HOW LONG DOES A TRAINING SESSION TAKE?

​

​

Your first session usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, although sometimes it can take longer.

​

I don't put a strict time limit on my first session. I like to stay until I've worked through everything I can see, shown you what you need to do and answered all your questions.

​

Every dog and every family is different. Some sessions naturally take longer than others, and I don't want to finish simply because we've reached a particular time on the clock.

​

My aim is that by the time I leave, you understand what's been happening, you've seen the changes in your dog for yourself, and you feel confident about what to do next.

​

For most of my clients, this one comprehensive session is all they need.

​

​

HOW MUCH DOES DOG TRAINING COST?

​

A private in-home training session is $320 for one dog and $350 for two dogs.

 

The first session usually takes 2 to 3 hours and sometimes longer.

 

There is no additional charge if the session runs over time.

​

Your session also includes ongoing phone and message support afterwards if you need help or have questions.

​

A travel fee may apply if you live further away. I'll always let you know beforehand if this applies to your booking.

​

​

DO YOU COME TO MY HOME?

​

Yes.

​

I believe your home is the best place to begin because that's where most everyday behaviour problems occur.

​

Seeing your dog in its own environment allows me to see the relationship between you and your dog and understand what's actually happening in everyday life.

​

It also means the training can be completely personalised to you, your dog and the particular problems you're experiencing.

​

​

WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?

​

I provide in-home dog training throughout Moonee Valley, Essendon and surrounding areas of Melbourne.

​

If you're unsure whether I travel to your suburb, please contact me.

​

​

WHAT SORT OF PROBLEMS DO YOU HELP WITH?

​

I commonly help owners with:

​

• jumping up

• pulling on the lead

• barking at the front door or windows

• demanding or clingy behaviour

• separation problems

• poor boundaries in the home

• dogs that simply feel out of control

 

Often many of these behaviours occur together.

​

Rather than treating each behaviour as a completely separate problem, I look at the relationship between the dog and owner and the patterns that may be contributing to them.

​

​

DO YOU USE TREATS?

​

Very little.

​

I mainly use treats with puppies, when teaching recall and when first teaching a dog to follow me and walk nicely on the lead.

​

My training isn't based around constantly rewarding a dog with food.

 

My approach is primarily about clear communication, body language, boundaries and leadership.

​

I want your dog to listen to you because it understands what you're asking, rather than simply because you're holding a treat.

​

​

DO YOU WORK WITH PUPPIES?

​

Yes.

​

Puppy training is about much more than sit, stay and come.

​

I help owners establish good habits and boundaries from the beginning, including toileting issues, personal space, biting, jumping, the couch, food, the front door and walking on the lead.

​

Starting early can prevent many common behaviour problems from developing later.

​​

​

DO YOU WORK WITH POODLES, CAVOODLES AND OODLES?

​​​

Yes — these are some of the dogs I particularly enjoy working with.

​

I've owned Poodles and Poodle crosses for more than 30 years and understand their intelligence, sensitivity and sometimes very determined personalities.

​

I have a separate page explaining my approach to training Poodles, Cavoodles, Groodles and other Oodle breeds.

​

​

DO YOU WORK WITH AGGRESSIVE DOGS?

​

I assess enquiries individually.

​

I don't take on dogs where I believe there is a significant safety risk or where the dog's size, strength or level of aggression makes the case unsuitable for the type of in-home training I provide.

​

If I don't believe I'm the right trainer for your dog, I'll tell you.

​

​

WILL ONE SESSION BE ENOUGH?

​

For most of my clients, one session is all they need.

​

My first session is deliberately comprehensive. I want enough time to understand what's happening, work through the problems with you, show you the changes in your dog and make sure you know exactly what to do once I leave.

​

Very few of my clients need to book a second session because I try to cover as much as possible during our first session and give you the understanding and practical tools to continue successfully on your own.

​

Of course, I'm always happy to come back if you'd like some additional help, want to work on something new, or simply feel that another session would be useful.

​

I also provide ongoing phone, message or email support after your session, so you can contact me if you have questions.

​

​

WILL MY DOG CHANGE STRAIGHT AWAY?

​

Owners often notice significant changes during the first session.

​

That's one of the reasons I like working with owners and dogs in their own homes. I can see what's actually happening, make changes with you and show you the difference as we go.

​

What happens afterwards is important too. Dogs learn from consistency, so the more consistent you can be the more successful the training will be.

​​​

​

WHAT MAKES YOUR APPROACH DIFFERENT?

​

My approach is simple, practical and very personalised.

​

I don't begin by concentrating on obedience exercises or trying to correct each unwanted behaviour separately. I look first at the foundation — the relationship between you and your dog.

​

When that relationship changes, I often see significant changes in behaviour very quickly, frequently during the first session.

​

Many problems that appear to be completely separate — jumping, barking, pulling, demanding attention, refusing to move or simply not listening — can actually be connected.

 

Rather than giving you a different technique for every problem, I teach you a small number of clear principles that are easy for both you and your dog to understand.

​

People sometimes tell me before I arrive that they're worried the training will be complicated or that they won't have enough time to keep it up. Afterwards, I'm often told how surprised they are by how simple the approach is and how little extra time it takes.

​

That's because most of the training isn't about setting aside hours to practise exercises. It's about changing the way you respond to your dog during ordinary everyday life.

​

My training is also carried out in your own home. This is important because I want to see what is really happening between you and your dog in everyday life. I listen to all the problems you're experiencing, watch how your dog interacts with you and tailor the session specifically to you, your dog and your household.

​

I regularly work with owners who have already tried obedience training, other trainers or different methods but still haven't achieved the changes they were hoping for.

​

Often, once we address the underlying relationship rather than concentrating only on the individual behaviours, things begin to change very quickly.

​

My aim is to make dog training understandable. I want you to know why your dog is behaving the way it is, what needs to change and how to achieve it.

​

The principles are simple, but they can produce very significant changes.

​

​

HOW DO I BOOK?

​

The easiest way to contact me is by phone, message or email.

​

Tell me a little about your dog, including its breed, age, where you live and the problems you're experiencing.

​

I can then let you know whether I think I'm the right trainer to help.