Go Dog Training

19/07/2024

16/07/2024

Our puppy drop-off learning program is coming back!

Go Dog! Training is teaming up with trainer Mary Frances Morris to offer the best puppy learning program in southwest Florida!

The program starts in September and is held at Bubbles & Biscuits in Bonita Springs for three days a week for half a day. More information to come!

If you would like to get on our contact list for more information, please call (239) 887-6818, or email [email protected].

Here is Tucker and the other Stay & Learn puppies engaging in more advanced training, and building confidence in a new location during a field trip during our Stay & Learn program in 2023.

24/06/2024

Wouldn’t you like to throw a toy for someone like me?

19/06/2024

Puppy classes are resuming! Our new website is under construction, so please call for more information. (239) 887-6818

10/06/2024

We have a new website in progress, and a new web address: www.go-dog-training.com.

We also have a new puppy class starting in July! Check out the new webpage for details.

29/03/2024

Boris is a Go Dog Training mascot! He’s a working-line German Shepherd who is trained strictly force free. He’s a working line dog, so he’ll do anything for a toy!

Stay tuned for force-free training videos!

11/03/2024

Did you seek out a herding breed dog for their intelligence and trainability, only to discover that they don’t always make great pets?

Herding breeds, such as Australian Shepherds and German Shepherds, always retain some degree of herding and/or working-dog instincts. This can spell trouble for you and your pet.

The owner of a pet herding dog will sometimes hire so-called “balanced trainer,” hoping for a quick fix.

However balanced training often disregards your dog’s innate needs and only attempts to suppress the natural behavior that is part and parcel of being a herding dog. This often brings on more serious and potentially dangerous behaviors. This is NOT a truly balanced solution.

Go Dog Training’s Herding Breed Behavior Consultation is a truly balaced solution designed to bring you immediate relief without compromising your dog’s emotional well-being.

A certifed dog trainer will come to to your home to meet you and your herding dog. We can meet virtually via Zoom if that works better for you. Together, we develop a customized training and enrichment plan designed to bring peace to your home, and joy to you and your herding dog.

Your customized plan will include fun and easy-to-implement herding games and activities to channel your dog’s natural instincts into more appropriate behavior for a pet. A management plan is included to prevent your dog from continuing to practice undesirable behaviors.

Positive reinforcement training is also included, so you can redirect your dog during the learning process. Add on additional force-free training sessions at a discounted price!

Training in your home is available in the Fort Myers, FL area. Remote training is available elsewhere in the United States.

Call (239) 887-6818 now to schedule your Herding Breed Behavior Consultation with a herding dog expert!

07/03/2024

Many dogs react when they get too close to other dogs. Most are fearful and need to feel safe. Every creature deserves a full life. Here’s an example of how one store makes that happen for Rex. Grab a hankie first. https://www.facebook.com/reel/786631423380467?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=Ls6BEq

06/03/2024

Former client Gracie at Paws Pet Boutique in Naples is getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day!

Boris and Rufus at Go Dog Training have fun collars from this awesome store, too!

03/03/2024

Doggone Safe Educational Resources
Be a Dog Detective - Look for Clues
https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/resource/be-a-dog-detective-walk-away-from-a-dog-who-has-food/

23/02/2024

Here’s the difference between “force” dog trainers and “positive reinforcement” dog trainers.

"Loyalty” and "Respect" – Important words no doubt!
These are terms used by force trainers to justify what is just negative reinforcement and punishment.

Positive reinforcement trainers avoid these terms because they are myths that have been perpetuated for years, and have made it difficult for positive reinforcement trainers to sell their science-based methods, which work better but with less side effects.

The downside is that punishment does work, and often more quickly.

But here’s the risk - the behavior fallout.

People who use punishment often see worse behavior problems that are very difficult to treat.

Fear is very easy to instill in a dog but very difficult, if not impossible to resolve.

I am working with a German shepherd like this right now.
They hired a force trainer in Cape Coral who was rolling the dog on his back and popping him with a pinch collar.

Now the dog is biting strange men who come into the house.
The owner has stopped the corrections and redirects by saying, "Who is that," whenever the dog sees a man.

The dog is learning that men predict treats, so he has learned to reorient to the owner for treats whenever he sees a man.

This is teaching a new behavior AND creating a positive association towards men. The other day he approached my husband and was wagging his tail!

Anyway, this is a quick summary of how I change behavior and why punishment is not effective for aggression in the long run. In this case the dog became even more aggressive.

So, I try to emphasize to people that while you can create a strong bond with your dog, and create good responses with either negative or positive reinforcement, dogs are not highly evolved enough to respect you.

This is a hard sell for a lot of people but the only way we can eradicate, or at least minimize, harsh training methods.

Ready to see a positive change in your dog?

Contact us today for a consultation! We'll work with you to create a personalized training plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you build a strong, loving relationship with your furry companion.
https://godog4training.com/is-your-dog-struggling-with-aggression-we-can-help/

13/02/2024

Pinot loves laying on his training mat and we haven’t even started “place” training yet! His humans have been doing a great job conditioning him to the mat, don’t you think?

04/12/2023

Archie Meets Rufus

Archie (the white dog) has a history of intense leash reactivity towards other dogs. After he escaped his owner during a walk and got into a fight with a Chihuahua, his worried owners called me for help.

Archie has no known history with other dogs off leash, aside from the Chihuahua encounter, but there were no injuries during this incident, so I concluded it was safe to introduce him to Rufus.

Ideally, the intro would have happened off leash but we didn’t have access to a secure area, so the leashes were kept loose. This allowed the dogs to engage in natural greeting behaviors.

Initially, Archie snapped at Rufus a few times but soon they began to circle and sniff butts. Then a bit of play ensued!

Afterwards, Archie looked more relaxed than I had ever seen him. He laid down in the grass near Rufus and seemed to be saying, “Thank you! All I ever wanted was to say hello.”

I love giving these frustrated Fidos what they crave - access to doggy friends! It really takes the emotional edge off and makes their future training much easier.

The best reward, though, is seeing their owners smile and breathe a sigh of relief when they realize their dog actually enjoys being around other dogs!

Reactivity on leash is often a sign of frustration, which can be lessened significantly by giving the dog access to what they want, and need as a social species.

15/11/2023

Shoutout to Animal General Hospital in Fort Myers for inviting me to speak to their veterinarians and staff members this afternoon, about preventing and alleviating fear in their canine patients. They were such a gracious and hospitable group!

Photo of my Rufus, who appreciates veterinarians, who help him feel more comfortable during visits!

26/08/2023

Distractions can be hard for dogs! Just because your dog can sit, or lay down on cue in the house when it’s quiet, doesn’t mean they will be able do it with distractions present.

In this video, you will see that Boris has a hard time laying down when he can see his toy. He knows I’m going to throw it and he gets too excited.

To achieve success, I lessened the intensity of the distraction by showing Boris just part of the toy at first. Then I gradually brought the toy out further and further until he was able to respond to my down cue with the toy in full sight.

Distractions can be difficult in training,, but you can achieve success by introducing them gradually. Distractions can be toys, people, other dogs or anything in the environment that your dog notices.

31/07/2023

Many dogs like to chase and bite the vacuum, especially herding breeds.

Here is a compilation of some of the training videos we took of Sully the corgi at Start Smart Day Camp, where we trained him to stay on a mat while we vacuumed.

Thanks to Sully’s mom, Tara Swanlaw for editing these videos!

17/07/2023

Welcome Frankie and Sully to Start Smart Teen Day Camp!

13/07/2023

The teen months are the hardest. We can help! Program includes 40 hours of training + 2 private sessions to transfer the training. Just $1275.

Held in San Carlos Park.

06/07/2023

Is your teenage puppy driving you crazy? Our drop off Start Smart 2 program is the answer! New session begins on July 17th.

This intensive program is for older puppies – 19 weeks to seven months of age. You drop your puppy off for four hours and we do the heavy lifting for you.

The focus of Start Smart 2 is polite leash manners, impulse control behaviors, such as leave it, and stay, and in basic manners, especially coming on called. Play time with other dogs in the program is included. If your dog enjoys it if your dog has an issue with other dogs, we will work on making them more comfortable with other dogs.

The program meets five days a week from 1 PM until 5 PM in San Carlos Park, Monday through Friday for two consecutive weeks.

Program includes a customized, private session with the owner after the program ends to transfer the training All training is done with positive reinforcement.

Please call 239-887-6818, or email us at go dog [email protected] for more information.

21/06/2023

Thanks so much for your support!

07/06/2023

Start Smart starts on June 20th! Pick up a trained and tired puppy from our Estero location! Contact us for more information at (239) 887-6818!

Dog training in Fort Myers, Florida. Specializing in remote separation anxiety training anywhere.

04/05/2023

Our latest Puppy Preschool graduates, Tegwyn and Mable! Congratulations to both puppies and their wonderful guardians!

04/04/2023

Starts tomorrow!

Don't miss out on this important phase of development for your puppy.

This veterinarian-approved program is designed to help build confidence in new situations, introduce polite manners, and prepare your puppy to be a safe companion.

5 consecutive Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM for $150

Sign up at godog4training.com/group-classes.

03/04/2023

Congratulations to Sully & Max, our most recent graduates of VIP Stay & Learn! Great job, pups!

To learm more about this drop off program for puppies in Estero, please visit godog4training.com/vip-puppy-program.

23/03/2023

New Puppy Preschool starts on April 5th. Go to godog4training.com/group-classes for more information.

17/03/2023

Congratulations to the Stay & Learn Academy students for completing their first week of school! They are a smart cohort!

10/03/2023

We’re hiring a Puppy Wrangler for our VIP Puppy Stay & Learn Academy in Estero!

$16 per hour to start. Hours are 7:30 am until 12:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday, when program is in session (there will be weeks off now and then). Opportunity to assist with training classes on weekends and evenings might be available. Starts immediately.

Qualifications:
🐶 Must be 21 years of age.
🐶 Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
🐶 ❤️ Must love puppies!
🐶 Preferred: One year of experience handling puppies in a positive reinforcement-based environment, such as a training center, day care, shelter, veterinarian office, etc.
🐶 Committed to fear free methods of handling puppies.

Duties include:
Setting up and breaking down training center; sanitizing equipment; facilitating puppy playtime; taking puppies for potty breaks; assisting with training and handling exercises; supervising/handling puppies on field trips.



Please contact [email protected] for an application.

10/03/2023

Update: This session is now full. Next session will start on Tuesday, April 18th.

Our Stay & Learn Puppy Academy in Estero has one opening for the new session, starting this Tuesday, March 14th! Pick up a trained puppy!
Our veterinarian-approved 3-week, half-day drop off program runs from Tuesday through Friday for 3 weeks. Then, we come to you for 2 private one hour sessions to transfer the training.
Your puppy make new puppy friends and learn new skills and build confidence in a fun and safe environment.
All puppies must be 18 weeks and younger on start date, and up-to-date on vaccines. Due to the importance of early socialization, they can start before they receive the entire series of vaccines, per recommendations from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. A negative f***l test is also required.
Visit godog4training.com/vip-puppy-program, or call (239) 887-6818 for more information.

09/03/2023

I have been nominated for Best Dog Trainer! Please click on this link and vote for Phyllis Zboril for Best Trainer https://www.sniffspot.com/blog/dog-trainers/contest?utm_source=trainer_contest Today is the last day to vote.