Gold Star Dog Training, LLC

10/26/2025

Survive the Spookiness!

In Salem, MA—where Halloween lasts all month—I saw a tutu-wearing Doberman, a bat-terrier, a dachshund dressed as a hot dog, a bumblebee pit mix, and a very crabby lobster who happened to be a Chihuahua.

Adorable? Sure.
Enjoyable for the dogs? Not always.

Before Halloween, read this (in the "Living with/Caring For Dogs" section of the library)

"Halloween and Your Dog"
https://buff.ly/Nw6LLEC



Photo: Our Sheps Cora and Mya used to travel frequently with us to Salem MA. Well socialized and trained, they didn't mind being photo-bombed by this odd interloper.

10/24/2025

Congratulations to this Gold Star Therapy Dog Academy graduate for recently earning certification with Therapy Dogs of Vermont!

• Bo and Dan!!!

They have put the time in and done all the hard work to pass the rigorous testing for therapy dog certification with Therapy Dogs of Vermont and are now serving in their communities to spread joy and comfort to those who need it.

Great job Bo and Dan!!!

10/24/2025

Only 3 spots left in the Basic/Essentials class starting in Essex Junction Nov 15, 11:15am!

Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
• Saturdays, Nov 15—Dec 20, 11:15am

Whether you’ve just brought home a wiggly new puppy, adopted a rescue dog, or want to work with a dog you’ve had for years, we’d be thrilled to help with your training needs and goals!
💫 Gold Star programs are...
✔️ Highly student-focused—ensuring every client feels successful
✔️ Hand-crafted—designed and refined continuously to suit real-world needs
✔️ Meaningful—with training experiences you’ll use long after the class ends
✔️ Fun—expect humor, enthusiasm, and a wide range of student support
✔️ Positive reinforcement-based—no force, pain, or intimidation ever
✔️ Easy to apply—tools you’ll use throughout your dog’s life

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: https://buff.ly/eXzRbcc
FEES/REGISTRATION: https://buff.ly/HGThkmv

10/24/2025

Classes starting Nov 6 in Westford!!

Registration:
https://www.essexvt.gov/1597/Gold-Star-Dog-Training

10/23/2025

Registration is open
https://www.essexvt.gov/1597/Gold-Star-Dog-Training

10/19/2025

Hospital Hero: Khese the Therapy Dog

Join us on an unforgettable journey with Khese, the nearly all-black German Shepherd, as she brings boundless joy and comfort to patients at a local city hospital. From the pediatrics ward to the ER, witness the profound impact of therapy dogs on those in need. Khese's gentle presence dries tears, turns frowns into smiles, and transforms fear into moments of peace.

Find the story in the library: Therapy Dog Khese On Hospital Rounds

(look in the "Warm Fuzzies" section)

https://buff.ly/Nw6LLEC

10/17/2025

BIG NEWS!!! We've got classes in WESTFORD starting in November!

See the attached flyer for details. Thank you to Essex Parks and Recreation for sponsoring the program!

Register: https://vtessextownweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?display=detail&module=AR&category=7,8,9&_csrf_token=Ac6I6M0R220M322G3L4V32535G4M6F59086R45526R6K4X486U6O1R554I536904735Q644U0E6E41655E0J665A5152045O64535U1C66424J4K0I064Y4P50705M5X6Q

10/15/2025

🐾 Upcoming Gold Star Dog Training Classes 🐾

Whether you’ve just brought home a wiggly new puppy, adopted a rescue dog, or want to work with a dog you’ve had for years, we’d be thrilled to help with your training needs and goals!
💫 Gold Star programs are...
✔️ Highly student-focused—ensuring every client feels successful
✔️ Hand-crafted—designed and refined continuously to suit real-world needs
✔️ Meaningful—with training experiences you’ll use long after the class ends
✔️ Fun—expect humor, enthusiasm, and a wide range of student support
✔️ Positive reinforcement-based—no force, pain, or intimidation ever
✔️ Easy to apply—tools you’ll use throughout your dog’s life

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: https://buff.ly/eXzRbcc
FEES/REGISTRATION: https://buff.ly/HGThkmv

ESSEX JUNCTION
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
• Saturdays, Nov 15—Dec 20, 10am AND 11:15am sessions
Therapy Dog Academy
• Saturdays, Nov 15—Dec 20, 12:30

WILLISTON
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
• Mondays, Nov 17—Dec 22, 6pm
Beyond Basics
• Mondays, Nov 17—Dec 15, 7:15

10/12/2025

Treatos & Truces: Winning the Resource Guarding Wars with Kindness

Does your dog guard food, toys, or other prized possessions like they’re under siege?

Resource guarding isn’t defiance or your dog being a jerk—it’s a sign your dog is feeling anxious, vulnerable, or unsure.

Learn why dogs guard their stuff, how punishment can escalate things, and how positive, respectful approaches can help build trust and keep everyone safe. Also, learn how we can prevent resource guarding (spoiler alert: sticking your hands in your dog's bowl and taking it away may actually cause guarding...)

Positive approaches : Compassionate. Effective. Safer for all.
We’ve also included resources for those who want additional support.

Check out my 2-page rapid read in the free library ("Living with/Caring for Dogs" section): Mine! Resource Guarding

https://buff.ly/Nw6LLEC

10/09/2025

I am thrilled to announce that Therapy Dogs of Vermont has been selected as a finalist in the Gather Around Giving grant program, and could potentially win a $1,000 grant from Company Distilling in Tennessee.

In order to be one of the 12 recipients of this grant, we need everyone possible to go to

https://companydistilling.com/gather-around-giving/

then scroll down to, and click on the Therapy Dogs of Vermont logo, and cast your vote. You may vote only once per day, but there is no limit to the number of people whom you can share the link with, so that they too can vote daily. There are only 52 non-profits that made the cut, so our odds of winning are very good, if you vote!

Voting has officially opened, and continues through November 5th, with the winners announced on Giving Tuesday, December, 2nd.

Together, We Decide Where to Make a Difference Company Distilling's Gather Around Giving program empowers communities by supporting nonprofits that make real change happen. Through our annual grant program, we provide crucial funding to organizations creating a positive impact in their local

10/08/2025

Check out this story about the impact therapy dog Jasper and his partner Janet are having on young readers at the Milton Public Library!

Jasper and Janet are graduates of Gold Star's Therapy Dog Academy and are certified with Therapy Dogs of Vermont!

https://www.miltonindependent.com/news/therapy-dog-milton-library/article_4d372215-1249-4df0-b7cc-4e30d0c52547.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZnRzaANLRwlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqH5f6zmkG2no5iO9mLxNVQkg-i5y8xOAbKva1N_8Ba5ztofFGTSJPg3ECy0_aem_umVIMk50E4LO1H9V8yELeQ

Discover how Jasper, a therapy dog, helps children build confidence through the 'Read to Jasper' program at Milton Public Library.

10/06/2025

Congratulations Bo and Dan! You guys did all the work and I’m so proud of you!!

This past week, I passed all of my evaluations and officially became a member of Therapy Dogs of Vermont. I’m looking forward to making my first visits! I want to thank Deb Helfrich at Gold Star Dog Training, LLC for teaching the Puppy Essentials, Beyond Basics, and Therapy Dog Academy classes I’ve attended this past year, as well as Sean McLoughlin at Advance K9 for administering the AKC Canine Good Citizen tests that I passed earlier this spring. Thank you for having the confidence in me to get this far at such a young age!