Smart Dog Behaviour & Training

30/10/2025

Life with Viola.
Raising, training and developing Viola has been one of my life's true joys.
She is a combination of drive, motivation, intelligence, energy, chaos and calm.
She's just under 2 years old now and it's been an absolute blast.

For a small dog, she packs a mighty punch...and that was the whole plan.
She is a true teacher and hilarious student & my world is so so richer and fuller with her by my side.

We have so much ahead of us and she remains one of my life's best decisions

28/10/2025

Playing around with a few things here:

Flip into middle position

Add movement and maintain eye contact

Position changes adding distance - need to work on her creeping

Reward placement - accessing toys from behind me

Overall - generalising her skills with distraction provided by the environment and her mate Giacomo 🧡

💕

26/10/2025

Viola's play has been carefully built and managed throughout her life - although of course she isn't a working dog as such, I have developed her play in line with how I would with a working doy - the same principles, rules and control.

She has been the most wonderful student and teacher, endless lessons on my handling and communication errors, where I've succeeded and what I need to continue to build.

Structured play with dogs may be one of my favourite topics as I see daily in my work the impact it has on dogs and their families, as well as the satisfaction and contentment it creates for your dog (a dog with their needs met will be far less likely to chew your furniture, shoes, jump all over you and bark at everything that moves)

Play is one enormous piece of the puzzle of building and creating happy, well balanced, motivated and bright dogs

20/10/2025

A bit of a blurry one but we spent the past 3 days in the company of dog training royalty
Such a genuinely talented, kind and generous person.

So much learning, so much inspiration and what an incredible team I also fortunate to be on

Of course huge thanks to Alex and his crew

We're ready to put a whole bunch of stuff into action!

10/10/2025

Developing Viola's strong play drive was such a goal of mine and we use it in many ways - drive fulfillment, motivation, obedience training and in building the relationship we have.

This was built using Beefy dog gear -highly highly recommend!

08/10/2025

Beautiful newly rehomed grey Roy and his Ma learning a loose leash walk.
This is an important skill in and of itself but also utilised when working with 'reactivity' - why?

Scenario:
Your dog flies out of the house with no concern or interest in you on the other end of the leash - they pull, drag and pay 💯 attention to anything and everything but you.
Nervous system jacked, hyper vigilant, ready to kick off at any moment.

Alternative:
You practice calm loose leash walks first around the yard, front of house, hallway even - anywhere your dog is set to succeed. You have clear and conditioned markers, the right reward systems and you don't place your dog is situations they are not prepared for or will very likely rehearse unwanted behaviour.

You build engagement, have your place value on your over the environment and work as the awesome team you were always meant to be.
This is your path to freedom.

There is so much more in it, but I have very high hopes for this wonderful pair.
So glad to be a part of your training journey.

02/10/2025

Have been alerted to this super helpful page for those of you with herding breeds!
Looking forward to practicing some of this!

https://www.facebook.com/TheRelationshipLoveLab/videos/737390943137065/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

27/09/2025

Mable

Boston Terrier lovers where are you?
Mable is still available for adoption and waiting for her furever home dreams to come true…

Devoted to humans and a classic Boston Terrier clown personality…
She now knows how to sit and walk on lead perfect…
Mable loves to play and fool around…
And if there is a soft toy to play with in her mouth it will be found..
She definitely has a spring in her step…
And is happy to run and hop in a crate or onto a couch or human bed she gets…

An ex breeding girl who’s had a life make over with over $7k worth of vetwork including desexing, dental and vaccination at Knox Vet Clinic performed by Dr Sharon..
And BOAS surgery and MPL (luxating patella) surgery at Melbourne Animal Referral Services performed by Dr Ricky has enabled her to now be one of the healthiest happiest Boston girls around town…

Mable is seeking a single dog home as she just can’t help being the boss and fun police…
Whilst she isn’t suited to other dogs in her home out and about she is interested in other dogs but doesn’t react and acts perfectly fine..

So if you are a Boston devotee…
Mable says please send an adoption enquiry for me!

Mable ###

👉🏻 ADOPT MABLE: www.pugrescue.org.au/available-pugs

Female Black & White Desexed Pure Boston Terrier – 9.5kg
#956000010098594
DOB: 10/07/2018
RE108835

14/09/2025

This young Bordoodle showed us how clever he is in his first training session last week.

It's important to spend time developing, training and building a lifelong relationship with your young dog - and particularly if the only experience they've had so far was a 4 week puppy course at a vet clinic/ pet store, it's certainly time to get back to it!

We need to be pro-active, have a plan, commit to it and then reap the benefits.
We are in spring, the weather is getting warmer, days ans nights longer, which means more people and dogs everywhere! Are you prepared?

I look forward to hearing of his progress and be sure to get in touch to discuss the best training options for your dog - no matter what the age.

29/08/2025

This 6 month old bundle of energy is learning where all of it is best placed 😂

Working through clear, strong markers, when where and how to use them, establishing an obedience and play routine and creating structure in the environment with a focus on handler engagement and value were top priorities in our session.

If you had an experience in puppy school where your pup was relentlessly playing with other pups, you may be experiencing a complete lack of value, attention and engagement from your pup, not to mention an obsession with other dogs, and likely people.
This is a very common issue we see in puppy schools run this way - not your fault but it will and does create some behavioural issues once they start to get a few months older..

Good news is this is an issue that you can work on and flip!
Feel welcome to reach out if it sounds a little familiar.

02/08/2025

This absolutely wonderful pair have been working hard since we started our training.

So looking forward to their shared journey and progress.
Reed is a gorgeous Maremma x of only around 6 months and an absolutely beautiful dog.

29/07/2025

Share for the love of this pup turning one in a shelter.
Amazing work and love by the wonderful staff Lort Smith

Let's help get Bronson home!

Bronson’s Birthday Wish– please share.
Many of you will be familiar with Bronson’s story as we have shared it before. And we will continue to do so until he finds a home.
Our longest doggie resident arrived at our Campbellfield Adoption Shelter just a pup. He was confused, a little bit frightened but most of all he was just craving comfort and lots of cuddles.
Two months later, he has stolen the hearts of everyone at our Campbellfield Adoption Centre and now we have a very special favour to ask you.
This Saturday Bronson will reach a very special milestone; his first birthday.
Bronson has been waiting patiently for home but is starting to feel very sad after being overlooked for so long.
To make him feel better, we threw our big fella a special early birthday party today and he loved every minute.
But Bronson deserves to have his birthday wish come true, to celebrate in a forever home this Saturday and for the rest of his life..
We won’t stop sharing his beautiful face until he is adopted and today on the eve of this beautiful boy’s first birthday, we are asking you to do the same.