Good Dog Workshop

All puppies bite. It's how they test things and explore their world. Not because they're aggressive or trying to take over or want to hurt you. Marina & Brian delve deep into this topic to help you navigate your way through one of the most normal things that puppies do.

In this episode, Marina & Brian discuss 3 new clients for their DogMatch service, where they help match up their clients with a dog that is right for their lifestyle. As Brian says "If you call us to help you find a new dog through DogMatch, you won't be calling us later for training."

In today's episode, Marina talks with Brian about her recent experience with her German Shepherd LADY who had heartworms when Marina adopted her. It's a common ailment for dogs and it is treatable, but it can be challenging for owners to get their dogs through the heartworm treatment while still fulfilling their dogs' needs.Please consult a veterinarian for proper medical diagnosis and treatment of heartworms.

In this episode, Marina & Brian discuss the "Learned Helplessness" of two recent clients' dogs. It's a sad thing to see but both dogs showed they can get past it and become happy and balanced. Find out more about this and learn how you can prevent something like this from happening to your dog!

In this episode, Marina & Brian discuss Marina's new foster dog GEORGE, a hound mix found as a stray in Texas. Learn how we at Good Dog Workshop work with George to help him overcome his anxiety, leash reactivity and resource guarding, and to ultimately help him find his new Forever Home.

Within a very short time after meeting German Shepherd MARY, Marina added Mary (now Lady) to her pack and is learning more about her by the hour. In this episode, Marina & Brian discuss the newest addition to the Good Dog Workshop pack: how she fits into her new pack already, what she knows (and doesn't know), and how we'll be able to mold her natural talents to make her into a fine Good Dog Workshop "lady".

Sometimes you end up being our own client. In this case, Marina's awesome German Shepherd SASHA will be retiring soon, so Marina & Brian are doing their DogMatch service for themselves. In this episode, get a behind-the-curtain peek into the process of finding a new dog as Marina & Brian share their search for a new dog assistant for their Good Dog Workshop pack who is also a new family pet for Marina. Listen to them discuss all the steps they go through when helping a client find the next dog for their family: What breed? What size? Male or female? How old? What temperament? Why now? and so forth.

In this episode, Marina and our awesome intern Faith discuss dogs, how Faith came to find Good Dog Workshop, some of the training sessions they've done together,  what Faith has learned, and what she hopes to do with dogs going forward.

Marina & Brian take another light-hearted look at a sampling of online inquiries from dog owners with 'misbehaving' dogs. Listen and learn as Marina & Brian discuss what they 'read' from what's written (and not written) about the dogs' behavior, the dogs' environment and the people. 

Marina & Brian discuss the importance of training your dog to be trustworthy off-leash. Through off-leash training, you can use your voice (at a great distance) to keep your dog safe, under control yet still give your dog the freedom to explore while still being attentive to you & your pack. This is a great skill that further strengthens the bond between you & your dog!

Equal parts fun AND annoying, puppies are not for everyone. In this episode, Marina & Brian share everything they've learned about two new puppies that they've spent a ton of time with. Hear the good, the bad & the ugly about STAR the Lab mix and SUSHI the cattle dog mix! 

Marina & Brian discuss a seemingly growing trend: Elderly, physically-limited dog owners getting energetic dogs. Sometimes it involves people ending up with a puppy or high-energy dog pushed on them by their adult kids who got a dog for themselves, then move back home and suddenly the elderly parents have to take care of the dog. But more often than not, it involves older people with health issues which severely limit their ability to exercise a dog, but choose a puppy having forgotten how much work and physical activity is required to raise a puppy. And that often leads to rambunctious & frustrated pups who do whatever they feel they need to to release their energy: destructive chewing, jumping on people and furniture, digging in the yard, incessant barking, and nipping and biting people — a lousy situation for people and for the puppy. There are so many ways to avoid this. Listen to found out how.

Ever notice how people with small dogs oftentimes let their dogs get away with behavior that they wouldn't let slide with a big dog?  Marina & Brian discuss the problems dog owners have when they raise their small dogs differently than their big dogs. 

After each training session with a client, the Good Dog Workshop staff discuss with each other in great detail what occurred during the training. Get a behind-the-scenes look into the work done AFTER the training session is done.

Want to know what's been going on with BAGEL the beagle, SQUIRTY the Corgi, and BEAN the Boxer? Marina & Brian share the latest about a few of the dogs they've recently worked with and fostered. PLUS, meet CALLIE, a super sweet female cattle dog who is the newest member of the Good Dog Workshop pack. 

One dog is being blamed for the fights but she's not the problem. The fights keep getting worse and worse. Dogs AND people are getting hurt. Something has to give. Find out what happened.

Good Dog Workshop is looking for another dog behaviorist / trainer! Learn what we're looking for in a new hire and why we value HONESTY, INTEGRITY and EMPATHY more than certifications and number of years working with dogs. Contact us if you want to be a part of our team! 703-489-1319

Brian interviews fellow dog behaviorist Paul Hewitt, founder of Beard Meets Dog based in Bournemouth, England. Learn about Paul and how he got his start in the dog behavior world, his philosophies on working with dogs, his favorite breeds, and his ultimate goal for the future of Beard Meets Dog.

From Brian: In November of 2021, my cattle dog RED passed away from a very aggressive inoperable nasal tumor. And just last week at the end of February 2022, my beagle VIVIAN passed away after a long bout with lymphoma. The loss of Red and Vivian has been devastating for me personally and incredibly impactful to Good Dog Workshop and the work am do with my clients. We at Good Dog Workshop know that you—our listeners—grew to know and love Vivian and Red through the podcast and we appreciate your support during our grief.As we all know, life keeps moving on no matter what happens or how we feel, and we must continue to move as well. So we include in this podcast our thoughts and experiences as we look for two new assistants to add to Brian's pack.

Brian & Marina discuss a recent training session with a client who said her dog had "severe" separation anxiety...but the reality was much different. It's all too common for so many dog owners to perceive their dogs' behavior as 'separation anxiety' but so often that is not the case.