Case Studies
Three dogs, three different problems, told from their owners’ reviews. Every dog is different, so these show what is possible, not a promise for every dog.
Milo: a Belgian Malinois with a bite history
Before. Milo came to his family as an adopted Belgian Malinois who was extremely aggressive and reactive. He had bitten his previous owners, and then his new owner and her cousin. He had twice climbed or jumped the fence to attack a neighbor’s dog. The family contacted several trainers and were turned down because of his behavior. "Lauren was our last option, we were at our limit."
What training involved. Four weeks of training lessons. At the start Milo resisted the changes, and the family found it hard going.
After four weeks. Milo had learned to come when called. The family could walk him without leash pulling, and without him reacting to people or other dogs. He goes to parks and on walks "without the fear and worry we used to once have."
Follow-up. As of October 2026, Milo is thriving.
"If you have an aggressive or difficult dog, look no further!"
Sabrina S., Milo’s owner, 2023
Maple: reactivity that had stopped improving
Before. Maple, a year-and-a-half-old Belgian Malinois and Doberman mix, had always been a bit hesitant with strangers. Then she began barking and lunging at cars, and it spread to anything that scared, startled or excited her. Earlier reward-only training had helped, but progress had stalled and her reactions were getting more intense. She barked, lunged and nipped at strangers in tight spaces, redirected onto her owners and nipped them, nipped friends who visited, and once snapped her teeth close to the mail carrier.
What training involved. A free in-home consultation, then three weeks of one-on-one lessons instead of the usual four, because Maple already had some training, with group classes to follow.
After three weeks (the owner’s own before and after):
Seeing other dogs: before, barking and lunging, fixated; after, no reaction.
Sudden surprises: before, barking and lunging, and she once snapped near the mail carrier; after, one bark.
A stranger approaching: before, barking and lunging; after, one bark at a stranger who walked suddenly toward her, and the next day no reaction to two joggers running toward her.
On the leash: before, constantly at the end of it; after, mostly loose, even during coyote encounters.
Her final class was at the Oceanside Pier, where she did well in a crowd. She was still curious about joggers, and her owner used what Lauren taught to keep it from becoming a reaction.
Follow-up, two to three months later (the owner’s update): friends, neighbors and Maple’s dog sitter all remarked on how much calmer she was, and she now lets people pet her face.
"Maple’s showing other people the sweet girl she is with us!"
Samantha S., Maple’s owner, 2023
Venus: a Great Dane who was aggressive toward other dogs
Before. Venus, a Great Dane, is loving and good with people but was aggressive toward other dogs. Because she sometimes slipped out of the house, her owner walked her late at night and drove to an office campus a mile away to avoid conflicts with the neighbors.
What training involved. One-on-one sessions from early February to mid-March 2026. Her owner describes rewards for good behavior and a sparing use of the e-collar to break bad habits. In the first session, Venus also learned to jump into her owner’s new truck in about 20 minutes, after earlier attempts with a ramp had failed.
After. Less aggression and less barking, no chasing other dogs, and she follows the person holding the leash.
Follow-up. As of October 2026, Venus is thriving.
"Thank you, Lauren, for helping me to fall in love with Venus all over again."
Venus’s owner, 2026