Unleashing potential, one pup at a time! Qualified Science-based dog trainer. Let's have some fun!🐾
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💫 Teen Dog Etiquette! 💫
Let's nip those pesky teenage behaviours and get you on the way to living the lives you actually want with your puppy.
A 6 week course, focusing on advancing core skills, socialising & polite greetings, and life skills, so your dog will behave anywhere you go.
Limited spaces.
DM to sign up.
💫 The ultimate puppy school program! 💫
Giving you all the tools to raise a well adjusted puppy who you can take anywhere.
Puppies 8 weeks to 6 months welcome.
Sign up via the link in bio or send me a DM for more details 🩷
Feeling guilty about skipping your dogs walk in the cold weather?
Here's some alternative to walking that are great for your dog, and even provide more enrichment than your average walk does!
Share in the comments if you have other ideas to help out other dog parents 🩷
Did you know that using positive reinforcement to train your dog not only strengthens your bond but also yields better results?
Reward-based training methods are scientifically proven to be more effective and humane.
Instead of instilling fear and anxiety through punishment, why not build trust and confidence with treats, praise, and play?
What's your take? Is there ever a place for punishment in dog training, or should we fully embrace the power of positivity? 🐶✨
While every dog is different and every household has different goals, giving your dog the best life should always be one of your priorities.
To do this we need a rough guide on how much time we should be spending with them, and what we should be doing with that time.
So how can you provide your dog with the best?
I like to break my time down to 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 minute blocks.
💫 10 minutes of training per day
Structured training session, with rewards. This session should be used to reinforce important skills and to learn new ones. You can also split this session up over the day if that suits your lifestyle. eg; 2 minutes in the morning, 3 minutes at lunch etc.
💫 20 minutes of enrichment per day
Enrichment can look like changing up your feeding routine, adding in toys and challenges, it can also look like a sniffari in a new place, scent work, games for your specific breed.
💫 30 minutes of cuddle time per day
This is your time to build a great bond. One on one time spent doing something that you both love. There should be no expectations, and try to keep it phone free, so you can focus solely on them. Cuddles on the couch, grooming, wrestling, playing chasey are some great ideas.
💫 40 minutes of exercise per day
Getting outside for some fresh air, sunshine and stretching those legs is so important. Whether it's a walk, sniffari, swim or game of chase, exercise should be included into your every day routine. Don't forget to add in some structure and training to these sessions.
You know what's great about this though?
You can mix and match.
If you want to spend more time training, and less time exercising today, then do that! It's meant to be flexible so that you can both get the most out of life together.
Tell me in the comments what's something you and your dog love doing together 🩷
💫 New Course 💫
Puppy Prodigy!
The ULTIMATE Puppy School program!
This 8 week course is perfect for the dedicated puppy parent, helping you raise a healthy, happy and well behaved puppy.
Focusing on building core skills, socialising and polite greetings, preventing and managing puppy behaviour issues, life skills, so you and your puppy can go anywhere, and more!
Limited spaces.
DM to sign up.
Foods that can be harmful to dogs that are often around during easter 🐰
🍫 Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Easter chocolates such as chocolate bunnies, eggs, and candies pose a significant risk if consumed by dogs.
🍭 Xylitol: This artificial sweetener is often found in sugar-free candies, gums, and baked goods. Xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, and liver failure.
🍇 Grapes and raisins: While not typically associated with Easter, some fruitcakes and desserts may contain grapes or raisins. These can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts.
🥜 Macadamia nuts: Macadamia nuts are commonly found in baked goods and candies. They can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.
🍷 Alcohol: Some desserts or treats may contain alcohol, which is toxic to dogs and can lead to intoxication, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death.
🧅 Onions and garlic: These ingredients are often present in savory dishes and can cause damage to a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia.
🦴 Bones: While bones are often given to dogs as treats, cooked bones, especially those from poultry, can splinter and cause choking, blockages, or perforations of the digestive tract.
If you're concerned your dog may have eaten any of these, call your Vet immediately.
The teenage stage SUCKS!
And you are not alone.
It's weird how we go through the puppy blues and puppy challenges and believe that once we get through that stage we'll have this perfectly trained dog, who will fit perfectly into our lives.
And what really happens is we put in all this work with them while they are a puppy, only for them to hit teenage age and they behave like we've never done a days work training them.
They start to ignore you, don't return when you call them, jump and pull on lead, sometimes we start seeing the start of reactive behaviour and they are just chaotic.
But I want you to know that you haven't failed.
This stage is completely normal.
And we all go through it.
Your dog isn't a "bad" dog.
They are a normal teenage dog, presenting normal teenage behaviour.
But it doesn't have to be quite that hard. Understanding your teen dogs behaviour, what training to do to suit their current developing brain, how to set up day to day management to successfully get through this time, will all help you to enjoy this stage.
If that sounds like what you need, then my Teen Dog Etiquette course is the perfect place for you and your dog.
DM me for when our next course begins and let me help you through this challenging stage. xx
💫 NEW COURSE 💫
Teen Dog Etiquette!
Let's nip those pesky teenage behaviours and get you on the way to living the lives you actually want with your puppy.
An 8 week course, with weeks 6, 7 & 8 out in real life locations!
Focusing on advancing core skills, socialising & polite greetings, and life skills, so your dog will behave anywhere you go.
Limited spaces.
DM to sign up.
✨️ March Courses! ✨️
Puppy Pre School for pups 8 weeks to 6 months old.
Building all your foundational skills, socialisation and play.
Basic Manners for dogs 6 months plus.
Foundations for dogs of all ages.
Calm Canines for dogs of all ages.
Ideal for teenage dogs and for dogs with hyper excitement, reactivity and those who generally struggle to be calm when out in public.
Force free training methods. Fun, no judgement classes.
Let us help you to have the dog of your dreams.
Book in via link in bio
Your puppies prime socialisation period (the time their brain is the spongiest & absorbing lots) is between 3 weeks of age and 16 weeks of age.
You want to be utilising this time to it's max capacity in order to help your puppy grow into a well socialised, happy, confident dog.
This is why we take puppies from 8 weeks of age, with their first vaccine into our puppy pre school classes.
Our classes are designed to make the most of this key learning stage so that you can set up your puppy for the greatest success in life.
Want to join us? DM for how we can help you.
January Puppy Pre School graduates 🎓 🎉
First course for 2024 and these pups and their parents smashed it! Everyone worked so hard and had such great progress! 💗
Pups in no particular order: Leo, Ruby, Lady, Luna, Lily, Percy, Winston, Bailey.
Missing Lolly.
Welcoming a new puppy to your home? Our February courses are open for bookings.
☀️ Saturday 3rd at 8:00am
☀️ Tuesday 13th at 6:30pm
Use the link in bio to sign up 🫶🏻
💫 Upcoming Courses 💫
Come train with me!
TRISTEN'S PUPPY GYM is on the hunt for a new member to join our team!
If you've ever wanted to work in a Doggy Daycare & Training Centre and you've got management and/or dog industry experience, please get in touch.
This role has flexible hours for the right candidate, with full time or part time hours. Includes some office hours which can be done from home.
We pride ourselves on creating an amazing work/life balance and a friendly, fun work place.
We offer our amazing team:
💫 Weekends off
💫 2 weeks off over Christmas, New years
💫 Public holidays off
💫Team mentality
💫 Amazing clients!
💫 Huge discounts and FREE services
We are looking for someone with these qualities:
💫 Good with time management
💫 Accountable
💫 Professional
💫 Loves people & dogs
💫 Hard working
💫 Reliable
💫 Honest
If you are ready to join the doggy daycare industry, please send us a DM, or apply using the link in our bio.
Here are some things to consider when planning out your dog training sessions:
✨️ What are your goals & standards
✨️ How old your dog is
✨️ What else you do with your dog
✨️Where you can fit training into everyday activities (eg; while boiling the kettle)
Training is a lifelong activity you should be doing with your dog, but you can incorporate it into everything you do with them making it fun and easy to fit into your life.
Ideally training sessions should run for anywhere between 1 - 20 minutes.
Make them short, fun and full of high value rewards!
Got questions? Send me a DM and let's get you a training plan sorted! 🩷
Shift your mindset to focusing on building trust with your dog, and you will find that working with them starts to become easier.
Fireworks and your dog - setting up to have the more relaxing and stress free fireworks season
Thank you! 💝
We wanted to take this time to say thank you to all our clients, and their dogs for all your support this past year.
Whether you attended training, daycare or shared our content, you’re support means the world to us and we couldn’t do this without you 💗
And that’s a wrap on 2023! We can’t wait to continue supporting you in providing the best life for your dogs in 2024 🫶🏻
Merry Christmas and a safe and relaxing new years! 🎉 xx
Tristen & the Tristen’s Puppy Gym team 💗🐶
This! We discussed this in puppy class last night. Don’t under estimate the value in giving your dog the ability to make choices 💗
Providing a learner with choice leads to increased engagement and empowerment in all species. Teaching (both humans and animals) is evolving from dominance and dictatorship to effective communication and patient teaching. https://buff.ly/3sEYM4x
We're taking a break over Christmas!
We'll be closed from Friday 22nd December, and back open on Monday 8th January.
During this time our phones will be off, and we'll be a little quieter on socials - so don't stress if we don't respond, we'll get back to everyone once we're back in the centre.
As always you'll be able to book using our online portal at any time. 💗
Ok pet parents, we want to hear what gives you the ick when it comes to the dog world.
A few of mine:
* Off leash dogs
* Not picking up your p**p
* People being rude when asked not to touch your dog
* People calling out "he's friendly" while their off lead dog runs up to you 🤮
What's yours? I'll make up some posts about the most common issues & see if we can come up with some solutions!
Only 5 weeks left this year to work with us!
If you'd like to tackle your holidays with all the skills and knowledge to help your dog so that you can have a stress-free and relaxing holiday, now is the time to get started with us.
We have limited spaces available in our group classes, and only a few private sessions with Tristen remaining for 2023.
DM us if you'd like help 💗
A Guide to Success during the Festive Celebrations 🎄
Christmas time can be a very stimulating and overwhelming time for your dog and especially for any new puppies.
If you want to make the holiday season easier for you and your dog, now is the time to start.
Socialisation and training all need time to build and if you wait until the day you’re likely to find things don’t go as you’d like.
Let’s show our dogs how much they mean to us and set them up for success by starting their socialisation and training for the holiday period now.
Check out our blog on things to be considering now, and DM us if you’d like to get a start on your dog’s training.
We have limited classes left for the year.
Your dog is always learning, so be mindful of what you are accidentally teaching them 💗
🐾🎓 Don't miss out on the 'barktastic' opportunity to set your pup on the path to greatness! Puppy Pre-School: Where lifelong friendships and well-behaved tails are made. Secure your spot now, and let the adventures begin! 🐶📚
Upcoming courses:
Saturday 28th October at 8:30am
Tuesday 31st October at 6:30pm
DM us to find out more 💗
Introducing our NEW course:
💥 Tricks with Tristen 💥
Turn your furry friend into a superstar with our Tricks Course. 🌟
DM me to learn how to make unforgettable moments with your best friend 🐶
If you don't like it, you can't sit with us 😜
We all know that yelling at your dog to stop barking doesn't actually stop the behaviour in the long run, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Whose dog totally thinks we're just joining in? Pop a 🐶 in the comments.
Tell us in the comments what's the smallest or funniest thing you've got your dog to celebrate for?
How to dog mum like a pro ✨
Pet all the dogs 💗
Bendigo, VIC
| Monday | 8am - 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 6pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 12pm |
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tristen’s Puppy Gym posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Tristen’s Puppy Gym:
Take the pressure off puppy training. It can feel overwhelming having a puppy and what seems like a very long list of skills and behaviours you need to teach them. Focusing on confidence and environmental socialisation will be a game changer to you and your puppies life. Start here and then worry about teaching skills. Want help raising your puppy? Our Puppy Prodigy course starts soon? DM me for more info
Happy international puppy day 🐶 Life is short. Spoil your dog 💗 Tag us @tristenspuppygym in your puppy photos so we can see all the adorable puppies 🥰
National Love Your Pet Day 💗 I’d love to know the special ways you show your dog you love them! Share with us in the comments 🫶🏻
Dog training is for life 🫶🏻 No matter how “good” your dog is, training should always be a part of their life. Whether it’s to socialise them to our ever changing world, teaching them new skills or adding it purely for mental enrichment. There is always value for your dog to be learning. What are you training with your dog this week? dm me I’d love to know! 💗
Having a hard time reaching your dog training goals? Try breaking your goal down into smaller steps. That way you can feel successful more often along the journey. For example: goal is loose lead. Broken down to: focus, positioning, short distance, road manners, distractions, longer distances. Have fun and go win some goals! 🎉
It’s the most important skill you can train your puppy. Sleep affects growth, learning, ability to retain new skills, ability to absorb and feel confident in different settings, destruction or lack of, socialisation, play manners, and so much more! Need help? DM me 💗 #bendigodogtrainer #bendigodogs #bendigodogtraining #bendigodogtrainers #dogtrainersofbendigo #dogtraining
When someone asks me if I ever get sick of working with dogs 😂 And yes I’m wearing a 101 puppy kisses top, it’s so I can fit in with all the Dalmatians at daycare today 🤩 #bizreels2024 #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainingisfun
We get it, you get home from a big day at work, and it’s a lot less brain power to take your dog for a quick walk, rather than a training session that you’re not quite sure what you should be training anyway. But then you keep having the same issues popping up and it just all feels so bloody hard. Well, we’ve come up with an awesome solution for you! We now offer 1-1 training options during your dogs daycare day. With 3 amazing packages we can work on all the important skills while you work, so you can spend more time enjoying your dog 🥰 Working on all things from high level foundation skills, grooming & handling, loose lead walking, recall and tricks. We’ve got you covered. DM me or talk to our team about how we can help you and your dog today! #doggydaycare #doggydaycarebendigo #dogsofbendigo #bizreels2024 #dogtraining #bendigodogtrainer #bendigodogtraining #bendigodogs #dogtrainerlife #dogslife
A day in the life of a dog trainer 🐾 ☀️ 4:50am wake up & walk with Taco 🍳 breakfast & client coms 🐶 walk & train sessions 💻 admin 🐕 group training classes. Basic manners, puppy pre school & calm canines #bizreels2024 #dogtraining #bendigodogtrainer #bendigodogtraining #bendigodogs #dayinthelife #dogtrainerlife
Ever wondered where the name Tristen’s Puppy Gym came from? Tell me in the comments your dog is still your puppy so I don’t feel like a weirdo!? 🤪 #bizreels2024 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #bendigdogtrainer #bendigodogtraining #bendigodogs #dogenrichmentideas #bendigo #forcefreedogtraining #forcefreedogtrainer #dogtrainingadvice #tristenspuppygym #regionalvictoria #dogsofaustralia
Thank you for an amazing 2023. Here’s to a bigger & better 2024! 🎉 We’ve got so many exciting things coming this year that will make such a difference for so many dog parents. 💗 If you’ve found us helpful in 2023, a quick Facebook or google review goes a long way to helping us reach more people and change more lives. If you’ve got a spare minute we’d love if you could ☀️ Looking forward to seeing you all this year! Xx
Got a baby shark in your house 🦈 Here's some ways to make sure you're not getting your ankles munched on. 🩵 Gumboots! Yep seriously, invest in some gumboot to wear in the house. This will ensure you don't get any injuries, or accidentally make mouthing ankles fun for your puppy. 🩵 Provide lots of outlets for mouthing. Food toys that can be chewed on, egg cartons/boxes to destroy. Tug of war. Frozen carrots to munch on. 🩵 Have puppy on a regular sleep routine. Over tired puppies will mouth more. Pups need 18-20 hours of sleep per day! Want more help with your puppy? Come join us for puppy pre school. January bookings open now!
Puppy Leo has 4 Walk & train sessions before Christmas. We’re working with him to help him be a super walker! In order to teach great loose lead, most dogs will need to work on a variety of skills that all combine to create the end goal. Here’s our plan: * Begin with testing his core skills and then set goals for up-levelling each. Core skills we are starting with are; sit, down, name, and focus. * Begin teaching positioning and staying on the left. * Teach a reset (what to do if the lead gets tight). * Teach target training. * Socialise to sounds and environment. * Work on confidence. * Allow time to sniff, explore and feel safe in his environment. * Road manners. Most sessions we will work on almost all of these, always with the goal of progressing each week. As Leo is a puppy, he will go through growth stages that will often add little bumps along the way, these are both physical and cognitive changes. It’s important to take it slowly and be patient and consistent. We can’t wait to continue seeing Leo learn. Are you working on your loose lead skills? If so feel free to save this to give you a template to work on.
Is life with your dog just feeling hard right now? Sometimes we need the right assistance to help get out of that pattern of constantly wishing your dog would "just be good". If you're struggling with a dog who ✨ barks and pulls when they see other dogs ✨ jumps all over you and guests ✨ pulls you around on your walks ✨ is digging or destroying everything ✨ just generally making your life feel harder Then you need me! I promise you Life with your dog CAN be easy! Let me show you how 💗 message me and lets chat about how we can make living with your dog stress-free and fun again.
Puppy parenthood: a whirlwind of cuddles, chaos, and life lessons! From chewed shoes to endless energy, navigating these fur-filled hurdles can be ruff. But finding the right guidance and support can turn the 'paws' into progress. Remember, seeking help is the fastest way toward success! 🌈✨
The key to success 🔑 Is sometimes to take a step sideways in order to have a bigger jump forward! 🫶🏻
Things to consider when planning your training schedule 🫶🏻 Age, goals, times frames, breed, current skill level, current behaviour, your lifestyle and household members are all things you should be taking into consideration when building your dogs training plan. If in doubt stick with the 10 minutes per day average and you’ll still have great progress and hit your goals!
Crate training your dog is a valuable tool for a happy and well-adjusted canine companion. 🐾 Safety and Security: Crates provide a safe space for your dog to retreat to when they need a break or feel anxious. It's their personal sanctuary, promoting a sense of security and comfort 🧡 Toilet training assistance: Crates aid in housetraining by leveraging your dog's natural instinct to keep their living area clean. This encourages them to hold their bladder until they're outside. 🏠 Home Alone Peace: When you're away or need to manage a busy household, a crate ensures your dog is safe and prevents practicing unwanted behaviours. 🩵 Faster Training: Dogs who are well rested learn and retain skills faster. 🛋️ Destruction Control: Crates protect your furniture and keep your dog from chewing on things they shouldn't when you're not around to supervise. 💚 Better Behaviour: Properly used crates can teach your dog self-control and help reduce separation anxiety, promoting better behaviour and less stress. 🚗 Travel Buddy: Crate training makes travel with your dog easier, as they're already comfortable and secure in their portable 'home away from home.' Plus they are the safest way to travel. Remember, crate training should always be positive and gradual, ensuring your dog associates the crate with positive experiences. It's not about confinement but about creating a safe and comfortable space for your furry friend. 🐕💕
What’s the minimum amount of training you should be doing with your dog? Stay tuned for part two where we talk about things to consider when creating your training plan.
Seeking professional help for your dog's behaviour is crucial for several reasons. Here's why it's important: 🫶 Expertise: Professional dog trainers and behaviourists have a deep understanding of canine behaviour. They can accurately diagnose the root causes of your dog's issues and develop a tailored training plan to address them effectively. 🫶 Safety: Certain behaviour problems can be dangerous for both your dog and those around them. Aggression, excessive barking, and separation anxiety are examples of issues that can escalate without proper intervention. Professionals can help ensure a safe environment for everyone involved. 🫶 Efficiency: Professionals can expedite the training process by using tried-and-true methods and strategies. This can lead to faster, more effective results, saving you time and reducing frustration. 🫶 Customisation: Every dog is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to training may not work. Professional trainers can create a personalised training plan that takes your dog's personality, breed, and specific challenges into account. 🫶 Handling Difficult Cases: Some behaviour issues can be extremely complex and challenging to resolve. Experienced professionals have the tools and knowledge to work with even the most stubborn or deeply ingrained problems. 🫶 Stress Reduction: Dealing with a dog's behaviour problems on your own can be emotionally and mentally draining. Professional help can reduce your stress and provide guidance and support during the training process. Training your dog can indeed be a fun and rewarding experience, and with the assistance of professionals it can be manageable and successful. Always prioritise your dog's well-being and seek professional help when needed to ensure a happy and well-behaved furry companion.
Gambler's Run - home of the EquiFairy
Bendigo and Northern Country
Bendigo Dog Training with Tully Williams
High Street
