Dogaholics - Dog Training

09/10/2026

Why did I call my business 'Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services'?

When I first started my business, I wanted a name that reflected how I feel about dogs.

I have to admit, I am bit of a Dogaholic (more like a lot!). ❤️

I’ve spent most of my adult life learning about dogs, working with dogs, rescuing dogs, talking about dogs… and probably boring people who don’t love dogs quite as much as I do!

But for me, being a Dogaholic isn’t just about loving dogs.

It’s about being fascinated by who they are, why they behave the way they do, what they’re trying to communicate and how we can build a better relationship with them.

And after all these years, I still genuinely love what I do.

So Dogaholics seemed like the perfect name. 🐶

Because, I’m so proud to be one.

07/10/2026

🐾 ONE SPOT LEFT! 🐾

Our next 'Introduction to K9 Nosework' course starts next week on Thursday 15 October — and we have just ONE spot left!

K9 Nosework is so much more than teaching your dog to find a scent.

It gives dogs the opportunity to use their incredible sense of smell, make their own choices, work things out and build confidence — all while having fun.

It's a great activity for dogs who love to sniff, dogs who need more confidence, dogs who can find the world a little overwhelming, and dogs who simply love having a job to do.

Our course starts with our first online session and then 4 practical, hands-on sessions where you and your dog get to play the scent work game!

📚 Course dates:
Thursday 15 October - 7 pm (online)
Saturday 17 October – 8am (f2f)
Saturday 24 October – 8am (f2f)
Saturday 31 October – 8am (f2f)
Saturday 7 November – 8am (f2f)

Location: Adamstown
Cost: $250

If you've been thinking about giving K9 Nosework a try, this is your last chance to join this course for 2026!

ONE SPOT LEFT!
To enrol go here https://dogaholicsdogtraining.com.au/k9-nose-works-level-1-booking/

04/10/2026

ASSISTANCE DOGS

We have lots of beautiful clients who come to us for their first assistance dog assessment.

That first assessment is about determining whether the dog is suitable to start assistance dog training. It is never a promise that the dog, or handler, will make it all the way to the end.

Over the years, we have met many people who desperately need their dog to provide support — to help them get out into the community, feel safer and live a better life.

There are many dogs that love doing assistance dog work!
And so many of our teams over the years have loved the journey!

But sometimes there are dogs that don't.

Some dogs feel anxiety a lot of the time
Some dogs can have big feelings about a lot of things
Some have experienced trauma themselves.
Some are too young, too sensitive, or simply don't cope well in busy, people-created environments.

And some just want to be a dog.

When someone desperately needs their dog to fulfil this role, it can be incredibly difficult to see what the dog is actually communicating.

Our dogs tell us when they are overwhelmed, frightened or simply not coping. If we ignore those messages because we need them to succeed, we can end up asking a dog to do something that isn't fair to them.

So the handler gets desperate.
They might change trainers
Use aversive equipment on the dog
Force the dog into situations they can't cope with

None of these things change what the dog is telling us.

Sometimes the hardest thing a trainer can tell you is that your dog is not suitable for assistance dog work.

And sometimes the hardest thing for a handler to hear is exactly that.

It doesn't mean the dog is a bad dog.
It doesn't mean the handler has failed.
And it doesn't mean the trainer has failed.

It means we have listened to the dog.

Our responsibility isn't just to help a person achieve what they desperately need.

We also have a responsibility to the dog.

Because the dog didn't choose this job.

30/09/2026

TAQUITO ❤️

This week I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Taquito and his wonderful caregiver again when he came in for his Greenhound Assessment.

Taquito is one of those dogs who has such a beautiful, majestic presence. He is a big, handsome Greyhound with the kindest soul — gentle, affectionate, loving and incredibly sweet.

I have a real soft spot for Greyhounds and have been lucky enough to work with them for many years, but Taquito is something very special.

He leans into you for a cuddle, comes over to look right into your eyes, and within no time at all had decided that our lounge was actually a pretty wonderful place to be after his testing was over!

These are the moments I love about my work — getting to know these beautiful dogs and seeing the individual personalities that make each one so special.

I can’t wait to see the beautiful Taquito again soon!

dogs

30/09/2026

TAQUITO ❤️

This week I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Taquito and his wonderful caregiver again when he came in for his Greenhound Assessment.

Taquito is one of those dogs who has such a beautiful, majestic presence. He is a big, handsome Greyhound with the kindest soul — gentle, affectionate, loving and incredibly sweet.

I have a real soft spot for Greyhounds and have been lucky enough to work with them for many years, but Taquito is something very special.

He leans into you for a cuddle, comes over to look right into your eyes, and within no time at all had decided that the lounge was actually a pretty wonderful place to be after his testing was over!

These are the moments I love about my work — getting to know these beautiful dogs and seeing the individual personalities that make each one so special.

I can't wait to see the beautiful Taquito again soon!

28/09/2026

"He sleeps on the bed with me… but I know he’s not supposed to.”

I hear this all the time when I ask clients where their dog sleeps.

And honestly?
Who decided that?! 😂

I sleep with all my animals.

They are allowed on the couch.
On the bed.
On the chairs
In every room
Pretty much wherever they like.

And why not?

If you and your dog enjoy cuddling up on the couch, why should that automatically be considered a training problem?

Your dog sleeping on your bed doesn't mean they're trying to take over the household.

Letting your dog on the couch doesn't mean you're "reinforcing dominance."

Giving your dog choices and allowing them to be close to you doesn't mean they won't listen to you.

Your dog's life is short.

One day, you're going to wish you had one more cuddle, one more night with them curled up beside you on the couch, one more morning waking up with them there on the bed.

So if you want your dog on the bed and your dog likes being on the bed, let them on the bloody bed.

Enjoy the cuddles. Enjoy the precious moments you will never get back.
Enjoy them.

Pic - me and Dutchie watching TV on the couch! And we both loved it!

26/09/2026

PUPPY CLASS STARTS NEXT WEDNESDAY!

We’ve got a new group of puppies starting Puppy Preschool next Wednesday, and I’m getting excited already!

Puppy class isn’t just about teaching your puppy to sit, lie down or come when called.

It’s about helping you understand the little being living in your house.

We focus on real-life puppy life: helping puppies feel safe and confident, learning how to communicate with them, supporting emotional regulation, building good habits and giving them the skills they need as they grow.

And yes, there are plenty of treats, laughs and puppy chaos along the way!

Our next 4-week Puppy Preschool starts next Wednesday 30 September.

If you've got a puppy and you're thinking “I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing” — you're definitely not alone.

That's exactly what puppy class is for!

A few places are still available.

Come and learn how to speak dog before your tiny puppy turns into a teenage dog with opinions.

Enrol here via our website:

Join Dogaholics Dog Training for fun, effective puppy preschool and puppy school that builds confident, well-behaved pups from day one.

25/09/2026

Thank you to Dogs Disclosed for this! Such great information!

MEETING METHODS MATTER

When two dogs meet, it’s not just about meeting each other.

Dogs are also experiencing the physical environment, unfamiliar scents and sounds, available space, resources, people, leash restriction, previous experiences, the other dog's body language as well as their current emotional state and level of arousal.

Where and how an introduction happens can influence the success of an initial meeting.

This is why meeting somewhere neutral that neither dog considers home is the recommended method. There are fewer established resources and fewer reasons for either dog to feel that their personal space is being invaded.

A successful introduction is about creating conditions where dogs can feel safe enough to decide what they think about each other.

Dogs don’t need to say hello to each other to have a successful encounter.

It’s not about trying to force an immediate friendship or acceptance.

Walking parallel, sniffing, looking at each other, looking away, exploring, moving further apart or gradually decreasing distance is all an important part of building a relationship and helping each dog feel safe.

Maybe they will become friends, maybe just comfortable companions or maybe just mostly ignore each other - all of these outcomes are still successful.

Successful introductions aren’t about forcing dogs be friends - it's about giving dogs enough choices to make their own decisions about how close they want to be.

For more detailed info on this subject, here is a link to an article by Claire Grobbelaar of Canine Concepts®
https://www.canineconcepts.co.za/articles/introducing-a-new-dog-to-a-resident-dog

and from Little Doggy Rescue - A Practical Guide to Dog Introductions
https://littledoggyrescue.co.za/introduce-a-new-dog-to-your-resident-dog

23/09/2026

Your dog is allowed to have a sh*tty day!

They don’t have to be happy.
They don’t have to be social.
They don’t have to say hello to every dog.
They don’t have to cope with everything you throw at them.

Some days they’re tired.
Some days they’re overwhelmed.
Some days they’ve simply had enough.

And that’s okay.

Maybe today we skip the dog park.
Maybe the walk is shorter.
Maybe there is no training.
Maybe we sniff, chew something, potter around the yard and go back to bed.

That’s not giving in. It’s listening.

We expect so much from our dogs. Sometimes the best thing we can do for their behaviour is simply ask less of them.

So if your dog is having a sh*tty day...

Let them. ❤️

18/09/2026

🎓🐾 PUPPY CLASS GRADUATES! 🐾🎓

A big congratulations to all of our gorgeous puppies who have graduated from Dogaholics Puppy Preschool!

It has been so lovely watching these little ones grow over the past few weeks — not just learning things, but learning how to navigate the big wide world. And getting bigger from week to week!

Puppyhood isn't about creating the “perfect” puppy. It's about helping them learn how to cope with new experiences, regulate their emotions, make good choices and build a really strong relationship with their people.

We've talked about body language, stress, arousal, enrichment, chewing, socialisation, handling and all those everyday things that actually matter when you're living with a puppy.

Congratulations to all our puppy families. ❤️

Your puppies are only just starting their journey, and I hope you continue to give them time, patience, choice and plenty of opportunities to just be dogs.

Well done everyone!