Good Dog University

03/14/2025

We have some openings for private training over then next three weeks. Give us a call for a jump start before our next classes begin!

03/13/2025

This is a great graphic (by FLYNDOGsports.com) for house breaking your puppy.

02/28/2025

Last Saturday would have been our collie's third birthday. Unfortunately he passed in early January. Chewy sent him a birthday card, which brought all the tears back again. We are still so missing our sweet boy Lance.

02/21/2025

Grissom got his AKC Canine Ambassador trading cards yesterday! Getting ready for the big April event.

02/20/2025

Good Dog University will be at the HCHS Annual Dam Dog Walk and festivities. AKC Canine Ambassador "Grissom" will be there, and will will hand out free stuff for the children. Some reasonably priced pet supplies will be for sale. Come join us for this family fun and great cause!

02/07/2025

We have a good group of six young dogs and their owners who just started our beginners class. Really looking forward to the second class this Saturday! By the third class we generally see some great improvements as the dogs acclimate to the class environment and owners learn how to capture the desired behaviors using positive reinforcement. Shaping behavior is a process, but very rewarding! Pictured is client with her pup "Bo" from a previous class earning his AKC STAR Puppy title! Mixed breeds can earn title too.

02/04/2025

Check out my blog post https://wix.to/jk3qT8T

First teaching an "Up" command is very useful for several applications. It is a good starting point for chaining behaviors. In addition, it is good preventative practice to not permit a young dog to jump in or out of vehicles as it can cause joint and ligament damage. The bony growth plates do not c...

02/01/2025

We had six dogs and their owners come today for the first beginner's class. It was a beautiful day for training some gorgeous, young dogs! At the last class we will hold the AKC STAR Puppy test and the Canine Good Citizen test. See you all next Saturday!

01/29/2025

Is your dog dragging you on walks? Discover the reasons behind this behavior and how to manage it effectively. Don't let your walks turn into a workout for you! Read more about it here: https://wix.to/VaoaDwa

This is quite a common problem. The ways that dogs communicate to other dogs that they are in charge is nipping at the neck. The alpha dog gets the respect of the other dog. Mother dogs do this to their puppies as well. By using a slip collar, you can communicate to your dog in a way he will underst...

01/22/2025

Even very furry dogs like Huskies need a warm shelter if outside in the winter. If you bring them in to a garage or carport, put something down to raise them up off of the concrete or dirt floor, provide straw (not hay or blankets) for bedding, and warm water. Dogs will burn serious calories trying to stay warm. Please just bring them inside if at all possible!

01/22/2025

Every dog should come when called. If you face challenges with your furry friend ignoring your calls, our latest post offers expert advice! Learn how to train a reliable recall here: https://wix.to/AsW7ggb

Having a dog that doesn't come when called can be aggravating. It can also be dangerous should the dog get loose in a busy or unfamiliar place. Here are some tips to help make sure your dog will come running when you call him.1. Practice calling your dog while he is in the house and dragging a long....

01/08/2025

Dogs can get frostbite or freeze to death if left outdoors. Even if they have long, thick fur and are acclimated to the weather, below freezing temps require suitable shelter. Plastic Igloo dog houses offer next to no protection. In many states like Georgia it is against the law to not have adequate shelter. Please bring those babies inside.

01/07/2025

Training doesn’t have to be a chore! Establishing a routine helps your furry friend learn better and become more comfortable during training sessions. Discover the secret to success in our latest blog post. Learn more here: https://wix.to/drAqtaF

This may seem like a boring topic, but establishing a schedule or routine makes training so much easier! Remember that dogs are similar to having a toddler in the house- and at time like a toddler with ADHD! Dogs have a great sense of time and adapt quickly if we do the same thing at the same time.....

01/05/2025

We had a great day at the Clemson KC Dog Show. Grissom earned his third qualifying leg for his rally novice title with a great performance. We love this boy to pieces. About half way through the course I had to stop and re-read the sign so I didn't mess us up, while my boy is waiting patiently for me to figure it out. Thanks to Clemson for a nice show and the judge Karen Wrey. My boy is now Ch. Darkstarr's Gemstone Grissom Von Knopf, CGC, TKN, VHMA, RN (pending AKC approval).

01/01/2025

Love this beautiful human/animal interaction.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year to all my friends and clients from Good Dog University! We have a few slots open for private training in January and the next beginner class starts Feb. 1st. If you got a new pup or dog over the holidays, this is a perfect time to get off on the right foot with training! Picture is of me training a new American Water Spaniel for clients in NW Arkansas.

12/31/2024

Bringing a new dog into your home can be challenging. In my latest blog post, "Tuesday Training Byte: Helping your new dog adjust," I share insights from my certification course by Dr. Watkins on savvy socialization techniques! Get the full scoop here: https://wix.to/ep6A1AP

I took a course from Dr. Watkins called "Savvy Socialization" and received certification after passing the test. Dogs go through typically four fear stages, not just one. The first one occurs around 9 weeks of age. Reputable breeders know this and generally will not let their pups go to a new home d...

12/25/2024

Wishing you and your dogs a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We are open for private training only through January and then classes will start again.