Stuck, Frustrated, and Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone

You’ve tried everything to help your dog. More walks, more toys, more training sessions, and every “best practice” you’ve read online. But no matter what you do, the same frustrating behaviors keep popping up—pulling on walks, jumping on guests, barking, or simply not listening when you need them to.

At this point, you’re probably wondering: “What am I doing wrong?”

Here’s the truth: It’s not about how much you’re doing—it’s about what you’re focusing on.

The Hidden Reason Your Efforts Aren’t Paying Off

Most mainstream advice has you spinning your wheels on what I call the “top of the mountain.” You’re focused on solving behaviors like pulling, jumping, barking, and hyperactivity directly. It makes sense on the surface—those are the issues causing you stress, so that’s where you put your energy.

But...

If you’re like most dog owners, you’ve done everything to give your dog the best life possible. Walks, toys, socialization, obedience classes—you’ve checked every box. And yet, despite all the effort, nothing seems to work.

Your dog still pulls on the leash, jumps on guests, or gets overstimulated at the worst times. You’ve tried harder, tried different techniques, and maybe even started to wonder if you’re the problem.

Here’s the truth: It’s not your fault. The problem isn’t how much effort you’re putting in—it’s where that effort is going.

Why More Effort Isn’t the Answer

Mainstream dog training often tells you to do more. More training sessions. More walks. More practice. It makes sense on the surface—if things aren’t working, surely doubling down will help, right?

But here’s the kicker: Most of your effort is being directed at the wrong things. You’re focusing on managing...

Picture this: the doorbell rings, and chaos erupts. Your dog races to the door, barking like their life depends on it. Guests walk in, and they’re immediately bombarded—jumping, whining, running circles around them like a tiny tornado. Meanwhile, you’re apologizing, grabbing at collars, and trying to keep the chaos under control.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: over-excitement isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s exhausting. It turns what should be fun, relaxing moments into a constant battle of managing energy and trying to keep the peace. And the worst part? The more effort you pour into fixing it—extra walks, more training sessions, more toys—it feels like nothing works.

But what if I told you that your dog’s over-excitement isn’t the real problem? It’s just a symptom of something deeper—and once you address that, everything changes.

Let’s break it down.

The Truth About Over-Excitement: It’s...

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything you’re supposed to for your dog, and yet… nothing’s working?

Walks, toys, playdates, socialization—you’ve tried it all. But instead of the calm, well-behaved dog you imagined, you’re still dealing with pulling on the leash, jumping, barking, or just endless energy. It feels like you’re stuck—spinning your wheels with no progress.

You’re not alone.

Most dog owners I work with start off feeling exactly like this. Frustrated. Confused. Even questioning if they’re doing something wrong. And the truth? It’s not your fault. The problem isn’t that you’re not putting in enough effort. The problem is that the effort is being directed at the wrong things.

The Cycle of Frustration

Let’s be honest. You love your dog. You’ve poured time, money, and energy into making sure they have the best life. But despite all of it, you’re still stuck with...

Does this sound familiar? You call your dog, and they look at you like you’re speaking another language. You give a command, and they ignore you completely—or worse, do the exact opposite. You repeat yourself, louder this time, and maybe even wave a treat around, but… nothing.

Frustrating, right? It feels like your dog is ignoring you on purpose, and the more you try, the worse it gets. You’re left wondering if they’ll ever listen—or if you’re just not cut out for this.

Here’s the truth: it’s not your fault. And it’s not that your dog doesn’t love you or wants to test you. There’s a deeper reason they’re not listening, and once you understand it, everything changes.

The Myth About “Stubborn” Dogs

It’s easy to label a dog as “stubborn” when they don’t listen, but let’s flip the script for a moment. Imagine being dropped into a meeting at work where you don’t...