Happy Hearts Canines
Confident dogs, capable humans.
Welcome! I'm Jeanine Kosinski (ja-neen ko-sin-ski)—dog trainer, linguist, disability advocate, and owner/founder of HHC, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.
I use science-based, humane methods to build better communication between dogs and humans—especially those navigating big feelings, loud environments, or first-time dog guardians/those with new babies/small children.
Training isn’t just about obedience. It’s about building trust and confidence—in both directions Thank you so much for visiting Happy Hearts Canines!
Meet the Team
Who is behind Happy Hearts Canines?
I’m Jeanine—a service dog handler, trauma-informed trainer, and lifelong educator.
I wasn’t always a dog trainer—I have a master’s in linguistics and over a decade of experience teaching ESL, communication skills, and intercultural communication to (human) students, business professionals, and diplomats from around the world. When my own chronic illnesses landed me in the hospital for weeks and left me disabled, it pushed me to train my own service dog. After a deep-dive into animal training, psychology, and behavior, I realized many of the same tools I use for teaching humans could empower dogs and their guardians.
When my illnesses caused me to lose my job, I threw myself into learning, reading, and taking courses from Susan Garrett, Linda Kaim, and other leaders in the dog training community. Now, I blend science, compassion, and a little bit of humor to help dogs and their humans work as a team (welcome to Cookie Party Central, iykyk!).
I work with companion (pet) dogs/emotional support pets, service dogs, and children and their dogs. Approximately 70% of dog bite fatalities are children, with most bites coming from a trusted, family pet. Education for parents, kids, and dogs, is the first step in bite prevention.
Neurodivergent and disabled clients are welcome—this is a shame-free zone, and I'm committed to making dog training accessible for everyone. If you don't see what you need here, or have specific learning needs for yourself or your child, please send me a message and I'll be happy to design/modify what I can to meet them.
Who is that cute, fluffy service dog?
Jo is a 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog who works as both my service dog and my demo partner here at Happy Hearts Canines.
In demos, Jojo models the calm routines, service dog tasks, and training games we use with client dogs—she shows families what’s possible: a dog that is focused, confident, and still full of personality.
Some of Jo's favorite things to do when shes off-duty are playing tug or fetch, learning new skills/tricks, and sniffing/searching for items! If you can't find her, she can likely be found snuggling mamma or holding her blanket.
How does Jo help you with your disabilities?
As a service dog, Jo is specifically trained to help me with both psychiatric disabilities (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), and physical disabilities (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Migraine)—we call this a "multipurpose service dog", because she mitigates both psychiatric and physical disabilities. Her trained tasks include:
Psychiatric Tasks
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Alerts me to PTSD episodes (taps my leg with her paw)
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Grounding during PTSD episodes (puts her head or whole body on mine like a weighted blanket)
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Behavior interruption for crying, dissociation, foot/hand tapping, or harmful behavior (taps me with her foot, escalates by using her body to stop me)
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Buffer, stands behind me and alerts if a person approaches (nose boot to my leg)
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Guards my back (Barks fiercely at threatening people on cue)
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Crowd control (circles me standing or walking/rolling)
Physical Tasks
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Retrieving items
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Pulling my wheelchair when we go long distances
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Closing and opening doors and drawers
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Anxiety (scent) alert
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Learning
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Migraine alert
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Walnut Alert
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Our Services
HHC's Brave Dogs Programs
HHC's NEWEST and most popular program!
Although Brave Dogs was originally a single program designed to heal Pacifica's dogs' fireworks trauma, we heard your feedback! Now, we have expanded our program to include three different tiers of support, in order to serve all of our fearful friends, not just those traumatized my big booms. Any dog can be calm around fireworks, children, vacuums, balloons, and recover quickly from a startle--if you are heartbroken every time there's a big boom because of your dog panicking over and over again, it's time to change that.
Foundations--a structured start.
Ideal for mild-to-moderate reactivity, fear, or sound sensitivity.
What's included:
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Written behavior plan
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Sound desensitization audio library
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Homework after every session
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Between-session text Q&A (during business hours)
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Brave Dogs certificate and recognition on our website upon graduation
6 sessions | 6 weeks
Investment: $1,170
Complete--The flagship program, most chosen.
Ideal for: Established reactivity or fear affecting daily life and fireworks.
Everything in Foundations, plus:
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10 sessions instead of 6
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Environment management consult
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Video review of homework
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Mini Course access
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Coaching text support (during business hours)
10 sessions |10 weeks
Investment: $1,950
Intensive--Comprehensive support
Ideal for: Severe reactivity, profound fear/trauma, sound phobia, complex cases.
Everything in Complete, plus:
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14 sessions over 12 weeks
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Follow-ups at months 4 and 6
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Vet collaboration on medication
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Unlimited text support during business hours
14 sessions | 14 weeks + 2 follow-ups
Investment: $2,940
Companion (Pet) Training
Behavioral Solutions/Puppy Program
Structured training sessions where Jeanine works directly with you and your dog. Sessions can take place in person (at your home or in the wild) or virtually.
Ideal for new puppies, mildly reactive/fearful dogs, families welcoming a new pet or baby into their home, and humans who want to build their ideal companion, this program is a wonderful way to learn to create and lead the best life with your ideal pet.
Whether you want to create the best life for you and your dog, are working through an unwanted behavior, desire a solid recall, or just basic manners, this program is for you.
What's included:
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1:1 training session (60 minutes)
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Reinforcement plan tailored to your dog
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Training videos + clear next steps
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Digital resource library
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Follow-up support
Investment:: $145/session (or $420 for a 3-pack)
Service Dog Training
*Disabled clients/caregivers only
If you have a disability, you may benefit from a service dog. Service dogs aren't just for the visually or mobility impaired--service dogs can assist as diabetic, seizure,and allergen/Gluten detection and alert dogs, psychiatric service dogs for non-combat PTSD (not just for veterans). as well as chronic pain, eating disorders, schizophrenia/other mood disorders, and so many more disabilities.
With the HHC Service Dog Program, you can train your own service dog with professional guidance, or apply for the residential program where you SD in training is trained by HHC entirely until they are ready to join their handler.
These programs focus on building strong foundations, reliable, consistent task
performance, and calm public access skills—all through positive, science-based training. Whether you’re starting your dog’s training or fine-tuning advanced work, each session is customized to your needs and disability-related goals.
Send us a message for program options, pricing and fundraising guidance.
Therapy Dog Preparation
*Disabled clients/caregivers only
Interested in visiting hospitals, schools, or care facilities with your dog?
Happy Hearts Canines offers therapy dog evaluations, Canine Good Citizen exam preparation, and training to help dogs develop the calm temperament and manners required for therapy work.
Board/Board-and-Train
Residential
Boarding at Happy Hearts Canines
Force-free, low-stress, and trainer-supervised. Your dog stays in our home—not a kennel, with safe, thoughtful, loving care in a calm environment. Ideal for anxious, reactive, fearful, or sensitive dogs who don't do well in traditional boarding—and just as great for easygoing dogs whose people want a higher tier of care.
What's included
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1:1 attention in a calm home (limited boarders at a time)
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Daily walks, sniffaris, and decompression time
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Enrichment, rest, and a predictable routine
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Daily photo and video updates
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Humane handling—always
Pricing
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Weekday: $135/night
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Weekend: $160/night
Our Board & Train program
If you want your dog to learn during their stay, the B&T option might be for you. Our B&T program provides intensive, structured learning in a safe home environment. Your dog lives and trains with us, practicing manners, calm behavior, and confidence through daily lessons, enrichment, and real-world outings. This program is ideal for busy owners, new parents, or for dogs needing consistent structure and professional handling.
Foundational Board & Train
What's included
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Manners
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Leash skills
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Confidence building
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Engagement & lifestyle behaviors
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Daily structured sessions (2–4 sessions)
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Photo/video updates
Pricing
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Weekdays: $150/night
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Weekends/Holidays: $175/night
Targeted / Reactive Board & Train
Pricing
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Weekdays: $225/night
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Weekends/Holidays: $250/night
What's included
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Reactivity support
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Fear/sensitivity work
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Threshold management
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Behavior goal plan
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Photo/video updates
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Transfer session
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Go home report with recommendations going forward
3-week minimum recommended for best results.
ADD-ONS
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Housebreaking: +$25/night
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Extra enrichment or field sessions: $45–$65/day
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Short-Stay Premium:
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+$20/night (1–3 nights)
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+$10/night (4–6 nights)
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Late pickup fee (after 6PM): $45
At this time, we do NOT accept
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Aggressive dogs (reactive dogs welcome after assessment)
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Dogs with bite history
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Dogs requiring isolation or aggression rehabilitation
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Unvaccinated dogs
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Female dogs in season/intact males
The reason we are selective with out boarders at this time is two fold:
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Jo was attacked and sustained a level 4 bite in March 2025, and I need to keep her safe
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I do not have the space to isolate multiple dogs--aggressive dogs, females in heat/intact males require more space and care than I can support at this time.
Questions? Ready to start? Leave us a message and we'll get back to you.
Frequently asked questions
Policies
Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
My schedule is intentionally limited so each dog receives focused care. Because of this, cancellations impact the entire calendar.
I keep the policy straightforward and fair:
Private Sessions
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Cancellations or rescheduling with 24 hours notice: no fee.
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Cancellations with less than 24 hours: 50% of the session rate is due.
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No-shows: full session fee due.
Board/Board & Train
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Deposit is non-refundable and reserves your dates.
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Cancellations within 7 days of the start date: deposit forfeited.
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Cancellations within 72 hours: 50% of the total program cost is due.
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Early pick-up does not reduce the program fee.
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Late pick-up: $35 or an additional night, depending on timing.
Trainer-Initiated Rescheduling
In the case I need to adjust a session due to a medical flare-up or emergency:
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You will be contacted as early as possible
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The session will be rescheduled promptly
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No penalty, no loss of value
This keeps training sustainable, ethical, and reliable for everyone involved—including the dogs we love.
Cute Pups & Happy Clients
Thank you so much to my clients for these lovely reviews! And thank you fo trusting me with your dogs: it's an honor to work with you!
"Finding someone you can trust with your dog is not easy, especially when it comes to both training and boarding, but Jeanine exceeded every expectation we had. What immediately stood out was how knowledgeable and experienced she is when it comes to dog behavior, obedience, structure, and overall care.
When it comes to boarding, the environment Jeanine provides is clean, safe, structured, and incredibly welcoming, and you can immediately tell the dogs she cares for are not treated like “clients,” but like family.
The progress we saw after training was remarkable, but just as important was how happy and comfortable Cocoa was throughout the boarding process. That says everything. A lot of trainers ca
n teach commands, but far fewer truly understand dogs and create an environment where they can thrive both mentally and emotionally.
Jeanine also kept us updated with real-time videos and photos during Cocoa’s Board + Train, along with a detailed report outlining the goals, training plan, locations visited, and everything completed during her stay. We have used Jeanine’s Board + Train twice within the past year and will continue to do so because of the level of care, professionalism, and consistency she provides every single time.
If you are looking for someone who is professional, trustworthy, highly skilled, and genuinely passionate about what they do, I cannot recommend Jeanine enough."
Cocoa, Miniature Dachshund
"Because of Jeanine's training, I have a calm, regulated rescue puppy. Caroline does not react around fireworks and other loud noises, is socialized to other animals and different surfaces, does not guard bark at the window, has nice leash and greeting manners, and settles quickly at restaurant patios. She has a good recall that continues to improve because Jeanine taught me how to teach my dog. When I learned how to correctly reinforce behaviors I want, Caroline's training and our relationship improved dramatically.
I highly recommend the Brave Dogs Program if your dog is traumatized by fireworks. Caroline came from a rescue shaking like a leaf, and would bolt and hide at the slightest noise or quick movement. After completing Brave Dogs, Caroline is so confident she can be found watching them from the patio with her hearing protection on, or sleeping upside down like she doesn't know what all the fuss is about. Thank you for a calm, confident girl, Jeanine!"
Caroline, American Pit-bull Terrier Cross
