The Well-Mannered Mutt

19/10/2026

https://the-well-mannered-mutt.my.canva.site/the-blog

18/10/2026

Some dogs should never meet at all.
And saying that doesn't make you mean. It makes you the one who is paying attention.

A bouncy, in-your-face teenager and a shut-down, disinterested, low-energy dog?
A dog who's had very few good experiences with other dogs and a dog who wants to take on and wrestle the world?

That's not an introduction.
That's a setup.

I know, there's so much pressure to get it perfect.
Pressure from friends and family to meet their dog.

You can say yes. There just needs to be a bit of prep first.

What we do need to be wary of is setting them up. And not in the good way.
Certain things do need caution. They can create competition before there's even trust. And that's a longer road you really don't want.

Parallel walks are still my favourite. Same direction. Enough space that both dogs can breathe. No forced hellos. Sometimes it's one walk. Sometimes it's a few. Both are completely normal.

If your last intro went sideways and got barky, stressy and messy, that doesn't mean your dog failed.

Maybe the situation failed your dog.
And next time, you get to do it differently. Or not at all.

Both can be the right answer.

18/10/2026

Hoopers is a dog sport where your dog works through hoops, tunnels and barrels, and you guide them from a distance. No jumping, no high-impact movement for your dog, and no sprinting for you.

That makes it a great fit for puppies, seniors, dogs with physical limitations, and handlers who’d never try a sport that needs them to keep up. It builds confidence, coordination and the connection between you and your dog.

Our 4-week course starts Monday 16th November at Uley Reserve West, Elizabeth Downs.

📅 Mondays, 6:30pm
🎟️ $160 for the full course

🚨 ONE SPOT LEFT 🚨

Don’t miss out - Book here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=40195669

15/10/2026

Too often, dogs leave rescue with a training and management plan designed to help them settle successfully into their new home. But when that plan isn't followed, old behaviours can quickly resurface, new problems can develop, and the dog may find themselves returned to rescue yet again.

Then the cycle starts over.

Training takes time. Behaviour doesn't change overnight, and a change of home doesn't automatically erase the behaviours, experiences or habits a dog brings with them.

If a rescue sends you home with instructions about training, boundaries, routines, management or ongoing support, there is usually a very good reason for it. Following through consistently gives that dog the best possible chance of succeeding.

Taking on a rescue dog means taking on the responsibility to do the work as well.

They've already experienced enough change. It's unfair to ask them to keep starting over because we didn't follow through.

11/10/2026

Every dog deserves an owner who is prepared to provide more than the bare minimum.

It's easy to focus on the obvious stuff like food, walks, a comfy bed and miss the parts that actually shape how your dog experiences their life with you. Structure. Boundaries. Being thought of as a dog, not just a pet.

Swipe through for what responsible ownership actually looks like in practice, and where you might be able to give your dog a little more.

07/10/2026

If you’ve been looking for something fun and new to do with your dog, this is your sign.

Our 4-week Canine Hoopers course kicks off Monday, 16th of November at Uley Reserve, Elizabeth Downs.

If you’ve never heard of Hoopers, think of it like agility’s gentler cousin. Dogs move through a course of hoops, tunnels, and barrels, with no jumps or high-impact movements. It’s also gentler on us handlers, as we don’t need to sprint to keep up with them! 😅

It’s a brilliant way to mix up your routine with your dog while also building confidence, coordination, and teamwork along the way.

We’re down to our LAST spot, so be sure to snap it up before it’s gone!

📅 4-week course beginning November 16th
🕡 6:30-7:40pm
💸 $160 for the full course

Don’t miss out, book here https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=40195669

03/10/2026

When people think 'training,' they think sit, stay, heel, and compliance drills, but some of the most valuable work you can do with your dog has nothing to do with obedience at all.

Hoopers and Nose Work are what most people would call ‘extracurricular’, not core training, but these activities are transformative in their own right. They build confidence, strengthen your relationship with your dog, and sharpen your handling skills: reading your dog, timing your cues, communicating clearly without a word.

In turn, these ‘extras’ make the ‘real’ training easier. A dog who’s more confident is easier to work with in distracting environments. A handler who's learnt how to read and advocate for their dog knows exactly when to move forward or take a breather. A strong relationship will withstand more challenges.

The skills transfer, even when the activities look completely different.

So if you've been putting off Hoopers or Nose Work because it felt like a 'nice to have' rather than a priority, it might actually be the thing that makes everything else click!

03/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/stories/106912068102267/UzpfSVNDOjE1MDI3OTE2MjgzNTIxMjI=/?view_single=1

Send a message to learn more

30/09/2026

Ready to put your dog’s nose to work?

I’m taking expressions of interest for the next Intro to K9 Nose Work® 5-week course at Evanston Gardens Community Centre.

K9 Nose Work® is a fun, low-impact activity that taps into your dog’s natural ability to hunt and search using their most powerful sense — their nose. It’s suitable for dogs of all ages, breeds and abilities, and is a fantastic way to build confidence, provide mental enrichment and enjoy working together as a team.

5-week course | $250
Evanston Gardens Community Centre

Places are limited, so register your interest for the next course by emailing me:

[email protected]

Click to email:

29/09/2026

It’s easy to think “He knows this! He’s just being stubborn!” when your dog ignores a cue they’ve done perfectly a hundred times before.

But dogs don’t generalise behaviours particularly well. A sit in your kitchen isn’t automatically the same as a sit at the park with dogs, people and smells everywhere.

Think of us trying to learn a new language: to understand a word, we need context. And then applying it under pressure in a conversation adds a whole new degree of difficulty.

So before labelling your dog as stubborn, ask yourself:

Have I taught this behaviour in this environment?
Have I added too much distraction too quickly?
Is my cue clear and consistent?
Does my dog actually understand what earns the reward?

Good training is about clarity, consistency and gradually increasing the challenge.

They’re not refusing to listen.

They simply don’t understand… yet.