Dog training and behaviour, bootcamp programs, groupclasses and online courses!
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11/07/2025
This will always be my favourite dad joke đ¤Ł.
It's also the only one I can ever remember if someone asks you to do a joke on the spot.
Anyone have a good joke drop them in the comments, lets have a laugh!
09/07/2025
Balanced training gets a bad rap sometimes, with people quick to label it âabusiveâ or âmeanâ before really understanding what it is. Letâs clear the air: balanced training isnât about yelling, hurting, or scaring your dog â itâs about using a mix of rewards and corrections to communicate clearly. Dogs need boundaries, just like kids do, and balanced training gives them that structure in a fair, respectful way. Itâs about teaching your dog what you want and what you donât want, so everyoneâs on the same page.
One myth is that balanced training is all punishment and fear. The reality is balanced training focuses heavily on positive reinforcement â rewarding the good stuff â but it also recognizes that corrections, when done right, are necessary to stop dangerous or unwanted behaviors. Itâs like driving a car: you use the accelerator to go forward but also need brakes to stop safely. Ignoring corrections altogether leaves dogs confused and sometimes unsafe.
Remember - it's called BALANCED training because we use a balanced approach of the quadrant of operant conditioning. Positive only only uses (according to them) the positive reinforcement quadrant (even though they also use negative reinforcement and negative punishment).
If we would only use positive punishment - that is called Compulsion training or Aversion training. That is NOT what balanced training is.
Another big misconception is that balanced training damages the dogâs trust. Actually, when you use clear, consistent communication that includes both rewards and corrections, you build trust. Your dog knows what to expect and feels secure because boundaries are clear. Itâs not about harsh punishment â itâs about being a confident leader who your dog respects and looks to for guidance.
So if youâve been scared off by the âbalanced training = abuseâ narrative, take a step back and look at the facts. Balanced training, done properly, is one of the most effective ways to help your dog learn, stay safe, and build a strong bond with you. Itâs about balance â not extremes â and it works.
If it didn't, why is there so, so many videos, stories and anecdotes of super happy, confident fulfilled, non traumatised, non shut down, non scared dogs online that are trained by balanced methods?
07/07/2025
Is your teenage dog going through their âtoo cool to listenâ phase?
Between 5 and 18 months old, your pup might look grown-up⌠but theyâre really just a furry teenager testing boundaries.
⢠Does your dog know basic commands, but ignore you the second thereâs a distraction?
⢠Has their behaviour gotten worse as theyâve gotten older?
⢠Do they forget you exist when another dog is nearby?
Our 5-Week Teenage Dog Obedience Course is designed just for this age â when they need structure, consistency, and guidance the most.
In this course, weâll help you:
⢠Teach your dog how to stay calm when meeting people and other dogs
⢠Build focus that doesnât rely on food every time
⢠Extend your dogâs ability to listen and hold a behaviour (yes, even at a busy cafĂŠ or when guests visit!)
⢠Improve loose-lead walking so youâre not dragged down the street
This class is ideal for dogs aged 5 to 18 months who have some training but need help in the real world.
Spots are limited so grab your spot before it fills up!
She is our forever puppy, always full of beans. Sheâs youre hype dog. Always up for anything - play, training, scent work, sleeping on the bed for 12 hours straight.
Zelda is loud and funny. Sheâs a character and so intensely unique. Sheâs an attention seeker but only in her own business hours. Sheâs a snuggle bug, but only when she feels like it. She is fearless, except if its a statue. If she were a person sheâd be a stand up comedian.
Here is to many more crazy years together. â¤ď¸
06/07/2025
1. Letting your dog pull and expecting it to stop on its own.
When you let your dog pull, youâre basically teaching them that pulling gets them where they want to go. Instead, stop walking the moment the leash tightens. Only move forward when the leash is loose. This clear âno pull, yes walkâ message helps your dog understand what you expect.
2. Using equipment without proper training or leadership.
Fancy harnesses or choke chains donât fix pulling by themselves. What matters is how you use them. A front-clip harness or head halter can help redirect your dogâs energy, but you need to be calm, consistent, and ready to guide your dog. The tool is just that â a tool. Your timing and leadership make the real difference.
3. Rushing the process or expecting instant results.
Pulling is a habit, and habits take time to change. Keep walks short and manageable at first, rewarding your dog for walking nicely. Gradually increase distractions and distance as your dog gets better. Staying patient and consistent helps both you and your dog avoid frustration.
4. Ignoring your own body language and timing.
Dogs read your energy like a book. If youâre tense, distracted, or inconsistent, your dog gets mixed signals. Make sure your body and voice tell the same story. Stop moving when your dog pulls, and only continue walking when the leash is slack. This clear communication is key to success.
5. Not celebrating small wins.
Itâs easy to focus only on stopping pulling, but donât forget to celebrate when your dog walks nicely. Don't start taking the right behaviours for granted and forget to reward them!
04/07/2025
Anyone else like this? đ
04/07/2025
Today was the first time I ran puppy day school.
A new program im starting for existing puppy clients for socialisation and training.
I work mainly on ensuring pups are polite communicators whilst using my own dogs, especially Zelda, and teaching them to settle.
I actually have a perfect video of a gentle correction from Zelda teaching Fritzi that was inappropriate and it was effective as heck.
They come along on the day and a lot of the time they are there but not participating for example during a client session. This way they learn to do ânothingâ, a skill way too many people donât spent time building. To just be present without being worked with.
Besides that we also covered some leash skills, using a house leash and mini recalls of distractions and waiting to come out of the crate.
Today I had 12 week old Badger (jack russel) and Fritzi (gsd).
03/07/2025
Affection and leadership arenât in competitionâthey work hand in hand to create a confident, well-adjusted dog. The problem is, many owners tip the balance too far toward affection, thinking that love alone will create a well-behaved companion. Endless pats, treats, snuggles, and soft talk might feel good to us, but to a dog without clear rules, it can feel like chaos. Without leadership, dogs often feel they have to step up and make decisions, and thatâs where the trouble starts: pulling on leash, barking at triggers, ignoring commands, or getting anxious because no oneâs showing them how to navigate the world. Affection without leadership is like giving a kid cake for breakfast every dayâit might make them happy in the moment, but it doesnât set them up for success.
Leadership provides the structure your dog craves. Itâs not about being harsh or bossyâitâs about setting boundaries, offering guidance, and holding your dog accountable in a fair and consistent way. When your dog knows whatâs expected, they donât have to guess or stress about every situation. They can trust you to handle things and can relax into their role as your companion, not your co-pilot. A dog that has strong leadership at home walks through the world with more confidence because theyâre not constantly trying to problem-solve on their own.
And hereâs the best part: when youâve established leadership, your affection actually means *more*. Your dog doesnât see it as confusing mixed signalsâthey see it as well-earned praise and connection. The hugs, the belly rubs, the playtimeâthey all come as part of a balanced relationship where your dog knows their place and feels secure in it. This balance of love and structure strengthens your bond and makes your dog want to work with you, not just for the reward, but because they trust and respect you.
Think of it like a great coach. The best coaches arenât just drill sergeants or cheerleadersâtheyâre both. They guide, correct, support, and celebrate. Thatâs the sweet spot you want to hit with your dog. Leadership gives your dog clarity. Affection gives your dog connection. Together, they create a relationship where your dog can truly thrive.
02/07/2025
Need to work on Engagement with your dog? Here is 6 different ways to practise that đĽ°
Discover 6 powerful engagement games that make your dog focus on YOU, not just the toy. Build unbreakable attention and have more fun on every walk!Training ...
01/07/2025
Corrections arenât the villain some people make them out to beâtheyâre simply part of clear communication. A fair, well-timed correction tells your dog, âThatâs not itâtry something else.â
Itâs not about being mean or harsh; itâs about giving your dog information they can actually use. Imagine trying to learn to drive, but the instructor only praised you when you got it right and never mentioned when you were about to blow through a stop sign. Youâd be in trouble pretty fast or how about like you wouldnât let a child keep sticking their fingers in a power socket while gently offering them a cookie for stopping, dogs need to hear no sometimes too.
The key is that corrections shouldnât come from a place of frustration or anger. They should be clear, well-timed, and followed by a chance for your dog to make a better choice and get rewarded for it. Dogs, like people, need both encouragement and guidance when theyâre on the wrong trackâotherwise theyâll keep making the same mistake without even realizing it.
Think of corrections like guardrails on a mountain road. Theyâre not there to hurt you; theyâre there to stop you from going over the edge when you veer off course. A gentle correction redirects your dog, helps them reset, and opens the door for you to reward them when they make a better choice. When corrections are part of balanced, fair communication, your dog learns faster, feels more secure, and actually builds more trust in youânot less.
01/07/2025
Tonight was the kick off for the beginners Scent Work class and all the dogs did so well! Cant wait to see how theyll develop their skills in the next 5 weeks!
Manny - Spoodle
Ruby - Labrador
Luna - Wheaten Terrier
29/06/2025
Boundaries arenât about being a killjoy or turning your dogâs life into boot campâtheyâre about giving your dog the kind of clarity that makes them feel safe and secure. When a dog knows where the lines are, they can relax because theyâre not constantly guessing whatâs allowed and whatâs not. Imagine being dropped into a new job with no training and no one telling you the rulesâyouâd probably feel pretty anxious, right? Itâs the same for dogs. Boundaries create predictability, and predictability builds confidence. Your dog starts to trust you to guide them through the world instead of feeling like they have to figure it all out on their own.
The beauty of boundaries is that they actually create freedomânot take it away. A dog that understands and respects limits is a dog you can trust in more situations. They earn more off-leash time, more social opportunities, and more privileges because you know theyâll handle it well. And that, in turn, boosts their confidence even more.
Boundaries are like giving your dog a solid map of the worldâyouâre not fencing them in; youâre showing them where the safe paths are so they can explore with certainty instead of chaos.
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The Complete Canine
Notice the Change in your Dog
Hi!
Iâm Sanne (Sah-nah) founder of âThe Complete Canineâ.
The Complete Canine came to be because of my own dogs Lenyx and Zelda, who are proudly displayed in my logo.
Lenyx and Zelda are my inspiration and my passion. Without them, I wouldnât have taken the step to go into dog training. Lenyx is this old soul and my heart dog. He is really attached to me and loves his family and isnât necessarily interested in other dogs (or people) around him. Heâs friendly, but selective.
When Lenyx was 7 months he broke his toe and became quite reactive and fearful to touch and vet visits. We called in a trainer to help us with his potential aggression with the vet and saw our dog change drastically. I loved our trainerâs work so much, that I decided, that is what I want to do. Help people, help their dogs.
Zelda is a joy. Sheâs our Herd2Homes rescue Kelpie x Koolie. She is as extrovert as a dog can be. She is the typical working dog and exactly what I wanted in a working dog, to be able to go sheep herding and hopefully end up doing agility competitions with her. Sheâs full of beans and has a huge (weird) character.
I thank them everyday for being there for me and making my life richer.
Passion
Teaching and helping people is something that comes naturally to me. I have been a full time primary school teacher for 6 years and the switch to dog training feels like a perfect next step to me, although currently I am balancing it with my fulltime job. I have the right amount of people skills, ability to explain, train and teach and the passion and handling skills with dogs. I strive to learn as much as possible and am thankful for trainers such as Jay Jack, Chad Mackin, Tyler Muto and Pat Stuart to continue to educate and share their practices. I am also very lucky to call Ernie Frappa (The Dog Bloke) my mentor.
However my interest doesnât just stop at obedience and behaviour. As someone who grew up around horses I saw the benefits of osteopaths and massage therapists first hand. Horses that were having issues under the saddle often moved and behaved so much better after a good massage session that for me it was a logical step to have a look at dog massage as well.
I wanted to look at the âwhole dogâ through Canine (myofunctional therapy) Massage. Dogs benefit from massage in the same way as humans and on top of that it can assist in addressing numeral behavioural issues, which goes perfectly together with dog training and sports.
Qualifications and PD
I completed the NDTF cert 3 in Dog Training and Behaviour.
Iâm currently finishing up the NCTM Diploma for Canine Myofunctional Therapy.
Bachelor of Education
Besides my official qualifications I regular attend Seminars to ensure I'm up to date with the most recent training concepts and strategies.