Gold Star Dog Training, LLC

09/23/2025

And now for something a bit different from dog training!

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Registration closes tomorrow! We have a few spots left!

🚀 Are you ready to meet your new digital sidekick? (Workshop in nearby St Albans)

Join us for ChatGPT & Copilot: Your Digital Minions for Getting Stuff Done—a fun, hands-on workshop that shows you how Generative AI can tackle your to-do list, spark creativity, and maybe even help draft that novel you’ve been daydreaming about since ’95.

📅 Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 6:00–8:00 pm
📍 St. Albans

👉 Perfect for anyone (18+)—no experience needed. Bring your laptop, your curiosity, and maybe that project you’ve been avoiding.

💻 You’ll learn how to:
✨ Use free AI tools like ChatGPT & Copilot
✨ Brainstorm, research, and write with ease
✨ Create images from text prompts
✨ Extract insights from long documents (goodbye, info overload!)

🎟️ $45 residents | $55 non-residents

Spots are limited—register today and let AI give your brain a break!

[https://stalbansvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30319](https://stalbansvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30319)e

Program details and list of activities for online registration.

09/21/2025

Building a Killer Recall Response in Your Dog 🚀 STEP 3 (of 3): Distance & Distractions

Your dog is now snapping around and running to you on a short leash—awesome! 🎉 Now it’s time to raise the stakes by adding distance and distractions. But here’s the key: go at your dog’s pace. If they’re struggling, don’t rush ahead—stay at the level where they can respond quickly, energetically, and consistently before making things more difficult.

LEVEL UP: LONGER DISTANCE & MORE CHALLENGES (WHEN YOUR DOG IS READY!)
🔹 What you need: A long line (10–30 feet), high-value treats, and your best “party voice.”

Here’s how to do it:
• Start in a familiar, low-distraction area (like your yard or an empty park). Clip your dog to a long line and let them explore.
• Wait until they’re distracted, then call them using your recall cue (“come!”) and run backward a few steps.
• The second they turn toward you, cheer them on—make running to you the most exciting option.
• When they reach you, reward big (jackpot treats, praise, play) and touch their collar before releasing them again.
• Only increase difficulty when your dog is responding quickly and enthusiastically at the current level. Move to a busier environment OR increase distance OR add distractions—but not all at once!
• CONTINUE to increase the level of difficulty/distraction and distance gradually as your dog is able to respond quickly and consistently.

🚨 What If Your Dog Doesn’t Come? 🚨
Stay calm and don’t repeat the cue! Saying “come, come, COME!” teaches your dog that they can ignore it. Instead:
• Too many distractions? Distance too far? Make it easier by shortening the distance or moving to a quieter area.
• Make yourself exciting! Move backward, clap your hands, crouch down, or use a happy, playful voice.
• If they don’t come, gently guide them with the long line. Don't give a food treat. Immediately repeat the exercise, but make it much easier for them to respond so that they can be successful. The food treat comes when they respond successfully on their own.
• Go back a step (or several). If your dog isn’t coming, they might not be ready for more distraction, distance, or difficulty. Go back to an easier setting where they’ve been successful, and practice more before increasing difficulty.

Check out a short video of practice on next-level recall training:

Here Puppy!!In the video, Cora and I are practicing some off-leash recalls on a walk.The heart of a reliable recall is a dog who has been taught that returni...

09/14/2025

Building a Killer Recall Response 🚀 STEP 2 (of 3): Short-Leash Recalls

Last week, we kick-started recall training with the Find Me game, setting the foundation for an enthusiastic response. Now, it’s time to teach your dog that coming when called is the best thing ever—and that it pays off big time!

SPONTANEOUS ON-LEASH RECALLS
🎥 Video tutorial & tips: First Steps to Coming When Called: Spontaneous On-Leash Recalls

🔹 What you need: A 6-foot leash, tasty treats, and a little enthusiasm!

Here’s how to do it:
1. Let your dog explore at the end of the leash while you casually walk around.
2. The moment they’re distracted, say their name, give your recall cue (“come!”), and run backward a few steps.
3. As soon as they turn toward you, use your happiest, most exciting voice to encourage them to run to you.
4. When they reach you, deliver a jackpot reward (a treat at their nose level, right by your legs) while briefly touching or holding their collar. This reinforces coming all the way in and being comfortable with leash handling (while not jumping on you--that's why the treat given at their nose level).
5. Release them to go back to what they were doing—freedom is part of the reward!

💡 Why this works:
✔️ Builds instant response—your dog should turn on a dime when they hear the recall cue.
✔️ Creates drive and speed—we want them racing back to you like you’re the best thing in their world!
🏆 Goal: Once your dog snaps around immediately and runs to you with enthusiasm, you’re ready for the next step!

👀 Coming next week: Part 3—Adding Distance & Distractions! Follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss it!

WHAT: Asking your dog to return to you when you ask.WHY: At its most basic, a good recall is a safety thing. And, a good recall doesn’t mean having to WAIT ...

09/08/2025

🐾 Woof! What’s the Dog Saying? 🐾 September 10, 6-7:30pm (Williston)

Sponsored by: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
Location: 21 Library Lane, Williston, VT 05495
Cost: FREE
Registration: Contact the library, 802-878-4918

Is a yawn always just a yawn? Why does your dog shake off even when it’s not wet? And is a tail wag always friendly? 🐕

Join us for this fun, interactive lecture all about dog communication and safety (humans only, no dogs). We'll decode common dog behaviors, clear up misunderstandings, and help you understand what your dog is really trying to say!

✨ What to expect:
✅ Engaging insights into canine body language
✅ Hands-on exercises to practice reading your dog
✅ Access to exclusive learning materials

09/07/2025

Building a Killer Recall Response in Your Dog, STEP 1 (of 3): The Find Me Game!

The heart of a reliable recall (getting your dog to return when you call them) is a dog who has been taught that returning to you is SUPER FUN.

I start all recall work with a hide and seek game called "Find Me!" This game teaches your dog that seeking you out is fun and will be rewarded. TO LEARN HOW, check out the "Find Me" game article in the Gold Star library: https://buff.ly/Ma1LZJS

Next week I'll show you how to build on this, turning your work with the Find Me game into a fabulous "come when called" response!

So, go have fun and play the Find Me game this week!! Follow me on FB to get notifications for the next lesson.

09/06/2025

🐾 That face you make when you realize dog training spots are going fast…

If you’ve been thinking about joining a Gold Star Dog Training class, now’s the time—our fall sessions are filling quickly, and spots are limited!

✨ Important: If the class you want is full, be sure to join the waitlist (it’s free). I often add classes when there’s enough demand, and waitlist folks get first dibs on new openings.

👉 Also, if a class is FULL for dogs, you can still sign up to attend without a dog—a great way to learn, observe, and take training skills home!

Here’s what’s currently open (as of today):

ESSENTIALS/BASIC 6-Week Class

🐶 Essex – starts Sept 27, 2025 (FULL – both 10:00 & 11:15 am sessions)
🐶 Essex – starts Nov 15, 2025 (7 spots left in each of 2 classes)
🐶 St. Albans – starts Oct 7, 2025 (2 spots left)
🐶 Williston – starts Sept 22, 2025 (FULL)
🐶 Williston – starts Nov 9, 2025 (3 spots left)

BEYOND BASICS 5-Week Class

🐕 Essex – starts Sept 27, 2025 (3 spots left)
🐕 St. Albans – starts Oct 7, 2025 (3 spots left)
🐕 Williston – starts Nov 9, 2025 (2 spots left)

THERAPY DOG ACADEMY 6-Week Class

🐾 Essex – starts Nov 15, 2025 (3 spots left)
🐾 Williston – starts Sept 22, 2025 (3 spots left)

Don’t wait—these spots won’t last! 🐕✨

Fees/Dates/Registration: https://www.goldstardog.com/register