Who we work with
Nearly any dog. Not every owner
The dog is rarely the reason a case does not work. Here is the honest version of both lists.
The dogs
Almost half my reviews are behavior cases.
Twenty six of the fifty four Google reviews describe reactivity, aggression, anxiety, or a bite. That is the main thing I do, not a sideline.
- Leash reactive dogsLunging, barking, and hackles at other dogs or at people, to the point where walks stopped being worth it.
- Aggression and resource guardingFood, toys, furniture, or a person. Including dogs with a bite history.
- Fearful and anxious dogsTrauma, dog attacks, poor early socialization, separation problems, dogs who shut down.
- Rescues with no foundationAdopted with an unknown history and a set of habits nobody chose.
- Dogs who are fine at home and deaf in publicThe obedience exists, it just does not survive a distraction.
- PuppiesBefore any of the above has a chance to set.
We had used three other trainers and were close to giving up after our dog nipped a friend.
Before I take a case
Three things I check, and one thing I sometimes require.
I will not take a case I do not think can be run safely.
Is the owner in?
The training has to survive going home. That means you are willing to be coached and willing to change things, which can include diet, management, or how the dog is handled day to day.
Is there something medical going on?
Before I accept a case I look for underlying neurological or medical concerns that would compromise safety. Pain and neurological issues produce behavior that looks exactly like a training problem and is not one.
Is the dog intact?
In some cases I will require a dog to be neutered if I judge it necessary for the training to succeed. Not a default, not a policy for every dog, and I will explain the reasoning if it comes up for yours.
The other list
Who this is not for.
This is here to save you six weeks and a lot of money if the fit is wrong. If none of it applies to you, we should talk.
- You want a two week quick fixMost programs run four to six weeks. Behavior does not move faster than that.
- You want to drop the dog off and not participateThree to five sessions coaching you are part of every program.
- You are not open to changing anything at homeSometimes the fix involves diet, management, or handling. If none of that is on the table, I am the wrong call.
- You want protection or bite sport workNot what I do. I will send you to the right person.
- You want the cheapest option in San DiegoI am not it.
In their words
People who came here after somewhere else.
1 of 6 Google reviews
His insecurity and anxiety was creating aggressive responses which we so dearly needed help with changing after little to no results with other trainers, including another board & train program.
Our pup had worked with other trainers with minimal results.
He was a very fearful dog with history of trauma, dog attacks and lack of proper socialization.
Aaron has a ton of experience training dogs that have gone through traumatic events.
Cooper was a 15 month rescue, lacking confidence, exhibiting guarding and separation anxiety issues, and lacking any social skills.
Walks felt more like a battle than a bonding experience, and I honestly wasn’t sure how to manage it all.
Where
San Diego County.
Your dog lives and trains with me, so the drive happens twice rather than daily.