Aratah Dog Training

11/11/2025

30/10/2025

Let's talk about trained protection dogs, because sometimes I get clients saying they think they want on.

Context matters.

Humans understand that the delivery driver at 6pm with dinner is not the same as a masked intruder at midnight.

But to a dog, especially one trained to react aggressively toward unfamiliar people, the difference isn’t always so clear.

If a dog has been trained to view strangers as potential threats, that “protective” instinct can easily spill over into dangerous situations.

To that dog, a stranger is a stranger.

Imagine your child having friends over to play. Or extended family coming for the holidays. Or a neighbor stopping by unexpectedly.

If a dog has been conditioned to respond to strangers with suspicion or aggression, those everyday scenarios could end in fear, or worse, injury.

Protection dogs are not family pets. They’re specialized working animals whose training doesn’t translate well into the unpredictable, social world of family life. Read more in my blog post this week!

Is that what you really want? Let's talk BEFORE you go down this path. I have a pre-adoption/purchase consult just for you!

09/10/2025

There are still a few places available for the Adolescent Dog Training Course starting on Saturday the 1st of November. Contact details are below.

29/09/2025

When you first pictured life with your dog, what did you imagine?

A robotically obedient little puppet?

Or a companion who makes you laugh, comforts you, and feels safe with you?

We’ve been conditioned to think:

…that a “good dog” is an obedient dog.
…that compliance equals love.
…that control equals security.

But a dog who hides their needs to avoid consequences isn’t thriving. They’re walking on eggshells. Suppressing who they are.

What most people actually want isn’t robotic compliance.

It’s a relationship. Trust. Safety. Joy.

You picked your dog. You brought them into your life.

But the real measure isn’t that you chose them…

It’s whether they feel safe enough to choose you back.

Obedience isn’t the goal. A real relationship is 🫶

26/09/2025

Rushing➡️Risky!
It's a big deal for dogs to accept. Many just don't if it's rushed.
There are proven ways to help with these introductions.
Whether you want a permanent new dog as an additional family member or maybe just want your friend's dog to visit your home and have yours comfortable (and who knows, maybe even a friendship)!

Neutral areas.
What does that even mean?
It means somewhere your dog has a low attachment to.
No history, no scent left there and no emotions attached. It isn't their territory.
Yards are certainly not usually neutral and streets may not be either (if one dog or the other has visited).

Parallel walks.
You may need a few but watching body language is key here.

Inside the home.
Avoid those sparks and remove items that can cause issues (or restrict access).
Food.
Rewards.
Beds.
Couches.

Even affection being shown by you towards can cause an issue.

Yes, this is very much a cautious approach.
Why?
Because I don't think there isn't a trainer out there that hasn't seen the damage caused when this is rushed by people.
We are called in when it has gone very, very wrong.

Do it right.
Take your time and give this your absolute best, slowly.

24/09/2025

New home needed for a delightful, adolescent family dog. He loves children and is good with other dogs. The family are reluctant to give up their beautiful companion, but are unable to devote enough time to exercise and train a young dog. If you are interested, PM Pauline on FB or phone me on 0421 028 219

Send a message to learn more

12/08/2025

08/08/2025

When we punish dogs for growling, even if they're growling at our child, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving us warning signs and "bites out of the blue."

And, that's how we create dangerous dogs. I'd much rather have a dog growl and tell me they're upset (so we have a chance to intervene and help them) than a dog who just bites without any warning signs.

Read more here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/08/04/behavior-suppression/

07/08/2025

Many clients tell me, almost proudly or to somehow justify their use, that their dog "only needed to be shocked twice and then they stopped barking" or "only needed two shocks from the fence and now they respect the boundary of the property."

And maybe that's true. But in the process, the dog has been traumatized. They're living in fear or pain. We know from research that aversive methods can (and often do) result in increased fear, aggression, or learned helplessness and damage your relationship with your dog.

Read more in my post here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/09/25/shock-fallout-effects/

(Reminder: promoting or supporting the use of aversives on my page will not be tolerated.)

23/07/2025

21/07/2025