Aggressive Dog Training Santa Monica | Dog Trainer Los Angeles | Dominant Dogs

I heard wonderful things about Leonard’s approach to training, so I decided to do a consultation. Our family dog, Enzo, has a lot of anxiety, protective/possessive, and has a bite history. In one day, Leonard was able to show my sister and I that we needed to build a relationship with our dog to help him feel secure. He provided some really helpful information, tools, and corrections to help not only Enzo on his path to becoming a better dog but also to help us become better dog owners/guardians. We’ve still got a way to go with training, but we’re a lot more confident and well-equipped with the information we have now.

We worked with Leonard to help our 6 year old Portuguese Water Dog who had developed pretty intense leash aggression and anxiety, and the difference has honestly been life changing. Before training, walks were stressful and unpredictable. Any time we saw another dog, it would trigger barking, lunging, and a lot of tension. It got to the point where we were planning our routes just to avoid situations, which isn’t how it should be. Leonard came in with a calm, structured approach that immediately made sense. He didn’t just focus on correcting behavior in the moment, he helped us understand why it was happening and how to communicate more clearly with our dog. The way he broke everything down made it easy for us to stay consistent and confident. What really stood out was how quickly we started seeing changes. Within a short time, walks became manageable, then enjoyable, and now they’re something we actually look forward to. Our dog is noticeably more relaxed, more focused, and no longer reacting the way he used to. It’s honestly hard to believe it’s the same dog. Beyond the results, Leonard was patient, professional, and clearly passionate about what he does. He gave us the tools to maintain the progress long term, which was just as valuable as the training itself. If you’re dealing with leash aggression or anxiety, we can’t recommend Leonard enough. The impact this has had on our daily life has been huge.

We cannot recommend Leonard enough. He worked incredibly well with our labradoodle, who struggled with both dog aggression and people aggression, and the transformation has been amazing. What really sets Leonard apart is how much he helps you understand your relationship with your dog. He teaches you how to lead with confidence and take ownership of the environment so your dog doesn’t feel like they have to. That shift alone was huge for us. From day one, Leonard was thoughtful and intentional—he really wanted to make sure we were committed, which I respected so much given how much time and energy he pours into each dog. After our boot camp consult, he told us that if it went well, he’d take our dog that same day—and he did. The change started immediately, and now the difference in our dog’s behavior (both at home and out in public) is truly night and day—in the best way. Leonard treats every dog like his own. The level of care, structure, and consistency he provides is exactly what we should have done from the start. We had worked with three other trainers before him, and unfortunately none were effective—some even made the aggression worse. Leonard’s approach was the only one that truly worked. His boot camp is absolutely worth the investment. We are so grateful for everything he’s done and hope to work with him again for future dogs. Our dog is happier, more relaxed, and more confident—and so are we. Thank you, Leonard. We genuinely miss seeing you on the weekends and learning from your perspective on both dogs and life.

Upon my first conversation with Leonard (about my Dutch Shepherd with aggression issues) it was clear he is much more than just a dog trainer. Leonard’s wisdom, gained from decades of experience helping dogs and humans, is palpable. He brings you to the awareness of the deeper reasons and causes behind a dog misbehaving and provides practical tools and concepts to apply daily, leading to longterm improvement. His method focuses on helping humans heal their relationship with their dogs, which can ultimately be a part of healing one’s relationship with oneself. If you’re feeling a bit helpless like I was, book a consultation with Leonard! It’s never too late for things to get better.