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GoodBoy

GoodBoy We are an in-home dog training service committed to growing confidence and obedience in your furry friend.

For lasting results, we use positive reinforcement, centered on ABA therapy techniques to make training an enjoyable experience for you and your dog

07/03/2025

GoodBoy Update and changes:

We've got a lot coming up, and we're excited to finally share some of it with you!

Starting this May, we kick off the first leg of a 22-stop book tour across the U.S., along with 13 scheduled radio and TV interviews and our first magazine feature.

Then, in March 2026, we'll launch our first-ever two-week intensive boot camp starting first in Geelong, with six hours a day of hands-on classroom and field instruction. This program will continue across 17 stops around Australia over the following two years. ( we are obtaining licensing to do so)

We'll also be adding a 16-stop book signing tour throughout Australia, so keep an eye out for dates and locations.

As for our long-awaited app... well, we're (impatiently) waiting right along with you. Every time we get close, another setback pops up. But we're pushing through and will keep you updated as we make progress.

On a more difficult note—we’ll no longer be accepting new clients for our Service Dog Program in America. While this program has meant so much to us, it makes up a small portion of our work, and the rise in fake service dogs has made public access increasingly dangerous. Just in the past month, two of our dogs have been attacked in public by untrained, fake service dogs. The number of reports we receive from our clients about being denied access to stores and other public spaces has skyrocketed.

We're heartbroken and frustrated. Until stronger laws are put in place to protect legitimate service dogs and their handlers, we can’t justify putting future teams at risk. We will never stop advocating and fighting for rights of our teams that are out there.

We are excited to be working hard to start releasing free training videos on all our social media platforms that will start coming out this month.
These videos will cover all types of training.
Everyone deserves a well trained pup!

We do have a few other projects in the works, but they’re still too early to share. For now, that's the latest from us.

Thanks for all for you incredible support!

~The McGills
Owners of GoodBoy

06/03/2025

I hate puppy appointments.

Not because of the puppies. I love puppies. What I hate is how lightly people tend to take them.

After all these years helping people with their dogs, I can tell you—puppy appointments are, without question, the hardest to get people to commit.

When someone calls about a dog who's more Cujo than Lassie, they know the clock is ticking. They know that without real change and consistency, their best friend might not be around nearly as long as they should be. There’s urgency. There’s purpose. Everyone’s locked in because it matters.

But puppies?

With puppies, it’s:
"We’ll work on that later."
"I’m too busy; they can stay in the crate all day."
Or worse, they compare their 12-week-old puppy to a fully trained adult dog and decide something is wrong with their pup.

No.

When you bring home a puppy, you need to be all in from day one. You’ve got a tiny window of time to shape their future—socialization, confidence, manners—it’s all on the table, and it moves fast. (And no, throwing them into a dog park isn’t socialization.)

The truth is, almost every aggressive dog we work with started off as someone's adorable little puppy. But somewhere along the way, the time and effort those puppies desperately needed just... didn't happen. Whether people got busy, thought they had more time, or simply didn't know better—the opportunity passed. And the dog paid the price.

So yeah. I hate puppy appointments. Not because of the puppies.
Because too many people don’t realize how serious it is.
And by the time they do?
Sometimes, it's already too late.

~ Benjamin McGill, M.C.B.
Owner of GoodBoy

04/03/2025

Just a couple months between. This beautiful pup is growing leaps and bounds.
In all my years I've never seen a bigger and robust Doberman. He's only 6 months old and already a show stopper.

03/03/2025

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve" -Bilbo Baggins

Isn't that the truth, though!

I'm a relatively friendly enough person. I come into your homes. I train your dogs, cats, horses... etc.

All in all, I'm a friendly enough bloke—unless...
I'm not someone who likes hugs. I don't like excuses about why xyz couldn't get done.

I deplore people who hurt their animals and am disgusted by those who degrade their wives in front of me.

So am I nice? Do I like everyone? Are you just a joy to be around?

I've often been told that if I were a dog, I'd be a Bullmastiff. All in all, a friendly dog in the right environment—stubborn, hardworking, arrogant, but loyal to what is theirs. I tolerate more than I love when it comes to anyone outside of my wife and kids.

Like us, dogs don't just LOVE everyone. They all have different degrees of what they'll tolerate.

A socialized Golden Retriever is often a love bug with strangers. A socialized Cane Corso is more likely to tolerate strangers.

Might seem like a small difference, but it's huge.

Many dogs are forced to love the stranger. Forced to have them in their face. Touching them. Smiling at them. Glaring at them with intense eye contact.

Now imagine me—bearded, grumpy-looking me—coming up to you in public. I start baby-talking you and rubbing all over you (keep it PG). What would you do? How would you react?

Some dogs love affection from strangers. Most tolerate it. Some say no—and get in trouble for it.

Dogs Can and need to learn how best to function in the world around them. But remember that they still have boundaries. It's up to us to understand and respect those boundaries.

Below was my Bullmastiff, Goliath. I still miss him every day.

~Benjamin McGill, M.C.B Owner of GoodBoy.

02/03/2025

💙Wise words for today, from a wise "A$$" Australian.

"If I were to turn to a life of crime and start robbing houses...I'd learn German. Most trained 'guard dogs' are trained in German. It would be hilarious. "

And that's wise words from an Australian. We're getting so serious here at GoodBoy. 💛🇦🇺

Picture taken at Kentucky Down Under.

01/03/2025

It is with deep sadness that I announce Becky has decided to leave both me and GoodBoy.
She'll be back soon with coffee, but it's hard right now....OH! Did you think she was actually leaving?
I'm her hottie little aussie. Her little pokie wokie. Her thunder from down under. Her Benny woo woo.

You silly little gossiping heads. But, since you're here...GO TRAIN YOUR DOGS!!!!!

28/02/2025

Fear is the path to the dark side.
Fear leads to anger.
Anger leads to hate.
Hate leads to suffering.

~Benjamin McGill… Just kidding. That was George Lucas. (Don't sue me, Disney.)

When it comes to working with dogs that show fear, it's easy to dismiss it—easy to think it'll just go away. But rarely is that the case.

When a dog is scared, they’re often faced with three options:

Option 1: Run away.
Option 2: Become scary—chase it away or destroy it to feel safe, satisfying the function of behavior (escapement).
Option 3: Understand it. The more we understand, the lower the value of the external stimulus.

Option 1 rarely happens. And if it does, it only works until the perceived threat loses value. When that happens, without intervention, the dog will likely default to Option 2.

Option 2 works for them. A little huff. A little growl. A little lunge. A little bite... Now they’re safe. The monster runs away or is destroyed. This becomes a learned behavior: Act big. Be scary. Stay safe.

Option 3 is where you ideally intervene—using antecedent intervention techniques, shaping, generalization, a sound Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP), and more.

Left to their own devices, a dog’s fear will turn into suffering.

- Benjamin McGill, M.C.B.
Owner of GoodBoy

Why did i pick this picture?
Because I look so amazing. So cool.

28/02/2025

This amazing pup and human mum and dad have finished up their training sessions.
She did absolutely amazing on her last session...but the training NEVER stops.

When training a dog, always remember that training is a daily commitment for your dogs life.

We'll show you how to be the best for your pup. But it's you who'll decide if you'll show up or not.

Way to go you all!!!

26/02/2025

Ben's getting a national news story done on him.

Ben's getting his book published around the world.

Ben got his name on ANOTHER jumbo-tron.

Ben is getting featured in a popular pet magazine.

Ben's being asked to do public speaking.

Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben, Ben....Who exactly do you think got him there?

Behind every great man is an even greater woman...Me!

My first draft of "Why All The Pitchforks?" Is well underway.

I spill all the tea on what we went through, starting and running our small business, GoodBoy.

I'll get raw on running a business with your husband. What it's like living with a man who suffers from chronic pain, Epilepsy and fear of failure. The same man who won't/can't relax or sit still. Who gets frustrated when things can't move faster. Ill share our fights, our compromises, and keeping him grounded when he thinks faster than he can speak.

I'll share my struggles dealing with depression and sometimes crippling anxiety and the toll GoodBoy demands when it comes to self-care.

I'll be spilling the tea on running a non-profit and the many problems and people that seemed to be determined to stop us. including emails, recordings, and phone logs

What forming partnerships was like as a business.

Working with competitors who were less than reasonable. Including some group discussions that were sent to us that were...well, you'll read it. And working with competitors who were just amazing.

Managing employees and contractors. Things we did very right and things we did very wrong.

Dealing with friends, family, and everything in between. Including some unbelievable text chains that will leave you speechless. (Left our lawyer speechless.)

Highlighting our thousands of unbelievable clients who built what we have now forming in Australia.

And of course, our future in Australia. Ben's home.

The release date is TBD

Names of people, places, and businesses have been changed for legal reasons...to protect the innocent, and not so innocent.

26/02/2025

Some say double the trouble. Others say 2x the fun.

These amazing pups are perfect together. The young Golden is learning how to be the very best and is learning from her older (smaller) sibling.

Such a wonderful duo to work with.

24/02/2025

After almost two years of writing, re-writing and constructing, we now have the first copies of the book!!!

They will be available for pre-order soon in Mid March. We have been told that come April 16th they will be released.

452 pg
43 ch
Hardcover, paperback and e-book.

You can buy them all over the world in Barnes and Noble, Target, Dymocks, QBD books (Australia) and to many others to list them all.

Also any online book retailers including Apple, Google, Amazon and more.

Will also be available at libraries and universities with collegebooks and Ingram.

A special thanks to our publisher.
My incredible Daughter for helping her old dad with the editing.
My amazing wife for giving me feedback over and over and over as I kept asking.

Book signing with meet and greet tour around the U.S. and Australia locations and dates are coming soon.

24/02/2025

The #1 Reason Dogs Are Returned to Shelters – But It Doesn’t Have to Be!

The leading reason dogs are returned to humane societies isn’t space, allergies, or time—it’s behavioral issues. But here’s the thing: most of these issues can be improved or even completely resolved with proper behavioral modification, patience, and care!

Jumping, barking, leash pulling, fear, or even aggression—these behaviors don’t mean a dog is “bad” or “untrainable.” They just need guidance, structure, and support to succeed in their new homes.

That’s why at GoodBoy, we’re committed to keeping dogs in their forever homes! We always offer 10% off the first lesson or a 6-lesson package for new rescues, and we never charge extra for multiple-dog households—because we believe every dog deserves a fair chance at success.

23/02/2025

No Quick Fixes in Aggression & Anxiety Training

If you’re working with a dog struggling with aggression or anxiety, you’ve probably heard advice like, “Just expose them to what they fear, and they’ll get over it.” That’s not how it works.

Throwing a fearful or aggressive dog straight into overwhelming situations—aka flooding—does more harm than good. It can increase fear, escalate aggression, and break trust between you and your dog. Instead, we use gradual, structured exposure (desensitization) paired with positive experiences (counterconditioning).

Progress is step by step. A solid training plan considers thresholds, body language, and small successes.

No ‘quick fixes.’ Long-term change takes patience, consistency, and proper reinforcement.

The goal? A dog who learns to tolerate, and eventually feel safe in, situations that once triggered fear or aggression.

If you’re navigating a tough case, don’t rush the process. Slow, steady progress wins every time.

20/02/2025

🐶Why Should I Train My New Dog?

Bringing a new dog into your home—whether a puppy or a newly rescued companion—is an exciting journey! But without training, that excitement can quickly turn into frustration. Proper training builds a strong bond between you and your dog while ensuring they grow into a well-mannered and confident companion.

🐾 Puppy Training: Early training sets the foundation for a lifetime of good behavior. Puppies are like sponges, soaking up information—both good and bad! Teaching them essential skills like recall, leash manners, and socialization early on prevents future behavioral issues.

🐾 Rescue Dog Training: Adopting a rescue dog is incredibly rewarding, but they often come with past experiences that can make adjustment challenging. Training helps build trust, reduce anxiety, and create structure, giving them the fresh start they deserve.

At GoodBoy, we believe every dog deserves a great start! That’s why we offer 10% off the first lesson or 10% off our 6-lesson package for newly rescued dogs. Let’s set your dog up for success—contact us today!

🐶

19/02/2025

🐾 Snowed In? Keep Your Dog Busy Indoors! ❄️

When it’s too cold or snowy to get outside, your dog still needs mental and physical exercise! Here are some fun enrichment activities to keep them engaged:

🧩 Puzzle Feeders & Snuffle Mats – Make mealtime fun by letting your pup work for their food. Bonus: It slows down fast eaters!

🦴 DIY Treat Hide-and-Seek – Hide treats around the house and let your dog use their nose to find them. Great for mental stimulation!

🎾 Indoor Fetch & Tug-of-War – Got a hallway? Toss a soft toy for a mini-game of fetch. Tug is another great energy burner!

🧠 Training & Trick Time – Work on new tricks or reinforce old ones. Short sessions keep your dog engaged and strengthen your bond.

🐶 Scent Work & “Find It” Games – Hide a favorite toy and encourage your dog to sniff it out. Start easy and make it more challenging over time!

🚀 Obstacle Course Fun – Use chairs, blankets, and pillows to create a mini agility course right in your living room.

Being stuck inside doesn’t mean boredom! Try these activities to keep your pup happy and out of trouble on cold days. 🐕⬇️

18/02/2025

🥶Is it too cold for my dog??🥶

As a general rule of thumb:

at 45°F (7°C) and below, most dogs will dogs will start to become uncomfortable
at 32°F (0°C) and below, small, thin-coated, young, old and sick dogs should not be left outside for long
at 20°F (-7°C) and below, dogs become vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite

There’s no one answer to the question – how cold is too cold for dogs. Rather, different dogs tolerate cold temperatures differently. Some dogs love snow and cold weather, while others get cold very easily and can not stay outside in the cold for very long.

But in general, your dog’s ability to withstand the cold depends on factors like their:

breed,
size,
body fat,
fur,
overall health and medical condition,
and whether they’re an indoor or outdoor dog.

18/02/2025

We’re Not Just Dog Trainers – We’re Behavior Specialists

At GoodBoy, we believe there’s more to dog training than just teaching commands like sit, stay, and come. Sure, obedience is important, but we dive much deeper than that.

We focus on why your dog behaves the way they do. Is your dog barking out of anxiety? Reacting aggressively out of fear? Ignoring commands out of frustration or confusion? We don’t just address the symptoms – we uncover the root causes and work to create real, lasting change.

Our approach is about understanding your dog’s emotions, motivations, and needs. By doing this, we help them feel safe, confident, and truly happy. We don’t just want your dog to follow commands; we want them to thrive.

Because a well-behaved dog isn’t just trained; they’re understood. And when they’re understood, they can be the happiest, most balanced version of themselves.

At GoodBoy, we’re here to help you and your dog communicate better, build a stronger bond, and navigate life together with confidence.

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 18:00
Thursday	09:00 - 18:00
Friday	09:00 - 18:00
Saturday	09:00 - 18:00

Telephone

+12709916910

Website

http://Goodboyky.com/

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Due to the beautiful sunny weather, we will also be closed Saturday as well to spend time sunning outdoors. This Runs for Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. ~Benjamin McGill, M.C.B Owner of GoodBoy. Side note: I waited a whole year to use this clip...worth it

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🐶1st lesson before and after!! Ruger is learning that his crate doesn't have to be a scary place. Look at this improvement after his first lesson! While he is still learning, at GoodBoy we celebrate every win and milestone. Ruger and his amazing pet parents are doing wonderfully!