The Good Dog Guide Books · Volume One

Foundations of a Better Dog

A Complete Guide to Raising a Happy, Well-Behaved Companion

“Because every dog deserves to be understood, every dog deserves to be loved, and every dog deserves a second chance.”

By Chris & Sadie · A Wag University Publication

Hey there, Dog Person.

First, understand something important. This isn't a book you read once, put on a shelf, and forget about. It's a guide you'll come back to.

That's what Foundations of a Better Dog is here for. Not to give you a perfect dog overnight. But to help you build a better relationship, one lesson at a time.

WagU is my answer to all the noisy, conflicting advice out there. It's a complete system built on clarity, consistency, and what actually works in real homes with real dogs and real people.

Who This Book Is For

This book is for anyone who loves their dog but knows things could be better. Whether you have a new puppy who thinks “sit” means “run in the opposite direction,” a rescue dog carrying some baggage, a teenage dog with selective hearing, or just a dog that's mostly good but still drives you crazy in certain moments… You're in good company.

The One Big Truth

Your dog isn't bad.
They're not stubborn.
They're not spiteful.
They're not trying to ruin your life.
They're just confused.

A misbehaving dog is usually just a dog who hasn't been shown how to succeed. That's exactly what we're going to change—together.

Clarity
Helping your dog understand exactly what you're asking.

Consistency
Making your expectations predictable.

Communication
Learning to listen to your dog just as carefully as you expect your dog to listen to you.

What's Inside

Chapter 1Welcome to Wag University
Chapter 2Inside Your Dog’s Head
Chapter 3Setting Your Dog Up for Success
Chapter 4Life Stages – From Puppy Chaos to Senior Wisdom
Chapter 5The Everyday Stuff Nobody Warned You About
Chapter 6The 5 Essential Commands
Chapter 7Impulse Control & Good Manners
Chapter 8Leash Skills Without the Arm Wrestling
Chapter 9Crate Training Without the Drama
Chapter 10Greeting People Without the Chaos Explosion
Chapter 11Reactivity — When the World Feels Too Loud
Chapter 12Focus That Follows You Everywhere
Chapter 13Emergency Recall & True Off-Leash Reliability

Plus:

Your Journey Starts Here
Before We Begin: Keeping Everyone Safe
Life With More Than One Dog
Kids and Dogs: Growing Up Together
When It Isn't Working
Glossary
A Final Word from Chris & Sadie

Look for the recurring features: Sadie Says, Did You Know? and Common Mistakes.

Meet My Co-Professor

Sadie

My Partner. My Teacher. My Inspiration.

4 years old
Border Collie
Loyal, intelligent and always eager to learn
Rescued from a shelter in Idaho
My constant companion and co-professor here at Wag University

She's a brilliant, sassy Border Collie with more brains than most humans I know, and she'll be chiming in throughout the book with her own brand of wisdom.

Meet the Author

Chris Pryer

Chris has spent his life around dogs that needed a second chance, and WAG University is where he turns that into practical training anyone can use. After years of working with rescue dogs, Chris wrote The Good Dog Guide Books to share what actually works, and we're here to give you the tools to…

learn. lead. succeed.

- Chris & Sadie