Dogaholics - Dog Training

Dogaholics - Dog Training Dogaholics is a Dog Training and Behaviour consultancy servicing the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie ar

Dog Training and Behaviour services in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area

02/06/2026

A simple tip for dogs that get upset by barking dogs behind fences...

One of the most common things I hear is, "My dog is fine until we walk past that house with the barking dog."

The reality is that you can't control the dog behind the fence. You also can't control the owner or whether they choose to do anything about it.

What you can control is your dog's experience.

If your dog is becoming worried, reactive, overstimulated or stressed every time they walk past the same barking dog, consider changing your walking route. It doesn't have to be forever, but repeatedly exposing your dog to something they find frightening or overwhelming isn't helping them learn to feel safe.

Think of it this way: if you knew there was someone who jumped out and yelled at you every day on your walk, would repeatedly walking past them make you feel better about it?

Sometimes the best training decision isn't pushing through. It's preventing unnecessary stress while you work on building your dog's confidence and skills elsewhere.

Your dog doesn't need to "face their fears" every day. Sometimes they just need a walk where they can relax and enjoy being a dog.

This is a very personal post.People often see the fun side of dog training — puppies learning new skills, happy success ...
30/05/2026

This is a very personal post.

People often see the fun side of dog training — puppies learning new skills, happy success stories and dogs living better lives. And while those moments are absolutely worth it, this work also carry a very heavy emotional load.

As a dog trainer and behaviour consultant, I am regularly working with fear, aggression, anxiety, heartbreak and guilt. I meet people when they are stressed, overwhelmed, sleep deprived or feeling judged. I work with dogs who are struggling emotionally and families who are often at breaking point.

I celebrate the wins deeply because I also carry the losses deeply.

There are cases that stay with me long after the consultation ends. Dogs I worry about. Caregivers that I ache for. Situations where I wish resources, finances, housing or human support systems were different. Sometimes I help people make incredibly difficult decisions because they are trying to keep everyone safe while still loving their dog immensely.

This industry can be emotionally exhausting in ways many people don’t realise. Compassion fatigue is real. Burnout is real. The pressure to constantly educate, support, problem solve and emotionally hold space for both humans and animals is a lot for me.

But despite that, I’m here and I stay because I care so deeply.

I stay for the scared dog that finally feels safe.

For the caregiver who says “I finally understand my dog.”

For the families who thought there was no hope.

For the tiny moments of progress that completely change a household.

So if you have a trainer or behaviour consultant helping you and your dog — kindness, patience and understanding towards them goes a very long way too!

28/05/2026

After running around and trampolining this week, I completely understood why dogs zoom around the house after being cooped up all day.

The difference afterwards in focus, emotions and energy regulation was huge (although my knees may disagree tomorrow). Dogs are no different. Appropriate exercise, enrichment and opportunities to use their bodies can have a massive impact on behaviour, arousal and learning.

Sometimes the goal isn’t to create a ‘tired dog’… it’s to help create a dog whose brain isn’t bouncing around like I was on the trampoline.

What do you think of my trampolining skills? lol!

26/05/2026

At our puppy classes, we don’t just focus on sit, down and stay — we focus on helping puppies learn how to relax, decompress and feel safe in the world around them .

Here you can see these gorgeous puppies enjoying one of our favourite decompression activities… a calming chew! Chewing is a natural behaviour that helps puppies regulate emotions, lower stress levels and learn to settle calmly around other dogs and people.

Our puppy classes are all about building confident, emotionally healthy puppies while giving caregivers practical, real-life skills that work.

If you want a puppy class that understands behaviour, emotions and the importance of calmness — we’d love to help!

Why social media can actually be bad for you AND your dog!There is so much dog training advice online now that it can be...
23/05/2026

Why social media can actually be bad for you AND your dog!

There is so much dog training advice online now that it can become completely overwhelming. One reel says to ignore your dog, another says correct them, another says give treats, another says your dog is “dominant”… and suddenly your left confused, stressed and feeling like your failing.

The reality is that social media rewards quick fixes, dramatic transformations and emotionally charged content — not nuanced, evidence-based information.
Dogs are individuals, behaviour is complex, and issues cannot be solved in a 30 second video.

Constantly comparing your dog to perfectly edited “before and after” videos can also create unrealistic expectations.

Training takes time, consistency, management and understanding. Progress is rarely linear.

For dogs, social media trends can also be harmful when people try techniques without understanding learning theory, body language or the emotional state behind behaviour. What looks “fixed” on camera is usually suppression, fear or shutdown behaviour.

It’s okay to take a step back from the noise.

It’s okay if your dog isn’t perfect.

And it’s okay to seek qualified, evidence-based help from a qualified, force free professional rather than relying on viral advice.

Your relationship with your dog matters far more than social media trends.

21/05/2026

Is there a magic wand in Dog Training?

Many caregivers hope their dog’s behaviour problems will magically be solved, but real behaviour change takes time, patience, consistency and treating the cause.

Every dog is different, and lasting results come from a thorough wholistic approach.

Changing behaviour is possible with the right approach.

Struggling with your dog’s behaviour?

Send me a message and let’s create a wholistic plan that works for you and your dog.

19/05/2026

If you are not in a designated off-leash area, please keep your dog on lead.

Even if your dog is friendly, allowing them to run up to unfamiliar dogs can be incredibly overwhelming for dogs that are reactive, nervous, or currently in training.

These unexpected interactions can create stressful and frightening experiences for both the dog and their caregiver.

Many caregivers are working incredibly hard to help their dogs feel safe and confident out in the world. Giving space and respecting boundaries makes a huge difference.

Keeping your dog on lead in public areas is not only responsible — it helps create a safer and more positive environment for everyone.

Need help with your dog’s training or behaviour?

🌐 Visit our website: https://dogaholicsdogtraining.com.au/dog-training-and-behaviour/
📩 Or send us a message to learn more about our training services.

What would you like to see more of on our socials?🐾I would love to make sure the content I share is genuinely helpful, i...
16/05/2026

What would you like to see more of on our socials?🐾

I would love to make sure the content I share is genuinely helpful, interesting, and relevant to you and your animals.

What are you currently struggling with?
What questions do you have about your dog or cat?
What topics are you curious about or want to learn more about?

Drop your ideas, questions, or challenges in the comments

14/05/2026

Puppy socialization isn’t just about face-to-face playtime.

At ourPuppy Pre-School, we focus on helping puppies feel safe, confident, and comfortable in new environments, and scent introductions are a huge part of that process.

In this session, we rotated the puppies through each other’s seating areas so they could explore and learn about one another through scent first.

Why is this important?

Because jumping straight into face-to-face greetings can sometimes feel overwhelming or scary for young puppies. Through scent, puppies gather valuable information about each other in a calm, low-pressure way before direct interactions happen.

This helps create:

✔️ More positive social experiences
✔️ Better confidence
✔️ Reduced stress and fear
✔️ Healthier puppy communication skills

Sometimes the best introductions happen before the puppies even meet.

Looking for help with your Puppy?

We’d love to support you and your pup on their training journey.

🌐 Visit our website: https://dogaholicsdogtraining.com.au/puppy-preschool-and-training/

📩 Or send us a message directly to learn more about our Puppy Pre-School program and training services.

12/05/2026

If you’re caring for a reactive dog, please know this:

You are doing an incredible job.

The walks that feel stressful…
The constant vigilance…
The judgment from strangers…
The emotional ups and downs…

It’s not easy.

But your patience, love, and commitment mean everything to your dog. They may have big emotions, but they also have big hearts. And having someone who understands them changes their whole world.

This video is for every dog parent navigating reactivity with compassion and care. You are seen, appreciated, and supported.

Need help? Feel free to message us.

Address

Adamstown, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm

Website

https://www.instagram.com/dogaholics.dog.training/

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