🎙️ Prefer to listen? If you're driving, walking your dog, or simply prefer listening over reading, we discuss this topic in much greater detail on the Pack Leader Help Podcast. 🎧 Episode 24: Human Aggression in Dogs 🟦 Listen to Episode 24 When a dog growls, snaps, lunges, or bites a person, it can completely change the way an owner sees their dog. Many people immediately ask the same questions. "Did this happen out of nowhere?" "Is my dog dangerous?" "Can this behavior eve

By Brianna Dick | Pack Leader Help | Alexandria, VA I get the same call constantly. "My dog used to be fine. Now he's lunging at every dog we pass. I don't know what changed." I ask a few questions. When did this start? Did anything change around that time? Nine times out of ten: daycare. Not because daycare is inherently evil. But for a lot of dogs, especially dogs who already have some anxiety, some arousal issues, some sensitivity, daycare is actively making things worse.

By Brianna Dick | Pack Leader Help | Alexandria, VA Adding a puppy to a house that already has a dog is one of the most common things I get called about. And almost every time, the person calling me waited too long. Not because they are bad owners. Because everyone told them the dogs would "work it out." They won't. Or at least, not in a way that leaves both dogs okay. So let's talk about what is actually going on when your older dog is growling, snapping, avoiding, or just m

Board & train programs sound tempting: drop your dog off, pay a big fee, and pick them up weeks later “fixed.” The problem is that for dogs with real behavior issues like aggression, reactivity, separation anxiety, or fear, these programs usually don’t deliver what owners actually need. Don't believe me? Talk with my clients. The Problem With Board & Train Programs Your dog learns the trainer, not you Training is about the relationship. Your dog spends weeks learning how to r

Dog-on-Dog Aggression: Why It Happens and What Actually Helps (based on Episode 14 of the “All Dogs Are Good Dogs” Podcast) If your dog has ever growled, lunged, or snapped at another dog—especially while on leash—you’ve probably been told something like: “Just socialize them more!” They need more exposure to other dogs.” Have you tried using treats when another dog walks by?” These are outdated, one-size-fits-all answers that don’t take your individual dog—or your relationsh

Already have a doodle? This isn't about blame. A lot of people got a doodle without knowing any of this and now they have a dog with real behavioral challenges they weren't prepared for. Anxiety, reactivity, frustration, and over-attachment are common in doodles. They're manageable. But they need the right approach. If your doodle is struggling, we can help. See how we work with difficult dogs → As a dog training business dedicated to the well-being of all dogs, it’s crucial

What is normal and what prevents things from going sideways It can take up to 3-6 MONTHS before your dog shows its true colors! Adopting a dog is a big deal. You bring them home and hope everything goes as planned. But a lot of people feel blindsided when behavior starts to shift weeks or months later. That surprise is avoidable once you know why it happens. I often have clients tell me, “We never saw this behavior at the beginning” and that is completely normal. What resear

Most people do not contact us when things are “a little annoying.” They reach out when they are overwhelmed. When walks feel stressful. When guests feel like a problem. When they are managing their dog instead of enjoying them. Usually by this point they have already tried tips, videos, advice from friends, and sometimes training. And they are still thinking, why is this still happening? Working with a behavior specialist is not about teaching more commands. It is about under

Bringing a Puppy Home is Exciting… and Overwhelming A new puppy is adorable, but it also means accidents on the carpet, sleepless nights, and endless questions. When should you start training? How do you socialize safely? What should you expect at each stage of development? As a dog behaviorist in Northern VA, I’ve helped countless families through those first weeks. This guide, based on my All About Puppies podcast episode, will give you the clarity you need to start off ri