--- title: "Client Success Story: Charlie Stops Leash Pulling | Koru K9" description: Charlie, an anxious Yorkie, stopped pulling and spinning on walks after Koru K9 helped his owner become a calm, effective leader. See their inspiring journey. image: https://www.koruk9.com/hubfs/koru-k9-2026/blog/blog5.webp --- ★★★★★  4.9 from 1,200+ client reviews Balanced dog training since 2013 · Serving 7 states across the US Call us: [415-583-5412](tel:4155835412) [![Koru K9 — Train to Transform](https://www.koruk9.com/hs-fs/hubfs/koru-k9-2026/logo-dark.png?width=311&height=91&name=logo-dark.png)](https://www.koruk9.com/) [Services ▾](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services) [All Services](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services) [Board & Train](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/board-train) [In-Home Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/private-in-home-training) [Hybrid Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/hybrid-training) [Puppy Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/puppy-training) [LunaDog AI — Online](https://www.koruk9.com/lunadogai-dog-training-app) [Locations ▾](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations) [All Locations](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations) [California](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/california) [Washington](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/washington) [Oregon](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/oregon) [Colorado](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/colorado) [Texas](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/texas) [South Carolina](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/south-carolina) [North Carolina](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/north-carolina) [Guides](https://www.koruk9.com/guides) [About ▾](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us) [About Us](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us) [Our Method](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us/our-method) [Our Team](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us/our-team) [Testimonials](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us/testimonials) [FAQs](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us/faqs) [Careers](https://www.koruk9.com/careers) [Contact](https://www.koruk9.com/contact-us) [Blog](https://www.koruk9.com/blog) [Trainer School](https://www.koruk9.com/become-a-trainer) [415-583-5412](tel:4155835412) [Book a Consultation](https://www.koruk9.com/contact-us) [Home](https://www.koruk9.com/)›[Blog](https://www.koruk9.com/blog)›Meet Alex and Charlie Success Stories # Meet Alex and Charlie By **Bridget Murphy** ·Published **Sep 10, 2013** ·2 min read #### In this article By [Koru K9 Dog Training + Rehabilitation](https://www.koruk9.com/) Last week we published a blog post about [Effective Leadership](https://www.koruk9.com/tips-and-tricks/effective-leadership/) for your dog. As [dog trainers](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations), we primarily receive calls when dogs are exhibiting problem behaviors. One of the first things we do is look at your role as a leader in your dog’s life. Your dog looks to you to be calm, effective, dependable and somebody that will keep them safe. If you are not filling that roll for them, they will fill it themselves. Meet Alex and his incredibly cute Yorkie, Charlie. Charlie is approximately 16 months old and all of 5 pounds. But by the end of their walks, Alex’s shoulder was sore because Charlie was pulling hard or spinning all over on leash. Charlie had anxiety issues during their walk and felt the need to take control. And, like most dogs, Charlie would rather be in a position in his pack where he feels safe following a leader, not one where he needs to take control and be one. We met with the family and introduced them to our set of house rules and policies, leaving Alex with a long list of homework to work on over the course of the week. At our next appointment, only one week later, Charlie (and Kobe for that matter) was a different dog! The pictures you see above is Charlie walking on leash with a flat collar (no corrective collar). Charlie was walking politely without pulling or spinning on leash, spending the majority of the walk looking up to Alex…completely focused on his dad. These two are such a shining example of how effective, calm leadership inside the home transfers over into all parts of your daily life with your dog…especially the walk! A huge thank you to Alex and Charlie for being such stellar students and dedicating the time and effort to improving their relationship and their lives. These changes don’t happen overnight, and they aren’t easy…but they are always worth it. Just ask Alex and Charlie! ## Like this post? ### Share Know someone who would like this content? Send this post to them or share it to your feed. [mailto:?subject=Meet+Alex+and+Charlie&body=I%20saw%20this%20and%20thought%20of%20you!%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koruk9.com%2Fblog%2Fmeet-alex-and-charlie](mailto:?subject=Meet+Alex+and+Charlie&body=I%20saw%20this%20and%20thought%20of%20you!%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koruk9.com%2Fblog%2Fmeet-alex-and-charlie) ### Follow us today - [@koruk9](https://www.instagram.com/koruk9/) - [@KoruK9](https://x.com/koruk9) - [@KoruK9](https://www.facebook.com/koruk9/) - [Koru K9 Dog Training + Rehabilitation](https://www.youtube.com/c/koruk9) ## The programs mentioned in this article ### [In-Home Dog Training Coaching inside your everyday environment, for mild to moderate behavior issues. Explore In-Home Training →](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/private-in-home-training) ### [Board & Train More structure and consistency than weekly lessons can realistically provide. Explore Board & Train →](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/board-train) ### [Hybrid Training Immersive trainer time plus private coaching, for the in-between cases. Explore Hybrid Training →](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/hybrid-training) ## Ready to start your dog's transformation? Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll talk through your dog, your goals and which program fits. [Book a Free Consultation →](https://www.koruk9.com/contact-us) [415-583-5412](tel:4155835412) [![Koru K9 — Train to Transform](https://www.koruk9.com/hubfs/koru-k9-2026/logo-cream.png)](https://www.koruk9.com/) **Koru K9 Dog Training & Rehabilitation** 455 Market St Ste 1940, PMB 999798 San Francisco, CA 94105-2448 [415-583-5412](tel:4155835412) · [woof@koruk9.com](mailto:woof@koruk9.com) Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–5pm PST #### Services [Board & Train](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/board-train) [In-Home Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/private-in-home-training) [Hybrid Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/hybrid-training) [Puppy Training](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-training-services/puppy-training) [LunaDog AI — Online](https://www.koruk9.com/lunadogai-dog-training-app) #### Locations [California](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/california) [Washington](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/washington) [Oregon](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/oregon) [Colorado](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/colorado) [Texas](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/texas) [South Carolina](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/south-carolina) [North Carolina](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations/north-carolina) [All locations →](https://www.koruk9.com/dog-trainer-locations) #### Resources [Behavior Guides](https://www.koruk9.com/guides) [Blog](https://www.koruk9.com/blog) [FAQs](https://www.koruk9.com/about-us/faqs) [Become a Trainer](https://www.koruk9.com/become-a-trainer) [Careers](https://www.koruk9.com/careers) [Contact](https://www.koruk9.com/contact-us) © 2026 Koru K9 Dog Training & Rehabilitation. 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