The dog trainer with dreads

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Ballarat, VIC
The dog trainer with dreads

Hi, I’m Grace! A qualified NDTF dog trainer in Ballarat & surrounds. I help with everything from, pet dog and puppy basics to reactivity & aggression.

DM or email to chat about your dog 🐾

26/08/2026

These quiet lounge room shaping sessions are some of my favourite sessions. ❤️

Minimal words, no timeframe, just small steps.

This is something Kira and I have been working on for a while, building it up in tiny increments, and we’re finally having some real success.

Proof you can teach an old dog new tricks 😂🐾

Shaping is honestly one of my favourite ways to teach tricks like this. Instead of expecting the finished behaviour straight away, we reward each little bit of progress until, eventually, those tiny pieces come together to create the whole picture.

And watching Kira figure it out herself is the best part. 🥰

23/08/2026

Happy 7th Birthday to old man Richard 🥹

18/08/2026

Meet Fred! 🐾💛

Fred is the cutest, happiest little cattle dog, and I absolutely loved working with him!

Fred’s owner reached out for some help with his reactivity, with a move to the city coming up soon. So, helping Fred feel more comfortable around his triggers was a big priority!

During our initial assessment, we noticed that Fred’s reactivity was quite inconsistent. Rather than simply jumping straight into training, we had a good chat about the bigger picture, including some food sensitivities Fred had been experiencing and some days where he was reluctant to play.

As part of Fred’s training plan, I recommended getting a few things checked out physically as well. Fred went along to Ballarat animal rehabilitation centre for an assessment, where they noticed some stiffness through his backend. This could potentially be contributing to some of the inconsistencies we were seeing in his behaviour.

We also got some great help from The Pet Food Shop Ballarat with looking into Fred’s food sensitivities and finding some options that worked better for him.

It’s a great reminder that behaviour doesn’t always happen in isolation. Sometimes, looking at the whole dog, including their physical health and nutrition, can give us some really valuable pieces of the puzzle. 🧩

Fred is such a fun little dog, and his owner has been incredibly dedicated to helping him. He made some HUGE progress throughout our sessions, and it was so lovely to watch his confidence grow. 🥰

Go Fred! ❤️

14/07/2026

Meet Nuka! Swipe to see those ears 🙈

Nuka is such a fun, clever little lady! Her owners reached out for some help with loose lead walking, but throughout our sessions we also worked on stays and, my favourite... play!

Play is such an important part of owning a dog, and I love incorporating obedience into it. Structured play isn't just about having fun—it helps build your relationship, teaches impulse control, and provides an outlet for your dog's natural drives.

The best part? Your dog gets to learn while thinking they're just playing... and you'll both have a great time doing it! 🐾

02/07/2026

Meet Ludo! 🐾

Ludo's owner reached out for some puppy raising support to help build strong foundations and set him up for success at home.

Puppyhood is the perfect time to focus on life skills, so during our sessions we worked on crate training, learning to settle, appropriate play, following a food lure, introducing basic obedience, and confidently using his doggy door.

These everyday skills help puppies develop confidence, independence, and good habits that make life easier for both dogs and their owners as they grow.

Ludo is such a fun little guy with a huge personality, and it was so rewarding to help him and his owner build these important foundations together. I'm excited to see him continue to thrive! 💛🐶

17/06/2026

Meet Buddy! 🐾

Buddy has only been in his new home for three weeks, and it's safe to say his family is already completely in love with him—I can definitely see why!

When bringing a new dog home, the first few weeks are all about building trust, creating clear communication, and setting consistent expectations. During our session, we focused on establishing house rules and boundaries, using play to strengthen our relationship, and improving communication so Buddy and his family can better understand each other.

Starting with strong foundations helps dogs settle into their new environment with confidence and gives their owners the tools to support them every step of the way.

Buddy is such a fun, enthusiastic guy, and I'm so excited to watch him continue to settle into his new home and see the bond with his family grow. 💛

19/05/2026

Every bin night is an opportunity to test our boundaries 👀🗑️

Kira isn’t allowed out this gate, even when it’s open. Not because she can’t follow me, but because understanding boundaries keeps dogs safe and builds clarity in everyday life.

I’m pushing her a little here too. I stopped to film, you can see her creep forward, but she still stops herself instead of fully committing through the gate.

Training isn’t always flashy. Sometimes it looks like calmly waiting while I take the bins out 😅🐾

The goal is reliability, not just obedience.

06/05/2026

Multi dog households aren’t about doing everything together.
They’re about building confidence in each individual dog.
Separate training. Separate outlets. Separate experiences.
Not because they don’t enjoy each other… but because they shouldn’t rely on each other.
Different dogs. Different needs. Same home.

14/04/2026

Kira, my soul dog, turned 9 🤍

Dog birthdays might seem silly to some, but ever since I was little with my Jack Russells, they’ve always meant something to me.
As Kira and I grow older together, I’m leaning into them even more. Slowing down, being present, and really taking it all in.
It’s hard to believe she’s getting older, and if I’m honest, that thought sits heavy sometimes. But my goal is simple, to give her the happiest, most fulfilling life I possibly can. No regrets.

Each birthday is a reminder to pause, reflect, and be grateful for the life we’ve built together.

This dog has taught me more than I could ever put into words, and I’ll be forever grateful for her 🤍
Next year… double digits. And my promise to her (and to myself) is to be present for every moment.
If you’re on that journey with your own dog, I’d love to support you along the way 🤍

Address

Ballarat, VIC
3350

Website

https://instagram.com/thedogtrainer_with_dreads?utm_medium=copy_link

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