Today we’d like to introduce you to Leanna LaCross.
Leanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve lived in Northern Michigan my entire life, and animals have always been part of my world. I grew up around horses, dogs, and country life, so that connection with animals has always come naturally to me. Other than my time away for military, college, I’ve never really gone through life without a dog by my side.
Before starting Always Faithful Dog Training of Michigan, I had a pretty varied career path. Eventually, life pushed me toward making a change, and it gave me the opportunity to really think about what I wanted moving forward. I knew I wanted to work for myself, do something meaningful, and build a career that I truly enjoyed.
That’s what led me to launching Always Faithful Dog Training of Michigan. From the beginning, my goal was never just to teach obedience commands. I wanted to help people better understand their dogs and create a calmer, more balanced relationship.
Around the same time I started the business, I adopted my rescue dog, Moxie. She’s been an important part of my journey and a constant reminder of how powerful patience, structure, and trust can be.
What started as a one-woman business has continued to grow, and I now have trainers helping clients in other areas of Michigan who share the same philosophy and approach.
Today, I work one-on-one with clients in their homes across Northern Michigan, helping them with everything from puppy foundations and obedience to fear, anxiety, reactivity, and behavioral challenges. The most rewarding part is seeing the transformation that happens not only in the dog, but in the human too. Watching that relationship grow stronger and knowing I’ve helped bring more understanding, trust, and peace into their lives is something that truly means a lot to me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Starting and growing a business comes with a lot of uncertainty, especially in the beginning. You wear every hat, work long hours, and there are plenty of moments where you question yourself along the way.
One of the bigger challenges has been helping people look at dog behavior differently. My focus has always been helping humans better understand why their dog is doing what it’s doing. I focus on helping owners work with the dog in a more natural and balanced way rather than relying heavily on treats, tools or quick fixes. Once people begin to understand the behavior, communication becomes much clearer, and the relationship starts to change for the better.
At times, it’s taken patience to build trust in both my approach and myself, but over time the results and relationships speak for themselves. Honestly, some of the hardest moments have also been the most rewarding because they helped me grow not only as a business owner, but as a person too.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Always Faithful Dog Training of Michigan is built around helping humans better understand their dogs and create calmer, more balanced relationships together. We focus on instinctual, leadership-based training that emphasizes trust, communication, structure, and consistency rather than relying heavily on treats, gadgets, or quick fixes.
What really sets us apart is our personalized approach. Training is done one-on-one in the client’s home, where dogs are most comfortable and where real-life behaviors actually happen. Every dog and every family is different, so there’s never a “one size fits all” approach.
We work with everything from puppy foundations and obedience to leash pulling, jumping, anxiety, reactivity, fear-based behaviors, and overall household structure. A big part of what we do is helping owners understand the why behind their dog’s behavior, because once that understanding happens, communication and progress become much clearer.
I think what people know us for most is our calm, balanced approach and our focus on relationship over control. We want dogs to feel understood, and we want owners to feel confident leading them.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Always Faithful Dog Training has grown largely through word of mouth, relationships, and trust within the community. What started as a one-woman business has continued to grow, with trainers now helping clients in other areas of Michigan while staying true to the same philosophy and values the business was founded on.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that dog training doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or frustrating. Sometimes small changes in communication, consistency, and understanding can completely change the relationship between a dog and their human.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m honestly someone who has learned more through life experience and hands-on work than from books or online resources. I grew up in a time before cell phones and social media, so I’ve always been more grounded in real-life experience, observation, and connection.
Growing up around animals gave me a strong foundation early on, but like a lot of people, life took me down a few different paths over the years. Before starting my business, I spent many years working in customer service and computer-related work before eventually finding my way back to what felt most natural to me.
Over time, I found myself reconnecting with what always felt most natural to me – being around dogs and humans and helping them better understand each other.
I’ve also been influenced by trainers like Cesar Millan, especially when it comes to understanding energy, structure, and communication, although my own approach has continued to evolve through hands-on experience working with dogs and their owners every day.
When I’m not working, staying grounded and keeping life balanced is important to me. Spending time outdoors, going for walks with my dog, and staying connected with family and friends are some of the things I value most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alwaysfaithfuldogs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afdtmich
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afdtnomi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lslacross
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6CWPnpFU2GKyjYZv7
