Matts Marching Mutts

05/01/2026

With the upcoming heat it pays to be extra careful to make sure animals are not subjected to empty water bowls, leave them indoors if unsupervised pref with aircon running and be aware some breeds are not good with the heat especially Northern hemisphere breeds, ie, Huskies, Malamutes, Akitas, Shiba inu and the likes. It can quickly kill a dog and heat stroke in animals is as severe as it is in humans.

Also if you get a chance leave a bowl or two out for our natives as even though they are born in this climate it too can be very stressful for them. Take care all.

Matt

Jellybean for the pose.

27/12/2025

PSA GRATITUDE...

Just wanted to say thankyou for all my clients for inviting me into their lives. Hiring a dog trainer is akin to looking for a psychologist and begins with trust.

Christmas has been hard for me in the past and this year i had a flare up with my autoimmune condition (CSU). I value each and every one of your trust with me and your patience if i have had to reschedule our session.

I have found some peace in the love and the friends i have around me, as well as the purpose i have found in this role. It was just a sign of the old me coming back but im feeling much better now that it has passed.

I value you all so much and part of my healing process has been stepping into my true purpose rather than trying to fit into a mould that i didnt define myself.

I am not perfect as i believe none of us are but im also learning to accept that fact. Just wanted to show my gratitude to you all for letting me be my weird autistic dog guy self and i look forward to watching you all grow from a place of love as i grow my own abilities.

Dogs are the greatest teachers in our human world as they show us pieces of ourselves that we sometimes didnt even see. Being able to share in your growth stories makes me happier than i could possibly explain to you all.

Thankyou again for sharing your lives with me, im looking forward to this year where i can fully step into my role more completely and im in a place where i am ready to increase my ability to be able to deal with my own problems face on without doubt or fear.

You all are gifts to me and the world around you, i am sorry if i have ever made you feel any different, thankyou for everything you have done for me, all of you and your canine companions.

Matt 🥰 🐶🦮🐕‍🦺❤️

25/12/2025

Loose lead walking as a pack 101. I am delighted to introduce my canine companions, Mr Spaz and Miss Jellybean. Please contact me today to schedule a session. Wishing all my valued clients a Merry Christmas. 🐾🎄🎅️

20/12/2025

FREDDY
He is a de-sexed, vaccinated and micro chipped, 12 month old, Staffy cross. He is a very energetic and bouncy dog who will need plenty of exercise.

19/12/2025

JOHNNY

He is a de-sexed, vaccinated and micro chipped, 4 1/2 years old, large mixed breed. He has a nice nature, but can climb. He is best suited to be an only dog or to play with a female dog. He does like to listen and would love to do more training.

17/12/2025

Hi my names Matt Campbell im a local dog trainer based in Mount Barker.

Any problems with your canine companion i can help with. Sessions are an hour long and there are no lock in contracts. I operate as im needed per session. $50 per hour. Home sessions are the same price with travel costs included outside of Mt barker.

Leash walking/pulling
Demand Behaviour
Reactivity
Dominance and Aggression towards humans or dogs
Resource Guarding
Desensitisation to triggers
Introducing new puppies/dogs to your pack

I focus on behaviourism and psychology and currently have spots available for new clients. Please see my page for testimonials. I have over 30 years experience working with dogs in a professional context over many different disciplines and i work with all breeds, big or small.

If you plan to get a dog for christmas and are unsure of what to do i can help with that too. I have a private yard directly opposite the wetlands and can offer a stress free environment for your dog to learn in.

My rates are the best in the hills and i take a lot of pride in my work, if you need help with your furry buddy or just some advice please dont hesitate to contact me. i dont charge for phone calls and happy to help where i can.

I do take messages on facebook but prefer to be contacted via txt or call if possible. 04 9779 7825

My trainer dog.

05/11/2025

PSA - Kennel Cough

With the prevalance of Kennel cough in the community it pays at the moment to be extra vigilant when walking our animals. Although not dangerous to humans, among dogs it is highly infectious and should be treated as such. We had a few cases of it come through my familys kennels when i was young and it was horrible how fast it spreads.

These viruses and bacteria are readily spread from dog to dog by airborne particles when dogs cough, or by contaminated food and water bowls, shared space, or even people who pet an affected dog and then pet a healthy dog.

Like the flu for us, it can sometimes be unavoidable so if your dog gets it or has it, its not a judgement on you or your care for your dog. Its an infection that doesnt discriminate so go easy on yourselves and focus on taking steps to prevent transmission to others. The best way to stop these things is proactivity on our part so enable your quarantine protocols and buckle down for a week or two of downtime.

The SYMPTOMS to look for in Kennel Cough in dogs may include:

Coughing
Gagging or retching
Runny nose or eyes
Sneezing
Decreased energy
Vomiting (less common)

With proper care, these dogs bounce back fairly quickly but its best to air on the side of caution if your dog has recently recovered. Just like the flu with us the best defence is care.

Good luck and if anyone needs anymore info please dont hesitate to contact me directly

04 9779 7825

02/11/2025

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23/10/2025

Energy Control when handling.

I have a lot of clients that come to me with past incidents etc. of dogs that have been out of their control or something similar and either their dog or themselves have been victim to it.

I never discount someones past experiences as we are the sum of our experiences but one thing i try to stress is that we are putting ourselves in a position of power by challenging these things.
Overcoming our own past traumas and what we can expect from our dogs comes completely from us. I often say to my clients that we are mirrors for our dogs energy and if we are aroused, they are going to follow. My general rule is what ever state your mind is in, the dog will be double that.

When we approach our training with the intention of growing, we inevitably put ourselves into a position of vunerability and with that comes growth. We, as higher thinking humans are so detached to our innate senses that we struggle to shake off our old habits very easily and it is generally much easier to replace them. That why i encourage all my clients not to look at problems as obstacles but rather challenges. With the correct techniques and the right ques from us we set ourselves up to deal with these traumas rather than continue to be victims to them.

Approaching something as a challenge immediately puts the mindset into a positive state as we are not anticipating bad behaviour, but expecting it and thus we are no longer a victim of the situation but rather the one holding the steering wheel. This allows us to search for the good behaviours and through positive reinforcement encourage those behaviours. This cannot lead to anything but growth but as you can see from above, it starts with a mindset. Which starts with a choice. "Im going to push my boundaries today and try something".

Go out there and challenge yourself and your dog to push your boundaries, we only live once.

(spaz enjoying the weeds at the yard)

20/10/2025

If you have found that puppy classes havent really given you what you need and want some more advice i offer home appointments for young pups that are too young to walk on leash.

Leash stuff shouldnt really be introduced until the dog is starting to seek its own independance in my view but these sessions can be great for people to get a running start on their training.

Sometimes its a great idea to help to guide you towards building strong foundations for a well balanced, well mannered best mate and i have found many clients didnt get enough information tailored to their own circumstances with puppy classes.

Contact me today on how i can help you build the best dog youve ever had with some early lessons. I work with all breeds all sizes and ages. No dog left behind.

Cheers

Matt

19/09/2025

Some people dont understand... :D

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18/09/2025

A Proper trouble maker the ACD, its amazing to watch the mental stuff going on here. Such amazing creatures.. :D

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