Lizzy and the Good Dog People

16/11/2025

Today was a good day! After weeks of working with clients on loose-leash walking using humane equipment, reducing jumpy greetings, and teaching them about why dogs pull and how to work with them instead of trying to suppress species-appropriate behavior, they said goodbye to prong collars for good!

Friends, avoid prong collars and the trainers who recommend them! Also, stay away from shock collars, choke chains, citronella, shake cans, and other aversive tools. They work by causing fear, startle, and pain, and often lead to emotional and behavioral fallout. There is a much better, safer, kinder way that my talented, skilled, credentialed colleagues and I can show you. 💞

14/11/2025

Forever and ever, AMEN. Thanks for this great post Companion Animal Psychology!

I stand by this statement. There is no place for shock or prong collars in dog training. The science shows they have risks for dogs' welfare, and the reward-based trainers show that you simply don't need to use aversive methods. And dominance training has been out-dated for some time. So stick to reward-based methods, which work, and don't have the risks of aversives. Often, this means using treats as positive reinforcement.

If you want to know more about the science on this, take a look at my book Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, which is available from all good bookstores, or have a browse of my website, where I've written about many of the studies.

Get Bark!: https://amzn.to/4iOEPMT
Visit my website: https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/index.html

20/09/2025

Being a graduate of The Academy for Dog Trainers makes me incredibly proud. 🏆

Our hard-earned reputation over 25 years ultimately boils down to the quality of our graduates. We train them. We support them. And we could not be more proud of them.

16/09/2025

Three reasons why Rocky looks so happy during our training sessions:

He earns excellent paychecks (AKA treats, reinforcers) for doing these random, often human-world-centric, behaviors.

The game is set up so Rocky wins more than not!

Training is never scary, coercive, or painful! The worst that happens to Rocky when we train is that he hears, “Whoopsie!” when he guesses wrong. (Dogs guess more often than you might think!)

Training can feel like a game for our dog when we approach it humanely and with a willingness to have fun! (Go, Rocky, go!)

11/09/2025

Please honor the pace of training and behavior modification that works for your dog. Social media conditions us to compare and feel chronically behind. You and your dog are right on time. (Promise!) We’re wrapping you in some extra love today! 💚💙

09/09/2025

If you live near Broomfield, CO and you have a puppy, sign that sweet puppy up for Puppy Day School with Rocky Mountain Dog Training. If you don't live near Broomfield, CO, take a moment with these puppies and just breathe. 🥰

02/09/2025

Recall For a Meatball starts Wednesday, September 24, at 7 pm EST! Build a super-strong recall using fun, force-free methods. 🏆

My class is perfect for learners at all skill levels; even trainers take the course! Our small group meets live via Zoom for five Wednesdays. If you have a scheduling conflict, no problem. Each class recording is available for you to watch when you can!

The class fee is $175, and includes PDFs, videos, lots of support from me, and drop-in privileges in future rounds of class. I always offer scholarship spots. If you need one, please DM me! No explanation is required.

Sign up at thegooddogpeople.com 🙌🏽

12/07/2025

My friend Jasper comes with an initial consultation and scholarships to Recall for a Meatball and Triumphant Teens! He is SOOOO smart with lots of energy. Jasper is a blast to train! Are you his new person? 🥹 Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, Inc.

Meet Jasper! 🤍

This high-energy, super-smart lab mix is looking for an active, adult-only home that can keep up with both his zoomies and his brain! 🧠💨

Jasper is:
✔️ Dog-social
✔️ House trained and doing well with crate training
✔️ Knows cues like sit, down, heel, and walks nicely on leash
✔️ Food-motivated and eager to learn

He’s still learning how to contain his excitement, so he’s best suited for experienced adopters who can help him continue building his manners.

The best part? Jasper comes with training scholarship, thanks to - Including an individual initial consultation, along with two group training courses: Recall for a Meatball and Triumphant Teens!

A fenced-in yard is a must for this playful guy - he needs room to run and zoom!

If you’re looking for a loyal adventure buddy who’ll keep you moving, Jasper might just be your perfect match!

baypathhumane.org/available-dogs

12/07/2025

YES YES YES! You can still sign on for a super-fun, effective class to teach your dog that it's worth their time to come when called. Recall for a Meatball starts Wednesday, July 16, at 7 pm ET. Use code SMALLBIZLOVE for 15% off your registration!! https://www.thegooddogpeople.com/classes

10/07/2025

Bezos is blasting off, but we’re keeping it grounded with real dogs + real humans + real connection.

This week, while the internet gets busy chasing lightning deals and cardboard boxes, we’re celebrating the cozy, heart-filled magic of small businesses.

Between now and Sunday, you can use the code SMALLBIZLOVE at thegooddogpeople.com for a 15% off off sessions, classes, and merch!
Because nothing says “counter-programming” like investing in trust, training, and the relationships that really matter, including you and your dog.

If you don’t need Lizzy and the Good Dog People, shop at other small businesses! If you give them a chance, you’ll find just the right thing!!

Past it on! Happy shopping, friends!

09/07/2025

The "Max Factor" is nothing to be embarrassed about!

LIPSTICK PEEK-A-BOO

Those of us with male dogs might be all too familiar with the sudden appearance of the colloquially named “lipstick" or "red rocket" as it’s commonly known.

This seems to happen at the most inappropriate times and may leave us feeling embarrassed and believe that our dog only has one thing on their mind!

It’s natural to assume that this display must be related to sexual arousal and yes, it is related to arousal, but it’s generally not sexual arousal.

Arousal is also not necessarily about excitement and may be triggered by a host of other emotions.

The same applies to hu***ng – although both males and females may hump. Hu***ng is commonly seen in a dog that is over aroused.

There are many emotions linked to arousal - see my post about hu***ng here – bit.ly/405MMqm - for more information.

Unless there is a suspected medical reason or your dog is doing this frequently, it’s not usually something to be concerned about.

Ignore it, don’t pay attention or make a fuss and it should soon go back into the tube!

Very often, behaviour is not about the way it looks, but the way we perceive it from our human perspective and how it makes us feel.

07/07/2025

Healthy socialization occurs in layers. It's more than dogs meeting other dogs or people. ❤

Socialisation is a term that many struggle to define.
It's often confused with play, but play is a completely separate and important skill.
In a world that pushes constant interaction ….where dogs are expected to greet and play with every other dog they see, we can unintentionally create a dog who views every other dog as a source of excitement.
This isn’t socialisation… and it never was.

A better way to think about socialisation is acclimation, helping your dog adjust to everything the world offers, not just other dogs.

Weather
Surfaces
Animals
Crowds of people, all ethnicities, ages, and movement styles
Noises
Scents

That’s just a taste of what true socialisation really is.

Acceptance is another way to view it.
Accepting, not reacting.
Building positive associations.

That is true socialisation.