At a Glance
- Dog: Dito (Newfoundland)
- Owner: Jessica Ayscue
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Main Issues: Reactivity + lunging + pulling
- Program: 2 Week Board & Train – Urban K9
- Trainer: Brenna
- Outcome: Calm behavior around major triggers and improved leash control
The Challenge
The “Before”
Jessica shared that Dito used to react to anything that moved. Humans, dogs, cats, squirrels, birds—you name it. He would lunge and pull toward it, turning walks into high-stress situations where the family had to stay on alert the entire time.
That kind of reactivity doesn’t just make walks harder. It limits life. Outings become shorter, routes become “avoidance plans,” and the family can’t relax because the next trigger could appear at any moment.
The Diagnosis & Solution
What Brenna Focused On
Dito didn’t need more generic tips. He needed a structured plan that rebuilt his responses in the real world—especially on walks.
During the 2 Week Board & Train, Brenna kept Jessica updated daily with pictures, videos, and messages explaining what Dito worked on and how he progressed.
Training Goals
- Reduce reactivity by teaching calm responses around moving distractions
- Improve leash behavior so lunging/pulling is replaced with steadier walking
- Build confidence so Dito can move through the world without being on edge
- Create consistency through daily repetition and real-life exposure
The Results
The “After”
When Jessica picked Dito up, she said he felt like a completely different dog—in the best way. The biggest proof came fast:
Within 48 hours of being home, Dito encountered two of his biggest trigger dogs… and stayed calm. No reactivity. No pulling. Just a steady, confident dog who could finally enjoy being out in the world.
Jessica also shared what that meant for real life: more freedom, more family outings, and walks that feel manageable again.
The Owner’s Reaction
Jessica described Brenna as kind, patient, and deeply invested in Dito’s success—and said the daily updates made the experience feel supportive from start to finish.
(I cannot say enough good things about Off Leash K9 RVA — especially Brenna! She worked with my dog Dito, a Newfoundland who used to be reactive toward literally anything that moved. Humans, dogs, cats, squirrels, birds… you name it, he’d lunge and pull toward it. Walks were stressful, outings were limited, and we always had to be on high alert.
During his two-week board and train, Brenna kept us updated every single day with pictures, videos, and messages about what he worked on, how he did, and what progress he was making. It gave us so much peace of mind and made us feel included in every step of his journey.
When we picked him up, he was a completely different guy — in the best way possible. Within 48 hours of being home, he encountered not one but two of his biggest trigger dogs, and he stayed calm, cool, and collected. No reactivity, no pulling… just a confident, steady boy who could finally enjoy the world around him.
Dito has always been perfect to us, but now he’s even better. Life feels so much more open — we can go out, do more as a family, and actually enjoy our time together without stress. Brenna was kind, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and truly invested in his success.
If you’re on the fence, don’t be. Off Leash K9 RVA changed our lives, and Brenna is absolutely amazing. 💛🐾
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If your dog is reactive on walks, pulls toward distractions, or makes outings stressful, we can help you choose the right plan.