MaryO's 'Good Dog" Dog Training

07/24/2024

Great review from kari... "We had a wonderful experience with Mary. Mary responded in a timely matter when we called for training. We are first time puppy/dog owners and we were at our Wits end with our puppy. After spending a few hours with Mary we feel we have a different/ better puppy. Mary worked wit our gig and showed us what to do to help us have a happy dog and happy home. Now it is up to us to implement what we where taught and so far so good. Highly recommend Mary!!!"

"We had a wonderful experience with Mary. Mary responded in a timely matter when we called for training. We are first time puppy/dog owners and we were at our Wits end with our puppy. After spending a few hours with Mary we feel we have a different/ better puppy. Mary worked wit our gig and showed u...

07/24/2024

Only 1 week left to get in on my Birthday Special of $50 off dog training!

07/24/2024

New website done!
Check it out!

Together we unlock your dog's best behavior with our proven, psychology-based dog training. Watch as your dog transforms into a calm, cooperative, & well-mannered good boy or girl right before your eyes!

07/23/2024

Great review from Brenda K.... "Mary was a great experience. I would high recommend her. She was wonderful with Theo."

Check out what our customers are saying about us!

07/23/2024

I'd like you to meet one of the sweetest little Cavachon's I've ever met.
I'm calling him Tiny T, he's 5-years-old and has recently lost his human father who he was bonded very closely with.

His 'Mom' called me because Tiny T was barking constantly, and she couldn't even walk him. They had yet to build a bond of trust.

They live right across from a very busy parking lot with carts coming and going at all hours.
Tiny T had taken over the role of 'protector of all things'.

To say he was stressed out would be an understatement!

Every time anything moved outside, he would bark, if someone came to the door he would bark, the dogs who lived next door made him bark. His barking was driving his Mom crazy!

Any other dog would have snapped and started biting, destroying things, or even injuring themselves at this level of stress.

Not Tiny T! He was doing his best to take care of things and holding it together the best he could.

He had met me at the door barking, jumping and carrying on.
As usual after a few minutes, the chaos calmed to just nervous yawning and as we went through everything and started putting things in place, the yawns turned to shakes.

He was shaking off the stress and learning to relax.
He was beginning to understand that Mom had his back,
and he didn't have to take care of things anymore.

When I left, he was curled up sleeping peacefully on the chair.

I had forgotten my travel cup, so I had to come back, it had only been a few minutes, I had to knock, but there was no answering bark! Just Mom with my cup.

I truly believe that Mom and Tiny T's lives will get a lot calmer, quieter, happier and stress free from here on out.

HAPPY PEOPLE-HAPPY DOGS!
That's the goal!

07/20/2024

My grandson wished me Happy Birthday this morning before running off to do his own thing.
I'd really rather forget about it.
Just another year just another day.
There will be no presents or fun trips or cake,
Supporting all these people has left me in the hole.

So, I'm running a Birthday Special for the rest of the month.
$50 off training!

I'm not looking for sympathy or handouts.
This is something I truly love doing!
Helping people with their dogs is the most rewarding Birthday gift I could get.

If you need help or know someone who does.
Give me a call!
515-293-1878

07/16/2024

PUPDATE ON BELLA:
Her Mom just gave me a wonderful review!
Thanks so much Kari Brown!

Kari Brown
We have friends that have taken their dogs to other dog trainers and have not gotten as much results like we have had with you Mary! We have a totally different puppy, we have a wonderful German Shepard, and we only spent 2 hours with you!! Now it is up to us to put in place what you taught us. We will highly recommend you! Can’t Thank You enough!

HAPPY PEOPLE-HAPPY DOGS!

07/15/2024

I'VE NEVER MET A DOG I DIDN"T LOVE!

I spent the weekend on the road going from the NW corner of the state to the SE corner, with some stops between.
(My poor Taco put on a lot of miles! LOL)

But let me tell you meeting Bella was worth every minute of driving!

Bella is a 5-month-old GSD.
(That's German Shepherd Dog for you non-dog folks.)

I have a strict 2 dog rule. I only have 2 dogs, period!
As much as I love them all my 2 are plenty.
BUT....
BELLA!!!!!
OMG!!!!
I would bring this girl home in a heartbeat!

So, why was I there?
Mom and Dad wanted to get her started off right and she was doing all the puppy stuff, jumping, barking, pulling on the leash, etc.

Nothing you don't expect from a 5-month-old puppy.
But she straightened right up and...
(don't tell my dogs) but this has to be one of the smartest dogs I've met!

Everything I taught her she got it right away! Even the hard stuff!
PLUS
She has the sweetest disposition and of course she's gorgeous!

I admit to being partial to GSDs. I've had several, but Bella is one of a kind! I've been thinking of getting into Service and Therapy Dog training and she would probably already qualify as a Therapy dog.

As I was leaving, her Dad said something about rehoming her!
WHAT????
I told them if they ever did this to call me FIRST!!!

They'll never do it now that they are applying my methods.
Bella is going to be one of the best dogs ever!

I even got a kiss before I left!

07/13/2024

With Emerson Veterinary Clinic & Hospital – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉
Great place to take your furry friends. Wonderful vets and caring staff!

07/13/2024

HATS OFF TO THESE DOG PARENTS!!!
They have 4 rescue dogs! They actually found one of them dumped on the side if the road with some other puppies.

They are doing so many things right!
All but 1 of the dogs already knew commands!
We just needed to do a little fine tuning for each dog.

We'll start with Hank-(4-yr-old, chocolate lab mix):
Hank had some protection issues. He was doing a lot of barking at everything!
I showed Mom and Dad how to earn his respect and let him know they would take care of things from now on so he could relax.

Then there was Harvey-(4 1/2-yr=old Golden Retriever) He's just a big people lover. But he gets a little pushy in his attention seeking behaviors. So, I showed them how to deal with that.

Next up is Gus-(Gus is the one they found on the road, best guess is about 1-yr-old Lab mix) Gus has a lot of fear anxiety. He's good with Mom and Dad but very leery of strangers. By the end of our session, he was laying at my feet licking my hand.
Progress, but baby steps for him, introducing him to new things and people will take some time.

Last but not least was the newest member of the pack:
Holly-(9-yr-old Shih Tzu). They hadn't had her long and she needed to learn her name and how to come when called. So, we got that started and she knew her name when I left but will still need work on the Recall (Come here).

We couldn't get in much command training with her due to some physical things she had going on. Arthritis or a bad hind leg, not really sure but couldn't get her to sit. It seemed painful for her. When she would sit herself, she would go right to down so there wasn't pressure on her hind quarters. Otherwise, she was getting around fine and seemed healthy and happy.

Bless you two for recuing these 4 furbabies!
There are so many who need homes!
So, if you're thinking of getting a dog, PLEASE, check your local shelter first!
Two of these are purebreds. Yes, they even have purebreds at the shelters if that's what you're looking for.

07/11/2024

Do You Know This Dog?
This poor girl has been wandering down around the Woolstock blacktop by the Stonega corner.

07/10/2024

UPDATE ON KNOX AND FORD:
Who remembers these two?
I went to see them a couple weeks ago.
They were out of control, jumping, barking, chewing, running off, etc.

We just couldn't get them focused enough to do the command training and loose leash walking.

So, I showed their parents the techniques to use to calm them down and went back yesterday to do some command training.
WOW what a difference!

They were able to focus and learn! They knew their names and could come when called! They still need some practice on some of the commands, but they're getting there!

On my way out I saw their neighbor out by his car. I used to work with him and hadn't seen him forever.

I stopped to chat was surprised to get some wonderful feedback from him.
He said, "You sure did a good job with those dogs."

He told me the larger dog (Knox) had gotten loose a while back and came over to his house, growling and snapping and trying to bite him.

Then, a few days ago, (after my first visit), Knox got loose again.

This time, he came up to him and licked his hand and wanted pets!
He could hardly believe it was the same dog!

I was thrilled! Not only does this help the owners and the dogs, it helps the neighbors too!

HAPPY PEOPLE-HAPPY DOGS-HAPPY NEIGHBORS!

07/10/2024

What good dogs!

07/09/2024

SHELTER DOGS
CONGRATULATIONS for choosing to adopt a shelter dog!
There are so many who need a furever home!
Here's what to know about shelter dogs, (and what they wish you knew about them too!).

1) Keep in mind that they may have been in a kennel for a long time, and anything that they see, or experience is going to be new to them. They may be excited and jumping all over you or they may be anxious or afraid. (It can take 2 weeks or longer for them to decompress and start getting comfortable with you.)

2) Their lives probably haven’t been great and the shelter may not know much about their background. They may have been neglected and abused, but with a little patience and compassion, they can be loyal companions for life.

3) They may be on the older side, but they’ve still got a lot to offer. (Puppies are cute but they’re a lot of work.) Older dogs are slower and need less exercise and more love. They are usually already house broken and will fit into almost any home.

4) They may get separation anxiety, remember they were surrendered to the shelter, and fell felt abandoned, and I'm afraid of being alone.

5) At first, they might backslide a little on potty habits. Your home is different from the shelter where they were on a schedule and knew when and where to go potty. Be calm and consistent with their new routine and they will catch on quickly.

6) They may hide at first. There was nowhere to hide in the shelter, so let your new dog have all the time he/she needs to feel comfortable.

7) It's important to keep Their diet consistent for the first few weeks to prevent an upset stomach. Ask the shelter what they’ve been feeding them and change over gradually.

8) Don’t go overboard on the attention and affection right away, it could stress me out. It’s tempting as it is to spend every waking minute with your new fur baby, but newly adopted dogs are at a higher risk of developing separation-related problems if they are smothered with attention their first few days home.

9) For the first few weeks, please give thee some time to adjust to their new life. Save the trips to the dog park, pet store and family introductions for later. Once they start to come out of their shell, they can meet your friends or their dogs in situations where they can leave if they're uncomfortable.

10) Shelter dogs need calm, clear, kind, consistent instruction and care. Never shout or scold them. They will make some mistakes at first. Overlook them and give praise when they are doing the right thing. They catch on quickly.

07/08/2024

Does anyone else have grumpy dogs lately?

I'm not sure if it's the heat or if it's because they need a nail trim.
I'm taking them in to get their nails done today.
I hope that helps.

I kind of expect some grumpiness from Kiowa,
(he can be that way)
but not my sweet Sierra.

She's always a good girl!
But she's been telling the other dogs off and just been out of sorts.
(We have 2 extra dogs in the house right now.)

I haven't been getting them out as much as I should, either I'm too busy or the weather is bad.
That could be the problem too.

Just wondering if anyone else is noticing some grumpy behavior in their dogs.
Then I would think it's probably the heat.

I'll start with the nails and I'm just going to have to get them out in the evening or early morning for their runs.

Not much I can do about the extra dogs right now and I'm really hoping that's not the problem because I'm finally getting some fence up so I can start boarding.
We'll see.

07/03/2024

CHECK IT OUT!!
Well, I've got a new website up.
Check it out and give me your HONEST opinion!
I've been trying to streamline things to make it easier for all my potential clients, so I changed hosts. ARG!!!!
I lost some of my Goole Reviews, but hopefully that has been fixed.
I'm great with the dogs! I can help with all of your dog problems, but the business end of it needs some work. TRYING!!!!

We unlock your dog's best behavior with our proven, psychology-based dog training. Watch as your dog transforms into a calm, cooperative, & well-mannered good boy or girl right before your eyes!

07/03/2024

The 4th of July is just around the corner for USA folks.
Some places have already had fireworks but there will be many more to come.
Please remember that dogs don't like loud noises. They scare most of them.
Please don't take your dog along to see your local fireworks display. Being so close can hurt their sensitive ears.
Leave them home with a safe place to be. They will probably still hear them and their protector, YOU, will be gone.
Have a great 4th everyone!
Take a minute to be sure your dog is safe too.
If you need any advice on this, give me a call.

06/30/2024

Took my Grand dog, Hank, on an adventure today.
As soon as he got out of the car he tried to run home. LOL
(A little too much 'nature' for him.)

But once we got him back he had a lot of fun.
Splashing in and out of the water, running through the tall grass,
he even found some bullfrogs.

He didn't really find them, he just heard them, but boy he let them know they'd better not mess with him.

So funny to listen to him sounding like this big tough Bully to a bunch of bullfrogs. He was going to tear them up! LOL
Truthfully if one had jumped, he would have run in the other direction.

Definitely a 'Bark is worse than Bite' dog.
He looks and sounds the part, but he's got nothing whatsoever to back it up. Just a big scaredy-cat.

A little back story, Hank was abandoned in a house with another dog. My daughter's friend lived next door and started taking care of them. In the end she took one and Jenny brought Hank home.

My Shepherd Sierra has adopted him. She will go out with him at night so the coyotes don't eat him.
Kiowa my wolfdog isn't real fond of him but he tolerates him most of the time.

Anyway, here are some pics of Hank's adventure.

06/28/2024

DOODLE I have fun today?
Yes, I SCHNOODLE DID!

Let me introduce my latest doodles buddies.
Knox, a 3-year-old Aussiedoodle and his brother
Ford, a 8-month-old Schnoodle.

They were into anything and everything!

Knox was the leader and Ford followed right along.

I almost didn't have room on my paper to write everything they were up to.
Barking (at everything!)
Especially the mailman, UPS, FED EX.
(Must be the uniforms.)

Jumping (doodles must have springs in their feet because every one of them I've seen is a jumper. LOL)

Running Off, and not coming back when called. Yikes!
(They live on a busy street!)

Chewing anything they could get their teeth on.
(I think Dad's shoes were the last straw.)

They were stealing food from their 2-year-old-human,
but then wouldn't eat their own.

They really thought they were running things, and they were!

It took them a little longer to settle than usual, but they finally did.

We got in some loose leash walking and even some sit, down, stays.
(Mostly with Knox) I'm going back in a couple weeks to do some more with both of them. After the plan has been put in place for a bit and they've settled down some.

I brought Mom and Dad up to speed on how to deal with the doodles and I can't wait to hear back in a couple days!

Many times, the change happens in the dogs while I'm still there, and they did quiet down a bit, but with 2 of them feeding off each other's energy and a toddler thrown in for good measure, it may take a little time for them to get the message that they aren't the leaders in the house anymore.

This was my first Schnoodle, I think, they are starting to run together. LOL
Ford was cute as a button, but he has a long way to go to be a really good boy.
Knox on the other hand was getting it and since he's the leader of the 2 that will be helpful to Ford.

As much as I love the doodles, I do work with other breeds, this method works for them all!

So, bring on the Pits, Shepherds, Frenchies, and Mixes!
I even do Wolfdogs! (and not just the one I call my own.)

So, if you are having dog problems, call me!
I'm here to help!

06/25/2024

SUMMER IS HERE!
As dog owners we need to keep an eye on our furry friends.
Dogs aren’t built for heat, they don’t have sweat glands like we do, and most of their body is wrapped in fur with little or no exposed skin.
As a result, they lose heat through their foot pads and their mouths by panting.
Here are some things you can do to keep your dog safe this summer:
1)Keep water available and let your dog drink as much water as possible.
2)You can also make cold treats, like frozen chew toys or dog-safe ice pops.
3)Keep them inside in the AC with you. (If you're hot-they're hotter!)
4)Never leave your dog in the car when running errands!
It only takes a few minutes in a hot car for your dog to develop heatstroke!
Cracking a window and parking in the shade does not make much of a difference. The problem is that cars are temperature conductors. Even in the shade and with the windows down, cars conduct and amplify the outdoor temperature. It doesn't need to be very warm outside for the inside of your car to become unbearably hot.
Heatstroke can lead to organ failure, brain damage and even death!
Here are the symptoms of heatstroke in dogs:
• Unusual breathing (rapid and loud)
• High re**al temperature (103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher)
• Extreme thirst
• Weakness and/or fatigue
• Frequent vomiting
• Disorientation
• Dark or bright red tongue and gums
• Skin around the muzzle or neck doesn’t snap back when pinched (dehydration)
• Difficulty breathing
• Thick saliva
• Rapid heartbeat
• Heavy drooling
• Agitation
If you suspect your dog is overheated, immediately take them to a cooler area.
To cool your dog down as quickly as possible, pour cool water over their head and body, gently hose a very gentle stream of cool water over them, or, when possible, submerge them in a tub of cool water.
Even if your dog seems stable, it’s a good idea to take them to the nearest vet for evaluation and treatment if necessary.
Remember, your dog’s safety is your responsibility.

06/23/2024

Who remembers Willow?

Willow came up in my memories from a year ago.
When I went to see her, she was a little over 3 months old.
She had all the things...Jumping, barking, pulling on the leash, wouldn't come when called and just being a pain. LOL
PUPPIES!!
Willow is a Pit/Catahoula/Lab cross which meant she was going to be a BIG girl.
(Notice the feet.)
I had done a follow-up about a month after I saw her, and everything was going to plan.
I decided to do a 1-year follow-up. (Something I don't normally do.)
I wanted to see what the results of the training were long-term.
I'd seen it with my dogs. (Their behavior just keeps getting (better and better)
But what about other dogs?
So, I called and spoke to her Dad.
He told me they were still using my methods and she had grown into a Very Good Dog!
They hadn't had any problems with her after my visit and she was a great member of the family!
I was SO Happy to hear this!
This meant they had kept up with the training and that the training truly does last for the dog's lifetime!

So many people wait until their dog has bitten someone, or they just can't take the behaviors anymore and are ready to rehome or give the dog to a shelter before they call me.
That's OK, I can deal with those dogs too,
BUT...
Why wait?
If you are having issues with your dog, they are only going to get worse.

Call me now and save yourself and your dog a lot of stress!
My methods work for dogs of all ages, breeds and problems!
I'm here to help all the dogs and people who need it!

I know that many are having problems right now with prices on everything going sky high.
So, I am bucking the trend. I have lowered my fees and I'm more than willing to work things out with you.

So, if you are having problems, together we can fix them!
Call me!
515-293-1878

06/06/2024

Check your local shelter!
So many great pups out there in need of homes!

05/28/2024

Rest in Peace BEAR!
You will be sadly missed by all who knew you.

His Mom called me this morning, trying her hardest to hold back her tears, with the news that Bear had passed. I wish I could have been there to give her a big HUG!
It was all I could do to keep from crying with her!
Just as I'm doing now writing this.

They are so hard to lose, but he was in a lot of pain, and she had to have him put down.
She was very upset and felt like her home was empty without him.
All of us who have lost dogs can relate to that empty space they leave.
Please send up some healing prayers for Pam today, she can use them!

I saw Bear about a year ago.
He was the sweetest boy ever, such a cuddle bug!
I had been called because Bear was going blind, and he had a terrible fear of falling down the basement stairs when coming in and out of the back door, and Mom was struggling to get him out the front door and around to the back of the house.

Unfortunately, try as we might, we never got rid of that fear.
That empty black hole was too much for him.

But Pam told me that my training helped in many other ways,
Bear was a much calmer dog after my visit.
She was able to take him out the front door to get him to the back much easier and over time he started to go out and come back in all by himself even after he was completely blind!

I don't think she is quite ready yet, but I did mention that she should think about getting another dog.
I have found that this helps the healing process a lot when I have lost a dog.

If you have an older dog you need to rehome let me know.
I'll pass your info along to Pam when she's ready.

Prayers and BIG HUGS to Pam Lanken.
Bear will always live in my heart as he does in yours.

05/24/2024

SUMMER HEAT PREVENTION FOR DOGS
Now that summer is here there are a few things you need to watch out for with your Furry friends.
Torn and blistered pads are one of those things.
This can happen year-round but is most common in the summer.
This is a borrowed post from a dog's point of view.

Dear Mom and Dad,
Let me stay home. It's not nice for me to walk and run next to you. But because I am a loyal dog, I often go beyond my limits. So I walk and run beside you, standing still if I have to. All while I feel my paws burning.
Even as little as 5 minutes can be fatal to me and to my paws. I sweat through my paws, and in the heat, I just cannot get rid of the sweat. My whole body starts boiling, but I’ll keep going because I am as loyal as loyal comes. When you look at me panting and moving around you think I’m excited to be out here walking or running with you and I am, I promise you I am, but it’s more that I can’t cool off and my feet are in severe pain. My paws are literally cooking.
By the time we have gotten home my paws have been burning the entire duration we were out, my tongue is dry, and my head is pounding in the heat that my body cannot get rid of.
You know when you ask if I want to go for a walk or a run I will instantly jump up and want to go because I love you so much and I love these activities but I also don’t know what awaits me. I depend on you to know what’s in my best interest. So instead, let me stay at home where I can enjoy the sun, with a large bowl of water, somewhere in the shade. A cool area with grass would be best.
With all the love I have in the whole world - I give it all to you - Love your dog 🩷🐾

05/24/2024

05/24/2024

LOL!!!