Good Doggy Saratoga

11/11/2024

Today is Veterans' Day, and that means a lot of different things to different people. Good Doggy Saratoga is veteran-owned and operated, and we'd like to ask you to join us in supporting America's Vet-Dogs.

A personal message from the owner:

Both of my grandfathers served; one in WW2 and the other in Vietnam. Both of my parents served, as did all of my father's siblings. I was in the Navy and am a disabled veteran. And, my father died on Veterans' Day 2009.

My family and lived experience has shown me first hand that the United States locks its best social support structures behind military service. The military industrial complex provides one of the few routes out of poverty, offering steady income, healthcare, and education. It's how I escaped poverty myself, being in a place where I was choosing between bills, groceries, and rent before joining. Financial insecurity is something the military relies upon to fill its ranks. Then our most vulnerable youth are indoctrinated into a jingoistic nationalism masquerading as patriotism, trained to dehumanize the enemy and kill brown people to support domestic corporate interests under the guise of spreading freedom and democracy.

In a very real way, veterans are victimized by a multi-billion-dollar propaganda campaign and then used until broken (in the Navy, our common refrain was "I am a blue tool, I will be used until broken and then replaced," - I've heard similar versions from members of other branches). Helping to support the veterans who slip through the cracks is the least we can do, until we stop sending our poor and our young to die in the rich man's wars.

Send a message to learn more

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating!

As we roll into the winter holiday season, remember to keep your dog safe by keeping all the candy and fatty trimmings out of reach.

If your dog needs some help getting ready for feasts with family and friends, don't wait: schedule an assessment and start working on those polite party behaviors now!

Send a message to learn more

18/09/2024

A study came out of ASU last week regarding shock collar efficacy.

I included my analysis of the study in an open letter to the dog training community. The big takeaway is that the experiment is deeply flawed, and shock collars remain a tool not recommended by skilled or knowledgable trainers, but if you want to read the full letter, you can do so at this link:

(link opens PDF)

15/02/2023

🥾

When it's too hot or cold outside, the ground can put your dog's paws at risk of injury. That's why you should train your pup how to wear dog boots.

22/01/2023

When clients from 9 years ago hunt you down to make sure your company is the one to help train their new pup 🥰

Welcome back Debby & Chuck
& Welcome Star 🤩

Debby & Chuck were amazing back in 2014 at the first few classes Ben taught for their dog Bear 🐻 & they also really showed up today in class with Star ⭐️. We love making long lasting connections like that. We are thrilled to show off the new skills we’ve built on over the last decade to help build the same relationship with a new pup ♥️

14/10/2022

good example of what cooperative care can look like at the groomer!

12/10/2022

A few weeks ago, this would have been impossible, as Jameson was absolutely terrified of Daisy. Now he loves her so much we're working on him following her around too much.

She also loves working with him and helps mom and dad deliver treats during training sessions.

29/04/2022

"[D]og breed is generally a poor predictor of individual behavior and should not be used to inform decisions relating to selection of a pet dog..."

Pairing owner surveys and genetics for pet dogs challenges behavioral breed stereotypes.

08/04/2022

29/03/2022

Cooperative Care Training Demonstration by our apprentice trainer Laura at her grooming salon, Honey Bee Grooming

16/02/2022

Cooperative Care and Fear Free demonstration

11/02/2022

Roses are red, violets are blue, but keep the flowers up high just for you!