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.

06/17/2026

Want stress-free nail trims? The secret is desensitization, positive reinforcement, and giving your dog a sense of control.

Here are some ways to skip the grooming drama:
* Scratch Boards: Turn nail care into a game. Cover wood with coarse sandpaper and reward your dog for pawing at it. It files nails naturally.

* Cooperative Care: Let your dog call the shots. Teach a “chin rest” to show consent. If they lift their head, stop immediately.

* Rotary Tools/Grinders: Ditch the clippers. Many dogs prefer the gentle vibration of a grinder. Just file for 1–2 seconds per nail to avoid heat and keep it less stressful.

* Lick Mat Distractions: Make it a party. Smear peanut butter on a mat (or on cling film on your forehead) to focus their mind while you work.

Take it slow and take tiny steps. If your dog shows stress, stop and try again tomorrow. You din’t need to trim all the nails in one try.

06/17/2026

A recent conversation sparked from this post. Here is the conversation from a reactive dog owner in Hong Kong. It may resonate with you.

06/16/2026

⚠️ warning ⚠️ doorbell ringing 🔔 Sharing this post by because its a great video of a really useful behavior. Great job 👏

06/16/2026

🐾 A lick mat is enrichment… but it’s not ALL enrichment.

Lick mats can help slow down eating, provide sensory enrichment, encourage calming behaviors, and create positive associations with things like grooming, car rides, or crate time.

But they’re not a substitute for exercise, training, social interaction, exploration, or problem-solving.

Think of a lick mat as one piece of your dog’s enrichment puzzle, not the entire picture. 🧩

Ask yourself: “What behavior is my dog practicing?”

With a lick mat, the answer is usually licking, foraging, and settling. Valuable skills, but just one part of supporting your dog’s overall welfare and wellbeing. ❤️🐕

PositiveReinforcement GoodDawgTraining

06/15/2026

I’ve taught my dogs to catch treats. Junior is getting better. I love the sound effects. 😂 Having fun while teaching your dog to pay attention to you in a novel way.

06/11/2026

A paw-activated, step-on water spray or fountain satisfies multiple categories of canine environmental enrichment:

1. Physical Enrichment
* Movement: The dog must physically move around, stand, and balance to press the lever or pad.
* Task-Oriented Play: It falls under occupational enrichment because it provides the dog with a specific job or task to perform to get a reward (the water spray).

2. Mental & Problem-Solving Enrichment
* Cause and Effect: The dog has to learn the connection between pressing the pedal with their paw and the water shooting up.
* Operant Conditioning: Figuring out how to manipulate an object in their environment to trigger a desired outcome provides heavy mental stimulation.

3. Sensory Enrichment
* Tactile & Visual Stimulation: It engages the dog’s senses through the feeling of wet water, the visual sight of the moving stream, and the sound of the spraying water.

Why It’s Unique
This toy acts as an active, self-directed enrichment tool. It gives the dog control over their environment, which builds confidence and prevents boredom while providing a fun way to cool down.

06/11/2026

Puppy Yappy Hour - New kid on the block, Loki started off tentatively but gained some confidence by the end. Waiting until a puppy is fully vaccinated to begin socialization is a huge risk because the critical socialization window (roughly weeks 3 to 14) actually closes before the vaccination series is finished.Missing this window significantly increases the chances that the puppy will enter their fear phases unprepared, potentially leading to lifelong anxiety, reactivity, or aggression. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) states that behavioral issues—not infectious diseases—are the leading cause of death for dogs under three years old. They explicitly recommend that early socialization begin after the very first round of vaccines.

06/10/2026

It’s a system of simple, repeatable Pattern Games designed specifically to give your dog a predictable way to cope with challenging environments.

06/10/2026

Missing the puppy socialization window causes severe anxiety, but adult dogs can still build confidence through gradual, patient training. Progress takes significant time and consistency. Move forward in tiny increments to prevent overwhelm.

06/07/2026

My client proudly sent me this photo of her 7 month old dog practicing “place” while the scary mower was in action. Place is one of THE most useful behaviors to train because:
Contextual Safety: Provides a designated “safe zone” or “chill spot” where dogs can relax when stressed or overstimulated.

Management Tool: Prevents unwanted behaviors like begging at the dinner table, jumping on guests, or rushing the front door.

Improves Impulse Control: Teaches dogs patience and emotional regulation by requiring them to stay in one spot until officially released.

Portability: Travels easily to new environments (like hotels or patios) by using a lightweight mat, instantly giving the dog a familiar boundary.

Reduces Anxiety: Lowers stress in nervous dogs by providing clear, predictable expectations of what they should be doing.

Separation Management: Helps manage multi-dog households during feeding times, high-value bone chewing, or high-energy training sessions.

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

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