The People Behind the Positive Reinforcement
Global Good Dog was built on a single conviction: that every dog deserves to be trained with patience, science, and respect. Learn how a one-person mission in 2019 grew into Austin's most trusted team of certified dog trainers and behavior consultants.
Founded on Compassion, Driven by Science
In early 2019, Sarah Mitchell walked away from a well-paying position at a corporate veterinary behavior consultancy in Dallas. The reason was simple but painful: she watched too many dogs being failed by outdated, punishment-based methods that the practice refused to abandon. Dogs came in fearful and left more fearful. Owners were told to "dominate" their pets. Shock collars were sold as standard equipment. Sarah knew the research told a different story, and she could no longer be part of an organization that ignored it.
She moved to Austin with her own rescue dog, a reactive cattle dog mix named Bowie, and started Global Good Dog out of a shared coworking space and the city's many dog-friendly parks. Her first clients found her through word of mouth at the local shelter where she volunteered on weekends, offering free behavior assessments for dogs at risk of being returned. Within six months, she had a full caseload and a waiting list.
What began as one trainer with a laptop and a treat pouch has become a team of five certified professionals operating from a dedicated training suite on South Congress Avenue. But the founding principle has never changed: understand the dog first, then teach the human. Every session we conduct, every plan we write, and every follow-up call we make is guided by that belief.
Why We Do What We Do
Our mission is to strengthen the bond between dogs and their people through training methods grounded in behavioral science, delivered with genuine compassion, and supported for life. We believe that when owners understand why their dog behaves a certain way, they gain the confidence and skills to guide that behavior without resorting to fear, force, or intimidation. We exist to prove that kindness is not a compromise in dog training. It is the most effective tool we have.
Key Milestones in Our Growth
From a solo trainer in Austin parks to a team of five serving clients nationwide, here is how Global Good Dog has grown while staying true to our core values.
Sarah Mitchell, CPDT-KA and CAAB, left a corporate veterinary behavior consultancy and launched Global Good Dog in Austin, Texas. Working solo from parks and client homes, she focused on the reactive and fearful dogs that other trainers were turning away. By the end of the year, she had completed over 120 private sessions and built a reputation in the Austin rescue community for her patient, science-based approach.
When the pandemic made in-person sessions impossible, Sarah pivoted to live virtual training via Zoom within the first week of lockdown. What started as a necessity became a permanent part of the business. Virtual sessions allowed Global Good Dog to reach clients across Texas and eventually the entire United States. By December 2020, nearly 40 percent of sessions were conducted virtually, and many clients reported that working in their own homes actually improved training outcomes because dogs were in their natural environment.
With demand outpacing what one person could handle, Sarah hired Marcus Chen as Global Good Dog's first full-time trainer. Marcus brought his CPDT-KA certification and a particular talent for working with shelter dogs and multi-dog households. His addition allowed the business to reduce its waitlist from six weeks to under two weeks and take on more complex aggression cases that required two-trainer sessions.
Global Good Dog moved into a dedicated training suite at 4712 South Congress Avenue. The new space included a private training room for behavior consultations, a small group class area, and a comfortable lobby for client meetings. That same year, Dr. Emily Vasquez, DVM, DACVB, joined the team as a consulting veterinary behaviorist, giving Global Good Dog the ability to coordinate medication-assisted behavior modification for dogs with severe anxiety, compulsive disorders, and aggression rooted in neurological conditions.
Jordan Hayes (KPA CTP) joined as Puppy Program Director and Aisha Patel (CPDT-KA) came on board as Group Class Coordinator. Together, they built a structured group class curriculum covering puppy socialization, basic obedience, and real-world manners. Classes were capped at six dogs to maintain the individualized attention that had always defined Global Good Dog. The group program made professional training accessible at a lower price point while still delivering the quality our clients expected.
In March 2024, Global Good Dog reached the milestone of 2,000 dogs trained since founding. This number represented every breed from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, every age from 8-week-old puppies to 14-year-old seniors, and every challenge from basic leash manners to severe fear aggression. To celebrate, the team hosted a free community workshop at Zilker Park that drew over 80 dogs and their owners for a day of training demonstrations and socialization activities.
Global Good Dog entered 2025 with a full team of five certified trainers, each bringing specialized expertise. The expanded team allowed for shorter wait times, broader service hours, and the ability to take on more concurrent cases without sacrificing quality. With over 2,500 dogs trained and a 98 percent client satisfaction rate, the team continued to invest in continuing education, attending conferences on canine cognition, stress physiology, and advances in force-free training methodology.
Our Core Values
These five principles guide every decision we make, from how we design training plans to how we hire new team members and interact with our community.
Science-Based Methods
Every technique we use is grounded in peer-reviewed research on canine cognition, learning theory, and behavioral science. We stay current with the latest studies and update our methods accordingly. If the science does not support it, we do not use it.
Compassion First
We approach every dog and every owner without judgment. Whether your dog has bitten someone or simply pulls on the leash, you will receive the same warmth, patience, and respect from our team. We understand the emotional weight of behavior challenges and we are here to help, not to blame.
Lifelong Learning
Our team completes a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education each year, attending conferences, studying new research, and refining our skills. The field of animal behavior is always evolving, and we are committed to evolving with it so our clients always receive the most effective, up-to-date training available.
Transparency
We explain our reasoning at every step. You will never wonder why we are asking your dog to do something or why we chose a particular approach. We share the science behind our methods, provide honest timelines, and give you realistic expectations. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch tactics, no vague promises.
Community
We believe in giving back to the community that built us. Our team volunteers regularly at Austin-area shelters, offers reduced-rate sessions for rescue dogs, and hosts free community workshops throughout the year. A well-trained dog makes a better neighbor, and a neighborhood full of well-trained dogs makes a better community for everyone.
Meet the Certified Professionals Behind Your Dog's Transformation
Every member of the Global Good Dog team holds nationally recognized certifications and shares a deep commitment to force-free, science-based training. Together, we bring decades of combined experience to every case.
Sarah Mitchell
Founder & Lead Behaviorist
CPDT-KA, CAAB
Sarah founded Global Good Dog in 2019 after leaving a corporate veterinary behavior consultancy where she saw too many dogs harmed by punishment-based methods. She holds a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist credential, one of fewer than 100 in the United States, and has worked with over 400 aggression cases. Sarah specializes in fear-based aggression, resource guarding, and complex multi-trigger reactivity. When she is not training, she volunteers at Austin Pets Alive as a behavior assessment consultant.
Marcus Chen
Senior Trainer
CPDT-KA
Marcus joined Global Good Dog in 2021 as the team's first hire and has since become the go-to trainer for multi-dog households and shelter dog rehabilitation. His CPDT-KA certification is backed by over 1,200 hours of hands-on training experience. Marcus is known for his calm, methodical approach that puts even the most anxious dogs at ease. He developed the team's "Decompression Protocol" for newly adopted dogs, which has been adopted by three Austin-area rescue organizations as part of their post-adoption support materials.
Dr. Emily Vasquez
Veterinary Behaviorist (Consulting)
DVM, DACVB
Dr. Vasquez joined Global Good Dog in a consulting capacity in 2022, bringing a level of medical expertise that allows the team to address behavior cases with neurological, hormonal, or pain-related components. As a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, she is qualified to prescribe and manage psychopharmaceutical interventions for dogs with severe anxiety, compulsive disorders, or aggression that does not respond to behavior modification alone. She collaborates closely with each client's primary veterinarian to ensure coordinated care.
Jordan Hayes
Puppy Program Director
KPA CTP
Jordan came aboard in 2023 as a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy, one of the most rigorous clicker training certification programs in the world. He leads Global Good Dog's puppy foundation program, guiding owners through the critical socialization window from 8 to 16 weeks and building the skills that prevent behavior problems before they start. Jordan also manages the team's adolescent dog program for the challenging 6-to-18-month period when many owners feel overwhelmed. His energy, creativity, and genuine love for young dogs make him a favorite among puppy owners.
Aisha Patel
Group Class Coordinator
CPDT-KA
Aisha joined the team in 2023 and immediately made the group class program her own. Her CPDT-KA certification and background in canine sports have shaped a curriculum that blends obedience fundamentals with real-world proofing exercises. She caps every class at six dogs to ensure each participant gets individual feedback. Aisha also leads the team's community outreach workshops, including the popular monthly "Manners in the Park" free sessions at Zilker Park. Her warm, encouraging teaching style helps nervous first-time owners build confidence alongside their dogs.
What Our Clients Say About Working With Us
These are real stories from real dog owners who trusted Global Good Dog with their most challenging behavior issues. Their words reflect the commitment and care our team brings to every single case.
My German Shepherd had been labeled "untrainable" by two other trainers who recommended a shock collar and even suggested we rehome him. We were devastated. Sarah did a full behavior assessment and identified that his reactivity was rooted in fear, not dominance. Over 10 sessions, she taught us how to read his body language, manage his triggers, and gradually build his confidence around other dogs. Today, eight months later, we walk past the dog park without a single outburst. He is a different dog, and honestly, we are different owners. I cannot overstate how much this team changed our lives.
As a first-time dog owner with a high-energy Australian Shepherd, I was completely overwhelmed. She was nipping, jumping on guests, counter surfing, and pulling me down the sidewalk on every walk. I honestly thought I had made a terrible mistake adopting her. Jordan in the puppy program was so patient and reassuring from our very first call. He broke everything down into small, manageable steps and gave me homework I could actually do in my apartment. Within three weeks, the nipping stopped. Within two months, she was walking beside me on a loose leash. Now she is the most well-behaved dog in my building, and people stop me to ask how I trained her. Jordan saved my relationship with my dog.
Our senior beagle developed anxiety after we moved to a new house. He started pacing at night, whining when we left for work, and refusing to eat in the new kitchen. Our vet suggested a behavioral consultation, and we found Global Good Dog. Marcus came to our home and spent the first 45 minutes just observing Biscuit without interacting with him at all. He identified that the new house's open floor plan was overwhelming for a dog who had spent 11 years in a small, cozy home. The modification plan was brilliant in its simplicity: designated safe zones, predictable routines, and gradual exposure to the larger spaces. Within six weeks, Biscuit was sleeping through the night and eating normally. We wish we had called sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Team and Company
Have questions about who we are, how we work, or what sets us apart? Here are the answers to the questions we hear most often from prospective clients.
Global Good Dog was founded in 2019 by Sarah Mitchell, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Since then, we have grown from a solo operation to a team of five certified professionals and have helped over 2,500 dogs and their families across Austin and nationwide through virtual sessions. Our South Congress Avenue office has been our home base since 2022.
Three things set us apart. First, our team holds the highest certifications in the industry, including a CAAB, multiple CPDT-KA holders, a KPA CTP graduate, and a consulting veterinary behaviorist with DACVB credentials. Second, we exclusively use science-based positive reinforcement methods backed by peer-reviewed research. Third, we specialize in complex cases that other trainers turn away, including severe aggression, multi-dog household conflicts, and anxiety disorders. Every training plan is fully customized to your dog, your family, and your goals.
Absolutely. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where you can speak directly with the trainer who would be assigned to your case. During this call, we learn about your dog, discuss your goals, and explain our approach so you can decide if we are the right fit. There is no pressure and no obligation. We want you to feel completely confident before investing in a training program.
Our commitment to positive reinforcement is grounded in decades of peer-reviewed research. Studies published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior and Applied Animal Behaviour Science consistently show that reward-based methods produce more reliable long-term results, stronger human-animal bonds, and significantly fewer behavioral side effects compared to punishment-based approaches. Aversive methods like shock collars and prong collars can cause fear, anxiety, and redirected aggression. Our founder started Global Good Dog specifically because she witnessed the harm caused by punishment-based training at a previous consultancy.
Yes. Every trainer at Global Good Dog holds at minimum a nationally recognized certification. Sarah Mitchell holds both a CAAB and CPDT-KA. Marcus Chen and Aisha Patel each hold a CPDT-KA. Jordan Hayes is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA CTP). Our consulting veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Emily Vasquez, is a licensed veterinarian (DVM) and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB). We also require all team members to complete a minimum of 36 hours of continuing education annually to stay current with the latest research and techniques.
A Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) is one of the highest credentials in the animal behavior field. It requires a doctoral or master's degree in a biological or behavioral science with an emphasis on animal behavior, a minimum of five years of professional experience, and certification through the Animal Behavior Society. CAABs are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat complex behavior problems including aggression, phobias, compulsive disorders, and anxiety. There are fewer than 100 CAABs in the entire United States, making this a rare and highly respected credential in the dog training world.
Ready to Work With Our Team?
Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and tell us about your dog. We will match you with the trainer whose expertise best fits your needs and walk you through what to expect from your first session to your last.
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