Gold Star Dog Training, LLC

12/15/2025

Latkes (potato pancakes) are a Hanukkah staple for many households! They contain multiple ingredients like garlic, onions, and butter that are delicious but can be harmful to our four-legged friends. If you want to include your dogs in the celebration, pare down your favorite recipe to include only potatoes, eggs, and flour. You can even consider adding in some sweet potato and topping with non-fat plain Greek yogurt!

12/15/2025

The 'Check-It-Out' Game: Build Confidence in Your Dog!

Got a shy or anxious pup? The 'Check-It-Out' game is here to help! This fun, confidence-building game is perfect for dogs who need a little extra encouragement.

As dogs experience the many things, sounds, sensations, and experiences that make up our world, they are forming impressions. When these impressions/experiences are good (have positive outcomes), dogs gain:
• Self-confidence and confidence in you,
• Mental resiliency,
• Curiosity about the world and willingness to learn, and
• Ability to cope better with new experiences.

Ready to boost your dog’s confidence?
Check out my free 3-page guide "Teaching Your Dog the Check-it-out Game" in the training library: https://buff.ly/P6nxBbX Look in the "Just for Fun" section!!

Includes step by step game instructions, along with videos, bonus material on understanding dog body language, and loads of extra tips!

12/13/2025

🐾 Big News from Gold Star Dog Training! 🐾

Our January–June 2026 class schedule is LIVE 🎉
That means new chances to train, bond, and brag about your dog’s excellent life choices.

📍 Offering classes in:
• Essex Junction
• St. Albans
• Williston
• Westford

🐶 Classes available:
• Basic / Essentials – start strong
• Beyond Basics – level up
• Therapy Dog Academy – for dogs with hearts of gold 💛

Spots fill fast (dogs talk), so grab yours:
👉 Register & view the full schedule: https://www.goldstardog.com/register

👉 Class descriptions: https://www.goldstardog.com/find-classes

Let’s make 2026 the year your dog becomes everyone’s favorite. ⭐🐕

12/10/2025

Holiday lights can be so festive and beautiful! The American Kennel Club lets us know that they can also be harmful to our four-legged friends. Luckily, they have shared tips to keep our furry family members safe.

"The skinny cords on Christmas tree lights are not well insulated and are easy for a puppy to chew into. Electrocution can result, so safety is paramount. Keep the cords covered so pets stay safe. Also, consider keeping the lower branches of the tree free from lights. If you catch your dog chewing on a cord, unplug the cord immediately and move it out of their reach."

For more information on holiday safety for pets, check out their article titled Holiday Safety For Dogs.

12/08/2025

Mastering the Art of Chill: Teaching Your Dog to Relax

Is your dog always on the go? While exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping your dog happy and healthy, it’s just as important to teach them how to relax and unwind. Dogs need both activity and downtime, much like us! Think of it as the flip side of the coin to all that playtime and walks. By helping your dog settle down, you're teaching them balance—so they can enjoy the energy bursts and know how to switch off when it’s time to rest.

Teaching your dog to settle isn’t just about getting them to lie down; it’s about helping them understand when it’s time to relax and when it’s time to play. So, grab a cup of tea, put on some calming music, and let’s teach your dog the art of chilling out!

Check out the training guide in our library: https://buff.ly/P6nxBbX

"Chill Out! Teaching your Dog to Settle" in the "Training Tips" section!

12/07/2025

Juniper lived with me for a bit. She’s a great pup!

Meet Juniper ("Junie")

Sweet, spirited, and smart as a whip, Juniper is a 2-year-old bulldog mix with a heart full of love and a brain that might just train you if you’re not careful. At about 40 lbs, she’s the perfect petite adventure buddy (though don’t let those photos fool you...she looks bigger in pictures!). And we can't forget her adorable little bobtail - it only adds to her charm and makes her happy wiggles even more endearing.

Juniper is a true survivor: resourceful, resilient, curious, and always thinking one step ahead. Junie thrives on mental stimulation and would love a home where she can keep learning and exploring. She's food motivated (read: very trainable!) and has already shown she enjoys working with humans, whether it's practicing obedience or solving treat puzzles. She's also been dabbling in frisbee. Maybe her next trick will be catching one mid-air!

Juniper would be an awesome match for someone active who enjoys hiking, running, or even agility sports. She’s naturally alert and makes a great little watchdog, keeping an eye on everything around her.

But don’t be fooled by her smarts and energy, Junie has a soft, affectionate side too. It’s clear she didn’t get much love in her early life, but she's learning that belly rubs, ear scratches, and quiet cuddle time are pretty great.

Apply today to learn more https://www.vtdogrescue.com/application

12/05/2025

Please consider supporting this small-but-mighty Vermont rescue. They do incredible work—often championing the true under-dogs: the blind, the sick, the seniors, and the pups who need a little extra TLC to find their happy ending. 💛🐾

🚨 FINAL HOURS! Your Gift to VT Dog Rescue is DOUBLED! 🚨

It's the final push on Giving Tuesday!

We are racing against the clock to hit our $2,000 match goal and secure the full $4,000 for the rescue dogs. If we don't reach it by midnight, we lose the match!

This is your chance to give life-saving care that goes TWICE AS FAR:

$50 becomes $100 for vaccines and transport.

$100 becomes $200 for essential medical care.

Every single dollar helps us say "yes" to the next dog pulled from a high-kill shelter or unstable housing.

Donate here: https://www.vtdogrescue.com/donations

12/03/2025

🐾 A Little Gold Star Update! 🐾

I’m excited to share that, alongside running Gold Star Dog Training, I’ve taken on a new role as a Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator for the Snowdrop Hospice Program at Bayada Home Health Care. 💛

Don’t worry—classes, leash ninja training, and treat-powered breakthroughs will all continue as usual! This new chapter opens up a meaningful way to connect two passions:
helping people train wonderful dogs, and supporting compassionate work in hospice.

And yes… it does create a lovely bridge for current and future therapy dog teams who might someday want to bring comfort to hospice clients. (No pressure, pups—just planting a gentle, peanut-buttery idea.)

So here’s to new opportunities, wagging tails, and connecting the dots in ways that just feels right. 🐶💛✨

Send a message to learn more

11/26/2025

11/23/2025

3 Must-Know Dog Skills for a Canine Superstar!

Teach your dog the three critical skills: Look, Touch, and Leave It!

These commands are essential for a well-behaved pup. Imagine your dog looking at you attentively or leaving that tempting piece of food on the ground. It's like having a canine superstar by your side!

These skills are not just about obedience; they're about building a strong bond with your furry friend. When your dog learns to look at you, it strengthens your connection. Touching your hand on command can be a fun game that also reinforces trust—and gives you a powerful tool for building their confidence. And teaching your dog to leave it? That's a lifesaver in so many situations. Get started today and watch your dog transform into a superstar!

Check out the short training guide in our library: https://buff.ly/P6nxBbX

Look for the "3 Critical Skills (Look, Touch, Leave It)" article in the "Training Tips" section!

11/18/2025

Grab the last spots, don't miss out! There are only 2 days left to register. https://www.essexvt.gov/1626/Doggie-Drills-with-Deb

11/17/2025

We have a couple of spots left! Registration ends Wednesday!

NEW PROGRAM!!! Dog Training Practice Group Sessions!

3-Week Dog Training Tune-Up—Starts Nov 20 (Westford)

Miss the fun and camaraderie of a group dog class? Want to brush up on you and your dog's skills along with other dogs? Join me for a fun, relaxed 3-week practice series!

We’ll brush up on real-life skills like attention, loose-leash walking, recalls, polite greetings, and impulse control—no pressure, just progress (and some laughs).

📅 Wednesdays, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 11
🕖 7:15–8:15 pm
📍 Westford Elementary School
💲 $65 per dog (covers the three sessions)

The FINEPRINT:
--Open to dogs who have already taken a class with Gold Star Dog Training (or have received instructor permission before signing up)
--Dogs should be comfortable around people, non-reactive, not disruptive, and able to focus in a group setting.

➡️ Register here: https://www.essexvt.gov/1626/Doggie-Drills-with-Deb