It is virtually impossible to provide a guarantee when working with behaviour as there are so many variables. However, if you follow the advice and techniques recommended by us, your dog’s behaviour will improve, along with your relationship with your dog.

Sarah has a Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science and Technology, a Cert IV in Dog Behavioural Training, and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (Knowledge Assessed) through the Karen Pryor Academy (USA). She is a qualified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Assessor, Department of Local Government Temperament Assessor, Greenhounds Assessor and MindDog Assessor. Sarah also lectures in training and behaviour at TAFE NSW and has been successfully working with dogs and their owners for over 20 years.

Sarah also attends regular workshops and seminars (both in Australia and overseas) to remains up-to-date with the latest research in training and behaviour.

Not at all! The oldest dog so far we have had complete our program was 10 years of age (and did so with flying colours, mind you!). Like with humans, a dog’s brain does slow down with age. Also, deafness and blindness can throw in extra challenges, and some undesirable behaviours have been practiced for many many years, making changes to those behaviours more difficult. However, we don’t believe you are ever too old to learn new things!

Short training sessions (around 5-10 mins in length) work very well when training your dog. Obviously the more consistent you are, the easier it is for your dog to learn. Try to aim for 5 minutes, 3 times per day. You could also mix in some training throughout the day – have your dog “sit” or “drop” to have their lead put on or taken off, to have the ball thrown, to go outside or come inside. It is amazing how much you practice you can get in this way!

At The Canine Perspective, we use Force-Free techniques. These techniques are scientifically proven and are based on the principles of animal learning theory and operant conditioning. The focus is on setting your dog up for success by teaching and reinforcing your dog for desirable behaviour, rather than setting them to fail and then punishing or “correcting” bad behaviour. This means your dog remains in “thinking” brain, where learning can occur – rather than fearing being punished and being pushed into “fight or flight” brain, where learning shuts down.

Our techniques are the same as those used by exotic animal trainers around the world to train animals such as seals and dolphins. We never use fear, intimidation or harsh punishment to elicit behaviour from your dog. Our techniques are fun (for both you and the dog), can be implemented by the whole family and focus on developing the bond between you and your dog.

No. We do not advocate the use of check chains. We feel that they are unnecessary and can inflict severe damage to your dog when used incorrectly. Similarly, under no circumstances do we advocate the use of prong collars, electric shock collars or any other training device that can cause your dog pain, stress, fear or anxiety.

In-person group classes can be ideal for dogs and owners looking for a more social aspect to their training experience, and to proof behaviours learnt at home. If you attend group classes, ideally you want to find a group where class numbers are kept to a minimum so that it’s not too overwhelming (or distracting) for your dog, and so that you and your dog receive personal attention.

However, group classes are not for everyone. Some dogs are fearful or anxious, or are unable to concentrate around other dogs or people. Sometimes a fixed time is not suitable, and a more flexible, “study at your pace” approach may suit you better. There may be nothing available in your area. Some people may just prefer to work in the comfort of their own home.

Whatever the reason, our online course is a perfect option to get you started!

Yes, we do! Our premium 1:1 training services are specifically for those dogs with more complex issues, or those dogs (or owners) requiring extra support. These sessions can be done in person (depending on location) or via Zoom.

If you are unsure whether 1:1 training would suit your situation, please contact us.

Food is known as a “primary resource” – in other words, it’s necessary for survival. The majority of dogs are food motivated, making it an easy way to positively reinforce (or reward) their behaviour. We use food when teaching new behaviours, but once the dog has learnt what is expected, food can start to be faded out and things like pats, praise, toys, games and life rewards can take its place. However, rewarding every now and then with a food treat (known as random reinforcement) does help to maintain the strength of the behaviour.
There are some dogs who are simply not motivated by food, no matter what you offer them. For these dogs, we need to discover what does motivate them. Once we know what that is, we can use it to positively reinforce desirable behaviour.

In human society, this is called a “love job” – or working for no pay. It’s not much fun and productivity drops pretty quickly. People worry that using food as reinforcement will cause dogs to become reliant on the food. We can show you when and how to start fading food treats out while still maintaining your dog’s desirable behaviour.