Hi, my name is Haeli, the founder of Tried & True Tails.

My professional journey with dogs began with a job at a doggy daycare and boarding facility, where I worked mostly with companion dogs who came from back yard breeders, puppy mills, and rescue/shelters. Working with dogs in these settings gave me invaluable experience reading individual temperaments and body languages.

From there, I became a professional trainer working with puppies between 3-6 months old, helping owners build working relationships with their puppies. I’ve worked with a variety of breeds and backgrounds and learned how much a dog’s success depends on the environment and expectations they’re placed in.

Eventually, my passion led me into the world of dog sports where I’ve trained and/or competed in obedience, rally, disc, dock diving, flyball, barn hunt, scent work, SAR, agility, bite work, and herding. These experiences taught me about structure, drive, different training methods, and most importantly the powerful connection that comes from ethical breeding or rescue and the right dog–handler match.

Long before any of this, though, I was just a kid who was endlessly fascinated by dog breeds and training. I loved spending time training (if you can call it that haha) the dogs that I did have at the time, a Golden Retriever, an English Mastiff, and a Shih-Tzu, but that was never enough for me. I wanted to know about the hundreds of other breeds out there, so I would spend hours poring over breed encyclopedias, memorizing characteristics, histories, and functions — not just out of curiosity, but from a deep desire to understand what makes each breed unique. That early passion grew into my commitment to helping people find the right dog for them.

Tried & True Tails has been built on everything I’ve learned and the passion I’ve developed for helping people find their heart dogs. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or looking for your next performance partner, I’m here to help you make that match with clarity, care, and confidence.