Yamba Dog Walking

05/09/2024

I have to cancel this afternoons group class sorry. Medical issue. Back to normal next week.

03/09/2024

Group Classes are on this week - Wednesday & Thursday at 4pm. Message me to register a spot.

28/08/2024

For now Group Class is on at 4pm this arvo. Just keeping an eye on how hot it gets.

26/08/2024

Happy International Dog Day! 🥳

I love my dogs. I know it’s cliche but they have honestly changed my life.

We’ve had our ups and downs but the lessons I’ve learned along the way have taught me so much about myself and what really matters in life.

My ability to help and work with dogs will be their legacy. So thank you to my bestest girls Mia and Tomi.

25/08/2024

“Hey! Where’s my goodbye treat?”

Khazi’s been doing a great job working on his reactivity, engagement and settling in busy environments.

He’s a clever boy and picking things up very quickly.

Hoping to get a little social group going with him and the other 2 boofhead labradors Marlow and Harvey.

Good boy Khazi.

19/08/2024

Group Classes will be on this week weather permitting

Weds 4pm class - 2nd half of Foundations. We will cover fair and effective use of punishment in dog training, leash pressure and loose leash walking skills

Thursday 4pm class - We will cover building duration in obedience behaviours, recall and further loose leash walking skills

Please remember to let me know if you are coming to class as spaces are limited

13/08/2024

No Group Classes this week
The grounds are too wet

04/08/2024

Group Classes are going to start back up this week.

Thursday afternoons 3pm and 4pm

But also Wednesday afternoons 3pm and 4pm

I’m going to run them a little differently and for new people starting I want them to attend the first 2 lessons where we will cover foundations after that they can be selective about which weeks they come.

It’s important that people register with me beforehand if they are going to attend or not as the idea is to keep the classes in small groups so everyone gets the most out of it.

I’m going to develop 3 levels of classes - beginner, intermediate and advanced with obedience tests that need to be passed before you can move up to the next level with your dog. I think this will help to motivate people and set goals with their dogs.

For now the foundation classes will be on Wednesday 3pm and 4pm.

$20 per class

Please send me a msg if you would like to register for the classes.

Cheers Shayde

31/07/2024

No group classes this Thursday
Classes will start back up again next week

21/07/2024

Just some happy and clever Yamba doggos

It's time for a short break, its been a busy 6 months

I'll be back at it 29th July

10/07/2024

Mistakes People Make with New Puppies

There are lots of mini Millies getting around the area at the moment, I took her pup Ruby out for a bit of socialisation work and to make this video. She's a sweet girl but a little unsure of the world. We can work through that.

If you have a new puppy or a young dog my advice to you is to go gently, be patient and set your pup up for success.

It's so much easier to prevent behavioural problems from developing then to try and fix it later. Some problems can never be fixed.

Relationship is key, have fun with your puppy!

07/07/2024

Crate training is so much more than a place for your dog to sleep at night, in fact my dogs don't sleep in their crates

I wish more people would listen to my advice about crate training their dogs. It can change the whole dynamic in the home, prevent so many issues from developing and help to work through major behavioural problems like separation anxiety and reactivity

But it has to be trained properly and its never to be used as a punishment

05/07/2024

And Mia brings the treats

04/07/2024

Tomi brings me the junk mail. Next to teach her how to put it in the bin

02/07/2024

It's been a great start to the midweek group classes. Awesome to watch the dogs and their handlers progress.

So far the focus has been less on obedience and more on building engagement, communication and developing a stronger working relationship.

I appreciate everyone thats been coming down. We've lost a few due to covid and life events. And it was unfortunate to hear that one of the dogs Sully was attacked while out on a walk with his family. Hope he recovers well and can rejoin us at some point.

And shout out to Tomi for being the best and most patient demo dog. She gets lots of chicken nuggers after class for being the goodest girl.

30/06/2024

Archie, Delilah, Theo & Willow being the goodest boys and girls on their walk along the breakwall

28/06/2024

My little mate Teddy is back in town and up to his old tricks terrorising sausage rolls

No bakery is safe

Great to get to hang out with him again

19/06/2024

2 Spots still available for Thursday 4pm group class starting tomorrow

16/06/2024

Midweek Group Classes are starting this Thursday afternoon. Tuesday classes will start in the coming months

For now there will be a 3pm and 4pm class located in Yamba. I will confirm location later in the week

There are 4 spots available per class so it’s important that you register first by messaging me. (You are welcome to bring your partner or a family member along, no small kids sorry)

Price is $20 per class

I would like participants to commit to the first 4 weeks and I have structured a training plan to work through over those 4 weeks

In those 4 weeks we will cover:
* Fundamentals - Communication, Handling Skills, Phases of Dog Training, Relationship
* Building Engagement
* Obedience - Sit Stays, Down Stays, Place, Recall, Etc
* Handling Skills
* Loose Leash Walking
* Impulse Control

These classes will be focused on neutrality towards other dogs and learning to work around distractions and ultimately strengthening the relationship between the dog and their owner. So its important to understand that the dogs will not be meeting each other in class

Dogs must be vaccinated

We will mostly be using rewards based training methods using food, play and praise. We will discuss balanced training methods and ways to correct your dog but if you don’t want to use rewards with your dog then these classes aren’t for you

Please send me a message through this page if you have any questions or would like to secure a space in Thursday afternoon group classes

Cheers,
Shayde

14/06/2024

Photo Dump and Mini Update including Group Classes

(Sorry if your dogs not featured, sometimes I forget to take photos, too focused on training)

I passed a lady today while I was out walking a couple of the dogs, she said to me that I was a rich man and I agreed and thanked her. I’m extremely grateful to be able to spend my days with your dogs.

I’ve been so busy. Lots of new difficult dogs to work with. I get 3-4 enquiries per week from owners with reactive dogs and other behavioural issues. Some cases are simple, some are complex and ongoing. Yamba seems to have a high incidence of dogs with behavioural issues.

I plan on rebranding and focusing more on providing a dog training service to the area in the next few months. It’s good to see other options for dog walkers popping up in the area.

I’ve cleared my Thursday afternoons to start running group classes. I’m aiming to run 2 x 1hr classes on Thursday afternoons, also looking at Tuesdays.

These will be small group classes (4 x handlers and their dogs) and aimed at dogs that have a harder time at large group classes.
Not suitable for dogs with extreme reactivity, but I do provide 1 on 1 lessons for dogs like this.

I will post details, prices and confirm times and location over the weekend. Will likely be 3pm and 4pm classes.

Please get in contact to register your interest.

Cheers,
Shayde

04/06/2024

This is Reggie the Springer Spaniel. Reggie and his mum blew me away with their progress this evening. They make a great team and the work in between lessons shows.

We’ve been working on impulse control, recall and reactivity. Reggie did a great job working alongside Tomi tonight and it’s been awesome to watch his confidence grow.

30/05/2024

This sweetie is Franki the Dalmatian. She’s a little bit of an anxious girl but coming along nicely. We have been working on lots of things mainly focused on engagement, calm behaviours, reactivity, loose leash walking, recall and co-operative care to help her let people trim her nails.

She’s had some negative experiences with other trainers (not local trainers) so it’s great to get her on track and watch her progress. And I think that’s an important point, a good trainer will adapt to the dogs needs and go at the dogs pace instead of trying to smash a square peg into a round hole.

25/05/2024

I wanted to share this excellent video by Sanne from The Complete Canine that shows multiple ways to teach your dog to be calm aka “The Off Switch”.

I’m getting a lot of jobs at the moment with dogs that become over excited and have difficulty self regulating especially once they leave the house. And before you can truly address problems like pulling on leash or reactivity the dog needs to learn to be calmer in different environments.

And this starts in the home. Once the dog has a good understanding of some of these exercises at home then you can start translating them to outside of the house starting with quieter environments and working up to busier places.

I’d just make one important point to add to this video, if you are going to do any of these exercises please ensure the dog is left alone and that other dogs are put away or small children can’t interrupt the process.

Is your dog overexcited? Loves to beg for attention? Jump on you or guests? Seems to have boundless energy and you don't know how to calm them down?In this v...

22/05/2024

Really happy with Astra and Nova’s progress. They are 3yo Catahoula x Bull Arab’s and we are working on reactivity, prey drive and confidence in general.

20/05/2024

This is Jamaica the Great Dane/Neo Mastiff. He is a BIG boy, I’d say he weighs atleast 80kgs. Strongest dog I’ve ever handled.

He’s a big softy and likes to take regular breaks from training for hugs and belly rubs. He’s learning to be calmer out in public and meeting people, also not to pull on walks.

16/05/2024

So many benefits to play. Hopefully this encourages more dog owners to spend more time playing and having fun with their dogs

10/05/2024

Double Trouble. A brief moment of calmness for Marlow and Harvey.

My goal for them is to be able to relax around each other, remain engaged with their handler and that not all interactions have to be high energy play.

09/05/2024

This gorgeous girl is Pepsi the boxer.
She’s a lovely dog, looks tough but deep down she’s a little bit unsure of the world.

I’ll always have a soft spot for the bully breeds. They can come across as stubborn and hard to deal with but I actually find the bully breeds among the easiest to train.

Looking forward to seeing Pepsi’s progress, she’s off to a great start.

06/05/2024

Little photoshoot with the beach babe Charlie. She has been doing so well with her socialisation and enjoys going on walks with other dogs now. Still likes her space respected though. Proud of you Charlie.

03/05/2024

It’s been a massive week. Time for a photo dump.