Cassie's Canines

25/08/2025

Meet Sammy the border collie who will hopefully be a PTSD service dog when he grows up.

Well, Sammy now knows a number of commands and gets them straight away most times even when he's playing.

5 months old a couple of days ago and nearly ready to start going into public more often and learn to focus with increasing levels of distraction.

Of course it's also important that Sammy is still allowed to be a pup. To play and run and be foolish. Training sessions are mostly play-based and 'serious' work is done in short sessions so that he still looks forward to doing them.

Sammy LOVES people and dogs more than food, so when he sat beside me at the train station with people streaming by I was so proud of him! Little man chose good behaviour even though every muscle in his body was quivering with excitement and hope that he'd be released from sitting to go play with someone.

Straight afterwards Sammy had a loose lead walk home with lots of sniff and explore time.

He's such a good boy.

19/08/2025

I'm back!

After over a year of caring for family members, life has returned to 'normal'.

Ok - so I have still been working with a lot of dogs, just not on social media 🫣)

Firstly, thank you so much to those who have stayed connected, kept in touch remotely and sent me photos of your best mates living their best lives. Those messages were some of the brightest lights in my day.

Likewise those who have kept in touch with the rescue dogs they adopted from Found Hearts Rescue while I was Northern Dog coordinator for them. Dogs who would not have been able to have a life at all without all the volunteers there - and the people who adopt and give rescue dogs a wonderful, life-long home.

Cassie's Canines is now permanently based in Brisbane, servicing the Greater Brisbane Region (yes - including Ipswich for my faithful dog lovers out west). I can't wait to meet new canine friends and catch up on the progress of those I've met before.

For those who are new to this page, a little about my history with dogs.

I grew up on a property outside of Winton. I trained and worked with 2 teams of working dogs. Kelpies for the sheep, and Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dogs for the cattle. Both very different, high energy breeds who, when treated well, just LOVE to learn, to play, to work, to live life at its fastest and most furious pace.

Since moving to 'the big smoke' I have continued working with the (yes, I am biased) best friends we humans can have. Animals in general, dogs in particular. I have successfully helped owners with dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, from high energy dogs to ones who could be mistaken for a sloth 95% of the day. A breed that must be mentioned simply because it is the breed most found in pounds and rescues - the Staffy X. From dogs who have been loved and cared for their whole lives, to dogs who have had extremely traumatic backgrounds and who most people had given up on. I've trained two service dogs to PAT standard, and assisted others on their progress to attaining their service dog jackets.

I'm not great with social media - or blowing my own horn, so you won't see thousands of posts from me - which I know doesn't help my 'profile', but I have been told a number of times that I am good with dogs. I know I love dogs and that I have all the patience in the world for them, and for the owners who love them too. I believe empathy and kindness is the best way to approach everyone - human and animal. Boundaries and rules yes, but a desire to understand and empathise must come first for solutions to issues to be found.

What's new? In my 'down time' I decided to commence formal national qualifications in advanced dog training. Soon I will be a qualified dog behaviourist. Once that is done, I am continuing to complete formal qualifications in identifying and training service dogs.

Why? Dog training is really rewarding and earns enough (and certainly since I was last officially training dogs - the cost has risen to almost obscene levels in my opinion!)

But, my time at Found Hearts (a volunteer - only rescue) showed me that there is a large need for affordable, quality training for people who love their dogs immensely but just need a little (or a lot!) of help with their behaviour. Make no mistake - people who love their dogs enough to take the effort to work with them are also the people who not only foster and adopt rescue dogs, but keep dogs out of pounds and rescues in the first place.

This is especially the case for those wonderful people who have taken on traumatised dogs and made a commitment to them. These dogs are especially difficult to work with - but I'll guarantee you - they are also THE most rewarding. When a dog learns that they can finally trust a human - wow. While these dogs do need training, many need a full behavioral assessment first.

Also, a few years ago the government made the decision to fund service dogs for first responders. Since then, the provision of service dogs has become an industry and many people who are most at need are unable to access these wonderful dogs. Kids with disability, survivors of serious assaults with complex PTSD, pensioners who just need some assistance to stay in their homes longer.

Some of these people already have dogs who could be trained to help them. There are rescue dogs who also have the capacity to be service dogs. Some organisations use ONLY rescue dogs as service dogs. Love this!

The Disability Discrimination Act allows for owners to train their own dogs. They don't have to go through an organisation.

Make no mistake. Taking your own dog through the training is hard, consistent work and takes time. But for people who are not first responders and don't have up to $80,000 for a service dog, this is the only way they can obtain one. Going through an organisation is a wonderful and much easier way to go - it's just not an option available to everyone.

So - while I need to pay the bills (including insurances, business registration etc), I'm keeping my very reliable old X-trail, keeping up with the volunteering and trying to make dog training as affordable as I can. Details on next post!

If you made it through that novel - welcome to Cassie's Canines. Please, join us!

29/09/2023

My first post for a while, but an important one I think, and full credit to Dogs Disclosed.

If your dog does something out of character 'out of the blue', remember it might just be a small thing that broke the straw on the camel's back.

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management coaching, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause a reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role in causing that particular behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

17/08/2023

20/06/2023

Back helping our wonderful Ipswich dogs (and their families of course!)

Message for 1:1 training bookings.

08/07/2022

Look at these two Townsville ladies!

Bear is a few years older than Bobbie, and is not appreciating Bobbie trying to take top spot!

They have both started to display some very unladylike behaviour in fighting over their Dad's attention.

But Dad's onto it! A couple of sessions and both dogs are now giving each other respectful distance when Dad is around and taking turns getting cuddles instead of fighting each other for them!

Both Bear and Bobbie already had wonderful basic obedience and a great bond with their owner, so trusting him to be in charge of sharing was a fairly easy step for them. Dad just needed the right strategies. It can be really stressful when your happy dogs start fighting seemingly out of nowhere!

Bear and Bobbie are both such gentle kind girls. It's great to see them relaxed and happy.

Bobbie has the goofy grin. Bear has the magnificent poise!

23/06/2022

Meet Bubba! The rescue boy with the heartbreaker eyes!

Bubba's mum, Sandy, first contacted Cassie's Canines just after rescuing him because he had separation anxiety.

Poor Bubba cried non stop whenever he was left alone in the house. He was worried he'd be left behind again.

In only one training session, Sandy had all the tips and homework she needed to help her new boy. She followed them and in a short period of time, Bubba was a more confident boy!

Sandy contacted us again just a few weeks ago as Bubba had become dog reactive on walks. A long caravanning trip was being planned and Happy Hour was not going to be pleasant with a grumpy boy in tow!

Again, one session with Sandy following through on the tips worked. Bubba is now trotting along like a happy little champion. Trial caravanning excursion to Esk successfully completed and interstate travel coming in the near future!

Goes to show just what a difference it makes when owners put the work in. It's like playing an instrument. The music teacher can only teach you so much. If you don't practice, you will never be a good player. You want to be a great dog owner? It takes work!

Picture of the heartbreaker himself ready for travel. As you can see, the humans might need another bed. 😁

Thank you Sandy!

22/06/2022

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I spent time helping two wonderful women who each have massive rescue dogs with traumatic pasts and residual, but totally different behavioural challenges.

Of course any dog with a trauma background can be challenging. But giant dogs do create an extra challenge simply due to them being able to use their weight to do what they think should be done!

Neither of these women are giving up on these lovely dogs. The love, patience, quiet strength and determination shown just made my year! Both dogs responded really well on lead after just one session. I know that they are on their way to much happier, calmer lives.

So thank you to those two women. Bruno and Zeus have a much brighter future because of you!

08/05/2022

A few weeks ago I was abused by a number of 'well respected' dog trainers for my stance AGAINST the use of prong collars.

They said I just had obviously never come across a dog who needed a prong collar. That I was uneducated. That I had no idea how to train dogs. Even that I support the euthanasia of dogs!

Today Queensland has finally followed Victoria's lead in making the use of prong collars illegal.

Thankfully dogs will no longer be forced to submit via these cruel methods.

Think about the people you admire, trust and are happy to have lead you.

Do they torture you and break you into submission? Do they lead by example; prove they are worthy of your trust and respect?

As a dog, what type of owner do you think they will trust, respect and accept guidance from?

Aggressive dogs are usually very scared. Using violence against them may be a quick fix. It may make you look good as a trainer or an owner.

Love, respect and trust with boundaries will go a lot further.

I fully support the banning of these torturous 'training' tools by the Queensland government.

BREAKING: These pronged dog collars will be banned.

We’re passing legislation to crack down on the inhumane treatment of animals in Queensland.

That includes banning the use and possession of pronged dog collars like this one.

We know the majority of Queenslanders support tougher penalties and regulations against cruelty to animals.

That’s why this week we’ll be debating animal welfare laws in the Queensland Parliament – an issue close to the hearts of so many Queenslanders.

09/04/2022

Myth: A prong collar isn't inhumane if it fits right.

Fact: Sadly, this is a false statement that's been perpetuated by AVERSIVE trainers. Even properly fitted prong collars dig into the sensitive skin around the neck, risking severe damage to the thyroid, esophagus, and trachea.

I have been appalled recently by the number of 'qualified' trainers who think prong collars are not only humane, they are more humane than head Halti!

If you need a prong collar to train a dog, you shouldn't call yourself a dog trainer. You are a dog abuser.

For goodness sake. Look at this thing!!! I you have a very strong stomach, look up the injuries they cause!

Prong collars have been banned in Victoria. We can only hope that they are banned Australia-wide as soon as possible.

08/04/2022

Moral of the story....

Reward your dog at the right time and for the right things!