Meet Maddy
Founder, Trainer & Behaviourist
Established in 2019, Maddy's Dog School has helped thousands of families build calmer, more confident relationships with their dogs.
With over a decade of experience, Maddy has dedicated her career to understanding dogs and supporting the people who love them. Training should feel positive, structured, and genuinely enjoyable, for both ends of the lead.
Calm Dogs. Confident Owners.
Meet Linda
Dog Walker & Assistant Trainer
Linda trained horses in her homeland of Germany - this gives her a great advantage when working with the dogs - her calm energy, patience, and ability to read body language is impeccable!
She’s been working with Maddy's Dog School from the beginning, and is a vital member of our team, much loved by the dogs.
Our Mission
A dog who Is: fulfilled & enriched, resilient, exercised & mentally stimulated, free from discomfort, who has choices, can express natural behaviour and has its social needs met. A dog who is thriving in its environment - whatever that looks like for them!
An owner is a caregiver who: understands their dog's needs, trusts their decisions, leads with clear communication & consistency, and feels empowered. Owners who feel capable and are enjoying life with their companion.
Our Story
Maddy's love of animals has taken her through many corners of the industry - veterinary hospitals, grooming salons, doggy day cares, and boarding facilities; as well as 4 years working in animal shelters, rehabilitating cats and dogs with complex behavioural needs.
Seeing an animal learn, grow in confidence, and strengthen their relationship with their humans is the most rewarding part of what she does.
Maddy's a passionate advocate for science-based dog training, helping dogs and their humans feel connected and understood. Her approach is grounded deeply in modern behavioural science, clear communication, and positive reinforcement. Understanding the “why,” guides the “how.”
Qualifications
Canine science is always evolving, and Maddy is committed to regularly attending conferences, seminars, and workshops. This means the methods she uses are always up-to-date, and focused on welfare.
She holds qualifications from some of Australia’s most respected trainers and organisations, including:
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Dog Training & Behaviour Certificate Steve and Vicki Austin Education
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Certificate IV Companion Animal Services
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Delta Society Seminar Certificate
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Michael Shikashio & Dr Moira Hechenleitner Seminar Certificate
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Global Animal Solutions Workshops Certificate
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Pet First Aid Certificate
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Fully insured
I can’t wait to meet you and your furry companion. Let’s make training a joy for both of you.
- Maddy
FAQ & Philosophy
What areas do you service?
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Private Training Sessions & Puppy Home School - Anywhere in the Eastern Suburbs.
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Puppy School Class - North Randwick Veterinary Clinic
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Group Walk & Train (limited availability) pickup and drop off available in the following suburbs and immediate surrounds:
Clovelly, Bronte, Waverley, North Randwick, North Coogee, Queens Park.
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 of the land upon which we live and work - 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.