Born to Be Dog Training

10/10/2026

One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing a dog feel safer—and their person feel more confident helping them. Those moments can mean so much, especially when things have felt hard for a long time. 💛 In this clip, I what I consider to be my favorite cases with Victoria Stilwell.

Watch our full conversation on Victoria’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Har5cuTJHmo

10/06/2026

Positive reinforcement means so much to me because of the relationship it helps us build with our dogs. Understanding what they need, helping them feel safe, and seeing their confidence grow—that’s the work I love. 💛 Here’s a little of my conversation with Victoria Stilwell on her Positively Podcast!

Watch the full episode on Victoria’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Har5cuTJHmo

10/01/2026

Really grateful to have been featured in this article and to have the chance to share a little of my story. 💛

I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to keep growing, doing work I care about, and hopefully making things a little easier for the people coming behind me.

Thank you for sharing my story. 🐾

For Leah Bornstein of West Orange, dog training is about more than teaching commands. It is about making sure everyone has equal access to the support they need.

09/17/2026

Management changes the setup to prevent unwanted behavior, reduce stress, and keep everyone safe. Training helps your dog build the skills they need to respond differently over time.

Management supports your dog in the moment. Training creates learning for the future—and effective behavior change often needs both.

Save this comparison for later!

08/21/2026

If your dog grabs or plays tug with their leash, you don’t need to resort to a prong or choke chain.

A metal leash paired with a well-fitted front-clip harness can be a helpful temporary management tool while you address the reason behind the behavior. Leash grabbing can happen for many reasons, including excitement, frustration, stress, overstimulation, or needing an appropriate outlet. Management helps prevent rehearsal of the unwanted behavior. 

Some dogs may find the weight, movement, or sound of a metal leash unsettling. Introduce it gradually before using it on a walk: let your dog investigate it, pair the sight and sound with treats, and practice wearing it briefly in a comfortable environment. Go at your dog’s pace rather than forcing them through fear.

Always supervise, as biting metal can damage teeth. Sometimes metal leashes stop leash wars altogether! 

08/10/2026

07/21/2026

Dogs jump for a lot of reasons. Excitement. Connection. Uncertainty. Attention. Joy. Stress.
Sometimes it’s a learned habit. Sometimes it’s a coping strategy.

And like any behavior, it makes sense when you understand the why behind it.

You don’t need to “fix” your dog—you just need to help them understand what to do instead. And that starts with understanding what they’re trying to say.

👉 Get support via our membership: https://borntobedogtraining.com/memberships

07/10/2026

Dogs aren’t born knowing what not to do—they need to be shown what to do instead.

When we just say “no,” we might stop a behavior in the moment…
…but we’re not teaching anything for next time.

Instead:
❌ Don’t punish
✅ Teach what to do instead
🎯 Reinforce alternatives
🧠 Refer to the 12 foundational skills

👉 Get support via our membership: https://borntobedogtraining.com/memberships

06/26/2026

A little structure goes a long way.

Dogs are pattern-seeking animals. When routines are consistent, their brains stop scanning for threats and start to relax.This activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” state that supports:
😌 Calm behavior
🐾 Emotional regulation
🧠 Learning and recovery

Inconsistent routines or unclear expectations can keep dogs in a state of hypervigilance. That’s the sympathetic nervous system talking—fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. And in that state, focus drops, reactivity rises, and learning shuts down.

Routine isn’t just about being organized.
It’s about supporting your dog’s biology.

👉 Get support via our membership: https://borntobedogtraining.com/memberships

06/13/2026

The dogs I work with aren’t broken.
They’re Kintsugi in progress—adding gold to the cracks, one safe experience at a time. ✨🐾