Dog Training is People Training
All dogs are GOOD DOGS! We believe it is people who have to be educated to understand dogs on their terms, to “bring out the good” in each dog so we can live together harmoniously. This show explores all aspects of communication between people and dogs — whether they are K-9 partners in military work, purpose-bred and trained service dogs, competitors in dog sports, or pets — from a newly-adopted senior dog or young puppy.
Tracie is joined by co-host Carol Borden, a veteran of 60 years training people to train dogs. She is the founder of Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs, which has trained dogs through her college accredited/VA approved curriculum to work inside the Pentagon and other Department of Defense facilities alongside disabled staff members. Carol has also personally competed in the demanding sport of Schutzhund and has trained ex-military and police K-9 handlers to work at Guardian Angel training service dogs.
Theme song is “My One Best Friend” by Jasmine Tea.
NOTE: The first 77 GOOD DOGS! shows in the library were co-hosted by Tracie with three veteran trainers — Gayle Watkins, Lise Pratt and Marcy Burke — who bred agility performance Golden Retrievers.
Podcast also available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon podcasts, and Audible.
Good Dogs! (02-01-2023) #6122: Steph explains why she hates flat collars with a leash — and also hates slip collars, prong collars and “anti-pull” harnesses (which actually encourage dogs to pull because they are uncomfortable and pinch behind the armpits, so the dog wants to get away from the unpleasant feeling! Steph loves the made-in-Italy […]
Good Dogs! (01-18-2022) #6121: Tracie and Carol Borden talk about what causes a dog to fall short of our hopes and expectations, which can lead to a service dog “washing out” of her training program. But Carol believes many reactive issues with dogs can be nipped in the bud if noticed early enough. You can […]
Good Dogs! (01/04/2023) #6120: One suggestion that surprised Tracie in Stephanie Rousseau’s book “How to Raise a Puppy: Dog-Centric Approach” was to invite a new puppy into your bed. Steph explains how co-sleeping is normal and healthy for all mammals — and that dogs are proven to be “social sleepers.” So why deny a new […]
Good Dogs! (12-21-2022) #6119: Ethologist Kim Brophey confirms the scientific facts that certain breeds of dogs are genetically inclined toward certain behaviors. She wonders why some people are reluctant to make assumptions about how an individual dog in a breed is going to behave — like a Border Collie who relentlessly chases and herds — […]
Good Dogs! (11-30-2022) #6118: Probably the worst time to bring a puppy into a household is during the winter holidays. There is way too much social activity at this time of year to offer a puppy a nice predictable routine and pay the close attention to a puppy that she needs in the early weeks. […]
Good Dogs! (11-16-2022) #6117: Carol Borden and Tracie agree that children are entirely different beings than adults from a dog’s point of view — kids look different, smell different, move differently, sound different — and basically can be threatening or distressing for a dog without the child or their parents being aware of this effect. […]
Good Dogs! (11-02-2022) #6116: Tracie wonders why many dogs are so scared in the veterinarian’s office, while her own dogs love it there. Carol talks about acclimating your dog to the vet clinic by first getting the dog used to being handled — by you and then family members and friends — by opening his […]
Good Dogs! (10-12-2022) #6115: Carol Borden discusses how to handle a dog who is fearful and mitigate his discomfort with whatever frightens him, like noises, new places or people, sensations, other animals, cars, stairs, etc. She recommends breaking down into small pieces whatever causes your dog to be fearful — taking baby steps and patiently […]
Good Dogs! (09-21-2022) #6114: Dog trainer Kim Brophey created a video series called “The Dog’s Truth” in order to help people understand the underlying “truth” of who their dog is as an individual, in hopes of improving the human-canine bond with a realistic assessment and expectation of each dog. MP3 Audio [16 MB]DownloadShow URL
Good Dogs! (09-07-2022) #6113: Carol talks about her life-long dream of having their own vet hospital to take care of all their service dogs, which are bred, raised and trained on their campus in Williston Florida. The dream has come true — the on-site non-profit hospital will provide for all medical needs of the dogs […]