The Doggy Lady

19/11/2024

The Doggy Lady team has a special place in our hearts for rescues... But especially for senior rescue pups!

Lucky Chowder has discovered how wonderful life is out of the kennels and in his new forever home. The change hasn't come without its challenges, but his lovely new family was quick to get us out to help iron out the kinks.

We had a lovely session working on some foundation skills to help Chowder learn to manage some big emotions - we can't wait to see his progress!

18/11/2024

Friday Night Sniffer Club was back in session last week! This week's theme was "Clearing Rooms", so we worked on being confident that the area was clear by reading our dog's body language and ensuring we covered the whole area.

Awesome work to these amazing teams!

18/11/2024

Another throwback to 9 years ago. Enrichment is more widely known about now, but it is always good to learn new ideas on how to enrich your dog’s life.

So, what is your favourite activity… or more importantly, what is your dog’s favourite enrichment activity?

Imagine you live in a beautiful new house, with a bed and food. However, now imagine that you are alone in that house for most of the day. And you have a book to read, but it's the same book you've had for the past year. You've read it. Ten times over.

This is the life most dogs lead. We provide the essentials for survival: food, water and shelter. Most of us provide some toys and let our pets share our home. But why do we expect them to entertain themselves for 8-10 hours a day? And I hear many people exclaim ' but he has toys, why does he dig up the garden?' Because that toy is no fun without someone to play with, he loved it the first day but, well he's a dog and he really loves digging.

Enriching our dogs' lives with activities for their mind is so important, especially during their alone times.

Whilst our gorgeous models Deakin, Hannah, Tank and Riley play with purchased enrichment toys (there are sooooo many awesome ones to buy!) beautiful Rolo loves his plastic bottle. Dogs don't care if it's fancy! They love new things to explore with their mouth and paws, new smells, different puzzles!

Work out what your dog loves. For a scent loving dog, hide some toys/treats in the garden to find, even bring some new things home to smell, a branch from the park - ooooh the smells! For a digger, make a digging pit and hide some treasures deep inside it! Fun! And it keeps your garden beds safe(r). For the destroyers, put some biscuits in an old box, tape it up and let them rip it up! You are only bound by your imagination. Use it!

However, the Doggy Lady does suggest you supervise the first few 'recycling box enrichment activities' to ensure your dog doesn't ingest anything they shouldn't!

Have fun with your dog, but also make sure they have fun when alone. Enrichment activities can alleviate stress and also lower problem behaviours.

Get enriching!

17/11/2024

Trainer Kelby was so impressed with her beginners this weekend! We did some real searching this week and the teams worked really hard!

16/11/2024

Who murdered Frank??
Our teams worked together today to solve the mystery! Who do you think did it?

14/11/2024

Whilst we are passionate about Sniffer Dog School and the benefits of scent work for our pet dogs, did you know it isn’t all that we do?

The Doggy Lady team has FIVE fully qualified (some with multiple qualifications!), insured and IMDT accredited trainers who are ready and able to assist with a range of training and behaviour issues.

Need help with a new puppy (they make them that cute for a reason, they can have you pulling your hair out!) - we got you.

Dog pulling on lead or not coming when called - call us, we come when called!

Wish you could have visitors around without all the fiasco and hullabaloo? We can help bring the calmness you seek.

Dog barking and lunging at people or dogs? We hear you, you don’t have a ‘bad’ dog - you have a dog struggling and we can help there too.

Or is your dog scared of the world? Let us teach you some confidence building exercises.

Any dog training or behaviour issues, touch base with us at [email protected]

We will help you enjoy your dog again.

11/11/2024

Wow, a trip back down memory lane to sniffer dog school in 2017.

We may have changed many of the ways we teach scentwork over the years, always looking at ways to improve and innovate, but one thing stays the same - our core belief that training should be fun for both ends of the lead. Love seeing those happy faces!

Trigger warning, some of these beautiful dogs have passed, but what a joyful memory of each and every one of them - I loved seeing my old friends.

07/11/2024

A throwback to 9 years ago…

We choose for a dog to live with us and then we control every moment of their lives. What they eat, where they sleep, when they go out, who they are friends with - all chosen by us.

When we stop dictating to a dog and allow them some choices, it transforms our relationship. Guide your dog and help them, but give them a voice in their own life.

I challenge you to try it. I don't mean you let your dog suddenly run crazy - but allow him or her some small choices - maybe start with what direction your walk will take. You might be surprised to find what kind of walk they really prefer!

What other choices do you, or could you, give your dog?

Beautiful Miss Maggie from far north WA is our gorgeous model and inspiration!

05/11/2024

Our Advanced class is learning a NEW odour and WOW, did they come to impress! This group is really showing moments of brilliance, and we can't wait to see how they develop!

03/11/2024

Our beginners had their minds blown today when we took the scent out of the colander 🤯 but they all nailed it!!!

03/11/2024

I am pleased to advise that your Doggy Lady team won the Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Trade Specialist award last night!

The award was sponsored by one of my favourite local businesses Zanthorrea Nursery.

We were blown away! What started as a small vision to help people build better relationships with their dogs has indeed grown into a community of the most supportive humans who have these incredibly gifted and amazing dogs.

I was so pleased Stephanie and Alison were able to join me last night - and extend my thanks out to Heather and Kelby. These four amazing trainers are all an integral part of our team. They are pretty awesome and I know how lucky I am

The best prize of all was that we also placed third over all in the People’s Choice award and were provided with four pages of just beautiful feedback. Thank you so much to all of those who took the time to provide this - it’s all anonymous to me but will be treasured by us all.

Here is just a very small selection …

“Fiona and her team really care about the dogs they help. Their input in our lives has been life changing. We are so grateful for them and would recommend them over and over again”

“No matter whether you have been part of the team for a week or for years, once you join, you are their family. They are supportive and kind and treat you like you matter. It isn’t about optics - they reach out direct to check on you, instead of just where they can be seen by the general public. They truly care about you and your dog. They are amazingly talented and knowledgable trainers, in addition to being truly empathetic and sweet”

“They have saved me and my dog from a life living like hermits. Fantastic dog trainers and they do wonders for hoomans and their dogs”

“The Doggy Lady team have supported me with my complicated canine for the past four years. I could not have managed without them. A team of dedicated skilled caring professionals with outstanding ethics and knowledge they have fostered a truely supportive and special community”

“The Doggy Lady team are knowledgable, non-judgemental, supportive human beings with a passion to help dogs and their caregivers. They make training and time with your dog FUN!”

“I have been a customer of Fiona Cowie and her Doggy Lady business since it first started and recommend them to many others. She offers exceptional customer service, and both Fiona and her colleagues are always on the lookout for ways to support their clients, both humans and dogs. The Doggy Lady offers really excellent training opportunities for clients and also is very supportive towards its staff who I have found consistently show the same values as Fiona has shown throughout”

Thank you so much for your support - it means so much!

02/11/2024

Our elite teams competed to travel the world on the Amazing Race yesterday!
They were all so close but Team Misty sped through to take the win!

28/10/2024

Only two more sleeps til Howl-a-ween - and that can be more than a little spooky for some of our dogs. Our recent blog shares some tips to keep our dogs safe and happy?

First up, take care that Halloween decorations are not seen as a novel chew toy by an opportunist canine - not all are edible! Talking of edible, make sure any Halloween treats are kept out of reach of furry family members.

If you are thinking of taking your pup out trick or treating or to a Halloween party, make sure their welfare is first and foremost. Will they really enjoy dressing up as the cutest goblin ever? Or would they prefer to stay home with a yummy chew and catch some zzz’s? There are some social butterflies that love to dress up and party, but there are others that don’t enjoy the experience. Does your pup run to pop on a costume, or do they move their body backwards, look away, lick their lips? If the latter, let them settle for their usual collar and a night at home on the couch!

If your dog could potentially be anxious at the sight of wee ghouls and goblins, there are simple things we can do to limit their worry.

Halloween decorations are already out in many neighbourhoods. See a decorated house, watch your dog’s body language, do they try to move away from the house? Stare at it? Freeze? Move them away, treats, treats, treats - and keep distance from that house. On future walks, choose a different route or cross the street. Let your dog know you have their back!

Those trick n treaters can be out early, so plan your dog’s exercise regime. Maybe the evening walk can be substituted for some fun enrichment in the back garden. And yes, it can have a fun Halloween theme for the family! Apple bobbing anyone? Can you teach your pup to jump over the witch’s broomstick? Hide n seek between the Halloween props?

These games would also be great alternative for those kids wanting to involve their pet in the festivities.

If your dog is worried about visitors, find them a safe place. Somewhere away from the front door. Pop the tv or some white noise on. Have their bed ready for them to snuggle on and their favourite things around them. And things to chew, destroy and lick. A filled Kong, some cardboard boxes within cardboard boxes, a delicious chew or a lickimat.

Consider a sign on the door asking people not to knock. Worried about being a Halloween Scrooge? You can always add a bowl of goodies to soften the blow.

If you have Adaptil at hand, use it! If not, things that smell of you might help. If your dog is under the care of a behaviour vet, have a chat to them whether short term medications might help.

You are welcome to share our blog -

https://www.thedoggylady.com.au/blog-post/howl-oween-/

25/10/2024

Congratulations to Trainer Kelby on welcoming a new addition to her family. Welcome Echo, you are a very lucky boy and we can’t wait to see what adventures await you!

23/10/2024

Who will win the Golden Gourd for 2024?

Each year our ‘Doggy Lady Family’ have a bit of a party and award our prestigious Golden Gourd winner of the year.

This award epitomises what it means to be a member of the Doggy Lady Family. It is awarded to a team that inspires us, one that has a beautiful relationship with their dog and supports others also. A team that has fun and is just awesome to be around.

The celebrated winner gets to have the golden gourd in their home for a whole 12 months!

Our finalists are voted not just by our trainers, but by fellow clients.

Our 2024 finalists are…(in no particular order)

Rachel and Rosie
Aimee and Maggie
Justin and Whittaker
Julia and Archie

Congratulations! All will receive a special prize from The Doggy Lady but only one will receive the Golden Gourd!

That will be announced on Friday night…

Pictured is last year’s winner Ida with runner up Sarah - both very deserving winners

20/10/2024

Congratulations to Team Rosie - another pretty ribbon at today’s Scentwork trial - second in Excellent Exteriors. All their hard work is paying off and they are shining like they were made to do.

20/10/2024

Today we welcomed our new Sunday sniffers!! What a great thing to do on a stormy wet afternoon…learn scent work 👍🏻

19/10/2024

Halloween, or HOWL-oween as I prefer to call it, is almost upon us.

Want some hints to ensure your dog is not too spooked?

Check out our latest blog (complete with cute pics from today’s Spooky Elite Class)

First up, take care that Halloween decorations are not seen as a novel chew toy by an opportunist canine - not all are edible! Talking of edible, make sure any Halloween treats are kept out of reach of furry family members.