"She Bites When Excited and Won't Come When Called" - The Most Common Dog Problems We Solve

I got an email this morning that stopped me in my tracks.

A desperate dog owner wrote: “I want her to be a good dog who can listen and is safe. Mostly I want to make sure I’m training her correctly.”

These words hit me hard because they capture exactly what so many dog owners feel – that powerful mix of love, frustration, and self-doubt that comes with raising a challenging dog.

You Are Not Alone in Your Struggles

This particular owner was struggling with a dog who:

• Bites when excited
• Pulls constantly on the leash
• Doesn’t always come when called
• Stresses out when left alone

Does any of this sound familiar? If you’re nodding your head right now, I want you to know something important: you are not alone.

What struck me most was when she continued, “If she could be left alone confidently that would make our lives much easier.”

There it is. That simple desire that connects almost every dog owner who walks through our doors – we just want a well-behaved dog who fits into our lives without constant stress and worry.

The Root Causes of “Bad” Dog Behavior

After working with thousands of dogs across Salt Lake City, I’ve discovered something important: most “problem behaviors” stem from the same few root causes.

Your dog isn’t “bad.” They simply haven’t learned how to manage their excitement or understand clear boundaries. They’re confused about what you want from them.

And here’s the good news that many owners don’t realize until they work with us: These are all behaviors that respond incredibly well to consistent, clear training.

We’ve Seen Your Dog’s Problems Before (Many Times)

Every week, we work with dogs just like yours:

• The pullers who make walks a dreaded chore
• The jumpers who make guests feel unwelcome
• The biters who cause embarrassment and worry
• The barkers who drive the neighborhood crazy

We work with dogs whose owners worry they’re “doing it wrong” or that maybe their dog is just “too much” to handle.

But here’s what we see time and again: with the right guidance, these same “problem dogs” transform into confident, calm companions their owners can trust.

The Transformation Is Possible

Last month, we worked with a Golden Retriever who would mouth and nip at her owners whenever she got excited – which was almost all the time. The owners were covered in bruises and scratches. Today, that same dog greets them calmly and has learned appropriate ways to show her excitement.

We recently helped a Lab mix who pulled so hard on leash that his owner had developed shoulder problems. Now they enjoy relaxed walks together where the dog checks in regularly and walks politely by her side.

And just a few weeks ago, we celebrated with a family whose Shepherd mix can now stay home alone for 4 hours without destructive behavior or excessive barking – something they never thought possible.

Take the First Step

If you’ve been feeling that mixture of love and frustration with your own dog, wondering if things will ever improve, I’d love to see you in person. It’s time for you to meet with one of my trainers.

Sometimes just knowing you’re not the only one dealing with these challenges can make all the difference. But actually solving them? That will change your life with your dog forever.

Here’s to the good dog you know is in there somewhere,

Ryan

P.S. If you’re ready to move beyond frustration to actually solving these issues, it’s time to Book Your Dog’s Free Session.