MEET MADDY
FOUNDER, TRAINER & BEHAVIOURIST
With over a decade of experience, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding, supporting, and advocating for dogs and their caregivers who love them.
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Maddy's Dog School was established in 2019 and focuses on developing:
Calm Dogs. Confident Owners.
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I value structure, kindness, and helping families feel capable - not overwhelmed.
Training should feel positive, supportive and genuinely fun.
What makes a Calm Dog?​​
A dog who Is: Fulfilled & enriched, resilient, exercised & mentally stimulated, free from discomfort, who has choices, can express natural behaviour and has it's social needs met. A dog who is thriving in its environment - whatever that looks like for them.
What makes a Confident Owner?
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.
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Qualifications​
I hold 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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Global Animal Solutions Certificate
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Pet First Aid Certificate
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Fully insured
I'm a passionate advocate for science-based dog training and helping dogs and their humans feel connected and understood. My approach is grounded deeply in modern behavioural science, clear communication, and positive reinforcement. Understanding the “why,” guides the “how.”
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Canine science is always evolving, and I’m committed to regularly attending conferences, seminars, and workshops. This means the methods I use are always up-to-date, and focused on welfare.
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My love of animals has taken me through many corners of the industry - veterinary hospitals, grooming salons, doggy day care centres, and boarding facilities. I also spent four years working in animal shelters, rehabilitating animals with complex behavioural needs.
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Seeing an animal learn, grow in confidence, and strengthen their relationship with their humans is the most rewarding part of what I do.
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I can’t wait to meet you and your furry companion. Let’s make training a joy for both of you.
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- Maddy
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FAQs
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 & Dogue Bondi Junction
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Group Walk & Train (limited availability) pickup and drop off available in the following suburbs and immediate surrounds:
Clovelly, Bronte, Waverly, North Randwick, North Coogee.
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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.
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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.
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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.