I don’t want to forget days like today.
As I take a moment to reflect, I am reminded of why I love working with dogs who bite, growl, or can’t settle down…Why I chose this path in the first place.
Today, I watched multiple families gain hope.
A few weeks ago, each of those families looked at me and said, “I wish people could see the dog we see.”
In that one sentence, I saw their genuine smiles fade into mourning.
Mourning the loss of a peaceful and happy life with their dog.
“I wish people could see the dog we see.”
I hear this sentence multiple times a week.
Every time it feels like a jab in my stomach.
It’s a reminder of how much these families are struggling.
How deeply they love their dogs despite it all.
Then comes the hard part: answering their question.
“Is this fixable? Is there any hope for my dog?”
I take a deep breath and say, “I don’t know…”
On the outside, they see me calmly talking about their options.
On the inside, I’m weighing how to give them everything I have in the time we have together. I’m balancing the time, money, and environment to create a plan that truly works for them.
In that moment of collaboration, I silently make them a promise: I will do everything I can within the resources we have to help them succeed.
Why I Specialize in Growly, Bitey, Anxious Dogs
I’m sharing this moment because maybe it will help people understand why I chose to specialize in working with dogs who struggle. Dogs who growl, bite, or can’t seem to settle down.
Because today, I watched owners in disbelief as their dogs did so well after weeks of training.
I saw dogs and owners silently communicate with each other. They were proud of themselves and proud of each other.
That genuine smile, the one that had faded weeks ago, is back.
I watched teams walk together with pep in their step.
People were joking while their dogs responded playfully.
It felt like they were laughing together.
In that moment, everything felt right again.
It was like nothing else in the world mattered.
The humans and dogs flowed together as a team, moving as one entity.
They had overcome their struggles and made it possible to live happily together.
It’s moments like these that make every difficult moment worth it.
This is the reason I’m passionate about helping dogs overcome behavior problems like growling and biting.
What Makes It Worth It
At the end of the day, we’re all just surviving sometimes.
We’re doing the best we can with what we know.
We’re trying so hard to be our best selves, for our dogs and for each other.
And when dogs and people celebrate success together…
When they rediscover joy in each other’s lives…
It’s one of the coolest things to witness.
That’s why I love what I do.
It’s not because working with misunderstood dogs is heroic or trendy.
It’s not because I need to prove anything or wear a badge of toughness.
I love this work because we’re all seeking to be more understood and less stressed.
Helping both dogs and humans achieve that is incredibly rewarding.
Takeaway: If You’re Struggling
If you’re struggling with your dog’s behavior…
If you feel like no one sees the dog you see…
Know that there is hope.
Behavior modification isn’t about fixing your dog overnight. It’s about building trust, confidence, and communication, step by step.
You’re not alone in this journey.
And neither is your dog.