From Chaos to Calm: How One Alaska Family Got Their Evenings Back

When the Anderson family first called us, their evenings were anything but peaceful.
After a long workday, both parents came home ready to enjoy dinner and downtime with their two kids, ages 7 and 10. But the moment the garage door opened, their dog, Scout, a lovable but untrained Labrador mix, turned their home into a frenzy.

Scout would leap onto the kids, barking wildly as if they’d been gone for weeks. He’d rush the front door when the pizza delivery arrived, pawing at guests and growling at noises outside. Walks were a battle of strength and patience, and the Andersons often ended them early out of sheer frustration.

“We felt like we were constantly telling him ‘No!’ but nothing stuck,” Mrs. Anderson recalled. “It wasn’t fun anymore, it was stressful.”

Life Before Training: More Stress Than Smiles

The Andersons are like many Alaska families, active, hardworking, and ready to make the most of their time together. But instead of cozy evenings, they found themselves managing chaos.

• Family dinners were interrupted by barking fits at the window.
• Playtime in the living room was often cut short when Scout got too wound up and knocked over the kids.
• Neighborhood walks felt like an Olympic sport, with Scout lunging at every squirrel and passing dog.

They loved Scout dearly, but they were at a breaking point. That’s when they found Alaska Dog Works and our Peak Performance Family Dog Obedience Training program.

The Turning Point: Peak Performance Training

From the very first session, our goal was simple—help Scout become the kind of well-mannered family dog the Andersons could enjoy for years.

Our process wasn’t about quick fixes. It was about building lasting habits through a balance of clear communication, consistent structure, and positive reinforcement.

We started by:

• Teaching Scout impulse control, so he could greet the kids calmly instead of leaping into their arms.
• Reinforcing “place” commands, giving the family a way to keep him settled during meals and guest visits.
• Transforming walks into calm, controlled outings, no matter the distractions Alaska’s outdoors threw at them.

The Results: Peace Restored

Three months later, the Anderson home feels like a different place.

• Scout now greets the kids with a wag and sits politely until given the “okay” to play.
• Guests can come to the door without being bowled over.
• Evening walks are a chance to unwind together, not a battle of wills.

Mrs. Anderson says it best:

“We didn’t just get a better-trained dog, we got our evenings back. We can actually relax after work now. Scout fits into our lives instead of running them.”

Why Families Choose Us

For over 20 years, Alaska Dog Works has helped active, family-focused Alaskans create the kind of bond with their dogs that lasts a lifetime. Our clients aren’t looking for gimmicks or cookie-cutter solutions; they want the best dog trainers in Alaska who understand their lifestyle, respect their time, and deliver results that stick.

Whether you’re dealing with barking, pulling, jumping, or general unruliness, our family dog obedience training can help you go from chaos to calm, just like the Andersons.

Imagine evenings in your home as calm as this.
Your dog is resting peacefully at your feet. Your kids can play without getting knocked over. Your walk is a source of joy, not stress.

Schedule your free strategy call today, and let’s start building the family life you imagined when you first brought your dog home.

📞 Call 206-752-DOGS or click here to schedule your free strategy call.