Aggression cases don’t fail because of dogs, they fail because owners aren’t trained properly. In this episode, professional dog trainer Austin Laramee joins Nate Schoemer to break down how play-based training, leash communication, and owner education create behavior change that actually lasts.

Austin shares his journey from adopting a shelter dog with no formal experience to working hundreds of real-world behavior cases. Together, they dive into what most owners get wrong, why many training programs fail once the dog goes home, and how play builds confidence, engagement, and impulse control.

This conversation is practical, real-world focused, and packed with takeaways for dog owners and trainers who want better results without gimmicks.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why owner education matters more than training the dog alone
• How play builds confidence, engagement, and control
• The biggest mistakes people make with aggressive dogs
• How leash pressure becomes a powerful communication tool
• Why board-and-train programs often fail long-term
• How to structure training for real-life environments

Resources Mentioned:

From Novice To Pro — Nate Schoemer
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=50148621582625

Dog Training Decoded — Michael Ellis
https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/dog-training-decoded-by-michael-ellis?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&variant=51512501371169

Michael Ellis Course Breakdown Article
https://nateschoemer.com/dog-training-decoded-why-every-serious-trainer-should-learn-from-michael-ellis/

Upcoming Live Seminars:

Corpus Christi, TX — January 23–25, 2026
Hosted by Harley & Sergio Dog Training (SK9)
Tickets: https://harleyandsergio.academy/workshop

Peoria, AZ — February 21–22, 2026
Hosted by Kinected K-9 AZ Dog Training
Tickets: https://square.link/u/fUpcbPtG

North Bend, OR — March 13–14, 2026
Working Spot:
https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/nateschoemerworkingspot
Audit Spot:
https://9ce05e2d-70ad-4316-a25c-0e8363a9306a.paylinks.godaddy.com/3059b659-5945-4fc3-b4e7-db5

San Marcos, TX — September 26–27, 2026
Tickets coming soon

Follow Nate Schoemer:
Website: https://NateSchoemer.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nateschoemer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NateSchoemer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@NateSchoemer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NateSchoemer
X (Twitter): https://x.com/NateSchoemer

Guest — Austin Laramee (Zero To Hero Dog Training):
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinLarameeDogTrainer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerotoherodogtrainingakron/
Website: https://zerotoherodogtraining.online/
Email: [email protected]

If you’re dealing with aggression, reactivity, or obedience challenges, this episode delivers real frameworks you can start applying immediately — without shortcuts or hype.