If you’ve ever felt like you’re fighting your dog on the leash… this one will change your life. In this video I break down leash pressure — which I like to describe as “power steering for your dog.” Once you understand this, everything in training gets easier. Sit, down, place, heel… all of it connects back to this one skill. Most people accidentally trigger opposition reflex and then wonder why their dog is pulling, bucking, or fighting the leash. This video shows you how to teach it the right way, so your dog actually understands how to turn pressure off, stay engaged, and work with you instead of against you. I also walk through: - How to introduce leash pressure gently and clearly - Why pressure relief is actually a reward (negative reinforcement) - How to pair food with leash guidance for faster learning - When to use a slip lead vs. a prong collar - How to keep your dog’s motivation high during the process - Real training clips with dogs learning this for the first time If you're working on training your dog, this falls right between the Teaching Phase and the early Structure work — and it’s one of the most important skills you can develop as a handler.

Butter is the third dog from this household joining our December program (along with Coco and Pebbles), and just like her sisters, she struggles with listening—especially when the energy in the house ramps up. When all three dogs get going, Butter tends to get swept up in the chaos, making it tough for her owners to get her attention or maintain any structure. Butter is going to go through the same transformation her sisters will: learning clear boundaries, reliable obedience, calm behavior in the home, and how to stay focused even when the other dogs are in the mix. Fun fact: their owners also have a fourth dog, Hank, who we trained recently. By the end of this month, all four dogs will finally be operating under the same communication system—and their owners will have peace, calm, and real order back in their home. Excited to show you how Butter settles into the program and grows right alongside her sisters.

Pebbles is part of the same family as Coco and Butter, but she’s coming into the program with a very different starting point. She’s extremely nervous, low-confidence, and easily overwhelmed by new environments, people, and pressure. She’s also incredibly quick and crafty—she’s slipped collars before, and during our first session she even tried to chew her way off the leash, so she’s now working on a chew-proof setup for safety. With dogs like Pebbles, the first phase of training isn’t about commands—it’s about building trust, confidence, and emotional stability. We’re going to move at her pace, create predictable routines, and help her feel safe enough to start learning. Once she understands the structure and begins to trust the process, we’ll layer in more formal training. She may take more time and care than her siblings, but she’s worth every ounce of effort. I’m excited to show you how she grows throughout the month.

Skye is a 4-year-old Pitbull and Gaia’s sister. Her owners describe her as the “easier” of the two—she isn’t as reactive as Gaia, but she still has her own challenges. Skye struggles with impulse control, especially with licking, jumping, and getting overly excited around people and dogs. And while she’s not as intense as her sister, she can still escalate and is considered a bite risk in the wrong situations. Our focus with Skye this month is to build calm, consistent behavior through structure, obedience, and clear communication. We’re going to teach her how to regulate her energy, stay connected to her handler, and listen the first time she’s asked. Her owners’ goal is simple:A dog who listens, respects boundaries, and can move through the world without creating chaos. Skye has a great personality and a ton of potential. I’m excited to show you how she settles into the program and grows alongside Gaia.

Chip is a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever who came to us with zero formal training but plenty of enthusiasm for “adventure.” His owners describe him as a sweet, energetic dog who struggles with boundaries—jumping fences and gates, wandering off, ignoring recall, and treating “place” as more of a suggestion than a command. He also needs help with crate confidence, leash manners, and learning how to slow down and stay connected to his people. Our goals for Chip this month are crystal clear: Build a reliable recall, create solid boundaries, improve crate skills, and teach him how to calmly stay where he’s asked. He’s a great dog with a ton of potential, and I’m excited to show you his progress over the next few weeks.