Tess Erngren

Background

• Certified Dog Instructor, Animal Behaviorist, Dog Philosopher, and TAGteacher
• Master’s Degree in Environmental Psychology
• Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology
• Founder of GoodDog, Oslo (est. 2006) – a pioneering force in reward-based training, dedicated to strengthening the bond between dogs and their caretakers through science-based, ethical methods.

Tess is originally from Sweden and has dedicated her life to working with both people and animals. After years of international experience, she founded GoodDog in Oslo, focusing on strengthening the bond between dogs and their caretakers. Her deep interest in canine communication began while socializing wolves, where she developed a profound understanding of their intricate social structures. This knowledge has been invaluable in working with shelter dogs and complex behavioral cases, helping dogs in need find safety and trust.

With a Master’s degree in Environmental Psychology and certification as a TAGteacher, Tess also specializes in helping people—particularly in wilderness therapy, fear of dogs, and social anxiety. Her expertise bridges the gap between human and animal behavior, naturally leading her to work in Animal-Assisted Interventions.

Tess shares her life with her two beloved dogs: rehomed Alaskan Malamute Bubba Erngren and Siberian Husky Lilith Erngren. They are her constant companions, whether traveling across Europe in winter or exploring the high mountains on skis, their absolute favorite adventure.

As the founder of GoodDog, Tess is dedicated to advancing the understanding of behaviour, her work spans three key areas:
GoodDog Academy – Educating dog instructors and behaviorists through comprehensive, science-based training.
GoodDog Therapy – Training therapy dog handlers and coaching professionals who work with dogs in therapeutic settings.
GoodDog Lectures – Traveling across Europe to teach behaviour modification for all species—both human and non-human.

Tess’s guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: «Behaviour is everything, and everything is behaviour.»

Education, lectures and research:

2025
Seminar: Healing together – R+ Guardians
Seminar: Understanding Pain in Dogs – R+ Guardians
Research: Can Animal Assisted Interventions and TAGteach help young adults with social anxiety? – Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge/Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
Education: Djupdykning i vargens genetik – Linnea Smeds, Uppsala Universitet
Lecture: Why is Change so Hard? – Dog People Evolution, Stockholm
Volunteer: Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD Shelter), Norway

2024
Ongoing education: Masters Program: Environmental Psychology – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
Education: Evolution and Ecology – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
Education: Development Psychology – Kristianstad Universitet
Volunteer: Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD Shelter), Norway
Poster Presentation: Can Animal Assisted Interventions and TAGteach help young adults with social anxiety? – Norsk Atferdsanalytisk Forening
Education: Philosophy B – Umeå Universitet
Founder: Norske Terapihundskolen – Nordic Schools of Therapy Dogs

2023
Ongoing education: Masters Program: Environmental Psychology – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
Education: Philosophy A – Umeå Universitet
Conference: Animals Ethics – Veterinærinstituttet, Norge.
Education: Evolution and Human Behaviour – Universitetet i Skövde
Volunteer: Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD Shelter), Norway

2022
Conference: Nordic ABC, Hundevennelig Verden, Iceland
Ongoing education: Masters Program: Environmental Psychology – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
Seminar: Constructional Approach for Animal Trainers – Canis Clickertraining Academy
Directorship: PROhund – Profesjonelles Organisasjon for Hund
Presenter: «Choice & Control in Animal Assisted Interventions» – IAHAIO
Volunteer: Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD Shelter), Norway

2021
Award: 2021 Change Makers Medal of Honor
Seminar: Cooperative Care Conference 2021 – Zoospencefull
Lecture: «Choice & Control in Animal Assisted Interventions» – IAHAIO
Diploma: Psychotherapy Dog Handler (AAP) – Animal Assisted Therapy Programs, USA
Diploma: Therapy Dog Team (AAT) – Svenska Terapihundskolan, Sweden
Seminar: Geek Week – The Pet Professional Guild
Seminar: Conference on Animal Rights in Europe –  CARE 2021
Seminar: The Convergence of Animal & Human Training and Technology – ChattCON 2021
Founder: PROhund – Profesjonelles Organisasjon for Hund, Norway
Certification: Fear Free Certified Shelter Staff – Dr. Marty Becker
Volunteer: Medarbeider SnakkLitt – HelseSista & Kirkens SOS, Norway
Certification: TAGteach Level 3 – TAGteach International
Diploma: Dog Philosopher Advanced – K.Malm, Sweden
Directorship: Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD Shelter), Norway
Lecture: «TAGteach as a tool in exposure therapy» – Norsk Atferdsanalytisk Forening (NAFO), Norway

2020
Certification: TAGteach Level 2 – TAGteach International
Diploma: Dog Philosopher – K.Malm, Sweden
Volunteer: Medarbeider SnakkLitt – HelseSista & KirkensSOS
Conference: Nordic Animal Behaviour Conference – Hundevennlig Verden
Seminar: Nature & Health Online Symposium – AABAT Inc. Australia
Directorship: Styreleder Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD)

2019
Lecture: «TAGteach as a tool in exposure therapy» – TAGteach International, Schweiz
Directorship: Styreleder Foreningen for Omplassering av Dyr (FOD)
Course: Trygg og sikker i fjellet, fordypning i kart og kompass – DNT, Norway
Course: Førstehjelpskurs i fjellmedisin – DNT, Norway
Course: Hundemassasje – Nordisk Hundemassasjeskole, Norway
Diploma: Barnhunt trainer- Anita Holm, Norway
Lecture: «TAGteach as a tool in exposure therapy» – Choice Control Communication 2019, Sverige
Conference: WOOF! – Domesticated Manners, Nottingham