Take the Leed

Working with Lauren has been one of the best investments we’ve ever made. Our 7ish year old rescue shepherd mix developed some reactivity to other dogs a few years ago. We tried all sorts of techniques and worked with a couple trainers, but her reactivity continued to get worse and worse. It got to a point where we were driving to the emptiest trails we could find, walking at all sorts of odd hours to avoid other dogs, and literally shoving food into our dog’s mouth to try to avoid a reaction. I had been averse to the e-collar because I didn’t feel like I had the knowledge and skills to use it in a way that wasn’t going to harm my dog, but Lauren gave us the confidence to use this tool in a way that feels fair, balanced, and productive. We just finished our fourth week of training with Lauren and the difference in our dog’s behavior already is unbelievable. Today she walked through a park off leash, surrounded by other dogs, and had zero reaction. I never could have imagined this was possible, and it’s only been a month!! Our dog is calmer, more confident, and so excited to join us on all the adventures she was missing out on because we weren’t able to manage her reactivity until now. We are so so so grateful we found Lauren.

I can’t recommend Lauren at Take The Lee’d highly enough—truly, I’d recommend her over and over again! My dogs Benny and Rollo didn’t have major behavioral issues, but after working with Lauren for just a month, I realized how much they needed this training. The difference in their behavior has been incredible—Rollo is noticeably more relaxed, and Benny is much better at managing his excitement. Lauren has this amazing way of teaching you how to communicate clearly and consistently with your dogs. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about building trust, structure, and a stronger relationship. I’ve found it really helpful to take notes throughout the week so I can bring up specific situations during our sessions. Lauren is great at taking that feedback and adjusting the plan in a way that’s tailored to each dog’s needs. I consider myself a dedicated dog owner—but I couldn’t have done this without someone equally committed on the other side. Lauren has been that person. The process takes real effort, and I know the work doesn’t stop after one month—but seeing how far my dogs have come already makes me excited for how far they’ll go. Thank you, Lauren, for your guidance, your patience, and all the tools you’ve given me—and Moose, your dog, is the absolute cutest sidekick. If you’re even thinking about working with a trainer, I genuinely can’t recommend Take The Lee’d enough. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for my dogs.