CGC Series: Star Puppy
Test Item #1
One of the first foundational steps in the Canine Good Citizen pathway is ensuring your puppy has appropriate veterinary care, including a full exam and age appropriate vaccinations. This isn’t just a box to check for the program, it’s an essential part of setting your puppy up for a healthy, safe, and successful start in life.
A veterinary exam helps confirm overall health and development, while vaccines provide important protection as your puppy begins to explore the world and learn new skills. For training purposes, this step also reinforces responsible ownership and ensures puppies are physically ready for structured learning, social exposure, and early behavioral development.
At Dawgs at Work, we encourage all families to work closely with their veterinarian throughout the CGC journey, as health and behavior always go hand in hand. Next week we’ll move on to the next Star Puppy test item.
Daily Dog
Meet Britta
Today we’re excited to introduce Britta, one of our incredible therapy dogs!
Britta is a 3-year-old Goldendoodle who completed her training through the Dawgs at Work program and now serves at Ascension St. Francis Hospital. Her primary focus is supporting behavioral health and wellness, where she helps provide comfort, connection, and emotional support to patients, families, and staff.
With her gentle nature, calm presence, and love for people, Britta has a special way of helping others feel at ease during challenging moments. Whether she’s offering a quiet companion during a difficult day or bringing a smile to someone who needs it most, Britta demonstrates the powerful impact therapy dogs can have within healthcare settings.
We are incredibly proud of all that Britta has accomplished and grateful for the difference she continues to make in the lives of those she meets every day.
Thank you for being such an amazing ambassador for the therapy dog community, Britta!
Trainer Tip Tuesday
Stop asking your dog to “sit” for everything. Many dogs learn that training only happens when they’re told exactly what to do. Instead, start rewarding the behaviors you want your dog to offer naturally.
Examples:
• Reward calm check ins on walks
• Mark and reward choosing to lie down and relax
• Reward eye contact
• Reward your dog choosing to sit politely on their own
• Reward calm behavior around distractions
We want dogs that can think and make good choices, not dogs waiting for constant instructions. Capture the behavior you love and you’ll often start seeing more of it.
National Best Friends Day
Happy National Best Friends Day! Today is all about celebrating the ones who are always by your side, through every routine, adventure, and quiet moment in between. For many of us, that best friend comes with four legs, a wagging tail, and an unwavering excitement every time we walk through the door. Dogs have a way of being present in every part of our lives, offering loyalty, comfort, and joy in a way that is hard to put into words. Whether you’re working on training goals, going for walks, or just relaxing at home, those everyday moments are what make the bond so special. Take a moment today to appreciate your best friend, human or canine, and the connection you share.
Daily Dog
Meet North!
North is our seven-year-old female German Shepherd and one of the special dogs who helps make Dawgs at Work what it is today. She lives with our Lead Trainer and serves as both a therapy dog and a mentor dog within our program.
As a therapy dog, North regularly visits schools, assisted living communities, and other facilities where she provides comfort, companionship, and plenty of smiles. Her calm, steady personality makes her a wonderful ambassador for the important work therapy dogs do e-very day.
When she’s not out making visits, North takes on another important role behind the scenes. As one of our mentor dogs, she helps guide incoming puppies as they learn appropriate dog manners, social skills, and etiquette. From teaching respectful interactions to helping young dogs build confidence, North plays a valuable role in shaping the next generation of working dogs.
Outside of work, North enjoys the simple things in life. Her favorite treats are cheese snacks, and when Wisconsin weather cooperates, you’ll often find her enjoying time out on the boat with her family or competing in dog sports like Fast CAT!
Thank you, North, for everything you do for our clients, our community, and the puppies who look up to you every day.
Motivation Monday
Some days your dog nails every skill. Some days they forget what “sit” means the second a distraction appears. Keep showing up anyway. Training isn’t about perfection. It’s about building trust, communication, and a partnership that grows stronger one session at a time. Every confident therapy dog, dependable service dog, and steady emotional support companion started exactly where you are now: with small steps and consistency. Progress over perfection. Always.
Body Language Breakdown
This week we’re focusing on the tail. A dog’s tail can tell us a lot, but just like every other part of body language, it should always be read in context. A loose, wagging tail that moves freely through the body often reflects a relaxed or socially open dog. A high, stiff tail can indicate arousal, confidence, or sometimes tension depending on the rest of the body. A low or tucked tail may suggest uncertainty, stress, or a desire to create space. It is also important to remember that wagging does not always mean friendliness. The speed, height, and stiffness of the wag all matter, and the dog’s overall posture is what gives the clearest picture of how they are feeling. Next week we’ll break down another part of your dog’s body to help you better understand their communication.
#BodyLanguageBreakdown #DawgsAtWork #DogTraining #CanineCommunication #DogBehavior #WorkingDog #ServiceDog #TherapyDog #DogLife #DogEducation
