Good Dawg Training LLC

Good Dawg Training LLC Private and group reinforcement-based dog and puppy training and enrichment. We shape behavior step by step in kind and supportive learning.

I have trained animals for 30 years, working with fur seals, sea lions, seals, dolphins, African penguins, sea turtles, sheep, dogs, cats, and an elephant or two. I immigrated to the USA from South Africa in 2022. Certification & relevant expertise includes:

Karen Pryor Academy - Comprehensive Dog Trainer
Karen Pryor Academy - Puppy Start Right for Instructors
Karen Pryor Academy - Cooperative

Care
Karen Pryor Academy - Dog Sports
Karen Pryor Academy (Ken Ramirez) - Snake Avoidance Training for Dogs Using Positive Reinforcement
Member APDT International - Association for Professional Dog Training International
Dog and Cat Ethology cm laude through the Ethology Academy - Pretoria Technikon, South Africa
7-year in-house marine mammal behavior & training certification - The South African Association for Marine Biological Research, South Africa
9 years assistant curator - Mammal & Bird Department: training trainers & animals; setting and marking trainer exams & assessments
Co-author of numerous papers and posters on marine mammal training and presented training paper presentations at three IMATA conferences
Shape of Enrichment - African workshop coordinator
Enrichment Project Coordinator & Training - Natal Zoo
Marine mammal rescue & rehabilitation coordinator.

It was a good feeling to receive this letter today. Thanks to all my wonderful clients that have left reviews. As a smal...
12/17/2025

It was a good feeling to receive this letter today. Thanks to all my wonderful clients that have left reviews. As a small business owner, this means so much to me. Thank you 🧡🧡

A quiet dog isn't always a calm dog.Some dogs shut down when overwhelmed. They stop barking not because they're comforta...
12/16/2025

A quiet dog isn't always a calm dog.

Some dogs shut down when overwhelmed. They stop barking not because they're comfortable, but because they've given up trying to communicate.

Others might pace silently, pant excessively, or simply freeze. These stress signals are easier to miss than barking.

During this busy season, watch for the subtle signs:

● Excessive yawning when not tired
● Lip licking when no food is present
● Turning away from interactions
● Moving slowly or freezing

Understanding these signals helps us support our dogs before they escalate to more obvious stress behaviors - like growling or nipping.

Your dog is always communicating. Sometimes we just need to learn their quieter language.

The most powerful training tool isn't a treat pouch or special collar.When we set up environments where our dogs can eas...
12/14/2025

The most powerful training tool isn't a treat pouch or special collar.

When we set up environments where our dogs can easily choose the behavior we want, everything shifts. Instead of constantly correcting mistakes, we're celebrating successes.

● Move the trash can so they can't reach it.
● Use baby gates to prevent door dashing.
● Keep shoes in the closet instead of the floor.

Now your dog is practicing good habits simply because the bad ones aren't available. They're succeeding without even trying.

This isn't cheating. It's strategic. It's setting everyone up to win.

Over time, these good choices become habits. The right behavior becomes the default behavior.

Management today creates training success tomorrow.

“The ‘Paw-fect’ Gift for Any Dog Lover”: Struggling to find a unique gift for the pet parent in your life? A dog trainin...
12/13/2025

“The ‘Paw-fect’ Gift for Any Dog Lover”: Struggling to find a unique gift for the pet parent in your life? A dog training gift voucher is the answer! It can be applied to any of our training services, from puppy classes to tackling behavioral issues, making it an incredibly useful and thoughtful gift.
Please go to the “shop” page on the website. www.good-dawg.com

12/13/2025

In a nutshell - repetition and consistency in rewarding the behavior you want pays off

12/12/2025

Hunting for sticks not only satisfies a dog’s instincts and mental and physical health, but it also is an outlet for stress relief and boredom.

12/12/2025

Niko and Stella recently graduated our Puppy Start Right course. All pups receive 4 free Yappy hours when signing up for puppy training. Niko and Stella are ready to interact with older dogs in a controlled environment now. socialization

Want to know what creates genuinely calm dogs?It's not… exhaustion from hours of exercisestrict rules and dominancekeepi...
12/12/2025

Want to know what creates genuinely calm dogs?

It's not…
exhaustion from hours of exercise
strict rules and dominance
keeping them away from everything exciting

Calm dogs come from feeling safe, understood, and knowing what's expected.

When dogs understand that good things happen when they make certain choices, they start making those choices more often. No force needed.

And as humans, we can creatively craft situations that make the right choices the easiest ones.

When they trust that you'll help them through scary situations, they stop needing to react so strongly.

When their needs are met proactively, they stop demanding.

This approach - building up what we want instead of suppressing what we don't - creates dogs who are calm from the inside out.

Not checked out. Not exhausted. Genuinely settled and content - allowing their real personalities to shine.

The difference is remarkable.

12/11/2025

Just because you can pick your puppy up, it doesn’t mean the behavior is trained. You will experience more avoidance as they reach adolescence. Training calm behavior takes time and patience. Here we are training Pumpkin to be calm during handling. This helps with grooming, vet visits, bathing, being lifted etc

12/11/2025

Mini/Small breed Puppy Yappy Hour! Building confidence day by day!

Picture this: You've been struggling with the same behavior for months. Maybe years.Then, after just one training sessio...
12/10/2025

Picture this: You've been struggling with the same behavior for months. Maybe years.
Then, after just one training session, something shifts.

Not perfection but hope. A glimpse of what's possible. A moment where your dog chooses differently.

I see this regularly. Sometimes you're so close to the problem, you can't see the solution that's right in front of you.

A fresh set of experienced eyes can spot patterns you've missed. Rewards that actually motivate YOUR dog, not the average dog.

It might be the first breakthrough moment that makes a difference. Suddenly you realize your dog IS capable. You ARE able to help them. Things CAN improve.

The path forward becomes clearer. The overwhelm starts lifting. You finally get some traction and can see your dog start to “get it.”

Everyone thinks December is the worst time to start training.But it might be the perfect time.You've got built-in practi...
12/08/2025

Everyone thinks December is the worst time to start training.

But it might be the perfect time.

You've got built-in practice opportunities with all those deliveries at the door. Natural distractions with decorations and visitors. Real-life scenarios instead of artificial setups.

Plus, while others are stressing about their dogs jumping on holiday guests, you'll be building skills that last all year.

The winter schedule often means more indoor time together. This creates the perfect opportunity for strengthening your bond through training games. Those long, dark evenings become connection opportunities that energize you.

And here's the secret: training done right is actually enjoyable. It's puzzle-solving with your best friend. It's communication building. It's discovering what makes your unique dog tick.

By the time January arrives, you won't need a resolution. You'll already have momentum.

Address

2700 Yulupa Avenue, Suite 12
Santa Rosa, CA
95405

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+17078923210

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Good Dawg Training LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Good Dawg Training LLC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category