We Have Our Lives Back. Our dog, Link, is a very large, very fearful boy. We thought he was exhibiting aggressive behavior, as we had one bite incident with friends over and several smaller incidents with family members. But, Xavier explained that it was all fear-based. We felt like prisoners in our own house because we felt we couldn't have people over and were constantly on edge that he might bite someone. Xavier made recommendations that gave us back our lives. We bought a crate and took Link everywhere in the house (and eventually outside) on leash. Initially I felt guilty because Link was confined for large portions of the day, but now he has more time outside or the crate/xpen and he will even go in on retreat there when he needs a break from the activity in the house. I was taking him on walks regularly, which made him very happy, but he still gets the "excited poops" and I have to stop and pick up after him 3-4 times per walk, which is not conducive to my exercise requirements (due to a health concern). I plan to try him on more relaxed evening walks and hopefully break his fear cycle and get him better socialized in the coming months. read more

Xavier has been amazing to work with! My husband and I adopted a Great Dane that was explained to us as an excited puppy. We were beyond thrilled to add him to the family, but had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Shortly after getting home, chaos ensued. Barking at everything, lunging at people and pets as we would pass. And I spent entirely too much time getting drug through the concrete. We were so disappointed and ready to give him back, which broke our hearts. Shortly after, we called Xavier. Having talked us off a ledge after my second trip through the concrete, we had our first meeting. We learned boundaries and consistency. With time, patience and setting boundaries and staying consistent we put in the work. We knew it wouldn't happen overnight but stayed with it. Now, 2.5 years later, he is a totally different dog. Do we still not love people passing the house? No.. but if I was abused previously I'd probably be weary for the rest of my life too. However, he is an amazing dog and we look back and our more and more happy that we didn't give up. We welcomed our first child last month to our crew. We were always slightly nervous with how he would do, but with staying consistent every step of the way and using the tools Xavier has given us for the rest of our lives, we were able to keep putting in the work. He has been a dream with our little girl, we will always proceed with caution and respect all boundaries, but he has so much love. If you feel like giving up hope on a dog, you don't know where else to turn and you feel as though all hope is lost. Call Xavier and Nicky. They have changed our outlook on dog training as a whole and have helped us more than words can describe. read more

Xavier is amazing! My dog Duke had serious separation anxiety when I first got him. I couldn't leave the room for 5 seconds before he would start barking and howling nonstop. After working with Xavier just one time, I was given all the instruction I needed to get Duke comfortable being alone. Eventually we got to the point where I could leave him by himself for the whole day while I was at work. When I relocated for work, it was like starting from ground zero with Duke all over again. After Duke destroying his beds five times in less than a month, I decided to set up some time with Xavier again to figure out what was going wrong. Within less than a week after that, Duke was back to his normal self being comfortable with me leaving the house for work. I swear this man is a miracle worker! read more

Everyday Pack Leader - After working with Xavier - Pet Training Near Me

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This business is more than good. It is an amazing platform to help both you and your dog realize how to live together amicably. If you are struggling with your dog and parameters, Xavier and Nicky will point you toward a solution. read more

my dog was traumatized from cages & had terrible separation anxiety and tore up my half of my door trying to get out one day after i left for work. After ONE session with Xavier she felt comfortable enough to go into the crate on her own and lay down and i was able to leave her at home with no issuesHe really helps you understand what your dog needs. He's so kind and patient. Definitely booking him again to work on other issues! read more

Everyday Pack Leader - After one session - Pet Training Near Me

My dog, Bobby, was a crazy dog. He would bark and lunge at people and little kids. He snapped at my friend while she was playing with my nephews. He would always bark at the drive thru people when I would order, and I would never know how to calm him down. It got to a point I don't even want to take him out anymore, not even for walks because it was always a pain to have to deal with his outbursts. Others would say he was an aggressive dog, but I knew that he wasn't. He would be calm when it would be just me and him and he would listen as well when it was just me and him. I live with 3 kids and 3 other adults. They would complain to me that he needed training because he would also jump on the kids and actually just jump on everyone he got excited seeing. So I called Xavier to set up an appointment. For our first appointment, I didn't want Bobby to be out as soon as he enters because I knew he would become aggressive and bark. Xavier came in, I took Bobby out of my room and sure enough he was going crazy barking and lunging at Xavier. He was calm meanwhile my nephews were going ballistic as well seeing a new person come in the house. He was still calm and waited until Bobby was somewhat relaxed. We both walked to the backyard and he mentioned Bobby is the way he is because of my nephews. Bobby needs a calm environment. He also mentioned Bobby is not an aggressive dog because he would have biten him already. That actually meant the world to hear because I knew my boy wasn't an aggressive dog. He said he's very fearful and has a lot of anxiety. We got to it and he taught me a few things that actually calmed him down so much even my family were noticing within a week. He never made me feel bad or guilty about my ignorance of just not knowing about dogs in general. He teaches in a way where it's so easy to understand and he gives different perspectives. Since the training, Bobby licks his paws about 80% less due to his anxiety decrease which I didn't even know anxiety caused him to do that, I thought it was allergies (the amount of allergy medicines I was buying to get him to stop)! He listens to me more and I know how to calm him down and know what to do in situations where another dog is walking by or he's getting so hyped to see a family member. His reaction to strangers casually walking by decreased as well! It's been a month and I've seen so much improvement in Bobby. I'm excited for what the next couple of months has in store for us. The tools and knowledge that Xavier has shared with me gave me confidence to take bobby out for walks and even go to plazas because I know I have been set up for success! I definitely recommend him! Thanks a lot Xavier! read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Pet Training Near Me

No tricks, no bull. Just honest and true knowledge on how to create a confident and healthy relationship with your pup I consider myself lucky getting to work with Xavier! I couldn't be more confident with how my journey has been with Raven. read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Pet Training Near Me

Just over a year and a half ago we welcomed a puppy named Doug into our home. The first few weeks were as expected from a puppy. Shortly after the honeymoon period, Doug began displaying oddly aggressive behavior and extreme reactivity. Walks became impossible. Stationary cars were an enemy. Not having company over or even flushing a toilet without extreme reactivity quickly became the norm. It was clear this was beyond typical puppy behavior. Then began our journey to seek a solution. The first few trainers and behaviorists we spoke to or met with told us that this is most likely a neurological issue. One even recommended we send him back to where we adopted him from. That was not an option in our minds, so we pursued further and were fortunate enough to have Xavier referred to us. Upon first meeting Doug, Xavier's initial assessment was that this is NOT neurological, but rather a case of extreme reactivity that leads to aggression. He was straight-forward in telling us there is no "cure" or immediate fix for such issues, but there are tools, structure and lifestyle changes that can be learned to make the situation more manageable - and ultimately, hopefully, allow Doug and our family to live bigger and better lives. Then began the work. Through several sessions, Xavier taught us the tools we would need. The amount of knowledge Xavier has is profound. The way he teaches is easily digestible, and his analogies are second to none. From here it would be up to us to put in the work and implement these tools and structure into our daily lives. Doug became our second full time jobs. But through daily exercises, Xavier's pack walks for socialization, and ongoing support, we saw progress. We'd be lying if we said there weren't times where we wanted to give up, or ask "why us". But looking at where we were a year ago versus where we are now, the difference is night and day. We have a dog we can take in public. We can have company over. Doug's favorite is to hop in the car to see his friends on pack walks. And we can even flush the toilet without fear. Doug is our work in progress, and will continue to be. Like a proctologist or a divorce attorney, a dog behaviorist isn't necessarily a person you want in your lives. But this ongoing journey has been one most challenging and rewarding experiences of our lives, and has taught us more about ourselves than we maybe ever wanted to know. For that, we are forever grateful for Xavier and his dedication to his craft and to his clients. 10/10, would recommend. read more

I honestly don't know what we would have done without Everyday Pack Leader. We were on our last straw, stressed out & going to re-home our pitty. They showed us how to control the chaos & take back control of our house. They taught us how to be leaders of our pack, now we don't have to re-home her. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!! Definitely recommend them, you will not be sorry. Xavier & Niki are so personable & you can really tell how much they care for every single dog they come into contact with. read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Pet Training Near Me

Nicky and Xavier are great trainers.They take the time to answer all your questions and it is evident that they care for your pet,its not just a business for them.We adopted a rescue dog and with their instructions we are in a very good place and confident that this will result in a well mannered pet capable of being a family member.Having 3 young children,it was not an easy decision but with proper guidance and their right mainly psychological tools it became possible. Thank you guys,highly recommended. Babis and Petra read more

We started working with Xavier after meeting him through group packwalks because we loved how he listened to us and really cared for our dog, Billie. We have had a couple private sessions at this point and would highly recommend! Billie at this point is a pretty good dog, but still needs some fine tuning. We spent the last 2 sessions learning how to hang out with her at crowded dog friendly shopping malls and food courts. Xavier even brought his friend to help with creating distractions! When we mentioned she did not like skateboards, he then brought out a skateboard and by the end of the session skateboarded with her! We always feel like so much is accomplished in one session! If you are looking for a dog trainer/behaviorist in the area, give him a call! read more

I really enjoyed learning about dog behavior from Xavier. I took my crazy pittie to Xavier and he taught me about how all the little moments and interactions with my girl matter. I never considered all the nuances to dog training. Xavier took the time to explain things to me and he has such a great way of explaining concepts so that it just makes so much sense. I have worked with a few trainers and Xavier is by far the best. He has a great way of teaching and that's the most important part in dog training. I learned so much and I can't wait to work with him again! I definitely recommend him for major behavior issues or just puppy stuff! read more

Everyday Pack Leader - My Cali girl - Pet Training Near Me

Since training with Javier, we've seen a real change in our dog. His explanations changed the way we looked at dog training and our relationship with our dog is stronger than ever. If you're willing to put in the work, call Javier. read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Dog training - Pet Training Near Me

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Xavier changed our lives! I never thought I would consider re-homing a dog, but our son and dog were not getting along. I went through three different trainers and did everything I could think of to try and help the situation. After a failed attempt to rehome our pup, I didn't know what else to do, until I came across Xavier's information. Starting with the initial call, I have been so impressed. I was defeated and I am sure he could tell. He took the time to help me on that call even before I committed to working with him. I probably called through 20 people that day and not one other person did that. After one session, our problem was fixed! That doesn't mean the work is over, but I no longer have to live in fear of our pup biting our son or anyone else. He really helped us understand the big picture using lots of fun analogies. I swear it's like an episode with Caesar. Seems too good to be true, but if you listen and put in the work, your life will be changed too! We are continuing to work with Xavier and I cannot wait to see what else can be accomplished! read more

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We worked with Xavier regarding introducing a newly rescued dog into our pack. Our two dogs which we had for years were not accepting our new dog into the pack and were being aggressive and territorial. To make things worse, one of our existing dogs has high anxiety which made the situation even more challenging. We worked with Xavier several months and he was extremely patient. He gave us clear direction on what we should be working on in-between sessions. Xavier was exceptional and our dogs are now a happy pack. We highly recommend Xavier and are over the moon with our pack. read more

Everyday Pack Leader - The pack Xavier helped create. - Pet Training Near Me

Started working with Xavier March of 2021. At that time I was ready to rehome my dog. Reluctantly I sought the help Xavier whom came highly recommended. Before I made the call for had to ask myself, "what do you want to accomplish?" I wanted the following: 1) Dog not to jump on people 2) no marking in the house 3) leash training meaning no pulling 4) stay relaxed around balls and toys The very first day he was to assess my dogs character and teach me how to best connect with my dog (Duece). After 3 training sessions I was told that I was all done and my dog didn't need anymore or his help. I was instantly filled with fear BC I didn't think I had what it takes to continue on the path of connecting with my dog. Now today after only 5 sessions in total my dog and I are connected, I know how to best communicate with Dulce. Most importantly my dog is not a prisoner to his own excitement or behavior. He is able to be free because I can take him out to experience new things. Thanks you Xavier I'm forever grateful. Dee & Duece read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Duece just chilling waiting for me to go for a walk. - Pet Training Near Me

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Wow! What can be said here but "WOW" we got Xavier's card from the place where we get "Chandra's" food As with any other person, we were unsure, as a family we decided to give him a chance, but walking on eggshells, (too many "Boso's" out there) we texted, and he replies, we talk, he didn't try to sell or make me believe I need " more water in my pool", I ask about any leash or bed and he suggested, he sends a link 45 min, he and his wife did make sense to our ignorance and wrong beliefs, what a difference, then he shows up, we were ready only because the link he sends, we did our homework, he was passionate, understanding and teach us, not "Chandra" right here in my living room about an hr we can see the progress and we practice and he corrects us! We learn how to channel our emotions and recognize our dog's communication, FALLOW THE 4 RULES! There is a saying where I come from "Zapatero a su Zapato" he even ID my dog as a follower, not a leader, he was honest about his background, and he didn't give me a "Moyo jombo " with diplomas and all that commercial BS I can honestly say He's the real deal! Too bad I can post a video clip (at least I don't know how ) read more

If I could give 6 stars I would. I have had an anxious dog for 7 years and Xaiver finally helped us to understand our boy. He also helped us to understand our 5 year old is front of the pack. Xaiver is amazing and after one session our boys are a lot calmer. If you are looking for a trainer who will change not only your dog but your household, Xaiver is your guy! read more

Two years ago, my husband and I decided to bring a new pet named Remi into our family. Remi is very smart and has grasped most of the commands my husband and I have taught her. So we thought, and overtime we observed Remi was trying to be the leader of our pact. About a year ago, Xavier was recommended to us by a colleague, but we had our reservations about a dog trainer/behaviorist. In March of 2021, we decided to call Xavier and give him a shot. Xavier began working with Remi in so many needed areas and has done wonders. He has also raised our awareness on how we need to better communicate in Remi's dog language. My only regret about Xavier is that we did not call him any SOONER! Xavier has been extremely patient, gentle and just amazing with Remi and our family! read more

Xavier was an incredible trainer for our dog, Juno. The skills he instilled in us as dog parents were extremely helpful. Juno is a very energetic yellow lab who has a lot of anxiety, and he taught us how to work on calming her down, which helped her barking as well as her ability to focus on commands. He also really helped train her (and us) so that she is attentive and obedient on walks. Even though it's been awhile since our sessions with Xavier, we use the techniques and behaviors he taught us every day! Highly recommend!! read more

Xavier's knowledge and understanding of dog behavior has helped me take back control of the house! I quickly learned that we were letting the dogs run amok but now, I feel in control of the situation and am better able to understand why they do what they do. I would recommend Xavier in a heartbeat to any and all! Even if you think you don't need a lesson, I think there is always something that we don't always see that Xavier could help with when it comes to our dogs behavior. read more

If you are debating getting a behaviorist for your "aggressive" dog stop debating. I found Cooper on the streets in downtown Long Beach. He imprinted on me and my dog Bailey immediately and I knew we were stuck with him. He was ok in the beginning but then his issues started showing. Leash aggression towards dogs, skateboards, people who tried to say hi, etc. I was so stressed out I didn't know what to do. We dreaded dog walks, I stopped having friends over, I'd cry a lot. All of that is over. Xavier taught us what we were doing wrong with both dogs (turned out the nice friendly one is also not perfect haha). As long as you listen and apply his teaches on everything you do with dogs you will not be disappointed. Cooper can be around other dogs and see other animals now without reacting. He also would try to dominate my roommate and correct her with a snap of she was in his space. He hasn't done that once since we started working with Xavier last May. WORK WITH XAVIER. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. It's worth ever penny to know your dog is not filled with anxiety, you're not filled with anxiety, and life can go back to normal for you and your pup. Obviously you always have to practice the techniques with them forever but every day that passes I see a new dog in Cooper. He's happy, calm, seems less stressed, even his facial expressions seem more relaxed. thanks Xavier you the best! read more

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Shout out to Xavier Hernandez at Everyday Pack Leader. He was recommended to us and came out yesterday to help us learn what we needed to do to have our dogs understand what we want from them. He spent 2 hours with us and by the end we had so many new tools. We had immediate results and while we know it will take consistency on our end, we can see that what we learned works!! I couldn't be happier I highly, highly recommend Xavier read more

We adopted our pit mix when he was about a year old. He had a lot of separation anxiety of the bat, and while a total sweetheart also struggled with boundaries and dominance and would escape or go ballistic in his crate. Everyday pack leader was recommended by a coworker and Xavier was a massive help for me and my partner. We struggled with having inconsistent approaches and Xavier gave us consistent tools and an overall mindset with our approach to training and day to day life. Once we began to take the tools seriously and applying them daily we saw our dog become more grounded and his overall demeanor shifted into a much more calm version of himself. He's still got that puppy energy but he is so much more respectful with others around and also can handle being left in his crate so we basically have our independence back. Xavier stresses the importance of patience and it absolutely paid off. Thank you! read more

Everyday Pack Leader - Pet Training Near Me

I have been a dog owner since I can remember and know a lot when it comes to dogs. I can confidently say that Xavier is an AMAZING trainer and still learned a lot more from him. I can tell he really cares about the connection, leadership, and training that dog owners should have with their pups. He's very knowledgeable with most, if not all breeds. If you're looking for a dog behavioral trainer, I definitely recommend him. Friendly and trustworthy! read more

Xavier is an awesome dude with so much knowledge to share! We were put in touch via the rescue I adopted my Henry from and I'm so glad to have him now as a guide to help me and my boy work on his confidence. We went over a lot in a single day but he managed to make a lot of information processable and memorable to where I really feel like I can give my dog his best life. Definitely give Xavier a call if you're considering training for your dog, you're going to learn so much! read more

We've only had our 2 year old Great Dane rescue for a few weeks-and we were concerned we might be developing bad habits with him. After a great 30 minute phone session, Xavier sent me a video on his philosophy and some simple steps to help. We then had Xavier and his partner, Nicky, come to our home for a two hour session to work with our dog, and most importantly train my human family to learn what we need to do. Xavier was patient, calm, explained so much about dog psychology and had us all practice the new tools. We all gained so much more confidence in our relationship with our dog. I highly recommend Everyday Pack Leader! read more

Xavier is great! He is working with my dog who is incredibly "other dog" aggressive and is high strung. She is 1/2 golden and 1/2 cattle dog. Actually, I needed training more than Pebbles did! Things are getting better every day, thanks to what we are both learning from Xavier! read more

Everyday Packer Leader is an amazing organization that is such a huge asset for the Socal dog community. Their pack walks are incredibly helpful to new owners, foster, or owners that have had their dogs for years. One on one training is top notch and really caters to the best needs of the dog and is not on a "prewritten script" that is applied to every dog. And lastly they are a huge advocate and asset to the rescue community. They have provided so much support to rescue organizations and their fosters and have overall increased the overall helpfulness and quality of the Socal rescue community. Could not recommend them any higher, 5 stars hands down. read more

Xavier is like a Jedi with the dogs he works with. He is skilled at reading and predicting dog's behavior. He has such a great disposition with dogs. Xavier will teach you how to better communicate and read your dog so you can change their behavior and yours. Xavier has personally helped us with our rescue who is very reactive. We were so discouraged, but Xavier taught us how to work with our dog and become better dog owners. We have also worked with Xavier in a pack setting and it's amazing to see him help so many dog owners who need help with their dog's behavior. I have recommended him to others and will continue to do so. Don't give up hope, Xavier can help you and your dog! read more

I had the pleasure of working with Xavier and my recently rescued dog Luna. I have never learned so much about not only what my dog needed but that what my dog needed from me that was more than just love and food. My views are completely changed for the better. I feel I am able to provide the best for my dog now! She was very insecure but is now on the road to being her best self. Xavier always helped work with my 9 year old son to understand the situation and what his roles will be. Xavier is amazing and patient and explains everything! If your in the market for a trainer please don't look any further, you won't be disappointed!!! If I could give 10 stars I would!!!! read more

I highly recommend Xavier's services. He worked closely with our 3 yo lab pit mix and our puppy who is a lab chow chow mix. He is attentive to their behavior and works closely with owners as well to share the core lessons at the root of every behavioral training tactic. read more

If anyone is struggling with a stubborn, aggressive dog...there is hope. First of all, formal dog training/obedience training is key! That being said, when my boyfriend & I got a Frenchie puppy during covid, we did a basic app-based training that worked for potty training & a few fun tricks & commands (i.e., sit, lay, roll over, etc.) but our dog developed resource guarding & aggression pretty early on. We realized we needed behavior modification training once our dog turned his aggression on us & bit some family members. Researching what type of training for my dog was a little difficult because there's many different kinds out there & we had to learn the difference between obedience training & behavior modification. I also didn't like the idea of a "board & train." We're so thankful we found Xavier. From the first time I spoke to Xavier on the phone, I knew I wanted him to work with us. In the first phone call, he gave me some advice of things I could start doing right away that would help, before we even agreed to start a training program. We've had 3 sessions with Xavier so far & I could not be happier. Our dog has made such improvement & it's because we've learned what we were doing wrong & how to establish boundaries & authority with our dog, mostly through non-verbal cues. We've learned the mistakes humans make which inadvertently set our dogs up for failure. There was definitely struggle once we started the training, so of course there was push back from our dog & aggression, however the big difference between before & after is Xavier taught us how to maintain control of our dog even if/when he tries to become aggressive. We're still working with our dog & know we have some time before we can fully trust that he won't display aggression when trying to get his way, but we can see the difference in our relationship to our dog. When he would become aggressive before, it's like he was running us & we'd accommodate his behavior. But not anymore. More than anything though, Xavier has helped us have peace of mind. We're not stressed anymore about what to do or fear our dog. Xavier is also very informative, educational, & communicative. In between sessions I can send a text, a video, etc. & he replies almost immediately, answering questions & providing reassurance. He also checks in on us to see how we're doing. I know cost can be a factor in determining whether to start private dog training or not, but it is worth every penny, especially when considering an aggressive dog. Don't be fooled by training programs where you drop your dog off & are "guaranteed" a fix. Your dog should learn from you & Xavier really teaches that philosophy. I've already referred some friends to Xavier & would definitely recommend him to anyone struggling with their fur babies! read more

I worked with Xavier and his wife, Nicky, when I was interested in adopting their foster dog, Mocha. They went above and beyond to help me as a first-time dog owner by providing me sessions to bond with Mocha through walks and training tips before I officially adopted her in December. Since then, I've continued doing private sessions with Xavier for Mocha's dog reactivity and both he and Nicky been a great support system. Xavier is very knowledgeable and I try and follow all his tips and homework (i.e. binge watching all of Dog Whisperer so I don't mind) so I can do the very best for Mocha. Would highly recommend if anyone's looking for a trainer in the area and their pack walks on Saturdays are a great socialization activity for dogs! read more

Xavier and Nicky were 5 stars since day 1. Even before I went to the Shelter to get Blue they set us up for success so that our first interaction would go well. After this they started training us (Blue my dog and me) so that we could learn structure and boundaries. It's only been one week since Blue and I have been together and he's already understanding thresholds, boundaries and commands without me even saying the word. I highly recommend their method. Thanks Nicky and Xavier! read more

Javier is a gem!!! My rescue pittie has been through a. Number of trainers and behaviorists. Some were game changing, some we didn't get anywhere. I found a lot of trainers were unreliable with scheduling. When we moved to a new home, I wanted to set the tone and work on some behaviors that were still presenting. Javier communicated well, kept his appointments, comes toy you in your environment and went the extra mile. He doesn't work sundays, but we were moving in with my pup on a Sunday. He felt it was vital that he be there from the moment Lucie entered the house. So he came on his day off. Ina few sessions, we have set the tone for our new place. Lucie adjusted so well. He was clear, explained why we had to address things in a certain way, and gave clear skills that we practiced. Those unwanted behaviors in the house, transformed quickly. We have an amazing routine here now. We are still working on her excitement while walking. This has been a thing forever! He gave me a lot of practical skills to address situations that happen while on our walks. I feel much more empowered. read more