Trail Sniffers

25/07/2026

A huge thank you to Australian Dog Lover and its incredible publisher Agnes for the opportunity to contribute another educational article. It's always a privilege to share evidence-based behaviour information with a community that is so passionate about improving the lives of dogs and their guardians.

This month's article explores decompression in rescued and rehomed dogs and why it's about so much more than the well-known 3-3-3 Rule. We dive into what's happening inside a dog's nervous system during those first days and weeks, why behaviour can change after adoption, how trigger stacking influences behaviour, and practical ways we can support dogs as they adjust to a new life.

My hope is that this article helps guardians approach this transition with greater understanding, realistic expectations and compassion. Every dog deserves the opportunity to adjust at their own pace, and every guardian deserves to feel supported along the journey.

You can read the full article here: https://www.australiandoglover.com/2026/07/understanding-decompression-rescued-dogs-3-3-3-rule.html

Learn how to help your new rescue dog settle in. Expert dog trainer Camille Hartnett breaks down decompression, stress thresholds, and the 3-3-3 rule.

14/07/2026

We often think about hot weather when it comes to breathing difficulties, but cold, dry air can also place additional strain on already compromised airways.

Australian Dog Lover Magazine has put together a fantastic article with insights from Dr Rebecca Cassilles and the Sydney Bulldog Clinic. Well worth the read if you have a Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug or another brachycephalic breed.

14/07/2026

Long before the courses, certifications, and Trail Sniffers, I was simply a dog guardian trying to understand my own dog.

His name is Jeffery, and I genuinely owe him my career.
Living alongside a reactive dog completely changed the way I viewed behaviour. He taught me to look beyond what I could see on the surface and ask why. That curiosity quickly became a passion, and that passion eventually became Trail Sniffers.

Today, I have the privilege of helping other guardians better understand the dogs they share their lives with. Whether a dog is reactive, anxious, fearful, a puppy finding their feet, or simply an individual with their own preferences and boundaries, my goal is always the same: to help people see the dog behind the behaviour.

Everything I share here is grounded in science, compassion, and the belief that every dog deserves to be understood as an individual. You'll find evidence-based education, practical training advice, behaviour science, body language, enrichment, and plenty of advocacy for dogs with big feelings.

If you're here because you want to better understand your dog, you're in the right place.

I'm so glad you're here.

*The last slide is simply a small snapshot of the many incredible dogs and guardians I've had the privilege of meeting along the way. If your dog isn't pictured here, please know they've been just as important in shaping the journey of Trail Sniffers.

08/07/2026

"Don't worry, they're friendly!"

I know those words are usually said with the best intentions.

For many of my clients and other dog guardians in the community hearing them is enough to make their heart sink and their anxiety spike.

Every week I work with incredible guardians who are doing everything they can to help their dogs feel safer in the world. They get up early to avoid busy parks, drive to quieter walking spots, celebrate the smallest wins, and advocate for their dogs every single day.

Then an off-lead dog comes running over.

The dog on the lead could be anxious. They could be reactive. They could be a puppy learning that the world is a safe place. They might be recovering from a frightening experience, or simply not enjoy interactions with unfamiliar dogs.

Whatever the reason, they deserve the chance to move through the world without being rushed by another dog.

This isn't about whether your dog is friendly.

It's about recognising that not every dog wants—or is ready—to say hello.

One of the easiest ways we can support each other as a dog community is by respecting space.

If you see someone creating distance, call your dog back.

If someone asks for space, give it.

If a dog is wearing a muzzle, on a long line, or in training gear, recognise that their guardian is advocating for them.

Your dog doesn't need to greet every dog they meet.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is simply keep walking.

While an off-lead greeting might last only a few seconds, the impact it can have on another dog's confidence and training can last much longer.

Let's be the kind of community that helps dogs succeed, not one that unknowingly makes their journey harder.