Results That Last a Lifetime

Before

Kuma had a bite history involving multiple members of his family. When his dad would swim in the ocean, Kuma would become so overstimulated that he would break free from his mom on the beach and attack his dad in the water. Over time, more and more situations began triggering that aggressive behavior, with incidents eventually involving his mom and grandparents as well.

After

Kuma no longer tries to bite his family — and his family has grown. He now has a human sister. As she’s gotten older, Kuma’s world has expanded to include her three-year-old friends, who happily pet the calm, tolerant version of Kuma. More than 4½ years later, those results continue.

Before

Bagel couldn’t safely be around other dogs without the risk of a fight. His dad loves camping and wanted Bagel to be part of those experiences, but when friends brought their dogs along, managing the possibility of a fight became increasingly difficult. On daily walks, Bagel was also reactive and aggressive whenever other dogs appeared.

After

Today, Bagel can go camping with his dad, his friends — and their dogs. He can join his dad at work and successfully handle other dogs in the office. His daily walks are free from the reactivity and aggression that once occurred anytime he saw another dog. More than 3½ years later, those results continue.

Before

Seal bit her mom’s roommate not long after being adopted. She was also reactive on leash and very nervous in public settings. At her grandparents’ house, she was aggressive with one of their dogs and their cat.

After

Seal can now handle formerly stressful public outings like going to the gym and the beach — and has even traveled to a new city with her mom! She can also comfortably coexist with her grandparents’ cat and two dogs.

Before

Frankie had always been on the insecure end of the spectrum, but when her human baby sister arrived, her insecurity became increasingly difficult to manage. Ultimately, Frankie snapped at her sister when the baby made a quick, awkward movement.

After

Frankie now comfortably shares her home with her human sister — and the human brother who later joined the family. She easily participates in family activities at home, and walks and outings are enjoyable as well. More than 4 years later, those results continue.

Before

Henry was only 8 months old when he came in for training, and even at that young age he was already exhibiting significant leash reactivity and fear aggression toward people and dogs. Walks were extremely difficult, and Henry’s behavior made having guests at the house challenging.

After

Walks became a “walk in the park.” As two new siblings joined the family, Henry now walks politely alongside their strollers. He also enjoys the freedom of off-leash adventures — both on trails near his Bay Area home and during visits with extended family in Montana. More than 4½ years later, those results continue.

Before

Rocky, a 10-year-old Lab, led a charmed life — with two exceptions that motivated his owners to pursue training. His mom couldn’t walk him on leash without being pulled to the ground, and every open door made him a flight risk. Being able to enjoy him off leash was a long-abandoned dream.

Bear was a 4-month-old puppy. That’s it! Full of cuteness, without a care or bad behavior in the world — and a perfect sponge for learning good habits through formal training.

After

Even at 10 years old, Rocky’s training opened up a new world for him and his family. His mom could walk him on leash, he could finally enjoy being off leash, and the worry that he might bolt for the hills became a thing of the past.

Bear’s happy streak never had a break. He went from a perfect puppy who could do no wrong to a wonderfully trained adult dog who still gets to enjoy doing just about everything right.

Before

Mac and Sadie’s “last straw” came during a walk when a neighbor’s off-leash dog ran up to them and they attacked the dog. It was a challenging situation caused by an inappropriate approach, to be sure, but their reaction was also extreme. They were also leash reactive when passed by other dogs, scooters and really anything they found alarming.

After

Their owners can now walk Mac and Sadie with the confidence that, regardless of what they encounter, the dogs won’t overreact but will look to them and remain calm. For eight years, they’ve enjoyed outings, greater freedom and inclusion that simply weren’t possible before training.

Before

Rae and Arlo both needed training. But the reasons why could not have been more different.

Rae was five years old when she came to OTDT for behavioral rehabilitation in 2019. By then, her dog aggression had led to fights when she was off leash. On leash, she was reactive — lunging and barking at other dogs — which made walks difficult and public outings where dogs might be present simply not an option for her family.

Even family gatherings were stressful. Rae needed to be separated from the family’s other dog. While the humans mingled and enjoyed one another’s company, there was no chance the dogs could do the same.

Arlo came to OTDT from almost the opposite starting point. At five months old, not only did he have no behavioral issues, he had clearly won the temperament lottery — naturally calm, easygoing and simply unbothered by the world around him.

But there is a difference between an easy dog who pretty much always wants to do what you want him to do and a well-trained dog who does what you need him to do when you need him to do it. No matter how easy Arlo’s natural temperament was, his family knew he would still need training to ensure that he could do what was asked even when it didn’t happen to thrill him.

After

Rae’s world became bigger, and her mom and dad’s experience of life with her went from worried to wonderful. She was able to run and play off leash with other dogs. She peacefully attended family gatherings and even shared dog beds. She got to enjoy the kinds of café outings and experiences her aggression had once made difficult.

When a baby later joined the family, Rae gained another role: beloved first dog to her human little sister. For the next three years, Rae got to grow old while her sister got to grow up in a world made more wonderful by the love of her first dog.

Those results lasted for the rest of Rae’s life. For seven beautiful years, she and her family enjoyed the changes. Rae’s last days came too soon, as it seems all dogs’ do, but her legacy of love will last forever.

When Arlo joined the family, they immediately brought their five-month-old puppy to OTDT — this time with a very different goal. Their experience with Rae taught them that if good training could overcome behavioral challenges in a five-year-old dog, it could be an even greater gift for a five-month-old — positively shaping the beginning of Arlo’s life.

As the family grows, Arlo now gets to follow in Rae’s paw prints: becoming baby Sophie’s first dog and creating with her the kind of childhood memories Rae gave her older sister, Nora.