My Story

I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was so excited to be getting a Dalmatian — one of the most unique and beloved dog breeds of our time. I spent hours upon hours researching, determined to find the perfect puppy.

“I’m going to do everything right!” I told myself.  Little did I know, I was doomed to fail before I even brought my puppy home.

The Dog of My Dreams

The first few months were… great! Aside from the sleepless nights filled with barking and whining, and the usual potty-training struggles, Remy was everything I had dreamed of. She was full of energy, personality, and life. Believe me — socialization was not an issue. Good luck taking a Dalmatian anywhere without being bombarded with attention!

If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that my Dalmatian would never become aggressive. Right?

…Wrong.

When Everything Fell Apart

Around ten months old, Remy began showing signs of serious aggression. Along with that came a wave of behavioral problems — barking, digging, bolting, jumping, and more. My wife hit her breaking point the day Remy saw a squirrel and pulled her straight into a tree while chasing it.

My own moment of frustration came shortly after. Remy tore into a little boy’s winter jacket — while he was wearing it. He had been crouched beside his dad helping change a tire, and we didn’t see them until it was too late. Remy grabbed the boy’s hood and shook it until the stuffing flew into the air like snowflakes. Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt, but the father was understandably furious.

That was the moment I realized how serious the situation had become. That little boy could have been injured — or worse. And it would have been entirely my fault.

The Turning Point

Not long after, my wife and I found out we were expecting our first child. We were thrilled, but naturally concerned. We knew we couldn’t have a dog like this around a baby.

“How did this happen?” I asked myself. “What’s wrong with my dog? I did everything I was supposed to do.”

I started reaching out to other Dalmatian owners, hoping someone could explain what was happening. The advice was nearly unanimous: contact a behaviorist.

So I did. I contacted several professional dog trainers and behaviorists — but almost all of them told me the same thing: there was no hope. They said the best I could do was “manage” her aggression. They blamed her breed, her genetics, her personality.

I was told I had two options:

1. Surrender her to a shelter, or

2. Put her to sleep.

Neither option was acceptable to me.

Refusing to Give Up

Why couldn’t she be trained? I knew she was intelligent. I knew she had the ability to be kind and social. Why was she acting this way?

There are two main schools of thought in dog training — “positive reinforcement” and “negative reinforcement.” I had always been firmly against the latter. But if positive reinforcement was the right way, why wasn’t it working?

Maybe it wasn’t my dog. Maybe… it was me? Or rather, maybe it was the training methods I had been using?

After more research, I decided I had nothing to lose by trying a new approach. I began incorporating structure, accountability, and fair discipline into my training. Within just six weeks, Remy transformed into a friendly, calm, and completely off-leash trustworthy dog.

The Transformation

My friends, family, and co-workers were stunned when they saw the videos I posted online.

“Weren’t you ready to give her away?” they asked.

“She’s off-leash? In just a couple of months?”

Word spread quickly. People were amazed — not just by how fast the transformation happened, but by how well-trained she had become.

Soon, people began reaching out for help with their own dogs.

“Can you stop barking at the door?”

“Can you fix digging?”

“Can you help with chasing squirrels?”

“Yes!” I said. “I’ve been there before! And I fixed it.”

The Beginning of Lee’s Dog Training

A few weeks later, I launched my website, quit my job, and officially started Lee’s Dog Training.

Looking back, I’m thankful that my Dalmatian was the worst dog ever — because she became my greatest teacher. She prepared me to help dog owners across the entire United States experience the same transformation I once thought was impossible.

If you know someone who’s struggling with their dog, send them here.

Because I know exactly how it feels — and I also know how to fix it.