Hi, I'm Julie!

I've loved dogs for as long as I can remember. With each dog I've asked what makes him tick, how do I make him happy, and what can I do to make our lives together wonderful.

I'm a keen learner and love sharing my experience and expertise for those who want to be better partners for their dogs—but don't know how.

Living with a dog is a journey, one which is always changing. Understanding this, learning who you both are and adapting to what you both need is what builds a beautiful relationship.

So I continue to learn about dogs, create original content, share my expertise and that of others to help you make safer, more loving and enjoyable choices for both of you. 

For the love of a dog

My formal learning began with Rumble, a sensitive, aloof Husky mix who challenged everything I thought about dogs. I wanted to do the "right" thing so I took him to obedience school and hired a local trainer who told me to treat him "Like a pleb" (a subservient inferior) and make him do what I said.

Teaching using punishment based training with a focus on deference, made him obedient but crushed what was essentially Rumble. I hated living with this depressed, servile dog so I sought a better way and found positive reinforcement training.

When I learned about dogs and the science of how to teach them, our relationship blossomed. What started as a need to change unwanted behaviour in Rumble opened a whole world of discovery, not only about who he was, but how positive reinforcement training is a gateway to a beautiful relationship where safety, love and fun are central.

We went from punishment, submission and depression, to cooperation, eagerness and joy. Rumble transformed from a compliant but spiritless dog, to a beautiful being who was free to express his quirky sense of fun.

Rumble

Ready to Start Learning?

My Background

I've shared my life with a variety of dogs with different needs and temperaments and have learned something wonderful from each of them. Our dogs are our greatest teachers.

I've been studying dogs formally for nearly two decades and remain deeply curious about what else there is to learn.

I've been endorsed and accredited by world leading dog trainer Kay Laurence and have articles featured on her website Learning About Dogs. I received a Certificate of Excellence for Living and Learning with Animals, a course for professional animal trainers run by Dr Susan Friedman.

I'm a professional educator with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), a Diploma of Education and am accredited in Conduct Companion Animal Training Class with years of experience teaching people to teach their dogs. 

Professional Development

Qualifications