The dog trainer with dreads

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Ballarat, VIC
The dog trainer with dreads

Hi, I’m Grace! A qualified NDTF dog trainer in Ballarat & surrounds. I help with everything from, pet dog and puppy basics to reactivity & aggression.

DM or email to chat about your dog 🐾

19/05/2026

Every bin night is an opportunity to test our boundaries 👀🗑️

Kira isn’t allowed out this gate, even when it’s open. Not because she can’t follow me, but because understanding boundaries keeps dogs safe and builds clarity in everyday life.

I’m pushing her a little here too. I stopped to film, you can see her creep forward, but she still stops herself instead of fully committing through the gate.

Training isn’t always flashy. Sometimes it looks like calmly waiting while I take the bins out 😅🐾

The goal is reliability, not just obedience.

06/05/2026

Multi dog households aren’t about doing everything together.
They’re about building confidence in each individual dog.
Separate training. Separate outlets. Separate experiences.
Not because they don’t enjoy each other… but because they shouldn’t rely on each other.
Different dogs. Different needs. Same home.

14/04/2026

Kira, my soul dog, turned 9 🤍

Dog birthdays might seem silly to some, but ever since I was little with my Jack Russells, they’ve always meant something to me.
As Kira and I grow older together, I’m leaning into them even more. Slowing down, being present, and really taking it all in.
It’s hard to believe she’s getting older, and if I’m honest, that thought sits heavy sometimes. But my goal is simple, to give her the happiest, most fulfilling life I possibly can. No regrets.

Each birthday is a reminder to pause, reflect, and be grateful for the life we’ve built together.

This dog has taught me more than I could ever put into words, and I’ll be forever grateful for her 🤍
Next year… double digits. And my promise to her (and to myself) is to be present for every moment.
If you’re on that journey with your own dog, I’d love to support you along the way 🤍

13/04/2026

Meet Alfie 🐶
After a chat with their vet, Alfie’s owner reached out for support with his separation anxiety. Being left alone was really tough for Alfie. He’d bark and spend his day trying to escape his pen, often hurting himself in the process.
With a tailored training plan and the support of medication, Alfie is already making beautiful progress 💛

If your dog is struggling when left alone, you’re not alone, and help is available. Reach out to chat 🤍

08/04/2026

Soooo I finally did the thing 👀
I’ve put together a beginners dock diving dry land play guide.
This is the play game I created for Rick, and it’s where everything you see in his jumps comes from — the chase, the commitment, the confidence.
I built this game with him over years, long before we ever competed, and it really paid off. His first comp jump was 19ft and honestly… I don’t think he even realised he was on a dock, he was just locked onto the toy.
So I’ve put it into a short guide and broken it down into something you can actually follow, plus added videos so you can see what it looks like in real time.
If you’re struggling with engagement, retrieves, or your dog just not really “getting” the game — this is where I’d start.
I’ve kept it at an intro price of $8 for now 🤍
Link in bio
Big thank you to my fellow Vic coaches Holly * Trixie * Maze * Chilli Nova+Ripley+Scout for the photos and videos, and to Aurora the vet nurse canine rehabilitation and wellness and That Dog Place Canine Retreat for the encouragement (peer pressure 😅) to actually put this together.

16/03/2026

What an incredible few weekends! I’m so proud of this fella.
We kicked things off with a weekend away at the Goulburn Show where Ricky competed in Dock Diving and the K9 SuperWall. He brought home 2nd place in the Rookie division for K9 SuperWall with a successful climb of 2.21m!
But on our home turf, that’s where Ricky really shines. ⭐
He made it into the Masters Finals with a 21'10" jump, and finished the finals with a beautiful catch and a 22ft jump!
🏆 1st place in Masters
🏆 3rd place in Iron Dog Warriors

So incredibly proud of this dog and the effort he puts in every single time. 💙

Huge thankyou to , for putting on and sponsoring such fun competitions!

26/02/2026

How cute is Remi 🥹
Remi is a Kelpie puppy whose owners are committed to setting her up right from the very beginning — and they’re doing such a fantastic job 👏
She’s naturally a little nervous, so we’re focusing on building confidence, appropriate socialisation, and plenty of biological fulfilment to help prevent future reactivity and create a stable, resilient adult dog.
Early guidance makes such a difference — especially with sensitive pups — and I’ve absolutely loved supporting this team through those foundation stages.
I can’t wait to watch Remi grow and thrive 💛

29/01/2026

Meet Scout 💛🐾
Scout is a sweet little Boston Terrier who’s been finding the world a bit harder lately. After losing her lifelong companion, she’s been feeling understandably unsure and more sensitive to her surroundings.
She’s already picking things up so quickly, and we’re spending our time building her confidence and helping her feel safer when big feelings show up.
It’s going to be a bit of a journey, but the progress she’s made so far has been incredible — small wins that mean everything.
I’m so excited to keep supporting this special little lady and see just how much she can grow. ✨🐶

27/01/2026

First comp of the year done & dusted! 💦🐾
We kicked off the year at the Vic Club Dock Diving Competition at That Dog Place, and what a great way to start!
Huge thanks to and the for sponsoring the day and making it such a fun event. 🙌
And a massive thank you to — not only for sponsoring the event, but for taking such incredible care of Richard, helping with warm-ups, recovery, and keeping him feeling strong to help prevent injuries. We’re so grateful. 💛
Ricky had an awesome run:
🏆 2nd place – Masters with a 21'10" jump
⚡ 4th overall – Speed Retrieve with a 7.4s run
So proud of this boy.

If you’ve been thinking about giving dock diving a go (or levelling up your skills), we’ve got:
💦 Beginner Day
💦 Intermediate Day
📍 at That Dog Place on 8th Feb
👉 Link to book is in my bio!

14/01/2026

Meet Oscar, possibly the cutest little Golden Retriever pup there ever was 🥰
Oscar’s owners reached out for some guidance to help him settle into his new home and start off on the right foot. We chatted through routines, early exposure, and simple communication systems to help set Oscar up to grow into a confident, well-rounded dog.
I absolutely love these sessions and getting to support new owners as they raise their pups 🤍🐾

Address

Ballarat, VIC
3350

Website

https://instagram.com/thedogtrainer_with_dreads?utm_medium=copy_link

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