MEET THE TRAINER

With over 10 years of industry experience, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding, supporting, and advocating for dogs and their caregivers who love them. I hold qualifications from some of Australia’s most respected trainers and organisations, including:

Steve and Vicki Austin Education – Dog Training & Behaviour Certificate
Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services (High Distinction)
Global Animal Solutions – Practical Workshops Certificate
Delta Society Seminar Certificate
Pet First Aid Certificate
Fully insured

I’m passionate about helping dogs and their humans feel confident, connected, and understood. Canine science is always evolving, and I’m committed to staying up to date by regularly attending new conferences, seminars, and workshops. This means the methods I use are always ethical, evidence-based, and focused on welfare.

My love of animals has taken me through many corners of the industry - veterinary hospitals, grooming salons, doggy day care, and boarding facilities. I also spent four years working in animal shelters, supporting and rehabilitating cats and dogs with complex behavioural needs.

Seeing an animal learn, grow, and strengthen their relationship with their human is the most rewarding part of what I do. It’s exactly why I started Maddy’s Dog School in 2019 - a place where training feels positive, supportive and genuinely fun.

I can’t wait to meet you and your furry companion. Let’s make training a joy for both of you.

Services

Contact

FAQs

What areas do you service?

Private Training Sessions & Puppy Home School - Anywhere in the Eastern Suburbs.
Puppy School Class - North Randwick Veterinary Clinic & Dogue Bondi Junction
Group Walk & Train (limited availability) pickup and drop off available in the following suburbs and immediate surrounds:

Clovelly, Bronte, Waverly, North Randwick, North Coogee.

How long will it take to ‘fix’ my dog?

I cannot guarantee behaviour. Every dog and owner are different. Some dogs and/or owners understand and respond quickly to training. Others require multiple sessions, trial and error to get things right. Some dogs have had long term practice and success in an undesirable behaviour that it takes time and consistency to change. Just like building strength and fitness requires commitment with a personal trainer, your dog may require time and commitment to change behaviour.

What training methods do you use?

I am a positive reinforcement based trainer who follows the LIMA approach: Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive. https://apdt.com/lima.pdf

I don’t believe it to be ethical to repeatedly put a dog into situations where they may react with aggression, fear, anxiety or hyper excitement and then "correct" using punishment after a behaviour occurs. The situation is causing them stress and when we punish for communicating how they feel, we further add to their stress.

This also leads down a dangerous route. For example, if you “correct” a dog for growling using punishment, he may no longer growl, but will he warn you before he bites?

Punishment doesn't address the cause of the problem or how the dog is feeling.

As caregivers, we need to understand their needs and set realistic goals. Dogs cannot learn new information when stressed or distracted (much like humans), so it’s important when training new behaviour that we set up the environment so that it is conducive for learning and gradually add difficulty.

Will I always have to use food rewards?

When you have completed the teaching and proofing phases with your dog, you can begin to phase out food rewards in the maintenance phase. This however, doesn't mean we stop reinforcing the dog completely. Reinforcement is whatever the dog finds desirable. This includes food, life rewards, pats, praise or games such as fetch or tug of war.

What equipment do you use?

Leash, flat collar, front attaching harness, head halter, long training leash, training pouch, treats, toys.

Acknowledgement of Country

Maddy's Dog School acknowledges the traditional custodians, the Bidjigal, Birrabirragal and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present, honouring their long history and deep connection to this land.