Great Starts Dog Training

09/28/2026

Hi Everyone,

We wanted to take a moment to come on here and explain why we have been so quiet as of late.

As you can imagine, life can throw some pretty big hurdles. Recently, it threw a massive one with the very sudden and unexpected passing of a family member. 😔

This has sent shockwaves through us and caused us to take a step back, be with family, and start the healing process.

That being said, we appreciate each and every one of you. For your patience, your kindness, and compassion as we work through this difficult time.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you are in need of some training services for your pup! we are happy to help ☺️

08/12/2026

***ATTENTION***

As many of you know, Great Starts Dog Training wouldn't be possible without the support from from Ali. My best friend who has been in my life for over 10 years!

She is the mastermind behind the great material we use, she comes and helps with training lessons, and even more importantly she takes care of our zoo at home so I can spend time with all of my amazing clients!

Monday morning, Ali received a phone call no one ever wants to get. Her younger sister, had collapsed and was being rushed to the hospital after receiving CPR by paramedics. Her sister has been in the ICU since then. Her sister has a young son, who's 4 years old. He is her whole world and she is his. He loves his mom.

Right now, her sister is going to have a long road to recovery, and she is going to have some hefty medical bills. You can read more about her story via the GoFundMe link below.

We are asking from the bottom of our hearts that if you are able to, to please donate, share this post, and pray for her sister's speedy recovery.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this,

Love,

The Great Starts Dog Training Family

On August 10th my sister, Paige, woke up struggling to breathe. She has asthma and normal… Ali Thomas needs your support for Help Paige Come Home to Her Son

07/16/2026

Don't forget,

It doesn’t matter HOW good the board and train was. Or how skilled the trainer. 🗣

Dogs will only be as trained as their owners allow them to be. 💯

Let it all slide— and your dog will pretend they know nothing. Hold the standard, and you’ll continue having a trained dog for a lifetime. 🏆

The cool part is, YOU get to choose which dog you have. 😎

07/10/2026

Today and tomorrow are going to be VERY hot.

Please take precautions with yourselves and your pets!

07/05/2026

Happy Fourth of July from our crew! ❤️🤍💙 We hope you all have a fun and safe holiday! 🇺🇸

07/04/2026

Make sure your dogs are secured! Tonight and tomorrow night are going to be high risk nights for firework scares!

Here at Great Starts Dog Training, we love America, and we love celebrating America!

Be safe, have fun, and make sure your dogs (and other animals 😁) are safe and secure!

Ensure gates are locked, fences are solid, and if your dog is outside, have a leash and collar on them!!

It only takes one loud boom for most dogs to bolt.

Please, don’t risk it. ❤️

06/22/2026

The Great Starts Dog Training family has lost one of its graduates.

Kai, is across the rainbow bridge.

He was such a smart, loving, talented, and capable dog. He LOVED to please and learn new things.

He loved his family. His sister maizy. His littermate Ollie.

Kai loved to swim. He was an excellent swimmer. He loved to retrieve. And watching him learn how to control all the excitement he had was so much fun.

Kai was a testament that hard work pays off. Because he was a wild child 😂 His enthusiasm for everything he did made him such a joy to be around.

I love all my students, Kai (and Ollie) hold a special place in my heart.

I know his family will be with him again some day.

Until then, enjoy running and swimming on the other side with Oakley, and my boys king and Toby. We love you Kai-guy ❤️🌈😔

05/01/2026

HAPPY NATIONAL ADOPT A SHELTER PET DAY! 🧡🐾

Had to post a few throwback pictures in honor of the holiday! Our sweet little Remi spent the first part of her life in the Blackfoot Animal Shelter, and the rest of it has been spent keeping us on our toes. She might be the oldest of our group, but you’d never know it with her boundless energy! Watching her little personality blossom from shy and nervous shelter dog to typical puppy over her first few weeks with us all those years ago was so fun, and we’d do it again 100 times over (and have, a few times…🤷🏼‍♀️)

—> swipe to the last pic to see Remi’s true personality 🤪

04/22/2026

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again:

MICROCHIP AND REGISTER YOUR PETS!

This morning, there was another loose pup running around. Thankfully we were able to catch her, and secure her safely in our vehicle.

Went to the wonderful vikingveterinaryhospital in Nampa and scanned her for a chip.

Which she HAD! And it was REGISTERED!

Shortly after that we were on the phone with her mom, who was incredibly grateful this ended up as a happy story.

Many shelters do free microchipping events, take advantage of the safety net if your pet ever takes an adventure on their own!

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🐇🐣

From,

The Great Starts Dog Training crew