Pack Leader Help: Dog Training & Behavior

07/08/2026

New blog post on human aggression in dogs

🎙️ 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 24When a dog growls, snaps, lunges, or bites a person, i...

07/06/2026

There are so many factors that can contribute to aggression, these are just a few to look at first.

06/25/2026

Did your dog trainer do this when you guys worked together?

06/01/2026

Happy 11th birthday to my spring chicken, my sprightly girl, my whiney brat, and my love and heart and soul and someone stop me I’m already crying 😭🥺

Iris celebrated today by eating too many snacks, barking in her crate because she had to wait for her breakfast (this one is new and don’t think I’m gonna let this slide just because you’re a pre-teen we’re still gonna train!), laying in the sunshine and watching butterflies in the garden, beating up Raisin (her favorite pastime) and going for a slow sniff walk at our local pond.

Wow, the years have flown too quickly. I need reverse aging- stat!! Old dogs are the best and Iris gets more angelic every year (more farts, less patience but still happy to learn something new!) I love you my little I!!

05/26/2026

1. Curiosity
2. Clear instructions that are REALISTIC
3. Crazy good hair

05/04/2026

When Iris started to get closer to 8 (around 3 years ago) she reacted to a dog in a way she never had. She was not the calm collected dog I had relied on for her entire life. She was the dog who ignored and managed even the most aggressive dogs. But this time was very different. She went back to fight the dog who was aggressive with her and she wasn’t goin to back down. It’s totally understandable, she was tired of aggressive dogs and she had earned every right to be left alone ( not that a dog needs to earn that right). She put in countless hours rehabilitating the most aggressive dogs the DMV had to offer. She ignored and forgave even the most intense behaviors and reactions. She is and was the ultimate teacher, the best playmate the grounded but goofy dog that everyone in the yard respected.

I had a tough time letting Iris retire. It was a selfish, I know. I needed her because she knew the dogs better than I did and I relied on her instincts to guide me in the best possible way. I knew I’d miss her by my side during socialization sessions and group classes. I had to let go of the chapter of life that was the best. Long days with my best friend by my side. I am so fu***ng lucky to have had so many wonderful working years with her. God, I wish I could go back and be so much gentler with her and many other dogs. She deserved better but she never held my mistakes against me. She’s incredibly forgiving even when it’s undeserved.

What I learned as I saw her responses increases, her alert barking starter, and overall emotional regulation decreased was a dog in more pain and needed more support. At first I was frustrated. Why was she pulling on the leash when she knew better? Why wasn’t she listening as well anymore? Age and life do that to us. She wasn’t emotionally regulating as well due to being more tired, more sore and sick of the stress of work. She needed me to adjust.

As she’s gotten older, her pain due to TPLO surgeries and arthritis has gotten worse but she is still chipper and lively. Always looking for a job, engagement, a hike some fun snack to be had. She will only be around the nicest dogs, the friendliest of puppies.

Listen to your dogs more.