I had a Border Collie when I was 10 years old. I crate trained her, potty trained her, and did obedience training with her. I got lucky with her instant trust in me and her gentle personality. Fast forward to over a decade later, I got my Catahoula Leopard Dog Cosmo. And my life got turned upside down!

He was a happy-go-lucky pup, always a little on the intense side, but nevertheless, a generally goofy dog. He hit adolescence and his anxiety sky-rocketed. He started displaying aggressive behaviors, and I had no idea what to do. I went through three different trainers, trying to find the answers to help my boy. It wasn’t the right training for him; and things didn’t get better, they only got worse. I hit a point where Cosmo was trying to bite me every day.

So I decided it was up to me to figure it out. No one had the answers, so I had to dig deep to find them. So I started researching, learning about different training methods, and took seminars on the dog’s brain and nervous system. And then took that information and started working hard on re-building trust with Cosmo, and helping him regulate and cope with his emotions. And things slowly got better.

I found that in order to help his behaviors, I had to help change the emotions that were driving those behaviors. I learned that his aggressive tendencies were deeply rooted in fear and anxiety, and he was desperately trying to communicate with me. So it was my job to listen. And I’m so glad I did! Cosmo will always be a sensitive dog with big feelings, but now I do not worry about his aggressive tendencies. He regulates his emotions so well, and because of the work we’ve done together as a team - we live very harmoniously with one another now.

I have taken the knowledge I’ve gained, and my journey with Cosmo, and have made it my goal to help pet parents that are in the same position we were once in. I know having a reactive, aggressive, or anxiety-ridden dog can feel hopeless, and it can leave you feeling helpless. But there is hope, and I would love to help you better your relationship with your pup, and help you achieve your goals together!