Melanie Norgate Dog Behaviour Consultant and Animal Trainer

22/08/2024

I was just talking about this to my baby preparation class this week! It’s worth reading so you know how to spot and interpret ‘fawning’ behaviour.

Behaviors that demand patience, not punishment.

07/08/2024

This workshop will make welcoming a baby SO much easier for you and your dog!

Kind, safe, evidence-based - and above all EASY for tired parents!

COMING UP VERY SOON: Tuesday 13th of August at 6.30pm

Over two interactive zoom sessions, we’ll use guided activities, videos and question time to cover everything you need to feel super confident and organised when your baby arrives.

You’ll be ready to:
* Prep your dog so the baby isn’t a shock
* Introduce them in the safest way
* Keep your dog happy when you’re busier
* Set your home up for easy supervision
* Build a fab friendship long term

The workshop includes:
* 2 x 90 min zoom sessions run by behaviour consultant Dr Mel Norgate
* Worksheets and activities to create your own plan
* Emailed worksheets and reminder resources
* Fun training games to prepare your dog
* A private forum for ongoing support

Grandparents are welcome to tune in too!

Booking page: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19243510&appointmentType=66996256

Got questions? Get in touch or check out www.melanienorgate.com

05/08/2024

I’ve just signed this petition to push for more support for vets - such important work, but so stressful at times. Please be kind to your vet! And sign the petition…

Do you know how about the high su***de rates of veterinarians? We know you would probably prefer to see cute pictures of the patients we see but we don't want to hide the realities of the pressure our vets and nurses face on a regular basis.

Although all our staff face daily challenges in our industry, the work we do is crucial as well as deeply fulfilling. Please help us by signing the petition to help us receive more support for veterinary professionals and don't forget to thank your nurses and vets for the awesome and inspiring work they do!

https://sophieslegacy.com/campaigns/lost

30/07/2024

Glad we finish with all those treats well before before midnight now people are enrolling mogwai in my Bentleigh Vet Clinic puppy school 😬

28/05/2024

This is an important message from APDT Australia I’d like to share with the many clients I see who stick by their dogs - even when things aren’t always sunshine and roses.

Owning a reactive dog can be very challenging, especially with so many well-meaning strangers trying to give you advice.
If you need help with your reactive dog, find an APDT professional or accredited professional dog training through the APDT Trainer's Directory: www.apdt.org.au/trainer-directory.

21/05/2024

"Positive reinforcement should be used to motivate an animal to modify their behaviour or perform specific tasks." - this is a requirement from the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Procedures. Dog training is unregulated, so there is no equivalent protecting our pets - but whether we are guardians of our own pets or professionals supporting other families, WE have the power to make it a requirement for the animals under our care. Shall we do it?

17/05/2024

After a sad incident with a professional groomer recently, this webinar is a must to help your dog feel safe and relaxed - only $20 for the public and free for Pet Professional Guild Australia members:

14/05/2024

I had fun meeting such a great bunch of teachers and students at Elwood College SRC last week. Flash & Florence the guinea pigs helped me with an incursion for their VCE Psychology classes. We discussed Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, how they interact, and the impact this has on choice of training methods and working with animals in research. The piggies do like their midday nap though - we'll have to get Bluey the lizard to show off his soccer skills instead next time!

03/05/2024

Currently preparing a talk for VCE students about ethics around use of animals in research and teaching. This section jumped out at me from the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Procedures. I do wish we would develop some regulation for pet training! Since we have none, please give this a thought if someone gives you dog training advice:

"Animals have a capacity to experience pain and distress, even though they may perceive and respond to circumstances differently from humans. Pain and distress may be difficult to evaluate in animals. Unless there is evidence to the contrary, it must be assumed that procedures and conditions that would cause pain and distress in humans cause pain and distress in animals. Decisions regarding the possible impact of procedures or conditions on an animal’s wellbeing must be made in consideration of an animal’s capacity to experience pain and distress"

24/04/2024

Puppy school starting this Tuesday at Bentleigh Vet Clinic! Book at https://www.melanienorgate.com/puppy-training

17/04/2024

As requested, some Bearded dragon training footage - sorry it took me so long to post this! We started conditioning him to my daughter's hand when he was a baby - such an amazing 6 year old not picking her pet up until he was happy about it. Then a gap of a few months before some target training - you'll easily see where the gap is! A bit of fun when a treat escaped then he found my stash 😆 He's a good boy learning despite my mistakes!

04/04/2024

I wish people would remember to pick up after their wombats. Honestly! I can’t walk around my own campsite without tripping over the stuff.

06/03/2024

This made me giggle…until I thought about the risky things I’ve been seeing in my local area lately 😬

What other movies, books, or songs would have benefitted from a bit of dog training for either the dog or their guardian?

28/02/2024

Thanks to Sarah from Bentleigh Community Hub for kindly letting me share this photo she took on a walk recently. I love that a member of our community has made this easy to understand sign to help raise awareness about taking care of our dogs on hot days. And a water bowl next to it. What a thoughtful person.

In hot weather I…
* Stick to early morning walks,
* Keep it short if I see Django panting or a bit slow,
* Put my hand on the footpath and think about how his bare feet are coping (pads can burn),
* Give him extra play or enrichment inside if we can’t walk as much,
* Wait until the sun goes down if I miss the early morning spot,
* Take him to a spot with trees and water to play in instead of streets or exposed fields,
* Make sure he has a cool spot in the house and fresh water that is kept out of the sun, and turn on the air con if he’s panting indoors (yay solar panels!)
* Call him back inside if he’s panting madly in the midday sun - and suggest he stops hanging out with Englishmen.
* Keep an eye on temps in my reptile tanks in case I need to cool those rooms or move the critters out for a bit.

How do you take care of your pets in hot weather?

21/02/2024

This is a great initiative by the Pet Professional Guild Australia!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - It's Back!!

After a successful pilot year, PPGA is proud to announce that the scholarship program will be repeated for 2024.

This is an exciting opportunity for budding dog trainers!!

The sponsorship program will assist potential trainers financially to undertake studies with recognised qualifications.
Applications close the 30th April 2024

For further information, click on the link below.
https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/PPGA-Sponsorship-Program

If you have any questions, please contact PPGA at [email protected]

05/01/2024

This is gold! You MUST keep listening through it though…

04/01/2024

Great summary here from the Pet Professional Guild Australia

Biting is a very normal part of puppy development. Some great tips to help get you through the razor sharp teeth stage! https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/Biting

19/12/2023

I made this with love Django….No wait! Don’t tip it out!

14/12/2023

Ever wanted to spruce up your knowledge about bearded dragon body language? My gorgeous 7y daughter has made you this cheat sheet ❤️
Makes my day when I see kids listening to what animals are saying! I’d love to see your photos or drawings of other animal body language if you have some to share with me.

13/12/2023

What a day for hot dogs! Try these three ideas to keep your pups happy in Melbourne summers:

1) Grab an ice-cream container and fill it with water then freeze fun stuff in there (treats, carrots, kibble, peas, a Kong or chewie) - that is a great and inexpensive doggie ice block you can put in the shade in your yard.

2) Stuff a Kong Classic with some wet dog food, kibble, chicken, cooked carrot etc then freeze it (I've been using Lyka to make this into a yum but fully balanced meal for Django - use code 'MELANIENORGATE' for a 30% discount if you want to try it out).

3) Check out this video of my lovely Django when he was just a tiny little cutie socialising to water on a hot day...

01/12/2023

Having fun sanding back a few edges on my new toy! What animal do you think I’m going to surprise with this?

09/11/2023

Great opportunity for anyone after some nosework lessons before Christmas. Oh wait that’s me! I wonder if my diary can handle it…

Sniffing is normal & dogs love it! Nose Work is a huge sport now in Australia and gives dogs a chance to do what they do best! So please let your dog be a dog on walks - sniffing should be part of their walk! Start your new pup off with some tips on training, social skills and sniffing!

Classes starting 11 Nov. in Carrum 😍

9am Super Puppy for pups 8 to 12 weeks
11.45am Jnr Puppy for pups 4 to 6 months

These are the LAST classes for the year before CHRISTMAS! 🎄

Our trainers are professionals with Cert IV Qualifications in Behavioural Dog Training. We use modern training methods as recommended by the RSPCA & Aust Vet Assoc. Please book via website or call us for more information.

06/11/2023

This is an interesting article thinking about the horse’s perspective during a race. Take some time to look at the body language of the horses in the cover photo too - we normally see it after they’ve stopped running so photos like this during the race are informative.

Horses naturally synchronise their running in groups – but ‘racing’ and ‘winning’ are human concepts.

04/11/2023

If you are a dog breeder, I'd really love you to check out The Functional Dog Collaborative.

As most of you know, I was a geneticist before starting my animal training business and I'm deeply interested in working with the interplay between genetics and environment/learning. I came across this resource via the amazing Dr Jessica Hekman (The Dog Zombie by Jessica Hekman), who studies the genetics of dog behaviour and is doing some super exciting things to support breeders in producing healthy, behaviourally sound dogs - so the rest of us can have happy lives with them in our homes!

Here is an important - I think crucial - website for breeders (or aspiring puppy parents):

THE FUNCTIONAL DOG COLLABORATIVE Supporting the ethical breeding of healthy, behaviorally sound dogs. Support the Cause Learn With Us Listen to our Podcast Dive into conversations with breeders, trainers, vets & more. Article Library Accessible summaries of published canine research. Breeder Curricu...

03/11/2023

Wow this is huge!!! As a geneticist I really like this...I'll post a great resource aimed at supporting breeders tomorrow.

Today, Norway's Supreme Court handed down a final verdict in the historic dog breeding case. Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals fully agreed that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed as it stands today is too sick and in**ed for breeding to continue. The verdict thus confirms that the br...

02/11/2023

I was so happy to spend my Halloween with such kind and friendly people and pups at our Bentleigh Vet Clinic puppy school. I didn’t get a photo of my scary raven head costume - but these well socialised pups didn’t just sniffed it politely and sat hoping for a treat 😂

16/10/2023

On my way back from the fab APDT Australia conference - where I got to meet a founding member of the Pet Professional Guild Australia as well as hang out with some of Australia’s most fantastic, friendly and kind dog trainers.

Continuing our professional education at the APDT Australia conference while also promoting the benefits of being PPGA member.

We also met one of the founding members of the PPG, the fabulous and extremely knowledgeable Diane Garrod of Canine Emotional Detox - Stress Release for Dogs

We were starstruck and honoured to be able to learn from one of the best in the industry.

12/10/2023

Very excited to be in a room of amazing dog trainers at our first conference since lockdowns. The extra workshop day yesterday gave me some great new ideas - and three more days to go!

04/08/2023

Support Dachshund Rescue Australia to do their great work by coming along to this sausage sizzle (😂) - or you can buy a virtual sausage if you can’t make it!

Buy a sausage to save a sausage. Virtual of course!

12/07/2023

Great initiative from PPGA to help protect the public from outdated or inhumane dog training information. Worth following.

We recently launched an education campaign about positive reinforcement training because we are concerned dog-loving viewers will be misinformed by Channel 10's upcoming new show Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia, which is based on outdated, quick-fix and aversive dog training methods.
We are calling pet owners to with rewards-based and force-free training and help prevent pet surrenders to already overcrowded animal shelters!
You can follow our FB page for commentary by our force-free trainers on humane and lasting solutions to dog behaviour problems featured in the upcoming episodes, which begin on July 13.
Managing dog behaviour can be a challenge but achievable with positive solutions!
If you have any questions, feel free to email us on [email protected]
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