I have been a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist for over 25 years, and I truly believe I have the best job in the world!
Known by many as the “Miami Dog Whisperer,” I specialize in practical, easy-to-follow training methods designed to produce fast, effective, and lasting results for both dogs and their owners.
Show more
2 customer reviews
Jonathan Miller
I have worked with Richard 10 years ago with my aggressive Doberman, Jack. I was at the end of my rope and the veterinarian suggested putting him down. We tried Richard as a last resort and recommended by a neighbor. From the first class we could see a huge difference. By the end of our program our dog was a different dog! Richard did what 3 other trainers couldn't and we will forever be greatful. Jack passes away this past Christmas, but never displayed any aggressive behaviors after Richard's program. We now have a new puppy Doberman, Lilly, and we are thrilled to have Richard as our trainer once again. Please give Richard the opportunity to help you, you will be happy you did! More...
Reply from Heinz Dog training / Miami Dog Training
Thanks Johnathan, I loved Jack, he was a great dog. I am excited to work with Lilly and your family once again!
Rita Gonzales
I loved working with Richard! I have a German Shepherd that I got as a puppy, and wanted to train him to be a protection dog eventually.
We started him with Richard's training
at 8 weeks old with Puppy training, and fixing some behaviors he had developed. Richard was very patient and the puppy (Ace) loved him. Richard helped us to potty train quickly as well. Ace learned perfect obedience and I can now walk him everywhere without a leash. He is super well behaved at home and when we are out, and loves dogs and people.
I am currently doing the protection training with Richard, Ace is now 12 months.
The program is amazing and Richard is a true professional. The best part is that Richard makes sure Ace doesn't become aggressive, he is still the same loving, goofy, happy guy, but when there is a threat, he can protect my family on command with total control . I HIGHLY recommend Richard for any dog training you need! Best decision I ever made
PS. Stacy is fabulous at customer service, and always makes me feel like the most important client. Excellent company
More...
Reply from Heinz Dog training / Miami Dog Training
Thank you Rita! Ace has been a pleasure to work with!
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about being a professional dog trainer is helping dogs and their owners enjoy a happier life together. After more than 25 years of dog training in Miami, nothing is more rewarding than seeing a difficult behavior improve and watching an owner realize, “My dog CAN do this!” I especially love helping families who thought their dog’s behavior problems couldn’t be fixed.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I started my own dog training business because I wanted the freedom to train dogs my way, using practical, effective methods tailored to each dog and family. After more than 25 years as a professional dog trainer in Miami, I still love helping owners solve behavior problems, build confidence, and enjoy a better relationship with their dogs.
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because I strive to be the very best at the art of dog training and the only dog trainer you will need. With over 25 years of professional dog training experience in Miami, I don’t just train the dog—I teach owners how to truly understand and communicate with their dog. That improved communication creates better behavior, stronger trust, and results that can last a lifetime.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes! I offer online dog training through private Zoom sessions for clients anywhere in the U.S. or internationally. Virtual training can help with puppy training, obedience, behavior problems, reactivity, service dog training guidance, and owner coaching. I’ll work with you step-by-step so you can train your dog effectively from the comfort of your own home.
Puppy Training and Behavior
Give your puppy the best possible start with professional training designed to build good habits early, prevent common behavior problems, and create a happy, well-mannered companion for years to come.
Our puppy training is personalized to your puppy’s age, temperament, and your family’s lifestyle. We don’t just teach commands—we help your puppy learn how to understand you, listen reliably, and behave appropriately at home and in everyday situations.
Training may include:
• Proper leash walking
• Off-leash obedience*
• Sit, stay, come when called & place
• Reliable listening around distractions
• Potty-training guidance
• Puppy biting & nipping
• Jumping on people
• Whining & excessive excitement
• Rushing through doors
• Destructive chewing
• Impulse control
• Household manners
• And much more
Starting early can prevent small puppy problems from becoming much bigger behavior issues later.
Whether you have a brand-new puppy or one who is already testing the limits, we can help you build a strong foundation and turn your puppy into the well-behaved family dog you always wanted.
Private, personalized training available in Miami, with virtual Zoom training also available.
Off-leash training is introduced when appropriate based on the puppy’s age, progress, temperament, and individual training needs.
Obedience Basic and Off Leash
Imagine having a dog who listens the first time you ask: at home, on walks, and even around distractions.
Whether your dog pulls on the leash, ignores commands, jumps on guests, or simply needs better manners, our private obedience training is designed to create noticeable improvement from the very first class.
Training may include:
• Loose-leash heel — walking calmly beside you without pulling or lunging
• Sit & Stay
• Down & Stay
• Come When Called — reliable recall, even around distractions
• Place Command — send your dog to a bed, crate, mat, or designated area and have them remain there until released
• Better Everyday Manners — no jumping, excessive barking, chewing, biting, bolting through doors, running away, or ignoring commands
• Impulse Control & Focus around people, dogs, and everyday distractions
Off-Leash Training
For dogs ready to advance, we can take obedience to the next level with reliable off-leash control.
Off-leash training may include:
• Heel without a leash
• Come when called from a distance
• Sit, down, stay, and place off leash
• Reliable obedience around real-world distractions
• Greater freedom while maintaining control and safety
The goal is more than teaching commands. It is to help you build a dog who is calm, responsive, dependable, and enjoyable to take anywhere.
All breeds. All ages. All temperaments. Private, personalized training in Miami.
Protection/Guard Dog evaluation
Would your dog actually protect you or your family if the situation ever called for it?
A professional protection-dog evaluation and temperament test can help determine whether your dog has the temperament, confidence, stability, instincts, and natural drive needed for personal or family protection work.
During the evaluation, we assess your dog’s behavior and responses to determine whether protection training would be appropriate and safe for your individual dog.
Not every dog is suited for protection work—and that is exactly why a proper evaluation is so important.
If your dog shows the right qualities, we can discuss the appropriate next steps for personal protection or family guard-dog training.
Professional evaluations and temperament testing available in Miami.
Protection/Guard Dog Training
Your dog can learn to help protect you and your family, while remaining a stable, obedient, well-mannered companion.
Our Protection Dog Training focuses on practical, real-world protection skills and teaches your dog how and when to respond on command, with control being the number-one priority.
Protection training is not about creating an aggressive dog. It is about developing your dog’s natural protective abilities while maintaining obedience, confidence, stability, and control.
Training may include:
• Personal and family protection
• Controlled protection on command
• Threat recognition and appropriate response
• Reliable obedience during high-distraction situations
• Protection while maintaining a safe, social, manageable family dog
Every dog is evaluated first to determine whether they have the appropriate temperament, confidence, and drive for protection work.
Protection with control. Confidence without unnecessary aggression.
AGGRESSION MODIFICATION and REACTIVITY SPECIALIST
Is your dog showing aggressive, reactive, or unpredictable behavior?
Do they lunge, growl, bark, snap, guard food or toys, react aggressively toward other dogs, or make you nervous around people or children?
I can help.
With more than 25 years of professional dog-training experience, I specialize in difficult behavior cases and aggression modification. My training is practical, personalized, and focused on creating real improvement as quickly and safely as possible.
I work with:
• Dog-to-Dog Aggression
• Aggression Toward People
• Leash Reactivity & Lunging
• Fear-Based Aggression
• Food & Resource Guarding
• Possessive Behavior
• Territorial Behavior
• Excessive Barking, Growling & Snapping
• Dogs that are difficult to control around distractions
Aggression and reactivity can make everyday life stressful for both the dog and the family.
My goal is to help you understand what is driving the behavior, regain control, and teach your dog calmer, more appropriate responses.
I have spent decades working with challenging dogs, including cases where owners felt they had already tried everything.
Don’t give up on your dog. The right training can make a tremendous difference.
Private, personalized aggression and reactivity training available in Miami.
Service Dog Training and Certification
Would you like to train your dog to become a reliable, well-mannered Service Dog that can assist you in everyday life?
We provide personalized Service Dog training designed around your individual needs, your disability-related tasks, and your dog’s temperament and abilities.
Our training follows ADA service-dog guidelines and focuses on developing the obedience, behavior, public-access manners, and specialized task training your dog needs to confidently accompany you in everyday settings.
Service Dogs can be trained to assist individuals with many different physical and psychiatric disabilities, including:
• Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
• Severe Anxiety Disorders
• PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Depression
• Severe OCD
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Balance & Mobility Issues
• Blindness or Low Vision
• Wheelchair & Mobility Assistance
• And other qualifying disabilities
Training may include:
• Advanced obedience and reliable commands
• Calm behavior in public places
• Working around people, dogs, food, noises, and other distractions
• Proper public-access manners
• Disability-related task training when needed
• Psychiatric assistance and interruption tasks
• Mobility and balance assistance
• Retrieving or carrying appropriate items
• Focus and responsiveness to the handler
• Evaluation of your dog’s temperament and suitability for Service Dog work
Our goal is to help you develop a Service Dog that is confident, dependable, under control, and specifically trained to assist you with your individual needs.
With more than 25 years of professional dog-training experience, we make the training process clear, practical, and as efficient as possible.
Private Service Dog Training available in Miami.
