Unified Canine- Dog training in Sale & surrounding areas

19/12/2024

It’s coming back one last time this snake season….!😱

Snake avoidance training!

I truely believe in delivering the best possible training to your dogs, so Daniel Mannix of the Victorian Dog Training Academy is coming back to do some more snake aversion training for new dogs as well as refreshers if needed.

This training is not as simple as it looks. It can only be done correctly with a wealth of in depth knowledge and many years of experience as a dog trainer, all of which Daniel brings in bucket loads! He can read the dogs like a book and is accurate in his training.

For this training to work as it should, actual venomous species need to be used. This is because all snake species have a different smell. You don’t want to risk using a python when you can use the real thing, because we don’t want the dog to second guess themselves just because the smell is not quite the same as a python they trained on….

This team uses real, live, venomous species which have been devenomised to ensure the safety of all involved. They make sure the training area is set up to optimal standards so the dogs learn to avoid the snakes on scent independently of sight.

Daniel is coming back for a final training day on January 11. I’ve had a few of spots open up for this one due to holiday plans. If you are keen to do this training with the best result possible, get in quick! Usually there’s a wait and I don’t often advertise these days, so don’t miss this opportunity. If you want more information or to get your dog on the wait list, head over to

https://unifiedcanine.com.au/occasional-specialty-services/

*Please note, there are limited places and spots will be offered in waitlist order. You will receive confirmation from me that you’ve been added to the waitlist, however I will follow this up with confirmation that you have been booked for this specific training date as mentioned. You may miss out on this one and be offered the next one.

17/12/2024

Puppy Class Progression – What a Journey!

Over the past 6 weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of guiding some wonderful puppies through their first steps of training, and what an amazing transformation it’s been!

🐶 Brockie the Dachshund came in barking his head off, unsure about the world around him. By his final lesson, he was walking in calm and quiet—what a win! Sadly, he had to leave early, but his progress was incredible. Get well soon and see you next year!

🐶 Ryder the Border Collie x Kelpie started out a little timid but found his groove quickly, settling in beautifully. Another pup who had to leave early, but his confidence grew so much during his time with us. Hope you’re back on your feet soon little one.

🐶 Boss the Great Dane has kept me on my toes! Finding ways to motivate this gentle giant and teach him obedience has been a journey, but seeing him make those breakthroughs has been so rewarding.

🐶 Lexi the Spoodle is pure energy! She struggled with obstacles at first but tackled them like a pro in the end. On lead, Lexi started out hyper but has mellowed a lot!—a huge shift for such a bouncy girl.

🐶 Raffy cruised through the class with his cool and confident attitude, though his independent streak kept us all entertained.

Throughout the course, we focused on:
✅ Building confidence and resilience
✅ Socialisation skills
✅ General care tips
✅ Laying solid foundations for obedience

It’s been a privilege watching these pups and their owners grow as a team. It’s so rewarding to look back through the videos and photos to see how far they’ve come in such a short time. I hope to see them back in our Basic Obedience classes next year—there’s always more to learn!

If this looks like the kind of fun you want to have with your puppy, this is a great place to get started. Puppyhood is short, and the skills learned here set the tone for life.

Reach out to book your spot in the next class starting January 10th—let’s help your pup thrive! More info and how to book can be found here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/puppy-class-sale-victoria/

Looking for more targeted training for your pup? Get in touch & send me a message at 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

13/12/2024

Missed my calling 🤣😂😆

The things we do for our kids. Took me all morning.

Lucky I’m a dog trainer and not a cake decorator‼️

12/12/2024

That definitely has to be a border collie in my 🧠 😂

10/12/2024

Ziggy & George are the most adorable mini Dachshunds!

Both aced their introductory lesson and now I’m so lucky to continue helping develop these 2 cuties. Their program kicked off today and these two are already making strides!

Here’s what we’ve focused on so far:
Setting Boundaries – Helping their fantastic owners build clear communication.
How to approach Socialisation - It’s important to do early and not just about playing with others.
Redirecting Energy – Teaching these little bundles of energy more appropriate outlets.
Toilet Training – Building a strong, consistent routine.
Introducing Obedience – Starting with sit, recall, and leash manners to lay a solid foundation for future success.
Finding Their Drive – Discovering what motivates them to learn and using it to get results faster.

Both pups brought their A-game, and their owners are equally committed to giving them the best start. With teamwork and practice, Ziggy and George are on the path to being well-mannered, happy pups.

Want to get started to help your pup develop to their full potential? Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

Prefer puppy school and would like an overall introduction to all things puppy? Classes start early January. Head here for more information 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/puppy-class-sale-victoria/

04/12/2024

25/11/2024

Can I Work on My Dog’s Reactivity Without a Trigger Like Dogs or People?

You don’t need to wait until you see a trigger like a dog or a person to start working on your dog’s reactivity. In fact, some of the best progress happens at home!

Here’s what you can do:

1️⃣ Add Structure – Dogs love knowing what’s expected of them. A clear routine helps them feel calmer and less stressed day to day.

2️⃣ Teach Calmness – Show your dog how to switch off and relax. This skill is underrated but makes a huge difference when they’re facing stressful situations later on.

3️⃣ Teach them to overcome challenges– Working through the little things such as obstacles to walk over, builds resilience and confidence to deal with the big things.

4️⃣ Play More! – Play is a great way to connect with your dog and keep their brain ticking. Use obedience to also work their brains.

5️⃣ Practice Leash Skills – Loose leash walking and confident handling are game-changers. Get this sorted as a skill in itself before you come across triggers.

Remember, it’s all about preparing your dog mentally and physically so they’re better equipped to handle the outside world. Start small and focus on progress over perfection! You will need to work on behaviour around triggers. You can’t avoid it. But these things also have a massive impact on achieving your goal and are great places to start.

What are you working on to help your dog cope with life? Comment below. ⬇️

Want to get started to help your reactive dog be calmer around triggers? Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

21/11/2024

“My dog barks at other dogs (or people) on walks. He is impossible to walk. I’ve given up trying…”

You’ve been dreading this walk all day and have left it as late as possible in hope of not coming across others.

You step out the door and start scanning the street, keeping a short, tight leash just in case another dog or person unexpectedly pops out from behind a fence. 😬

You get to the corner of your street and you are on edge, and then it happens….the friendly guy up the road with the nicely behaved off-lead dog is coming your way. 😱 There’s nowhere to go, they’re already too close. You pull Frankie in closer, desperately hoping for more grip….

Here it comes…. (Growl, Bark, Lunge, Snarl…. Hold on for dear life). The worst reaction yet! 😭

💭What must he think of me? He must think I’m a bad owner. Look how well his dog is trained. She walked straight past off leash with her owner.

💭What if I had let go? Frankie may have bitten his dog…the owner may have got bitten trying to break up a fight….I could be in trouble and lose my dog…!😭

The following days, you don’t take Frankie out and instead play fetch in the backyard. You feel guilty but the immense relief of not having to go through that experience wins out…..for now. The guilt though….it grows as the days pass by….

🐶This is the story of so many dog owners in the Wellington Shire & Gippsland as a whole. It was once my story too.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Your dog can be helped, you can get help! 🙌

This is why I started Unified Canine to help others like me, find the help they need without wasting years on dodgy training or having to filter through all the conflicting information out there for themselves.

If this is story… and you are willing to put in the work and do what it takes, I’m here to help YOU.

Send me a message and I’ll listen without judgement and put you on the right path to success. Follow the link below👇

👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

20/11/2024

Why Dog Training is the Best Investment You’ll Ever Make

Dog training is so much more than teaching a few tricks; it’s about creating a relationship with your dog that’s built on trust, understanding, and respect. Whether you’ve got a bouncy puppy or a rescue finding their feet, here’s why training is the ultimate game-changer:

💡 Strengthens the Bond Between You & Your Dog
Training deepens your connection by helping you communicate in a way your dog understands, turning confusion into cooperation.

🐾 Gives You Control Around Life’s Distractions
Ever wish your dog would focus on you rather than chasing the neighbour’s cat or lunging at other dogs? Training teaches your dog that you are the most rewarding thing in their world, no matter what’s happening around them.

🧠 Provides Clarity and Confidence Through Obedience
Clear rules and consistent expectations make life easier for both of you. Your dog feels secure knowing what’s expected.

🔧 Reduces Behaviour Problems
Dogs learn through experience. Training sets boundaries and prevents behaviours like pulling, jumping, and reactivity from escalating into bigger issues.

🌟 Builds Confidence and Resilience
A trained dog learns to tackle life’s challenges head-on, which helps them stay calm and have a positive mindset.

🏝️ Strengthens Their Quality of Life
Training opens up the world for your dog. From café outings to off-leash beach walks, a well-trained dog gets to experience more—and you’ll love sharing those moments together.

Dog training isn’t about controlling your dog; it’s about setting them up for success. The time and effort you invest now will repay you in years of companionship, trust, and shared joy.

Want to get started to help your dog reach their full potential? Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

Interested in group classes? You’ll find basic obedience and puppy school group classes here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/services-dog-training-sale-victoria/

18/11/2024

Client Win 🥳

Meet Rocket.

Rocket has a lot of energy, a tendency to bounce like a kangaroo on walks, and has a bit of a nervous streak around people. His recall was hit-and-miss, and meeting new faces often left him unsure of what to do.

Fast forward to today, and Rocket is living up to his name in all the right ways!

We’ve been helping Rocket build his confidence and stress tolerance. He’s now starting to look at people with curiosity rather than concern, and when something does rattle him, he’s bouncing back faster than ever.

His recall has taken off! He’s flying back to his owner like a pro, and now we’re adding some next-level distractions to really polish it up.

And that kangaroo bounce is becoming a thing of the past. We’re working on tidying up his leash skills so Rocket and is owner can enjoy walks.

Rocket is the perfect example of how consistency, confidence-building, and the right training can transform a dog’s life. Watching him grow has been an absolute joy. Keep it up, Rocket and his owner– you’re smashing it!

If you’ve got a little kangaroo at home who could use some guidance, reach out.

Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

16/11/2024

Fireworks planned for 8.45pm tonight in relation to the Stagg fair.

Put those pups away early and keep them safe.

🐶 Bring them inside if possible
🐶 Confine them in a safe & secure area
🐶 Provide distraction (a stuffed frozen Kong , bully stick or play is great for this)
🐶 Use music or other noise to mask the sound
🐶 Close your blinds to block the visual stimulation if close by
🐶 Consider staying home with them if they have a real phobia (or getting someone to look after them). If not, consider pointing a security camera at them so you can tell if you need to rush home
🐶 Don’t baby your dog, although soothing talk and petting doesn’t reinforce an emotion, it can reinforce the behaviour that is being displayed with the emotion
🐶If your dog has been prescribed medication for these very events, don’t forget to give it to them early enough to take effect. Supplements like Zylkene may also be a consideration today for those who aren’t but hate fireworks
🐶Make sure you’ve updated your dog’s microchip and council registration details.

Please share with relevant friends & family.

12/11/2024

Client Win 🥳

Meet Bruce, the young Rottweiler pup with all the potential in the world!

When Bruce’s owners reached out for help, they were keen to get him into our puppy school. But with a scheduling clash, we set up a one-on-one session to tackle the issues holding him back in his training. First up was puppy biting—often a normal puppy behavior, but one that can quickly become a real challenge if left unchecked. We looked at how it might be unintentionally reinforced and worked out some new strategies to help Bruce find better ways to interact.

Then we worked on building up his motivation—a crucial part of his training journey that made teaching him anything outside his yard very difficult as he was disengaged. We found a few great methods that worked for Bruce to add value to his owners plus some top-notch equipment to really bring out his drive. By the end, Bruce was lighting up with energy and excitement, ready to learn and engage!

It’s always so rewarding to see a pup’s confidence and motivation grow, especially when we can see those breakthroughs happen right before our eyes. Keep up the great work, Bruce!

Having some issues that are holding back your pup’s training? Maybe you’ve done or are currently doing puppy school and want to try a different approach to see what works and gets the result you are after.

Want to find out how you can boost your pup’s potential? Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

11/11/2024

How Long Does It Take to Train a Dog to Stop Pulling?

Believe it or not, most dogs stop pulling within just one lesson when we start training! Yep, that’s right—after one session, they’re often walking calmly on the lead, taking in the world at your pace rather than dragging you around.

Clients often tell me they wish they’d never put training off for so long because they can’t believe how quickly it all comes together! That “aha” moment in that first lesson is just the start, but it makes a huge difference. 🌟

Now, while many dogs catch on right away, it does take patience, time, and consistency to make this new way of walking a lasting habit—especially for dogs who’ve spent a lifetime pulling. For some, the old habits are strong, and turning this new walk into a solid, reliable behavior takes a bit of practice.

And yes, there are a few dogs with unique challenges. Dogs with high-level competing motivators (like a super strong prey drive!) or anxiety may need extra support and guidance along the way. And that’s okay! Every dog is unique and progresses at their own pace.

So, if you’re ready to enjoy calm, relaxing walks and wonder why you waited, book a session with me and let’s get started!

Book a 1:1 with me here 👉 https://unifiedcanine.com.au/contact-us-dog-training-in-sale/

11/11/2024