Good Dog University

09/02/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Dealing with distraction

Distraction can be difficult for many owners who want to take their dogs out but the dog seems to suddenly not even know it's name. Think of your dog as a young toddler with ADHD. Asking your dog to pay attention when there are distractions is a big ask. Here are some ways to start building your pup...

08/26/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Getting the most out of your training.

In reading various posts on some social media dog groups, I notice that so much of the advice there is uninformed, outdated, or downright harmful. I started training dogs for pay in the 1960s as a kid. I learned how to do this from the library books I checked out on the topic. One of my favorite say...

08/22/2026

One of the most common issue I hear about is the dog pulling on the leash. I see comments on FB advising to use a prong collar or shock collar. Causing fear or pain may mask the behavior but I never use those methods. Young pups have a natural following instinct. So I start the training without a collar or leash in my living room. I speak to the pup in an upbeat voice and start walking. When the puppy is by my left knee (heel position) that is the place where treats magically appear. I jog around the living room turning right, left, fast and slow with some stops thrown in and praise my pup and reward him for staying by my left side. I start teaching the recall in a very similar manner- in the living room without a leash or collar. I call my pup in an excited voice and then jog away a few steps as he runs to me, then I stop when he arrives and give him lots of pets and praise and a treat or two. By the time we graduate to a collar and leash, he understands where the heel position is and there is no pulling. Should he get a little ahead of me I stop, then encourage him to come back into position before we move forward. I want my dog to enjoy out training time together and have fun! Pictured is my 8 month old male Rottweiler (I bought him at 4 1/2 months) in his first outdoor obedience training session on leash. He keeps the leash loose, stays focused, and in proper heel position. Such a good boy!

08/18/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Training through fear. https://www.drweavergooddog.com/post/tuesday-training-byte-dealing-with-fear-periods-in-pups

08/11/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Stop the pulling! https://www.drweavergooddog.com/post/tuesday-training-byte-stop-the-pulling-now

08/05/2026

This week's training blog is on timing.

You may have heard it said that for your dog to understand what he is getting punished for, you have to "catch him in the act". While this may be true, I prefer to train using positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Nonetheless, for the dog to make the connection, your reward must be well- ti...

07/28/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Fear in dogs

One of the most basic needs is for our dog to feel safe. If our dog is stressed, we might notice they are panting when it is not hot, drooling excessively, have a worried look on their face and possibly trying to escape away from the situation. If we attempt to force our dog to ignore or approach th...

07/26/2026

“My purchase of a well bred purebred dog does not condemn another dog to death.
My purchase of a well bred purebred dog does not result in an uptick in the shelter dogs.
My desire to have a dog with predictable temperament from a healthy line does not result in another dog not getting adopted at the shelter.
My careful research on the most responsible breeders who meet all requirements is not the problem. It's not what you should be mad at.
It's not who you should blame.
I am not the one who irresponsibly brought these dogs into this world and left them in a shelter. Responsible breeders aren't the ones bringing these dogs to animal shelters either.
It's my home, my life and my choice what kind of dog I want to bring in. Maybe I need a working dog, sport dog, show dog or just a companion dog of a certain breed that suits me best.
Whatever reason I choose to support a reputable breeder, it will not send another dog to death.
A breeder who does health tests, temperament tests and titling of their dogs does not contribute to the number of stray dogs.
The number of stray dogs in the world is a problem, but it's not a problem made worse by reputable breeders or those who buy from them.
Your neighbor who gets a "purebred" dog without papers because they're cheap is contributing to the problem.
Your friend who spontaneously bought a puppy from Petland is contributing to the problem.
The person scrambling to pump out the hottest designer mix ASAP is contributing to the problem.
Your relatives who have to get their dog covered once, "so she can experience what it's like to be a mother" or because "she's such a good/cute/sweet girl" are contributing to the problem.
Your old school mate who bought a working dog with lots of energy without taking the time to research its needs and character who ultimately sees it doesn't fit his lifestyle is the problem.
A reputable breeder offers lifetime support. A serious breeder would never allow their dogs to end up in a shelter from the start.
It's understandable to be angry about the number of homeless dogs in the world, but if you look closer, you'll find that your anger is misplaced.”
-by Lindsay Hutslar See less

07/24/2026

What is positive reinforcement? It is better termed positive reward. Think of positive like plus. When my dog offers a sit in response to the sit command, I reward her with something she wants (praise, pets, treats)- so I am giving (adding) reward. In classical conditioning I have four options: positive reward, negative reward, negative punishment, and positive punishment. I sometimes use negative reward. Negative is taking away, and for it to be a reward , I take away something she does not want. An example would be taking away any pressure on the leash. Because I am a positive reinforcement trainer, I stick with the two types of rewards to shape behavior rather than use punishment. My dogs are eager to please and happy as a result! No more "stubborn" dogs. Below is my girl Garnet competing in the Rally obedience ring and smiling up at me waiting for the next command. Let me know if you would like to see how quickly this method can transform your dog.

07/21/2026

Tuesday Training Byte: Teaching your dog who is boss.