K9 Instinct

04/11/2025

💔 Goodbye, Tuna

Friday, my heart broke in a way I can’t quite put into words. My little Pug, Tuna, passed away unexpectedly.

When you live a life like mine - single, no kids, surrounded by dogs who share your home, your work, and your purpose - the loss of one isn’t “just” losing a pet. It’s losing your housemate, your shadow, your co-worker, and one of the souls who make your days feel full.

For me, my dogs aren’t background noise in the home, they’re part of everything I do. They’re beside me when I work with clients, they inspire the training I teach, they make me laugh when the days are long. They’re the reason I do what I do.

Losing Tuna leaves an empty space in all of that. In the home, in my heart, and in my work. The silence hits differently when the one who used to snore beside your bed or greet you at the door isn’t there anymore.

If you’ve ever lost a dog who was woven into every part of your life, you’ll understand the kind of ache I mean. It’s quiet, constant, and hard to explain to those who haven’t lived it.

Grief looks different when your dogs are your family, your routine, your livelihood, your joy. And while I know time will soften the edges, right now I’m just trying to let myself feel it, and be grateful for every moment I had with her.

If you knew her or had the privilege of working your dog with her, you blessed.

Run free, Tuna. You were small in size, but left a massive hole behind.

04/11/2025

Struggling with leash reactivity? Let’s change that!
- Link in bio

29/10/2025

🧠 Confidence isn’t born, it’s built.
Puppy resilience training means teaching your dog that the world is safe, recoverable, and full of rewards.
We’re not building “fearless” dogs, but instead dogs that recover fast and continue to try.

21/10/2025

You’re not going to like this one… 😬

But yes, I take my baby pups out into the world before they’re vaccinated.

And no, it’s not because I don’t care about their health.
It’s because I do.

The real risk isn’t just disease, it’s fear, reactivity, and a lifetime of behavioural fallout from missing the most critical learning window of their lives. Especially with a singleton.

By the time most people wait for that “all clear” from the vet, their puppy’s prime socialisation period is gone. And you can’t vaccinate against fear.

So instead of locking my pups away, I make smart choices:
✅ Controlled environments
✅ Vaccinated, stable dogs
✅ Real-world exposure done safely and calmly

Because I’d rather raise a confident, resilient dog than one who’s been bubble-wrapped into behavioural problems.

Would you do it? Or is this a hard no for you?

16/10/2025

Check out Khaos the Abel the Wren the Cooper the Sox the and Murphy the learning to search vehicles

15/10/2025

My own dogs and I have had a week of wins - and early mornings 🥱
Loki (Asshat) gained his Novice Sprintdog title at the weekend trial, and Gerda took out JD600 today in a midweek agility trial with Wollongong Dog Sport Club. And now, back to work!

14/10/2025

Georgia’s dogs have learnt be give space and be respectful of her leg pre and post amputation. Now that we’re starting some formal obedience we have to build some confidence in both handler and dogs in their position.
Here were marking the small things, not a perfect position, but a good attitude and willingness to be in a tighter position. 🦵

07/10/2025

If you’ve been wanting to try 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, this is your last chance for 2025 - our final 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝟭 has just a few spots left.

➡️ Book now to join the fun, before the spots disappear 🫥

07/10/2025