have questions about payment options, I’m happy to discuss what works best for you.
Hand and Paw DFW
TESTIMONIALS
My sweet adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Darcy, had one bad habit. He had a piercing-pitched loud bark that seemed to be his response to everything from excited to eat to "what was that distant sound outside?" It was not uncommon for him to randomly leap off the bed in the middle of the night with his piercing bark on high alert, and race out the doggie door leaving the humans in the bed trying to calm our racing hearts.
Then came Jeannie. Within just a few training sessions, all of this has changed! Miraculously, Darcy no longer even makes a peep when it's time to eat! No more leaping barks in the middle of the night. And we can even walk him on a leash in the presence of other dogs, and he won't bark.
I feel like Jeannie has given me the real Darcy back. Her techniques are kind, respectful, and very logical!
THANK YOU, JEANNIE!
I highly recommend her for dog training needs of any kind!
Becky H.
Jeannie is an
outstanding trainer.
She is very thorough in her explanations. She shows you correct (and points out incorrect) techniques. She is patient, friendly and fun! Our dog adores her and we are grateful and thankful to have her helping us with our puppy.
Ron C.
I'm so happy we hired you. You've made everything so much easier by helping us understand the way Dakota is thinking. And, via your training sheet, you are keeping us progressing positively toward better behavior. We can’t thank you enough!
Trish
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Jeannie.
From the moment we started working with her, it was clear that
this is not just a job for her, its a true passion. She was instrumental in preparing my dog and I for the Therapy Dog Test. From advanced obedience, loose leash walking and the 6 week therapy dog workshop, we were ready. What really sets Jeannie apart is that she doesn't just train and move on.
She stays in touch, cheering us on every step of the way.
We are so grateful for her!
Page A.
Jeannie has helped us so much with our dogs from obedience training to on going support with products, new training techniques etc.
Patty Lee D.

I have had the privilege of working with Jeannie Helm for many years and can confidently attest to her exceptional skills as a professional dog trainer. While there are many capable trainers in the area, Jeannie distinguishes herself through her remarkable ability to teach and support people as well as dogs.
Her clear and compassionate communication style empowers clients to understand not only how to train their dogs using positive reinforcement techniques, but also how to build a meaningful and lasting relationship with them.
If you are looking for a
knowledgeable, comprehensive training coach who will prioritize your needs and guide you with professionalism, integrity, and care, I cannot recommend Jeannie Helm of Hand and Paw DFW highly enough.
Heather G.
Tailored Training. Trusted Results.
GALLERY
