Go Dog Pro

05/03/2025

Is crating your dog really the best choice? While crates are often promoted as a safe space, excessive crating can lead to stress, anxiety, and even behavior...

11/02/2025

"... when you are considering enrolling a dog in a board and train program, ask yourself realistically what your expectations are. Are you hoping that by paying sufficient money you can have the Good Dog software package uploaded into your dog’s brain? Or do you recognize that board and train is just the beginning of your dog’s behavior change, and your own training, or that of whoever will be caring for the dog, is actually the most important component to changing a dog’s behavior? "

“Hi there. My name is John, and I have a 14-month-old Golden Retriever who has recently started guarding resources. He also pulls like a freight train on leash, and he’s constantly jumping on us, shredding things he steals in the house, and now counter surfing. We have three children and work fu...

08/02/2025

218.1K likes, 1728 comments. “A dog lives here 💛”

02/02/2025

25/01/2025

One of the most common defenses for outdated dog training methods is “nuance”.

After all, if every dog is different, shouldn’t we consider all types of training methods, from treats and play to punishment with prong or shock collars?

Let’s talk about why this common talking point among some “dog trainers” is nothing more than a cop-out for a lack of knowledge on what to do next.

Nuance in dog training is about truly understanding the dog in front of you and making thoughtful, compassionate choices that help them succeed.

For years, many of us were taught methods that focused on controlling behaviors by suppressing them, often with tools like prong collars or harsh corrections.

While those techniques may seem effective in the short term, decades of research and experience have shown that they never address the underlying reasons for a dog’s behavior.

Instead, these “old school” methods can lead to stress, confusion, and sometimes even harm the bond between a dog and their guardian. And this is no way to serve the public as a professional.

Modern training takes a different approach.

It’s about noticing the small details, the flicker of an ear, the tension in a dog’s body, or the difference between curiosity and stress. It’s about stepping back, understanding what the dog is experiencing, and finding a way forward that builds trust and confidence, not fear.

For example, when a dog pulls on the leash, instead of relying on quick, harsh corrections to stop the behavior, we can focus on initially setting the dog up for success by managing the environment, lowering their stress, and teaching them new skills in a way they can truly understand. We can work all the way up to the challenging scenario without the need for punishment at all.

If you’re a professional trainer, you may have been taught more traditional methods in the past. It’s something many of us can relate to.

But as we learn more about how dogs think, feel, and learn, we have the opportunity to grow and evolve. That’s something every educator should be proud to do.

A “crossover trainer” is someone who’s made that leap, moving away from older techniques toward a more modern, humane approach. Their stories are a powerful reminder that change is possible.

If you’re a crossover trainer, we’d love to hear from you. What inspired your shift? What has your journey been like?

And for anyone who’s exploring new ideas, feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions.

This is a space for learning and growing together. We’re so glad to have you as part of the Dog Training Revolution!

18/01/2025

17/01/2025

I received a comment on my dog prey drive tutorial saying "The way I see it, the moment the competing motivator is more attractive than a reward, your dog wi...

15/01/2025

Where our cynophilists at??

14/01/2025

The ongoing disaster of the California fires is heartbreaking, for so many reasons. But, these tragedies highlight the best of us, embodied by The Dogist’s GoFundMe project to fund help for the thousands of animals who are in crisis.

Hear, hear to The Dogist! I’ve always loved his work, and now he’s stepping up to be a hero. Join me in doing our part; no amount is too small.

Here’s the link to the Instagram account with some videos of the efforts in the LA area; the link to the GoFundMe is in the comments.

https://www.instagram.com/thedogist?igsh=MTQ0aGVhbGM2cWM4Mw==

07/01/2025

Why yes my dog would LOVE to say hi, but I’m still going to say “no thank you” and move on. Why?

1. Because I want my dog to learn that every time we see people it doesn’t mean it’s a party for him. I’d like him to continue his focus on us together as a team and not create conditioned excitement and expectation every time we are approached by someone.

2. Because I don’t know what saying hi means to you. Will you politely touch him? Will you allow him space to move away if he wants? Will you put your face too close to his? I don’t want him to have a negative experience so I’m going to avoid that by continuing our walk.

3. Because maybe I feel overwhelmed or stressed in public places and conversations with strangers may make me uncomfortable, so even though you’d like to talk and meet my dog, I’m protecting myself too.

4. Because we’re in a rush and have to get something done quickly.

5. Because I said no. Even social, sweet, friendly dogs and their handlers have every right to say “no” to a request to meet and be touched by people. This shouldn’t just apply to reactive, worried or bubble space dogs. Dogs are not public property, and saying “no thank you” to touching my dog shouldn’t be regarded as rude or unkind, any more than if a stranger asked to hold my baby.

Please normalize hearing “no” OR even better, normalize ignoring more dogs in public. Let them carry on with their handler and admire them from a far. It would do a world of good for dogs and humans everywhere, trust me.

- Helen St. Pierre