🐾 Lana 🐾

Class Assistant Instructor

Lana Hesch joined The Dog Den as a Class Assistant Instructor a little over a year ago, but her training journey really began nearly a decade ago—with her own dogs, Divot and Hopper. Both came into her life with reactivity challenges, and working through those experiences sparked a passion for training, enrichment, and building strong, trust-based relationships between dogs and their people.

Her training style is positive reinforcement first, because she believes it’s the most effective way to strengthen the bond between people and their dogs. Since joining The Dog Den, Lana has also embraced the science-based side of training, finding joy in learning how behavior works and how small adjustments can lead to big breakthroughs.

Lana’s favorite moments are when she sees a dog and their owner “click”—when communication flows, confidence grows, and the team starts working together toward shared goals. She remembers that feeling vividly from her own work with Hopper, and she loves helping others experience it too.

At home, Lana shares her life with:

• Divot – a German Shepherd/Pittie mix, her stoic protector and biggest mama’s boy

• Hopper – a one-of-a-kind mix of many breeds, whose boundless enthusiasm and love for her big brother is matched only by her stubborn streak

Lana’s introduction to The Dog Den came when she sought help from Deb for Divot’s reactivity. She was impressed not only by the knowledge and skill she encountered, but also by the supportive, understanding way training was approached. Hopper’s even greater reactivity deepened her commitment to learning more, and solidified her desire to help others with similar challenges.

Outside of training, Lana’s hobbies revolve around her dogs, but she’s also a certified rescue diver and loves any activity that gets her in or near the water.

While she’s still relatively new to The Dog Den team, Lana is eager to keep learning, growing, and connecting with both dogs and their people—in and outside of class.