Dog Sense Training and Behaviour

06/08/2025

Remi - Guess the mix! (Hint - you’ll never get it 😜)

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Update: I’m amazed some people picked it! I never would have 😂
Kelpie x Harrier
He’s cool dog 🖤

02/08/2025

Ahhh… when the two nutcases are peaceful 🥰

20/07/2025

Bucket list moment! 🎉🍾

Graduating NePoPo® Gold School Certification 💛

The NePoPo® system gets discussed a lot online by trainers, usually by those who haven’t learned it but think they know it.

I’ve been lucky to watch the system in action for many years at KaizenK9 in Perth run by Ben & Samantha Geurts, both in sport and working dogs. An opportunity not many trainers get, & it’s changed everything about the way I train.

The NePoPo® system above all else aims to maximise a dog’s motivation & love for training by making them a collaborator in their own training, not just a passive learner. It builds confidence & resilience when done well. Dogs don’t just learn new behaviours that become very reliable, but do them with ‘heart & soul’.

I understand now why many argue about NePoPo® concepts & how learning theory is applied in the system. It doesn’t fit into a neat little behaviourism box which can be quite the mind bender. But, it works, which is undeniable when you see it in action.

Many think NePoPo® is ecollar training, which is not true. Technically, you can go through the entire system without using ecollars, but they do allow for a lot of finesse if utilized responsibly with skill. As part of the certification students must pass competency tests in ecollar use (specifically - Martin’s Systems Chameleon) which I believe should become the standard for any professional trainer who uses the tool.

The certification was NOT easy! I lost a lot of sleep during the 5-day training. But, by day-3 pennies started to drop & I began to ‘get it’.

Not only was the training exceptional, but it was so rewarding to do it with other trainers & non-professionals & watch their journeys. We went through a lot of stress together! 😂

Ben Geurts is the only NePoPo® Gold Multiplicator in the Southern Hemisphere qualified to certify trainers in the system, & in my opinion is one of the best trainers I have ever seen.

Thank you Ben & Sam! Best training week of my career! 🖤

®️

16/07/2025

Gold 🥇comment of the week! 👏🏻👏🏻

Relax bud, it’s a dropped leash and an impressive puppy recall.

Hey, also, thanks for confirming you think I’m actually really good and successful at something 😎

Looking forward to seeing you work those extreme dogs in extreme environments.. but alas, I couldn’t find any on your page.. but I’m sure you’re legit.. cause you never make mistakes and all that 😜

15/07/2025

Aspen - 17 weeks 🖤

14/07/2025

There currently seems to be more posts than usual perpetuating the already polarised views on ‘Pit Bulls’ (Bully Breeds - Staffies, APBT, XL Bullies etc).

Either the post suggests Bully Breeds are misunderstood teddy bears, or, they’re ruthless killers waiting for the right moment to turn. And 90% of comment sections will be these black & white arguments with the commenters personal experience as ‘proof’.

No side is correct, but there is some truth on both sides (as is usually the case in dog arguments).

*P.S. If you ever want to trigger my snarky, know-it-all side, respond to my comment with a passive aggressive laughing emoji 😏

09/07/2025

THIS is the extreme side of the ‘Positive’ Training ideology.

No attempt to learn about a tool or method from the practitioners who demonstrate successful training, with ‘Success’ defined as - effectively trained/reliable in environments with high level competing motivators AS WELL AS observably improved quality of life.

But instead, these R+E trainers only take information from their echo chambers, who present cherry picked, biased & flawed research which is then misinterpreted and presented as ‘truth’.

This ridged & radical ideological mindset is now at the highest levels, being presented as ‘best practice’ and ‘humane’.

You may think these opinions are outliers; not representing a majority of the dog industry.

Well here’s the reality.
This comment was a reply to me, when I asked the following question, after this trainer told me I was an abuser if I used aversive methods.

I asked if they agreed with the New Zealand Veterinary Associations position statement on e-collar use to stop predatory attacks on livestock, which states:

“The use of Shock collars to manage this problem, EVEN WHEN EUTHANASIA IS A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, is not supported”.

And the pictured comment was their response.

The amount of observable evidence that is now available, yet there people that call trainers abusive & believe it’s better to put a dog down than train them to not approach/attack livestock, or even simply have off leash freedom they wouldn’t otherwise. And these people don’t question their views, or see the training for themselves.

If anyone wants to make anti-ecollar statements or support this comment.. I hope you’ve done your research well from ALL sides.

Fallout from ecollars? How about the fallout from the ideologists.

It’s shameful.

29/06/2025

20/06/2025

This was one I was really excited to be part of. Cutting through the myths!

OUR NEW PODCAST HAS DROPPED!!

Dominance Has Been Debunked... Or Has It?

Is dominance truly a myth? Or is there more to the story?
In this episode, we dive deep into the complex and often controversial topic of dominance.

Where did the concept originate and how has our understanding evolved over time?

What really is dominance — and how does it show up in our domestic dogs?
Are ritualised dominance displays misunderstood forms of communication? Or are they something more?
We unpack the science, the history and the heated debates.
Join us as we explore the facts, the myths and the fiery discussions that have sparked viral arguments across social media.

Whether you're a seasoned trainer, a new dog owner, or just curious about the dominance debate — this one's for you.
Don't miss it!

Hosts:
Trish Cavarra (PDTA Board Member)
Jacqui Z***r (PDTA Board Member)
Boyd Hooper (PDTA Board Member)

Web: dogtrainersaustralia.org
Email: [email protected]

Available on
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Youtube channel

15/06/2025

Appeal to Authority Fallacy:
Dog training edition

If you didn’t know much about remote electronic collars, then saw articles like this, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think these tools are harmful, that positive reinforcement training is more effective in all contexts and better for dogs welfare.

Why? Because the article was written by someone with lots of letters after their name and have refs to ‘support’ their opinion.
Pretty convincing right? Not necessarily.

Dog training is not a science (in-spite of what many may claim), but it does ‘use’ science to inform its practice.

It’s not possible to understand dog training by reading research articles. You can certainly learn about elements, like schedules of reinforcement, classical conditioning, instinctual motor patterns, what motivates behavior etc etc. But when it comes to actual training methods the research is in its infancy ‘at best’.

A PhD does not make someone an expert in training methods. A dog training practitioner in particular methods is.

Obviously there are trainers with limited education, who misuse tools or methods. But I’m not talking about them.

Believe it or not there are trainers with PhD’s in relevant fields who use tools like e-collars, who are ALSO practitioners.

Refs cited in articles like this are cherry picked and don’t go into alternative explanations for findings, which are usually provided in the studies themselves.
These opinion articles also conveniently omit research that contradicts their stance, as do position statements from ideological organisations against certain tools and methods.

Furthermore, if a trainer argues against the above points with: “well, I used to use these methods and now I’m against them because they cause harm”. All they are doing is admitting a lack of skill and now blame the tool/method for their incompetence.

If a PhD can’t break down a typical training program an experienced trainer would implement for a given context, with an understanding of the nuance certain variables may bring. Then they are not an expert on the topic. And to suggest they are is what’s known as an appeal to authority.

The end.

14/02/2025

Some foundational concepts I always teach clients are:

✅Motivation
✅Value
✅Clarity

Regardless of whether the goal is puppy development, reliable obedience, or rehabilitating behavior issues, these concepts still apply. The more you focus on them, the more success you’ll have in training, and the stronger your relationship will be with your dog.

💡Motivation
What ever motivates your dog to focus, train etc.
Usually it’s food, toy/play, but it can be other things.

💡Value
How high is the motivator’s value & how can we maximise that value so it’s higher than competing motivators in the environment (like Oodles 😜).

💡Clarity
Clarity in how the motivator is accessed, when it’s available & when availability ends via clear communication.

These concepts all come together to build YOUR value.

In Halo’s case, we’ve always focussed on building the value of things that come through me, so she craves opportunities to access them. Subsequently, we’ve never built the value of things that are external to me (playing with dogs).

This is why I didn’t need to call her here. She chose what was of more value to her.