Good Dog Workshop

Marina & Brian discuss a recent client with 4 dogs. Although the client called us for one dog's behavior, one of the other dogs had a much bigger problem AND their new puppy was already picking up bad habits from the older dogs. A whole lot to address here.

Carlos & Brian take a light-hearted look at a sampling of random online statements from dog owners and discuss what they 'read' about the dog behavior, the environment and the people. 

Carlos, Marina & Brian discuss the flood of puppies and adult dogs being adopted during the coronavirus pandemic. So many people figure that working from home finally gives them the opportunity to get a new dog! It's not quite that easy...

Brian & Marina discuss the increasingly popular hybrid Doodles. Half Labrador Retriever and half Poodle...or is it? These dogs are generally very family-friendly, great with other dogs and full of energy. Is this the right breed for you?

Pepper, a 9 month old female Australian Cattle dog was chained in a yard at 7 weeks old and it didn't look like her life was going to get any better. After months of hard work the incredible people at the Fauquier SPCA rescued her at the same time Josh was looking for a cattle dog to add to his family. Here, Josh & Brian talk about meeting Pepper and 2 hours later she's heading home...

Part 2 of our series addressing more bad & ridiculous information about dogs. In this second episode, Brian and Marina debunk more wrong and ridiculous information about dogs and dog training methods spread across the world by the popular Stuff You Should Know podcast episode "How Dog Training Works". Listen to their podcast and then come back to our Good Dog Workshop podcast to find...

In this episode, Brian and Marina debunk more wrong and ridiculous information about dog training methods spread across the world by the popular Stuff You Should Know podcast episode "How Dog Training Works". Listen to their podcast and then come back to our Good Dog Workshop podcast to find the truth about dogs and dog training from people who actually know the subject matter.

In this episode, Carlos & Brian discuss Hounds — dogs bred to chase/follow/track their quarry and keep it at bay until their humans arrive. Although hounds are almost always very friendly with people and other dogs, hounds are not easy to have as a typical suburban pet because their instinct to track and follow is so strong.

Brian offers the best tips to help you housetrain your dog. Whether you have a young pup or an older dog, this advice will help get you on your way to a mess-free home! 

Carlos & Brian analyze a "training" video by Victoria Stilwell. Follow along and watch her video to learn the WRONG way to let a dog greet you, the WRONG way to respond to an excited, disrespectful dog who jumps on you when you enter a house, the WRONG way to "claim" a bone, and the WRONG way to then respond to a dog who snaps at you for being near 'his' bone. The...

Carlos & Brian discuss one of the most prevalent topics from dog owners: Kids & Dogs.

Carlos & Brian discuss the detrimental effects of treating dogs like humans. The second podcast in this series focuses on using TOUCH with dogs. Dogs use touch much more sparingly with one another and do so oftentimes to correct while we MOSTLY use touch to soothe...and actually ends up to soothing or calmin ourselves, not our dogs. Don't fall into the trap of touching your dog (in a way...

Brian & Marina revisit the topic of choosing the right dog. In just the past week, two separate clients have come to Good Dog Workshop to help them find new families for their dogs, both 3-year-old male German Shepherds coincidentally. Brian & Marina go through the details of each case and stress why it's so important to choose the right dog from the start.

The second in the "Puppies!" series. Brian & Marina discuss puppies — How much work they are, how much fun they are, common behavior challenges, and most importantly: that it's never too early to start training your puppy.

Brian & Marina discuss puppies — How much work they are, how much fun they are, common behavior challenges, and most importantly: that it's never too early to start training your puppy.

Carlos & Brian discuss the detrimental effects of treating dogs like humans. The first podcast in this series focuses on using (actually, OVER-using) human speech when working with dogs. Dogs don't use speech at all to communicate while we MOSTLY use speech in our communication with others. Don't fall into the trap of talking to your dog as your first and main form of communication!

Brian explains the importance of being able to read the visual cues of your dog's body language so you know what he's thinking and then decide if and how you need to address his forthcoming behavior. Ears and tail up? He's probably seen something that interests or excites him. It could be a squirrel in the next yard or it could be your friend walking towards you. Either way, it&apos...

Brian and special guest Marina Finelli discuss their second day working with the Wheaton Terriers seized from their neglectful/abusive owners by the Fauquier Animal Control. These dogs range in ages from a few weeks old to senior dogs. Most are in bad shape physically and almost all are very psychologically traumatized by their mistreatment and horrible living conditions. This is second in a serie...

Brian and special guest Michael Lamper discuss their first day working with the Wheaton Terriers taken from their neglectful/abusive owners by the Fauquier Animal Control. These dogs range in ages from a few weeks old to senior dogs. Most are in bad shape physically and almost all are very traumatized by their mistreatment and horrible living conditions. This is first in a series of podcasts shari...

The 2nd part of a 2-part series in which Carlos & Brian discuss the various types of dog training and dog trainers. Whether it's big, international companies, sole proprietorships, "militaristic" trainers, positive reinforcement only training, highly "educated" trainers or just someone who loves dogs, we discuss it all. Find out what type/style of training/trainer migh...

Carlos & Brian discuss the various types of dog training and dog trainers. Whether it's big, international companies, sole proprietorships, "militaristic" trainers, positive reinforcement only training, highly "educated" trainers or just someone who loves dogs, we discuss it all. Find out what type/style of training/trainer might be right for you and your dog.

Carlos & Brian discuss the pros and cons of using various training tools, and how a person's perception of the tool can actually interfere with the effectiveness of your training with your dog.

In this episode, Brian & Marina discuss our entire training session with a client couple and their new dog, all the way from leash manners to off-leash play in the Vint Hill Dog Park. There's so much to learn here!

In Part 2, Carlos & Brian discuss PREVENTING a dog fight from happening. Reading the dogs' body language, paying attention (being alert) to the environment, and knowing what YOU yourself may be contributing to the situation are all elements to be aware of in preventing a dog fight from occurring in the first place.

Carlos & I discuss the techniques WE use to break up a dog fight.  DISCLAIMER: Dog fights are not all the same. Dogs fighting can be fighting for different reasons. Dogs fighting are usually not evenly matched. Breaking up dog fights is a skill that can be learned but it is risky and it is definitely not for most people to attempt. It requires confidence, timing, quickness, agility, and streng...