Meet Jo Beth Lafleur | Owner and Head Trainer, The Good Dog Academy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jo Beth Lafleur and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jo Beth, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of The Good Dog Academy was having strong core values and adhering to them in every facet of the company. A key value of ours is being impactful. We want to have a positive impact on our community so that we can improve the lives of dogs and the families that love them. Another value that we firmly believe in is being distinctive. We strive to stand out from other companies by always providing excellent care with the most up-to-date techniques that strengthen the bond between dogs and pet parents through positive and compassionate training. Upholding these values has given us a clear vision that guided us to where we are today and will continue to guide us as we strive to grow and have an even greater impact on the community in the future.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At The Good Dog Academy, we specialize in transforming the relationship between dogs and their owners by fostering a deep emotional connection and promoting a healthy lifestyle that supports both physical and mental well-being.

What sets us apart is our commitment to positive reinforcement and a philosophy we call offered engagement. This creates a true partnership built on trust and mutual respect, one where your dog actively seeks interaction with you.

We’re especially proud of our Day School program, a full-day enrichment experience that goes far beyond the traditional daycare model. While many facilities simply put dogs in a room together and hope for the best, we’ve designed a stress-free environment that meets each dog’s mental, physical, and social needs in a thoughtful, intentional way. It’s an approach we believe is leading the industry and redefining what dog socialization and enrichment can look like.

Getting where I am today meant a lot of personal sacrifice in pursuit of something more. I knew it would take a lot to get this company off the ground, and it still ended up being more than I realized. But I also knew exactly what I wanted to create, and I was relentless in building something great while making sure it always aligned with my values. That often meant having to resist the temptation of taking the easy way out.

I’ve learned so many lessons along the way. One is that the company can easily consume you if you let it, and I’ve had to learn the how important it is to set aside time for family and rest. The other lesson is to hold tight to your values. Every time I’ve strayed from them, even just a little, I’ve ended up regretting it.

When people think of my brand, I want them to think integrity and excellence. I want them to feel proud to say their dog goes to The Good Dog Academy. Creating this company has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and to be known as the best is my ultimate goal.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Taking a tour of downtown Parker is one of our favorite activities. We love checking out the shops and grabbing dinner at Black n Haus and then walking next door to grab a sweet treat at Kilwin’s. We enjoy going on all of the nature trails with our dogs and enjoying time outside. In Denver, we enjoy going to the 16th St. mall and walking around.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and most importantly, I want to thank my wife Caitie Lafleur, for her unwavering support and belief in me and my vision. She has been my rock through all of the ups and downs of starting a business and I could not have done this without her.
Second, I want to thank my parents, Kristin and Andy Plauche, for helping me learn how to create a successful business, how to be a great leader to my team, and how to continue to grow and work on myself so that I can continue to be the best version of myself for my family and the company.

Website: https://thegooddogacademy.com

Instagram: /thegooddogacademyllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegooddogacademy

Image Credits
Angelique Alcaraz Photography