David was excellent. He was patient with our dog, and with our daughter (2 year old who wanted to be part of the fun!). We have seen a huge change in our dog's behavior. David taught us how to communicate to the dog in its language, and the difference has been astounding. Not to mention, his price was very reasonable when compared to other services. I would highly recommend! read more

We had a life-changing three hours with David Schmucher of Sidewalk Dog Training. He communicated instantly and effectively with our rescue pup and showed us how to do that (and more). He is an extraordinary guide, teacher, and resource! read more

We reached out to David and he was booked up pretty far in advance but was able to squeeze us in on fairly short notice which was much appreciated. We adopted a 4 yr old mixed breed who was having some difficulties getting settled in to our home. During the training session we learned some new things and our dog seemed to enjoy himself. However, we did not feel comfortable using the provided collar as our dog would choke on it from pulling and became more anxious and fearful with it's use. Maybe over time our dog would have adjusted to the slip/show collar but we didn't want to take any chances with a new dog. We are instead focusing on obedience and positive reinforcement training and using a no-pull harness. read more

Thank you David! You really helped us get Snoop in line! We really appreciate all the resources, education and tips for our puppy. Thank you! read more

Pretty disappointed. I made it VERY clear my main concern was separation anxiety. I don't have a lot of money and thought if I invested in this training session my dog would get a lot of hands on help. Nearly half a grand later and he only spent a total of 3 minutes **verbally** on the subject, with information I've already learned from a 30 second google search. I'm still struggling with not being able to leave my apartment without my dog, getting cleaned out from daycare and boarding for work, and now I'm out a chunk of my savings with no extra cushion to try with a new trainer. If your dog struggles with obedience (not a concern of mine) he will be great for you. Separation anxiety - try anything else. read more

David is the best. He listens, educates, offers solutions and show you how to implement them. Good for all pet problems - large and small.

Our dog had gotten to an unbearable point. He would bark at anyone he sees, he started biting people, jumping on folks. We were convinced that he doesn't like men, then we decided he didn't like anyone. We couldn't have people over without him barking nonstop. I was ready to give up. We tried looking for training and trainers and were very discouraged by the amount of time and money and the unguaranteed results. We wanted something sure and fast. Needless to say, David and his training service were god-sent. I was skeptical at first but we decided to take a chance. When David arrived our dog was ready to attack, but within minutes, the dog was calm, subservient and obedient. A couple of hours later, we had a transformed dog. We learned what we were doing wrong and how to reassume our leadership position. The instructions were not hard to follow at all nor were they unrealistic. Everything he said made sense and worked. All our neighbors and friends noticed the difference right away. Our dog became more relaxed and friendly. We learned how to handle him with strangers and friends. David taught us how to be in charge. It wasn't hard, it didn't take any time and it was 100% effective. We actually started teaching our dog new tricks, knowing how to reward him, and we could leave him with strangers, at home, anywhere and he has become amazing. David's service is 2 thumbs up. He is amazing with dogs and worth every penny and every minute we spent. I am recommending him to all my friends. read more

I had a great experience with David. He took a lot of time with us and really cares about creating a great relationship between you and your dog. Additionally he has spent a lot of energy and time answering questions for me on an ongoing basis; it doesn't end after the initial sessions. Good luck with your dog! read more

David was such a joy to work with. Incredibly professional and organized. We reached out to him after getting a recommendation from a neighbor. We just recently added an Irish Doodle puppy to our family (Irish Setter & Poodle) and wanted to get ahead of bad behavior a soon as possible. We had our initial session when she was only 3 months old and then had another session on walking on a leash when she was 6 months old. We learned SO much about our puppy and best ways to communicate. The training is 110% as much for you as it is for your new dog. Our puppy Lucy is still learning but picked up good behaviors so quickly from the tricks and tips that David set us up with. She has never once jumped on the sofa, any of our beds and mastered sit, stay, and shack within a week. He was patient and a "dog whisperer" to her - but taught us how to do the same. We now feel more equip to communicate in ways that work for HER not for US : ) which sets up everyone for success. David was such a joy to work with and we cannot recommend him enough. His lists of recommended products and videos have been a god send to us and our families who have dogs!! Easily the best investment we have ever made! read more

We were so impressed with David's techniques and our dog was behaving better by the end of the session. We have noticed a vast improvement in just the first week. Highly recommend read more

David is a master dog trainer. His lessons are intuitive, easy to understand and to the point. We felt we got an entirely new understanding of our dog after spending just a few hours with him. Highly recommended. read more

Before we met David, my dog was Messed. Up. He has severe separation anxiety such that he actually ripped the deadbolt of my front door to follow me to work. Another time he opened the door to my 2nd story balcony and jumped! Accidents in the house were a regular occurrence and even a $200 all metal crate with carabiner clips could keep him in. I was at serious risk of losing my home or my job because of the trouble he was causing. My dog is my baby and I even went into a depression fearing that I would have to give him up. I tried 3 different dog trainers, 2 regular vets, 1 neurologist, and 6 months of medication and doggy daycare 5 days a week (at $30/day!) before I found David. I was desperate, and knowing what I know now, I would have paid double what he charged, more even! Even during our first pre-meeting telephone call David was calm and confident he could make a difference. Boy was he right! Within an hour of David's arrival, I was able to leave the room without my boy even crying. By the time our session was over, I knew everything would be okay. David has been wonderful about promptly and patiently answering any questions that come up via email, even questions about things unrelated to separation anxiety- he has helped us find a more appropriate dog food, for example. He also has been super about all the little 'extras', such as replacing my dogs training collar (a must under his method of training) at no extra cost. I wish I had known about Sidewalk Dog Training earlier. David is a calm, understanding person who is easy to talk to and made what was an incredibly stressful situation first completely unstressful. I could not recommend him any more highly. read more

I would highly recommend Dave to anyone who has a "problem child" or dog for that matter. He work with our family to help our rescue dog, Benny, with his fear aggression. I even had a veterinarian tell me I might have to put Benny down, but now Benny is the best dog ever. Dave was also great with follow-up support and puts out a wonderful newsletter for his clients. Dave trains you how to be a better pack leader and a better master for your dog. read more

I would give David 10 stars if I could! His training session was simply amazing. We spent about 3 hours with David to help my dog stop acting like the pack leader and to curb her aggression to other dogs. The training was as much for me as it was for my dog. David taught me some ways I could bond with my dog and provide negative and positive reinforcement in ways that were meaningful to her. Towards the end of the session we took her outside for a walk, and she was like a new dog. Totally calm and controllable! Ever since the one training session, my neighbors, friends and building staff have all noticed how calm and well-behaved my dog has become. She is also a total sweetheart all the time at home now that she doesn't have to worry about being the pack leader. I am truly amazed at my dog's transformation in just one session! I have taken my dog to another trainer before with poor results. David's training was like magic! I highly recommend him to anyone. I can't say enough good things! read more

David met with us and our hyper 2.5 year old puppy/dog and the transformation was immediate. Before meeting with David, we were getting constant noise complaints and dreaded walking our dog. After our visit, we haven't gotten a single complaint and our dog walks tremendously better on a leash. We still have a lot of progress to make, but things are definitely better. I definitely recommend! read more

My dog was leash reactive to other dogs (lots of drama if we ran into another dog while she was on the leash) and after a particularly bad incident, I was ready to do whatever it took to get her to calm down. I took her to a reactive dog class last year that focused exclusively on distraction and positive rewards and it didn't really help at all. David's Yelp! reviews convinced me he might be worth a try -- and he was! He reached out to me the same day I e-mailed him and came over the next day. We talked when he arrived and then I brought my dog out to meet him. Immediately, he established a rapport with her and communicated to her that he was in charge simply through his firm, but soft, tone and bearing. She was ready to adopt him as her new owner within the first five minutes. David believes in primarily rewarding dogs with positive reinforcement, but also shows you how to "disagree" with your dog when you don't like what they're doing in a language dogs understand. He also showed me how my own reactions to various situations can influence my dog's response to them. When we took my dog outside, there was no barking, snarling, or growling when we saw another dog. We enlisted the participation of a number of dog owners in the park, and when we walked up to their dogs, David kept my dog's attention on him and showed her that she could be confident and calm when approaching a new dog. Now that I've been practicing his techniques on my own, my dog has been relaxed and happy on all of our walks. And as a bonus, David's techniques work in the house, so we're working on developing good manners, as well. David offers a money-back guarantee and a second session for free if the first session doesn't take. He also offers free phone and e-mail consultations for the life of the dog. Money well spent. read more

I adopted a one-year-old lab beagle mix and she was sweet as can be but was scared of everything! She would bark like crazy at anyone and anything so walking her was challenging and a full-time job. I contacted David in a fluster about a month after adopting her after she aggressively barked at someone. The day after her training she was a different dog! I was so skeptical of the people who said he was a miracle worker but he really is. David was always available to respond to questions and guide me after her training. We have gone from my arm being sore after every walk to being able to walk her with coffee in my hand. She is also now able to play with other dogs off-leash at the park and say hi to people on walks. I cannot recommend David enough! read more

David saved my dog and gave me the confidence I needed to make it work. When I first got to David's house with the beautiful 10 month old lab mix I had adopted just a few days prior, I was already thinking that I might have to return my dog to the adoption agency. My dog seemed sad all the time and would not walk on the leash with me, despite my attempts to lure him with the best treats I could find. I thought that I was making my dog miserable when I tried to correct his behavior and thought he hated the new city environment. After searching online for the best dog whisperers in DC, I expressed my concerns to David over the phone and he was able to take me in on that very same day. I got lucky because I know his services are in very high demand. When he met my dog, he confidently assured me that my dog had so much potential and we just needed to bring it out. This turned out to be completely true and he saw in my dog the potential that I had failed to see. After the three hour session, you will definitely understand why your dog is acting a certain way and how to communicate to them in a language they can understand. You might be surprised at how much it has to do with your behavior rather than your dog's. I can assure you that my dog and I were transformed within those three hours at David's and he was walking with no problem at all the day after the training and was finally beginning to show signs of a happy, confident dog. Whatever behavior problem your dog has, I can assure you David knows how to correct it. If you are doubting whether to go to David's, I can tell you with confidence that it was worth every penny. He even let me use his car to show my dog how to get in and out without being so scared. You can tell that he is truly in it for the wellbeing of the dogs and I would 100% recommend his services to anyone. read more

My girlfriend and I contacted David because her dog was extremely aggressive with me. The training session with David was very good for several reasons. First, David made a long trek to my townhouse due to our concern with Barnes being a different dog outside of the house. He was willing to travel the long distance to provide a comfortable environment for us and Barnes. Second, David took the time to explain every aspect of the training and why each action we were taking was important. This is very important to me. When I had a difference of opinion with him, he stopped and let me explain what I was thinking. David then explained, in detail, his training process and why the method he was trying to use was more suitable for the dog. His patience and willingness to listen lead into the third point. David did not take his opinion as the only one that mattered. David truly showed he valued our opinion and realized our opinion was important because we know our dog. His patience is amazing. Fourth, David gives you an entire lesson of why the dog acts the way the dog acts. This is very useful in learning to make your dog a happy dog and not just a drone. You could tell that David really cares about making the dog happy as well as the owners. Fifth, David provides a guarantee that results in provided support through the life of the dog. This is huge. If a trainer is going to charge you for a service, there needs to be some reasonable level of guarantee and David provides that reassurance. Sixth, the methods David teaches you to reward your dog in your dog's language is amazing! We were noticing small differences with Barnes as he worked with him, but when he showed us how to reward him through touch, Barnes almost started acting like a normal dog. I look forward to continuing these methods and watching his growth. I look forward to using the tools David provided to assist Barnes in becoming comfortable in his habitat and with my girlfriend and I as his pack leaders. David is a spot on trainer who will help you teach your dog how to be happy and make you happy. David is a great man and a great trainer. read more

I adopted a Great Dane a couple of months ago and planned to take him on long walks to the dog parks, the national mall and sidewalk cafés. Much to my dismay, there were too many issues with him acting aggressive to other dogs to enjoy any of these activities. I quickly called David for sidewalk training and he was fabulous. Just one week later we were enjoying out first sidewalk cafe and three other dogs were sitting right beside him. Thanks, David! read more

out 2 yr old lab/boxer mix arrived from the shelter as a shy, timid, seemingly scared, but pretty well behaved boy. after 3 hours with David, we learned the techniques to be the gentle but firm pack leader of the house. this allowed teddy to relax into his natural follower role. we're thrilled to report that after a week of (not very intense) practice with these techniques, Teddy's true personality is coming out and he's a much happier and secure pooch. his personality is night and day. he no longer hides in the corner of the couch, but instead is funny, happy and playful. i would recommend David to anyone!! read more

Dave is amazing! My husband and I have two adopted puppies each a little over a year old. One is a little over 50 lbs the other is a little over 100 lbs - together they are quite a handful! While both of our dogs are very, very sweet, as they've begun their adolescence they have found many, many ways to test us. With a newborn in the house it has been trying at times - wall chewing, digging holes in the backyard, jumping the baby gates and barking at varied times throughout the day. Walking them has been particularly difficult given all the pulling. After several months of this we reached out on our local yahoo list and found Dave. Prior to our appointment Dave provided us with some very helpful materials to review. A few days prior he emailed to confirm and on the day of arrived promptly. Through observation and a very thoughtful line of questioning, he was very quickly able to assess the situation given his experience and breadth of knowledge. Within an hour he began showing us how to better interact and handle our dogs. I have to say, the results were immediate! With a change in dog collar, new ways to communicate and a new set of expectations for all (humans and dogs!) we are now a much happier - and calmer - family. For the first time since both dogs arrived in our home taking them on walks is a truly pleasant experience. But it doesn't stop there. Post-session Dave sent us some amazing reference materials and has been in touch twice to see how everyone is doing. When a new problem arose, he provided us with swift guidance/reminders on what to do (as part of his training package he provides phone and email consults for the life of the dog). Dave's professionalism and personal love for dogs are evident in all that he does. My family highly recommends him! read more

David is a miracle worker. My eight year old Labradoodle had a variety of behavioral problems that had persisted for many years. My only regret is that I didn't come to David sooner. Two hours with him did the trick- many of the issues I thought were behavioral issues on my dog's part were really caused by me. After just one night with David, my dog was walking gently on the leash (she used to pull constantly), showing no aggression towards other dogs (was a problem for year), and generally viewing me as her "pack leader." David is worth every dollar! I view this as one of the best investments in my life and happiness I have made in a long time. read more

I have a 1.5 year old border collie mix that I adopted a year ago. Though sweet, he clearly had some behavioral issues stemming from being bounced around from several homes and being abused. Mac was barking and whining excessively, pulling on his leash and jumping at passers-by, and seemed to have an uncontrollable amount of energy. When David arrived, he first spent plenty of time talking us through a dog's mentality while giving us plenty of pointers. Throughout that time, he also started using methods to begin training our dog. By the end of the session, our dog was a lot calmer and significantly more obedient. We also had a few test walks with him outside to see how he would walk with his new collar, which worked quite well. It's been a few days since the session, and Mac has shown significant improvement already. Mac walked extremely well on a long walk in crowded areas. Though I had watched quite a few episodes of Cesar Millan's show, it's a different story to have someone be able to give you individualized attention to help with problems specific to your dog. One thing to point out is that David's methods recommend using a slip collar, which some people may be opposed to. However, the methods that we were taught seem completely humane when employed correctly. We're really grateful for David's help with Mac, and I see the training is a worthwhile investment. I would definitely recommend Sidewalk Dog Training. read more

David Schmucker is an outstanding dog trainer. He understands dog's behavior and can clearly explain it. His sessions last three hours, and at the end of the session, you will have an exhausted, but more confident and better behaved, dog. Most importantly, you will know the best way to handle your dog and deal with unacceptable behavior. David's guidance did wonders for our dog Tazz. While Tazz is very sweet natured, he was becoming increasingly aggressive with strangers who came near or to our home. It got to the point where we didn't invite anyone over, and if we needed services done, both dogs went to doggie day care. After David's training, we can now have people in the house and feel confident that nothing "bad" will happen. This is because we now know how to handle the bad behavior, and most importantly, to frequently reward the good behavior! Now, we are working on consistent acceptable behavior, and Tazz is learning how to behave and his place in our "pack." Tazz -- and we -- are much happier. I highly recommend David as a trainer. He does follow up and is always available to answer your questions. read more

BEFORE David shows up: "$399??? Have we lost our minds?" AFTER David left: "That was totally worth it." BOTTOM LINE: If you have dog training or behavior issues, you can't go wrong calling him. His approach was logical, based on dog and human behavior and biology, and totally effective, and not after a while, but right away. Cannot recommend enough. read more

We have retained David's services twice now for different dogs (once about 3 years ago for our then-2-year-old puggle, and again about a week ago for our newly-adopted 2-year -old coonhound). He is fantastic. Setting up an appointment was simple and completed over email. He came to our location (in Adams Morgan) for about 3.5 hours on a Saturday afternoon and put the "voodoo" to our young hound who had been displaying some unwanted behaviors (jumping on us, growling at us, peeing on the floor, etc.). As other people have mentioned, the "training" was directed at both us and the dogs. We have a tendency to treat them like they are voting members of the household. That is apparently not a recipe for well balanced dogs. In short, we needed to be the pack leaders. Now, the need to "be the pack leader" is not necessarily news (in fact, there is a book with that title by a well-known TV dog trainer). David also has a lot of literature on the topic, but where I think he really adds value is in demonstrating what these techniques look like in real life - putting the theory into action in your living room where you can participate and ask questions. He is just very good with dogs, and our little bratty hound really responded to him. I don't think it is reasonable to expect that your dog will be "cured" once and for all or learn 25 tricks in one 3 hour session, and that's not really what David's program is all about anyway. This is about understanding what is going on in your dog's little brain, learning how dogs interact with each other in the wild, and creating a lifetime plan for a successful and happy relationship with your animals. We did see some immediate results, including positive changes in the dogs' behavior and temperament. Overall, she is much more tractable and docile, and since the session, we have continued to implement the techniques David taught us, which are working. I would highly recommend David to anyone looking for dog training services. read more

Training with David and my 1 year old puppy made such a difference. When I thought there was no hope that my puppy would relax at home or that we could return to the dog park because of behavioral issues, this training changed that. I was able to realize how I could communicate better so it helped me as well! I would recommend to anyone. Thanks again! read more

Total waste of money. We used David several years ago when we first adopted our dog who suffered very badly from separation anxiety. You will learn nothing from David that you can't learn from the internet or watching a few episodes of the dog whisperer. He is not a certified trainer and the collar he provides which he claims is not available anywhere else can be purchased from any online dog store. Seek training assistance elsewhere. read more

Adding my name to the long list of David fans! We adopted a shelter dog who seemed to have developed some pretty bad habits, particularly with walks. Walking him had become so difficult it was a dreaded part of our day because we felt like we couldn't take care of our pup properly and give him the exercise he needed without some kind of incident happening. We hoped Sidewalk Training would provide us with the individualized attention and tips our dog needed as well as the tools to continue improving his behavior on our own going forward. David did not disappoint! He was available within days of our initial email and came to our home which was very easy and convenient too. It's been about three weeks since our training and our dog hasn't had any real issues since. What's even more valuable to us is knowing how the dog thinks and why he behaves the way he does so that we can act accordingly to curb bad behaviors and reward good ones. David also has provided us with consistent and meaningful follow up contact and has continued to send useful resources our way so we can keep working with our dog effectively. David is a lifesaver! read more

While seemingly expensive, David's approach is worth a lot. In addition to two long sessions at different stages of a puppy's life, he is available by email or phone to point you in the right direction as a new hurdle appears. His written materials, available in pdf form, are terrific as well. I found just a few clues from him made a big difference in my confidence level in managing a very active terrier puppy. read more

We sought David's help with our dog's separation anxiety, and the results after just one session have been incredible. We are very grateful to have found effective ways to teach our dog how to do the right thing. David is very patient and takes the time to educate you on how to best help your dog and his ebook and youtube videos after the session are extremely useful. Highly recommended. read more

Bringing a dog into a family can be the greatest gift you can give your kids. Bringing a dog into a home without knowing how to handle a new dog with kids would be close to impossible. We are so lucky to have found our dog through David and been a part of his training program to bring Charley into our home without issues or problems. David is extremely knowledgeable in how to incorporate a puppy/dog into your life and also to maintain a healthy "pack" for the dog. We adopted a rescue dog that was quarantined due to being a "mouthy" puppy, but with David's help and continued guidance the transition has been easy and positive for dog and kids alike. I can't imagine what we would have done without David's guidance and training. read more

Absolutely superb! We adopted our Van Gogh from a rescue organization and knew he had some issues to work through. One of the most worrisome and troubling was dog aggression. After a particularly close call with another dog, we decided to call in David and see what he could do. David was prompt and upon arrival interviewed us to get a general understanding of our situation and what our expectations of the session were. He introduced us to a new type of collar which has proven to be exceptionally effective in maintaining healthy control with our Dog. He also took time to explain the canine "brain" and how it thinks. It is very important to understand how the dog thinks so you can train the dog in ways which makes sense to it. We had a few immediate victories in greatly reducing the dog aggression (A big thanks to Tess as well [David's dog] as she put herself in the war path of our demon dog!) David showed us the most effective ways to show approval and disapproval including how to escalate in each direction. Using David's approach we have seen an incremental improvement each and every day with Van Gogh. While we realize it will be consistent training and time which will ultimately help eliminate the problems it is reassuring to know we are using a consistent and effective approach to resolving the issues. Once you have David as a trainer you are also part of his network for the life of the Dog. He will send occasional updates with reading material and check in on the progress of the Dog. He will also take calls and emails regarding suggestions. Highly recommend david and tess. read more

I can't even begin to tell you what a lifesaver David is, as only dog owners can attest, a misbehaved dog is beyond stressful. I have two one year old, shih-tzu mix rescue puppies who have faced an uphill battle with behavioral issues from a lack of care in the first weeks of their lives. I have worked with David for over a year and he is amazingly talented and patient with all three of us. He provided me with the tools and confidence I needed to be the pack leader and even though its not an overnight fix as much as I wish it was, I know I have David to depend on with future issues and questions. As an overwhelmed puppy Mom he has been a God send. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone who is ready to learn and put in the work necessary to cultivate a healthy relationship with their dog. Thank you David! read more

Emailed him about two months ago--never heard back until today, with a boilerplate-style email telling another dog's story, plus some general/generic advice, and a suggestion that I forward the email to my friends. If you have a puppy and need it trained while it is still a puppy, try Dog Latin. read more

David is so knowledgeable and so understanding. He took the time to sit down with me and my dog (adopted from a kill shelter 3 weeks ago) and really worked with us. My beautiful dog is still adapting to her new home and surroundings so she gets quite anxious. I have had dogs all of my life but my new dog's issues are new for me. David has been checking in on me and Bella and that's wonderful. I'm also reading his book now and it's really helping me understand dogs. read more

David was AMAZING at teaching us how to communicate with our dog, Mojo! Mojo had a few behavioral issues, and now he is a completely changed puppy after just one session with David! David is truly a dog whisperer who understands how to communicate with dogs, and he did an excellent job of explaining the needed skills to us. Mojo was incredibly responsive to all of the techniques and Mojo even seems happier now that we're using the techniques at home :) read more

I don't have enough good things to say about David and his dog training skills. He was immediately able to diagnose the reason behind the aggression issues I had started having with my dog over the phone and invited me over right away to give me some quick and easy tools to hold me over until we could schedule our full training session. The training was just as much a therapy session for me as it was the dog, as David emphasized how dogs feed off their owner's energy and thus the importance of being present and in the moment. My dog can be pretty skiddish around strangers (especially men) and is very attached to me, but within 10 mins of arriving he was at David's feet rolled over to rub his tummy and he had all but forgotten about me. The session taught me the dynamics of the dog & owner relationship and how to think the way a dog thinks to establish who is in control versus an obedience class, which simply trains by repetition. After one three hour session I felt like I had the tools necessary to improve my dogs behavior versus the time commitment of spending weeks going to an obedience-type class. Moreover, as soon as we left my dog was already showing much improved behavior. We still have some work to do, but overall my dogs aggression has made marked improvement and I now have the skills I need to continue working with him until it improves completely. David is truly DC's own Cesar Milan! Thank you! read more

In December 2011 we rescued our marvelous mutt Rumor. It was our understanding that she had initially been adopted out as a puppy to a mother and son who were both mentally challenged. When they were no longer able to care for themselves, Rumor was taken to the D.C. Animal Shelter before being returned to the D.C. Animal Rescue League. She was small and appeared very confident and happy which is why we brought her home. Aside from a show of toy aggression which I thought we had resolved, Rumor adjusted well to our household or so we thought. Rumor has snapped at two people in the last week which was two too many for me. We called David of Sidewalk Dog Training and our family participated in the most extensive and exhausting session this past Thursday. I'm just getting my nerves to unwind so that I can write this review. I guess it was good that we did the "intervention" it in the evening while were all kind of tired because then we had to put a true effort into our commitment. David arrived about 6:45 that evening and instructed that we keep Rumor on the leash when first meeting. My dog started barking the moment David's truck pulled up. By the time he walked in the door, Rumor was this insane barking, snarling, growling, NOT listening animal! David asked for a chair and then had me and the kids sit down across from him. I'm on the sofa kind of in the middle. All the while we are getting situated Rumor's just being an idiot and escalating. David asked me to slip a new collar over her head. I do and then I hand him the leach and she becomes this much calmer dog. He takes her out and walks her up and down the block for about 10 minutes. They come back in and I'm thinking! Whoo! Hoo! She's cured. So not....sigh. The good news is that she snapped at David three times. The bad news is that she snapped at him three times. The hardest part was accepting that David needed to see that behavior so that it could be corrected. The worst part was seeing that behavior and not being the one able to correct it. In the end, we realized that Rumor is not a dominate or vicious dog. She is a scared dog who was put in the role of Alpha during her puppy years. That has to be deprogrammed so that she can be comfortable. There are dogs that want to be the alpha pack leader and will do all they can to take that role and then you have to put them in their place. Then there are dogs like Rumor who saw the need with her former owners and rose to the occasion but didn't like it. That made a confused dog, which is an unhappy and uncertain dog. We also figured that Rumor is confident if she's sitting up. Her trust factor plummets when she's belly down on the floor. This is going to take time, more on my behalf than hers. She is ready to wipe the slate clean and really wants to please. I have assertive but can't seem to find MY calm. Knowing what we are dealing with and removing certain behaviors she was pushing us into has been extremely enlightening! We continue working with Rumor, grateful for David's full support. Just hoping that I don't have to treat myself with a glass of wine whenever guest come over . read more