Goodog Positive Dog Training

24/08/2024

This is Goomer who graduated from Puppy Preschool today AND melted hearts (look at that face) ❤️🖤😍. It was great to meet you and your humans and we hope to see you back at Goodog for Teenage classes soon.

23/08/2024

Pawfume 🥴
✍🏽 They Can Talk

21/08/2024

Thanks! It is all about egos while it should be about the welfare of the dogs we train.
It is unethical, wrong and unnecessary to hurt dogs to get behaviour.

I have been trying to ignore the latest drama in the dog training world, because honestly, it is just starting to get old and boring and most of us have better things to focus on. However, sadly, it has become apparent that the latest saga is affecting many of my colleagues and causing a lot of hurt and confusion for people who are genuinely trying to make sense of what is going on and why certain trainers or behaviour experts who have always claimed to have the best interests of dogs at heart are joining hands with and promoting those who believe that it is quite okay to routinely inflict pain and fear on dogs to get them to do what you want.

The people involved in this are not that surprising, as it is not the first time that most of them have gone down this road. I can only put it down to some underlying insecurity that drives certain people to want to "be like the cool kids" and join hands with balanced trainers to try and stay relevant or because they have run out of healthy ways to increase their followings. It is not incidental that social media is in a furore over this – in fact likely one of the main goals is to create hype and keep those involved in the public eye. There seems to be little thought given to the damage inflicted on dogs in the long run from their publicity stunts, the confusion created for the general public and the hurt to those in the industry who are actually in this to help dogs and promote welfare first.

The original campaign adverts using “superhero” imagery speak volumes about the egos and intentions of the people behind this. It is honestly just gross. They can phrase it all they like in terms of building bridges across the dog training world, but that is not what it is about, even if they are deluding themselves into believing that. It is about their own egos and publicity.

Yes, I am being judgemental and harsh, but I would no more interview or try to learn from a balanced trainer than I would a person who believes that any sort of domestic violence towards their family members (men, women or children) is justified and for their own good. It is honestly sickening.

I am also so tired of hearing about “The Science” and this being used as a weapon on both sides of the debate (anti and pro punishment). This is not about science. Dogs are not laboratory experiments. They are not a thesis. They are not there for us to carry out experiments on to find the quickest ways to get them to do what we want at all times. Dogs are sentient beings with intrinsic worth, who we should regard as part of our families. Our relationships with them should be governed by our ethics and values, not graphs and statistics.

Of course science has an important place in our understanding of behaviour and learning how best to handle problems that may arise (within ethical parameters), but I really would not give a damn if some scientific paper came along to “prove” that punishment would be more effective in a particular situation, because my relationship with my dogs is governed by love, trust and respect and not by what is most convenient or effective for getting my way.

I am more and more finding that I want to withdraw completely from the wider dog training space to my own little corner of the world, where I can hopefully make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in my actual community and avoid the continual merry-go-round of social media dog trainers. I sometimes wonder if any of these people still work with actual people and dogs in the real world or whether they only exist online? I know so many wonderful trainers, who while they may not be good at marketing or have an interest in becoming social media celebrities, do so much good in the lives of real people and dogs on the ground, that I think they are worth more than all these celebrity trainers put together. Perhaps dog training was never meant to be a career that brought fame. We often say that good training, done right, is as boring as watching paint dry, so maybe this is why those seeking fame have to continually invent drama to stay in the limelight.

So here is to all my colleagues, both my good friends here in South Africa and those I catch a glimpse of elsewhere across the world. To those of you doing your little bit in your community, improving welfare one dog and human at a time - you are making a real difference. Thank you for putting dogs and their people first and valuing human and animal welfare above fame and status. Keep doing what you are doing – you are the real heroes.

20/08/2024

The next intake of our Teenage & Rescue Dog training course starts in Terrigal soon. 🌊 🏖️ 🐕

Our Teenage & Rescue training course is for dogs from 16 weeks until older age. Dogs experience a change in their teenage phase just like humans so some extra skills are needed to combat this period and thereafter. For instance, they may dig, bark, or appear out of sorts because they need a new approach from their humans.

Dogs enter the teenage phase around seven to eleven months and reach adulthood around 18 to 24 months. Sometimes it's quicker for smaller dogs, and working breeds. Even so, this course is for dogs before, during and after the teen stage has set in.

Goodog Teenage & Rescue courses are on the Central Coast and Northern Beaches of NSW.

📸 Doug graduated from the Terrigal course in July 2024.

20/08/2024

Happy Birthday Chillax! 7 years already, where has the time gone?
And this is the year we had.

19/08/2024

Well done to Teddy, Bubbles, Sheeba and your humans for graduating from Goodog Puppy Preschool over the weekend. In their final lesson everyone learned about puppy enrichment. 🥰🥩🧩

One of the main problems dogs have these days is being bored at home. These dogs often end up barking excessively and become destructive or even anxious. So start young and give puppies a job to do so they don’t become unemployed (then self employed with barking/digging etc.)! Hide toys or treats and rotate toys daily so they remain interested and try to feed out of food dispensing toys, snuffle mats etc. or scatter feed. In sum: keep their minds stimulated and treat them throughout the day for positive behaviours.

19/08/2024

We all loved the Eyre Peninsula. What a great and dog friendly place.

17/08/2024

Let's not get mad, let's get even. Great read!

A few minutes ago, I read a comment written by a trainer who calls themselves “balanced” — by that, they mean they use both reinforcement (like moi!), and also stimuli that harm and scare dogs, such as shock collars, prong collars, and similar (so… not like me). This trainer was angry, like,...

16/08/2024

Top tip: when selecting couch fabric, always run it by the dog 🛋️😆. On that note, have a relaxing weekend blending into the furniture with your best mate 🥰

16/08/2024

A big pat and scratch for the teenage graduates in Collaroy last night. The dogs and humans all did so well and can now work together for a more harmonious household. Well done to Leonidas, Jetta, Rosie and Bear 🤩🎖🏆

Our Teenage & Rescue training course if for dogs from 16 weeks until older age. Dogs experience a change in their teenage phase just like humans so some extra skills are needed to combat this period and thereafter. For instance, they may dig, bark, or appear out of sorts because they need a new approach from their humans.

Dogs enter the teenage phase around seven to eleven months and reach adulthood around 18 to 24 months. Sometimes it's quicker for smaller dogs, and working breeds.

Goodog Teenage & Rescue courses are in Balgowlah, Seaforth, Terrey Hills, Collaroy and Terrigal. See link in the comments for more info.

14/08/2024

Even in the horse world some know better and do better!

A positive Olympic dressage story is Justina Vanagaité-Samuile from Lithuania.
She is the first rider from her country to ever qualify for the Olympics and has trained, groomed, and ridden her own Olympic horse because nobody believed in them.
Justina is also the first rider to compete at top-level international dressage without spurs since the 2024 FEI rule changes giving riders the choice. She did so just to show she could. Her Facebook reel from just before her Olympic debut; shows the pair enjoying ba****ck dressage in a halter (bitless and spur-less).
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1023147202812402

Our Australian dressage hero is Georgia Bruce. Georgia has represented Australia in dressage on 12 occasions. She competed at the 2004 Athens Games. She won two bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Games in the Mixed Dressage – Championship grade IV and Freestyle grade IV events. Georgia is a reward based trainer and gives lessons, clinics, trick shows and clicker training demonstrations around Australia. You can read more about Georgia and clicker training with horses here: https://clickwithhorses.com/pages/georgia-bruce
Photo: Georgia Bruce promoting clicker training at Equitana in 2013, with PPGA member Noeline and her horse and donkey

13/08/2024

In case you wonder where we are. On a road trip with the dogs and loving it. Dubbo, Broken Hill, Menindee Lakes, Quorn and now a week at Venus Bay.
Check the website for classes, they are on!

12/08/2024

Congratulations to Millie and Halo for graduating from our Teenage Course today – and to all the other students 🎖🎖🤩. Our Teenage & Rescue dog course is for dogs from 16 weeks until older age with courses in Balgowlah, Seaforth, Terrey Hills, Collaroy and Terrigal. The course focuses on how dogs learn, body language and positive training methods. Plus:

• Walking on a loose lead
• Come when called (recall)
• Front door & guest etiquette
• Sit for greeting (not jumping up)
• Meeting people, kids and other dogs
• Leave things such as chicken bones, cats etc.
• Calm and self control
• Dog park behaviour
• Getting your dog’s attention
• Coffee shop manners
• Sit, stay and lie down
• Door and car etiquette
• Tricks, games and Agility

11/08/2024

These two are on a roll! Goodog trainer Amy met Cinnamon Scroll four weeks ago and the love was mutual. Now Cinnamon Scroll is ready for the big human world where they will no doubt win a few admirers. Congratulations to Cinnamon Scroll for graduating from preschool yesterday. 🥮❤️

09/08/2024

Food motivation! Veni, vidi, edi 🏛️🌿🍪🥩

✍🏽 Dave Coverly | Speedbump

03/08/2024

Double Gold in the Puppy category for Australia 🥇🥇

Congratulations to Maggie and Rio for graduating from Goodog Puppy Preschool today and your gold ribbon performance 🎗️🎗️

If you're welcoming a puppy into your home soon, book now as spots are filling up in August and September: https://bit.ly/PuppyDates

02/08/2024

😹

✍🏽 Scott Metzger Cartoons

28/07/2024

If you are paying someone (I refuse to call them trainers or professionals) to hit, kick, strangulate, intimidate, threaten or abuse your dog in any other way, you are part of the problem.

Why do you not show these people the door? Don’t tell me you didn’t know. Since when has abusing and hurting dogs in the name of training been okay? It is not and never has been.

Next time engage a professional who:
• Has a recognised qualification. A Cert IV in Animal Training from a reputable provider is a good starting point here in Australia.
• Does ongoing further education.
• Is a member of an organisation like the Pet Professional Guild Australia or the Delta Institute.
• Is experienced and clearly says they are using force-free methods.

As for the others, run and run fast!

28/07/2024

This weeks Puppy Preschool graduates – Clancy, Missy and Roo. Congratulations to you and your human team 🥇🥇🥇

Goodog Puppy Preschool is one of the few courses providing carefully moderated off-leash interaction and play for puppies. While this assists puppy-to-puppy socialisation, trainers use this time to pick up on cues on how your pups interacts with other pups and humans. We then offer tailored guidance on how to improve behaviour which may become problematic in future.

26/07/2024

It's my dog's birthday every week. 😳😆. Enjoy staying home with your best mate this weekend 🥳🎂🥰

25/07/2024

The crate debate!
We should aim to let our dogs live with us without crates and give them free rein in the house.
Sometimes, crates might be part of the training to get there, but it can be done without them.
If you use crates, make sure you gradually get your dog used to them and only for very limited hours per day.

25/07/2024

Separation distress is often caused by leaving your puppy home alone too early and too soon.
Puppies do not want to be alone!
Yes, they need to learn to be by themselves, but that takes time, patience and some adjustments from us humans.
When you bring a new puppy into your home, it's important to make initial care arrangements. This means being at home for the first few weeks or, if that's not possible, organising alternative care. Remember, you can't just leave the puppy home alone and go about your usual activities.
You first need to teach them to be alone. You start by getting them used to being in a different room and letting them have a food-dispensing toy in that room. Then you move to a different part of the house, and gradually and for very short times, leave them alone. Short, meaning minutes, not hours!

23/07/2024

Some pictures from the Nationals!

Photos: Le Hammer, Jenny Barnes - Dog Photography and Vero Fojt Photo

20/07/2024

Join us in congratulating today's graduates from Goodog Puppy Preschool – Joey, Chess and Lochie. Your humans did pretty well too 🎖🎖🎖😍

Goodog Preschool: https://bit.ly/PuppyDates

19/07/2024

Excellent! 🐶🌏

Arnie Leven (1982) The New Yorker Humor

14/07/2024

And here the not so pretty run!

14/07/2024

Runner Up National Champion Novice Jumping 600. It says on the pretty ribbon!
So proud of him. The final run was not our prettiest but we got there.
Two clear rounds in the heats coming second and third respectively.

14/07/2024

While completing her 100th class teaching with Goodog, Amy met her first Chow Chow – a day to remember 🧸🦁. Thank you Amy for your fantastic work with the pups, dogs, their humans and your century with Goodog 💯🏆🥳

12/07/2024

Real control is in the shoes of the beholder 😳😆❤️