Tell a dog behavior specialist about your dog! 240-213-4269
Professional Training for Reactive Dogs
Serving DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Professional Training for Reactive Dogs
Serving DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
Because living on edge is exhausting
At Rosie’s Tail Training, we work with dogs whose reactivity and aggression make everyday life hard- and with the people who love them.
If This Sounds Like You, You’re in the Right Place
Maybe your dog:
- Loses their mind when they see another dog
- Barks, growls, or lunges before you can react
- Is fine until they’re suddenly not
- Has scared you — or someone else — and you can’t shake it
And maybe you’ve been told:
- “He’s just reactive, it’s not a big deal”
- “You need to be more confident”
- “Have you tried an ecollar?”
None of that helped.
You don’t need judgment or platitudes. You need someone who takes this seriously.
Reactivity and Aggression Aren’t Random
They’re signs of a dog who’s overwhelmed- and a nervous system that’s learned to react fast and hard.
Reactivity is often where it starts.
Aggression is what happens when that stress keeps building.
Different words. Same reality:
you’re managing risk, every single day.
That’s why the work has to be thoughtful, structured, and focused on safety- for your dog and everyone around them.
Where We Come In
We don’t throw dogs into situations they can’t handle.
We don’t promise fixes we can’t guarantee.
And we don’t treat aggression like a training failure.
Here’s what we do focus on:
- We keep everyone safe. Before we work on behavior, we reduce the chances of something going wrong.
- We change what's underneath the reaction. Not just stopping the barking or lunging- but helping your dog cope better at the nervous system level.
- We work at your dog's pace. No flooding. No forcing. Learning only happens below threshold.
- We get the training to work in real life. Walks, visitors, neighbors, vet trips — not just drills in a quiet room.
What Working Together Looks Like
We start by slowing things down and getting clear. During 1:1 in-home training sessions,
I’ll help you understand:
- What sets your dog off
- How their reactions escalate
- Where the real risks are- and how to manage them
You’ll leave with:
- A clear plan
- Practical ways to prevent blowups
- Step-by-step training for reactivity and aggression
- Ongoing support so you’re not guessing on your own
We know this isn't about having a “perfect” dog.
It’s about having a plan and feeling less afraid.
Hi, I’m Max
I’m a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and I specialize in working with reactive and aggressive dogs — including fear-based reactivity, barrier aggression, leash aggression, and bite-risk cases.
I don’t believe your dog is bad.
And I don’t believe you caused this by doing something wrong.
I believe you’re doing your best in a hard situation — and that with the right support, things can feel more manageable.
From Clients Who Have Been There...
Molly and Wally
Molly came to us due to some scary interactions in which Wally was resource guarding food around her roommate’s dog. Beyond the safety concerns, it was an emotionally fraught situation. No one wants to risk losing a good roommate, or risk giving up their dog!
Molly appreciated our science-based and efficient way of training. When she decided to move forward with training, she saw results in days.
Within a week, Wally had learned some skills to stop his barking, and had begun targeted exercises to fix his food aggression.
Fast forward to 6 months after training, and Wally is a completely changed dog. He no longer resource guards, passed his Canine Good Citizen test, and he no longer barks incessantly.
Most of all for Molly, she gets to live with her dog best friend, and her human best friend without worrying about any fights. There's no more tension, and everyone has peace of mind.
Boogey and Coco
Their owner called us after several incidents in which Coco had, without warning, attacked her housemate, Boogie. In addition to this, she had attacked a dog outside the home.
They began intensive training right away, and within weeks, the improvement was incredible. We addressed Coco's "on switch"- which was that when she got excited, she didn't pause to think. Because of this, aggression was her "first choice."
With that addressed, we worked to address the resource guarding of the owners, and the outright dog aggression towards unfamiliar dogs.
Coco is now easy to take out on walks, and with the use of stationing and positive reinforcement, there have been no more incidents between the two dogs at home. We are so proud of how far they've come, and how much work their family has put in.
Neta S. and Rico
Neta S. and Rico
Rico came to us for multiple bites to strangers in the home. With a grandparent moving into the home, it was imperative that this be treated immediately. Rico took to Max immediately, and after a few months, his family no longer worries about his biting or nipping strangers.
Ways to Work Together
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for reactive or aggressive dogs — and you don’t have to know exactly what you need right now.
Some clients start with a one-time behavior consult to get clarity and a plan.
Others need ongoing support to work through reactivity or aggression safely over time.
And some dogs need more intensive, hands-on help because the risks are higher.
What matters most is starting in the right place.
We’ll talk through what’s been happening, what feels most urgent, and what level of support makes sense for you and your dog.
Ready To Take The First Step?
If your dog’s reactivity or aggression has been running your life, you don’t have to keep doing this alone.
📞 Call or text: 240-213-4269
📧 Email: info@rosiestailtraining.com
Serving Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia
Tell me what’s been happening.
We’ll start with safety, and open the door to a world of new possibilities.
"After training with Max, my dog is able to walk on leash without going after other dogs! I could not be any happier!"
Bella N.
"After working with Max, my family commented that our dogs seemed so much better behaved and even seemed like different dogs entirely."
Paige Z
"Max really knows and appreciates dogs, does a wonderful job of engaging the dog and making them walk to please. So glad I invested in this training."
Renee W.