Phillip Island Dog Training and Education

04/01/2024

Evening all. Just to clarify a small situation I have discovered. I am in no way associated with Phillip Island Dog Training. It is a new business advertising on local fb pages and not to be confused with me. I have reached out to the people involved who have declined to change the name. I was hoping to avoid any confusion for everyone but to no avail.
I am still available to help anyone with their puppers.
Anyhoo, Cooper thinks the whole situation is ridiculous.

28/12/2023

Don't go out unless it's 7am or you're starving..then just go beg from the neighbours. It's truly mad out there.

19/11/2023

Well duh...

21/08/2023

Anyone?

17/07/2023

Here goes...
I have been fortunate enough to assist in the rehoming of several dogs. 'How could anyone give up their dog?', I hear you ask. Truth is, sometimes the situation for the dog/owner is detrimental to the dog and/or owner.
We are all fallible. People age, become unwell, our circumstances change, or some simply find the dog too much to handle. Much like human relationships, it doesn't always work out.
Not everyone has the time, temperament, money or ability to handle every type and breed of dog. I know I don't.
There is no shame in admitting a particular dog is not suited to you or your life for whatever reason. Some people even need a push to come to that realisation.
There are wonderful community and rescue groups (including our own Phillip Island Bass Coast Dog Owners Association.) who are happy to help you. Many of these groups cop enormous flack when, behind the scenes, they are doing everything in their power to give both human and dog a better life. Most have the well being of the dog as a first priority.
Some owners go on (with a little help) to find the perfect pooch best suited to them.
Despite the heartbreak for the owners, the dogs I have rehomed are now living in the best conditions any dog could hope for.

23/04/2023

If you can spare a couple of bucks,this is a cause close to my heart. My old boy came from them and I'm so grateful every day this organisation exists.

03/01/2023

I'm going to broach a prickly subject and am trying to do so diplomatically. Yell at me if you want, I've got broad shoulders.

I've been seeing the dog related posts on the community forums and want to address the posts and the reactions.

Dogs escape, are taken and sometimes just do dumb things. I've had a dog unexpectedly rip the moulding from around a huge glass sliding door, open it, jump 2 gates and do a runner. I've seen them wriggle out of the tiniest bunny hole under a fence just because they can. Sometimes circumstances mean I'm not home when there's a storm or when a fence fails.
Things just happen sometimes.
I've also seen plenty of posts re dog poo, dogs on beaches at the wrong time etc but very few about human made rubbish around the place or illegal fireworks, or nasty public behaviour and yet there's plenty of that.

It always seems to me that dogs and dog owners get a particularly bad rap and are a huge target for local forums. There are irresponsible people in all walks of life but dog related issues seem to be a favourite cause to express outrage.

Instead of judging and making unhelpful remarks, maybe we could express a little empathy....keep an eye out for the lost dog, actively help search, take an empty bag and pick up any stray poo or rubbish. Hindsight is all very well but we could try to be part of the solution instead of the problem.
Let owners and puppers enjoy our beautiful island show that we are a caring and friendly community.
All the best for your New Year.

06/08/2022

Lawdy..what do you do for your dog that you wouldn't do for yourself.
Just bought a camping aircon for a squillion dollars for the old boy.
Looks like a spaceship but def blows cold air on him.

27/07/2022

Darwin is HOT!!!
Two fans, an ice block and a cooling towel at night, a bad haircut and the pool during the day is keeping the old boy happy.

18/06/2022

Aww. Puppy love

09/06/2022

Good evening all.
Hope you're keeping warm and well.
After $300 in extra vaxes, packing 47 dog coats, fitting muzzles and head nets for poison baits and purchasing boots (Cooper refused to walk in them🙄) we're almost ready. Myself and the boys are taking off on a bit of an adventure for the next 3ish months so we won't be around for training.
Happy to help anyone by phone or Facebook if needed (reception may be a bit sketchy). Keep an eye out for our adventures and shenanigans on this page.

21/05/2022

When the cousins love each other

04/05/2022

Funniest (smartest?) guy. He goes outside for toilet then bolts inside straight to the fire to dry off and warm up.
Note..He does have plenty of coats but it's quite warm in the lounge.

12/04/2022

I like to think I have a basic understanding of dog health but some things are still confusing.
The ideal age to get your dog desexed, flea and tick treatments, best food, the list goes on.
My friend Google has a million different opinions on dog health (and best training methods for that matter).
Sometimes too much research can be a bad thing.
I'm still trying to figure out whether I need extra tick treatment beside the usual chew, if I go north.
I've asked the local vet and am still confused (thanks Google).
Sometimes you just have to make the best decision you can and stick by it or you'd never get anywhere.

24/03/2022

Yep

Current mood from morning to the end of a long day... 😁

21/03/2022

Hi all. Somebody sent me a message last night re training and it seems to have disappeared. Please contact me again if you need me. Apologies to whoever you are.

02/03/2022

You think you have a handsome fellow then there's this. Not gonna be his tinder shot

27/02/2022

Warning..rant ahead
I may have had a recent encounter with my arch enemy..the flea (not the one from Red Hot Chilli Peppers).
Fleas live in EVERYTHING!!!
Carpets, dirt, other animals and especially here, bunnies.
Dogs are more likely to get fleas from the environment rather than from other dogs.
Reasons not to flea treat your dog..
1. .........
That's it.
I flea bomb my house regularly, don't have carpets and constantly wash bedding but it's hard to control the whole environment. I also do the walk of shame and shuffle around my yard in white socks. Chances are you'll see them on your socks. Fair chance if you have an infestation you'll be bitten too.
I also tick treat my dogs, essential of you are travelling further north/east than Sale or if your dog loves a romp through long grass.
Do the right thing by your pupper and give them a monthly chew. A lot flea treatments also treat worms (I use Nextgard Spectra and a 3 monthly tape worm tablet).
I suppose fleas somehow contribute to the eco system but I wouldn't be against extinction. Grr.

P.S. haven't found any signs of them but better to be safe than sorry.

21/02/2022

A sensible read

There is a movie coming out on Feb 18 called "Dog". It stars Channing Tatum and a highly trained Belgian Malinois. It's a road trip/buddy movie that I'm looking forward to myself.

However, People are going to see this film and many will want their own Belgian Malinois. This is not going to end well for this breed.
A highly trained Malinois is a work of art. So is Michelangelo's statue of David but I don't necessarily want it in my living room.

This breed can be amazing in the right hands but they require a lot of everything. If you are considering getting a Malinois, please, first go meet some Malinois of all ages at your local rescue.
Be honest with yourself about the amount of time that you have to dedicate to training one of these dogs. Not the person that you want to be but the person that you are right now. One of our rescues, Cooper is primarily this amazing breed, and he was disposed of because he was too much of a handful. They are highly energetic and super smart-which is hard to manage as a puppy and young adult if you can't devote the time and patience to training.

If you are still determined to get one. You can stem the inevitable tidal wave of Malinois that will be surrendered to the shelters by contacting your local shelter or a local Malinois rescue.

DO NOT get a Malinois from the guy down the street. Don't help backyard breeders line their pockets. Pure bred doesn't equal good breeding.

From the bottom of my heart, for the love of all dogs, those of us who rescue see what's coming and we bear the burden of choices people make on a whim regarding a breed they know little about.

So enjoy the movie. It’s Channing Tatum and a dog! How awesome is that! But please, don’t go find this breed on a whim. Any dog is a 15 yr commitment. Not a whim.

~Comments from trainer Shane Doss with some added personal remarks by our Executive Director, Shelley Wilkins. Photo courtesy of MGM.

04/02/2022

When your caravan is really just an expensive dog kennel

25/01/2022

Fireworks and possible storms. Tomorrow night and Thursday are shaping up to be crackers. It would make my day to see no lost dog posts.

25/01/2022

FIREWORKS WARNING - 26 January - Cowes and Dalyston

Please note that there will be two privately-run fireworks displays at 9.30pm on Wednesday, 26 January:
◾ Cowes - the corner of Ventnor Road and Phillip Island Road as part of the Island Summer Carnival
◾ Dalyston - Dalyston Recreation Reserve as part of Oz Day at the Daly

While fireworks are enjoyable for young and old, our four-legged friends don't find them so fun. If you've got animals, particularly dogs and horses, and live nearby please make sure they're safe and secure during the night's festivities.

21/01/2022

Just because

06/01/2022

It's going to be a very long day. Too much scary sky noises. Let your four legged babies in and maybe shut the solid doors.
Update: looking after my sister's dog who is terrified of storms. After half trashing the house and slamming against the doors, he's locked in the bathroom with a darkened kennel. Gotta do what you've gotta do.

31/12/2021

So sad to see the posts this morning of lost dogs and one deceased.
I love fireworks and storms but I have scaredy dogs.
People will let off fireworks and thunder and lightening will happen.
So what do I do?
Lock my dogs inside with the blinds down. Put the telly on pretty loud and try and be home when I know things are going to get rowdy.
I've had very little sleep, it was so hot with the dogs on the bed, not to mention the general panic, and I have to clean up wee and poo this morning, but that's a very small price to pay for knowing that my babies are safe.
I'm happy to give up one night of revelry or clean up a mess if I go out, in exchange for another year with my boys.
Are you?

31/12/2021

After a panicky body slam last night cause there was a scardey noise, I agree.

30/12/2021

Me.
Have a very happy and safe New Year and lock up your puppers good and tight tonight.

25/12/2021

25/12/2021

Aww

29/11/2021

With Christmas coming up this is a timely warning. No rawhide or cooked bones pleeezzze.