Do Better Training

10/13/2026

🖤🤍 Domino returns to us tomorrow, and he’s bringing a glowing foster-home report card with him! 🌟🐾

These photos give you a peek at Dom enjoying life in a home—and his foster stay has helped us learn even more about what an amazeballs dog he is! 🥰

🏡 He’s house trained.
💤 He rests comfortably in his crate.
⭐ His Place behavior is rock solid.
🌳 He does a great job hanging out in the yard.
🐕 He enjoys walks around the neighborhood.
☀️ He takes his sunbathing duties VERY seriously.
💕 And he loves a good cuddle!

We are so grateful to his foster family for welcoming Domino into their home and giving him this much-needed break. They gave him time to settle in, enjoy home life, and show us even more of the wonderful dog we already knew and loved. Thank you for loving our boy! 💛🏡

Now it’s time to find the right home where Dom can keep enjoying sunny spots, neighborhood adventures, and couch cuddles with people who adore him as much as we do! 🛋️☀️🐾

💌 Domino is available for adoption through A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter. If he sounds like your kind of companion, reach out to learn more about making him part of your family! 🖤🤍

10/12/2026

🎃🐾 You’re invited to a little Howl-o-ween fun at Do Better Training!

Join us Sunday, October 25, from 12–2 PM for a casual Halloween hangout! Swing by for a visit, stay and enjoy the activities, or just pop in for a treat and a photo. 👻📸

We’ll have a pumpkin patch photo booth, spooky pup cups, bobbing for apples, and paw print keepsakes! Costumes are welcome if your dog enjoys dressing up, but absolutely optional. 🧡

You can also enter to win a dog-friendly boo basket and a free night of boarding! Each entry is a $10 donation, with 100% of proceeds going to Aurora Animal Care & Control. 🐶💚

We’d love to see you and your furry friends for a little spooky-season fun!

10/09/2026

🐾 We’re so excited to welcome A Sound Beginning to Do Better Training! They’ll be teaching classes in our space, and we can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new friends. 💙

It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow with your dog alongside A Sound Beginning’s patient, empathetic trainers—and a portion of the proceeds goes right back to helping shelter dogs! 🐶

Time with your dog, compassionate guidance, and a chance to give back to dogs in need? What a deal! 🎉 Check out their post below for details!

🎉🐾 EXCITING NEWS! WE'RE GROWING! 🐾🎉

More locations, more class options, and more opportunities to make a difference in the lives of dogs and the people who love them! ❤️

We are thrilled to announce that A Sound Beginning Program is expanding to TWO additional training locations!

📍 GENEVA – Starfish Animal Rescue (Our current location!)

📍 ST. CHARLES – Do Better Training Located in the Pet Resort at Loyal Companions Vet Clinic

📍 WHEATON – DuPage County Animal Services in the Community Room

With three convenient locations, we're making it easier for more families to access our positive reinforcement, relationship-based training programs.

But this expansion is about so much more than convenience! ❤️

Rescue and shelter dogs have always been at the heart of our mission. By expanding our reach and offerings, we can help even more dogs successfully transition into their new homes, build confidence, develop important life skills, and create lasting bonds with their families.

Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, navigating adolescence, or simply looking for a fun way to strengthen your relationship with your canine companion, we're here to support you!

We're incredibly excited for this next chapter and grateful to our wonderful community partners for helping us continue our mission of keeping dogs in loving homes through education, compassion, and science-based training.

Check out our classes and find the location that works best for you!

Class Descriptions: https://www.asoundbeginningprogram.com/our-classes
Current Class Schedule: https://www.asoundbeginningprogram.com/class-schedule
Class Location Maps: https://www.asoundbeginningprogram.com/location

10/09/2026

🎉 A BIG happy birthday to Rick! 🎂🐾

Our playgroup leader, champion ball thrower, and the guy the dogs seek out when they’re ready for some FUN! Rick brings so much joy to our dogs’ days and supports our team in countless ways. We love and appreciate him more than we can say. 💙

And did you know Rick had never been a dog guardian before he met Andy? Now he’s adored by a whole fur family—and dreams of helping even more dogs through rescue and his business, Big Bear Glasses. We’d say the dogs made quite an impression! 🐶🕶️

Happy birthday, Rick! You’re so loved by your people and your very enthusiastic, ball-chasing fan club. 🎾🥳

10/07/2026

Great shades. A big dream. And a whole lot of dogs we hope to help. 🕶️🐾💛

You know Rick as Andy’s husband and part of the Do Better Training crew—but he’s also the person behind Big Bear Glasses!

Big Bear makes comfortable, durable sunglasses for everyday adventures, with flexible acetate frames, polarized lenses, UV400 protection, and a lifetime warranty. Whether you’re hiking, walking dogs, or heading out for a weekend adventure, these shades are ready to come along. 🌿☀️

Behind the business is a dream Andy and Rick share: creating a rescue funded in part by Big Bear.

Their vision includes dogs of all kinds, with a special focus on herding breeds and dogs who struggle in traditional shelter environments. Dogs who need more time, a different setting, or individualized support to show who they are and find a home where they can thrive. 🏡🐶

They want to bring together compassionate care, enrichment, behavior support, and thoughtful adoption matches—with continued support for families as they build their lives together.

To make that possible, Big Bear needs to grow. When you buy a pair, you’re supporting a small business that Andy and Rick are working to turn into a lasting source of funding for that dream. Every order helps move it forward. 💛

🎁 Getting a head start on your holiday shopping? Big Bear sunglasses make a thoughtful gift for the outdoor adventurers and dog lovers on your list. A pair for yourself counts, too. 😉

🛍️ Find your next favorite shades at bigbearsunglasses.com

And if you love the dream, please share this post! Helping more people discover Big Bear is another way to help us build what comes next.

Look cool. Dream big. Help dogs. 🕶️🐾

10/05/2026

A little extra support can make a big difference in life with your dog. 🐾💛

Whether you’re navigating puppyhood, surviving the teenage phase, working on everyday manners, or helping your dog build confidence, our board-and-train programs at Do Better Training offer dedicated time, thoughtful training, and individualized care. 🎓🐶

We get to know your dog—their strengths, challenges, preferences, and pace—and work with you to choose a package that supports your goals. From more enjoyable walks and better focus to settling skills and cooperative care, we help build skills that matter in your everyday life together.

Our compassionate, reward-based approach supports learning while respecting your dog’s comfort and emotional well-being. And between training sessions, there’s plenty of time for enrichment, connection, play, and rest. 🌿✨

You’re part of the process, too! We provide guidance to help you bring those skills home and continue making progress together.

Ready to take the next step? 📩 Email us at [email protected] with a little about your dog and what you’d like help with. We’re happy to talk through our board-and-train options and find the right fit!

📍 Do Better Training | St. Charles, IL

When we know better, we do better. 💛

09/28/2026

Some families take their dogs hiking. Andy and Rick packed up the ponies. 🥾🐴

Rio has been on hikes before, but this was Sparrow’s first! They walked together, paused to investigate interesting things, and let the ponies take in a new place at their own pace. Everyone had a great time. 🌿

Andy loves outings like this because the time together *is* the point. She got to see what caught Sparrow’s attention, where she felt confident, and when she needed a moment. Rio got another adventure with his people.

It’s the same approach we bring to training dogs at Do Better Training. When we pay attention to what an animal enjoys and give them room to make choices, we learn more about them—and build a stronger relationship along the way. 💚

We think Sparrow may be ready to join the family hiking club. 🥾

09/25/2026

A little pony story with a lesson for all of our animal-loving friends. 🐴💛

Dr. Andy’s ponies, Sparrow and Rio, had a visit yesterday from Dr. Brittany at Fox Valley Equine. Sparrow is working through some fear and sensitivity around handling, especially medical care, so Dr. Brittany took time to help her feel comfortable.

She spent some quiet, positive time with Sparrow, offering treats and letting her get to know her. As a Fear Free Certified Professional, Dr. Brittany understands that these moments matter. Building trust during the easier parts of a visit can help an animal feel safer when care gets more challenging.

Apparently, it looked pretty good from Rio’s perspective, too. He snuck in for a lick while Sparrow was getting Dr. Brittany’s attention. 😂

Whether we’re working with ponies, dogs, or cats, the idea is the same: notice how they’re feeling, give them time, and let trust grow one good experience at a time. 🧡

09/24/2026

Domino has discovered the joys of foster home life, and he is **kicking butt** at it! 🥹🐾

He’s snuggling up with his people, lounging on couches and beds, and—as you can see—making excellent use of a cozy blanket. He’s also resting quietly in his crate, showing off a solid place behavior, and doing great with his canine foster brother, Bruce. We’re so proud of how far this sweet boy has come. 💙

Now Domino needs the one thing his foster home can’t give him: a forever home of his own. He’s still available for adoption through **ADOPT Pet Shelter**. Visit their website to learn more about him and fill out an adoption application.

Can’t adopt right now? Please share Domino’s post. The right person might be one share away, and this bestest boy deserves to find them. 🏡✨