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 🐾

08/10/2025

Meet Georgie 🐾
Georgie is a gorgeous staghound who came to me for some help with her manners—things like jumping up, loose-lead walking, recall, and learning to stay calm when she spots other dogs.

She’s such a sweet girl with a big heart, and she’s been so eager to learn. It’s been wonderful to see how far she’s come in just a few sessions.

Here she is catching up on some well-earned rest after a great recall session 😴💤

09/09/2025

Happy belated 6th birthday to my little right-hand man, Ricky.
This incredible dog has taught me so much! Owning a high-drive dog for the first time was definitely a challenge, but it’s been the best kind—the kind that’s pushed me to show up, be consistent, and try new things.

Working, competing, travelling and living with Ricky brings me endless joy. Over the past year, he’s smashed PBs in dock diving, given the K9 Super Wall a crack, and helped countless reactive dogs realise that not all dogs are scary (or overly exciting). He’s also made my niece cry with his persistence, fooled strangers into thinking he’s a calm old man, and—on the less graceful side—broken camp chairs, dog beds, gates, flower vases, and even stolen steak night right off the table.

My bank account might not thank him, but my heart always will. I’ll take the chaos a thousand times over for the good that comes with it.

Team Ricky for life ❤️
Can’t wait to see what we achieve together before his 7th birthday… hopefully minus any more steak heists 🎈

04/08/2025

Meet Goldie! 💛
Goldie is the sweetest little lady!
Her lovely family reached out for help with some of her over-excitement — things like jumping, reactivity, and settling down indoors.

This clever girl tried so hard and picked things up so quickly — I was so proud of her progress! 🐾
Goldie is clearly adored by her family, and it’s easy to see why.

I absolutely loved working with Goldie and her people! ❤️

21/07/2025

Meet Zoe!
Zoe is a beautiful cattle dog x staffy — and she's deaf! While Zoe is a total sweetheart, she hasn’t always been the easiest dog for her owners.

Over the years, I’ve worked closely with Zoe on a range of things: from improving communication, obedience, recall, reactivity towards dogs, cars and animals, to resource guarding, frustration-based behaviours, and even human aggression — especially around people entering the home.

I recently checked in with Zoe to help with a new issue: leash biting when her dog walker came to take her out. Thanks to all the foundation work we’ve done together, this one was a quick fix! Clear communication really is everything.

What impressed me most during our catch-up was how beautifully Zoe has adjusted to life with her new human sibling. Her owners have gone above and beyond to make sure she feels safe, understood, and settled.

With clear boundaries, consistency, and a proactive approach, Zoe is thriving — and it’s been such a joy to watch her progress over the years 💛

15/07/2025

Meet Walter! 🐾
This adorable little Jack Russell Terrier is full of energy and charm. His owners reached out for a bit of help with Walter’s excitement when people come home and his loose leash walking skills.
Walter’s an eager little dude who brings so much enthusiasm to every session — he’s an absolute joy to work with! 💛🐶

09/07/2025

Meet Eddie! 🐾

Eddie is a high-energy little rocket with a big personality and an even bigger heart 💥💚 Recently adopted from the Ballarat Animal Shelter, his new owner reached out for help settling him into his forever home.

Together, we worked on building strong foundations and tackling a few key challenges – including helping Eddie manage frustration, which sometimes led to redirection onto his owner. He had me laughing every session with his antics, and it’s been such a joy to see his progress!

Here’s what we focused on: 🔹 Finding a diet to support his sensitive tummy

🔹 Toilet training and building a reliable routine

🔹 Creating a clear communication system

🔹 Settling indoors with bed work and crate training

🔹 Structured play to help with impulse control and frustration tolerance

🔹 Obedience – including engagement, positions, stays, and loose leash walking

🎥 Check out Eddie in the video showing off his loose leash walking skills — a big achievement for a boy who started off pulling like a freight train!

Eddie’s owner truly put in the hard yards, and watching their bond grow has been an absolute pleasure. Go Eddie! 🐶💪

07/07/2025

Meet Frankie! 🐾
This sweetheart's family is gearing up for a lap around Australia and wanted to help Frankie feel more confident before hitting the road.

When I first met, Frankie was a little unsure of me—but with each session, her tail wagged a bit harder and her eyes lit up a bit more 🥹💛

In our first chat, something stood out: Frankie had experienced temporary paralysis in her back end after an injury in the yard. Thankfully, by the time she reached the vet she was walking again—but it raised red flags.

We made seeing a professional our first step. After just one session with the amazing Aurora the vet nurse Frankie was already showing signs of relief—and a noticeable drop in reactivity.

Pain can often be behind reactivity. For Frankie, it was taking a toll on her confidence. So we focused her training on confidence building and practical travel-friendly skills her family can use on the road.

As someone planning my own Big Lap with dogs, I’ve thought a lot about the kind of skills that make vanlife easier for dogs and humans alike 🚌🐶

Watching Frankie grow braver, happier, and even more connected to her humans was such a joy. I’m so proud of this little legend 💪🐾

01/07/2025

Molly's owners absolutely aced their homework! I loved watching Molly's confidence grow during the sessions and slowly becoming more and more comfortable with Ricky being near by 🥲
The biggest win for me as the trainer though, seeing Molly's owners read Molly's body language and communicate with her so clearly ❣️

16/06/2025

Meet Rex!
Rex's foster careers reached out for some assistance with Rex to help him become adoption ready and to help tackle a bit of reactivity Rex was struggling with.
Rex is a very social dude, and was getting frustrated when on leash when he would see another dog.
Rex is such a sweet dog, and has come so far in such a short period of time.

11/06/2025

Meet little Charlie 🥹🥹
Charlie is a golden retriever x Labrador and I'm obsessed.

More puppies please 🙏

10/06/2025

How cute is little Autumn the kelpie x puppy 🥹

28/05/2025

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting this sweet young Labrador Molly to help her with a little bit of reactivity and building some more confidence.

Address

Ballarat, VIC
3350

Website

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

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