Human Training. For Dogs.
Specializing in Fear Aggression and Reactive Behaviors
Force Free Training for a More Confident Canine
Helping Dogs with People Problems Since 1999
Training Services
Behavior Help
Remedy behaviors that make your life stressful. Resolve leash reactivity, barking, pulling and more, with a clear plan you can follow.
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Private Instruction
One-on-one positive reinforcement training tailored to your dog, your goals and your life.
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Pet Evaluation
Get an assessment with clear recommendations for next steps and training priorities.
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Everyone in the family is invited to participate!
Behind Good Dogma
“Training dogs by training people”
AKC Certified Evaluator: Canine Good Citizen, Trick, Urban and Community testing
Member International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
Meet Lisa
Founder | Lead Trainer
I began my canine career as a Veterinary Technician, getting a part time job at a busy vet clinic. Starting as a kennel worker and in time assisting doctors with treatment.
Relocating to Texas, working as a veterinary technician, I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a dog trainer. Yes! I jumped at the opportunity to learn about the dog’s mind and help people understand their canines. I devoured almost every book on dog training, behavior and dog psychology I could find. In 1996, I launched Good Dogma Obedience Training
Back in San Luis Obispo, I attended Cal Poly, earning a BA degree. My senior thesis was, “Canine Development and Communication”.
My background and experience with animals includes:
Mentor training for Animal Behavior College
Volunteer work with Horseback Riding for the Handicapped and Partners in Equestrian Therapy
Volunteer work at the Gibbon Research Center in Valencia
Founding member and trainer for the Heeling Touch dog training program at San Luis Obispo Juvenile Services
First trainer at CMC for “Paws for Life”, the first dog training program at the California Men’s Colony in SLO
Monthly contributing writer on dog behavior/training for The Estero Bay News
Volunteer with Novy’s Ark, helping adopters connect with and train their newly rescued dog
Vicki Ramos has lived on the Central Coast of California since 1989. She has been passionate about dogs her entire life (since the age of 2!) and has raised many wonderful pets over the years. After graduating in 2009 from the Animal Behavior College as a certified trainer, she became the co-trainer at Good Dogma.
Vicki retired as a consultant in the community banking industry and now devotes her time to training people and their dogs. She spent 15 years supporting Woods Humane Society as a “master” volunteer, working with dogs to enhance their chance of adoption into good homes. Vicki also volunteered at community outreach events to help raise awareness about the shelter and their adoption program.
She lives in the quaint Village of Arroyo Grande and enjoys gardening and agility classes with her dogs, Zoey and Sophie.
Meet Vicki
Trainer
25+ years trusted experience • Force-free training • Serving South, Coastal, and Central San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara County
What People Are Saying
“Lisa was amazing with our puppy Bella! She came to our home and helped my family (including my two young daughters) and I all work with Bella. Lisa really knew how to help train us to train Bella We are very grateful and I highly recommend Lisa and her services!”
- Carin V.
“We had such a great first experience with GoodDogma!
Our newly rescued Malinois is nervous around new situations as she spent the beginning of her life at the shelter kennel bound…”
- Jodi M.
“Lisa is so knowledgeable and worked great with us and our dog. She provided great insight into the behaviors we have been seeing and we’ve seen such positive changes with the strategies she gave us after just 2 sessions. I’d highly recommend her to anyone looking for assistance with dog training!”
- Caitlin Richardson
“Remi and I appreciated the instruction we received! We are applying what we learned every day.
Thank you! Your knowledge of how a dog thinks was very eye-opening.”- Connie McLean
“I have been to classes with my rescue, Jack and he has been so responsive to the training that I've received.
Jack an I had private lessons for basic commands and it's so worth it. 2024 will be the year for my dog Jack and me to work together so we can be out and around other dogs.”- Babs Aquino
Service Area
Good Dogma is based in Santa Maria. We serve clients across North Santa Barbara county and South/Central/Coastal San Luis Obispo County, including coastal cities; Grover Beach to Cambria.
Not sure if you’re in range? Call or text to confirm quickly.
