Dogs & Deadlifts- Building Better Dogs

11/12/2025

New BLOG post!

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Over the past few years, I’ve had countless conversations, trained hundreds of dogs, and supported just as many owners. But recently, after taking a step back and giving myself the space to reflect, one truth has become incredibly clear:The work we do isn’t just about dog training—it’s about...

02/12/2025

Inca is looking for a forever home.

Until now I have just her be a dog, no formal obedience or off leash control.
It’s now time I commenced her training and she finds a suitable active family for the rest of her days.
Inca will be available for sale in early 2026
Feel free to DM for more information

30/11/2025

If you have been following along with project dog Mak..

Just going to leave these images here!

22/11/2025

Choosing a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist Matters: Daniel from Dogs & Deadlifts can help!

22/11/2025

Why Choosing a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist Matters: Daniel from Dogs & Deadlifts

When it comes to helping dogs reach their full physical potential, experience matters — but certification and formal education elevate that experience to an entirely new level. That’s why Daniel from Dogs & Deadlifts Dog Training stands out in the canine fitness industry. As a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist through North East K9 Conditioning, Daniel brings a unique combination of hands-on expertise, proven science, and a passion for canine performance to every dog he works with.

What Is a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist?

A Canine Athlete Specialist is a trainer educated in the biomechanics, conditioning principles, and performance-based training needed to safely build a dog’s strength, endurance, and overall fitness. This certification ensures the trainer understands:

Musculoskeletal function

Injury prevention

Age-appropriate conditioning

Proper progression and workload management

Sport-specific performance needs

How to support both working dogs and active pet dogs

Through North East K9 Conditioning — a respected global provider of advanced canine athletic training education — Daniel gained a deep understanding of how dogs move, how they develop strength, and how to train them safely and effectively.

Why Daniel’s Certification Matters for Your Dog

Plenty of trainers offer fitness programs, but not all have the credentials or in-depth knowledge required to build an athletic dog safely. Working with a certified professional like Daniel offers benefits you won’t find in generic training programs.

1. Evidence-Based Training

Daniel’s approach is rooted in scientific principles, not trends or guesswork. Every exercise, progression, and program is carefully structured for safe and measurable results.

2. Safety Comes First

Understanding canine anatomy and biomechanics means Daniel can identify early signs of strain, adjust workload, and keep dogs conditioned without risking injury.

3. Tailored Conditioning Plans

No two dogs have the same physical needs. Daniel designs custom fitness protocols that take into account:

Age

Breed

Structure

Activity level

Sport or working requirements

Long-term physical goals

This ensures every dog gets exactly what they need — nothing more, nothing less.

4. Support for All Dogs, Not Just Athletes

Whether you have a:

High-drive working dog

Sport competitor

Active pet

Overweight dog needing controlled conditioning

Senior dog needing mobility support

— Daniel can create a program that builds strength, confidence, and physical wellbeing at any stage of life.

15/11/2025

After a short break, Daniel from Dogs & Deadlifts Dog Training is opening spots again — and looking for 5 dedicated reactive or behavioural clients for 1:1 training in Toowoomba, QLD.

This is a focused 12-week program starting early 2026, designed to help you rebuild confidence, create structure, and finally see real progress with your dog.

If you’re ready to make 2026 your dog’s turning point, send a message to apply.

Please note: all applicants are required to apply via an online questionnaire that will be emailed

06/11/2025

We’ve officially reached the halfway point in Mak’s journey — and this is a moment worth acknowledging. Mak was never your typical “board and train” dog. He didn’t just need obedience commands or a few polished behaviors. He needed a reset — mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Mak came in with intensity, drive, and a nervous system always sitting right near the red zone. A dog like this doesn’t learn through force or fear — they learn through relationship, clarity, and consistent guidance. And that’s exactly what these past weeks have been about.

We started with the most important foundation:
✅ Building a Bond — earning trust instead of demanding compliance.
✅ Introducing Structure — clear expectations, consistent boundaries.
✅ Resetting His Nervous System — teaching him that calm is safe.
✅ Applying Fair Pressure — showing him how to work with pressure, not fight it.
✅ Foundational Obedience — not tricks, but communication.
✅ Fitness & Conditioning — channeling his drive with purpose, not chaos.

These steps weren’t rushed. They couldn’t be.
Dogs like Mak don’t thrive in a “quick fix” system — they evolve through a process.

And now… we are ready to go to the next level.

24/10/2025

Hi, I’m Daniel — dog trainer, canine fitness coach, strength enthusiast, and the founder of Dogs & Deadlifts.
Based in , Queensland, Australia.

I created Dogs & Deadlifts to bridge the gap between basic obedience, reactivity, canine conditioning and Holistic dog fitness training — because I believe the bond between dogs and their owners grows stronger when they train, move, and thrive together.
My journey didn’t start with just dogs or just deadlifts — it started with a passion for both.

Want to know more? Click the link in the bio to

24/10/2025

https://www.dogsanddeadlifts.com

Dogs & Deadlifts Building a Better dog focuses on your dog's overall well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health through a balanced approach to nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle.

16/10/2025

This week, Mak’s training has shifted gears — from mindset to muscle. Now that his confidence and focus are coming together, it’s time to start developing his canine fitness and conditioning.

For a high-drive working dog like a Malinois, physical conditioning isn’t just about power — it’s about control, endurance, and mental balance. We’ve introduced the slat mill to build Mak’s cardiovascular strength in a safe, structured way. Short, controlled sessions help him burn energy while reinforcing focus and consistency under light pressure.

We’ve also started using a weighted vest to build core strength and body awareness. It’s not about pushing limits — it’s about balance, stability, and helping him move with purpose. Every rep, every session, is a chance to improve not just fitness, but discipline.

The key is always controlled progression — never rushing, always observing. As Mak learns to channel his drive through structured conditioning, we’re seeing a calmer, more confident, and stronger dog emerge.

Physical work builds more than muscle — it builds the mindset of a working partner who’s ready for anything.

11/10/2025

This week has been all about boundaries and balance. Over the past few weeks, Mak and I have built a strong bond—he’s trusting, engaged, and starting to really enjoy the process. But now it’s time to help him channel that energy more effectively and develop emotional stability.

One of our key goals this week was to reset Mak’s nervous system. As a young Malinois, his drive and arousal levels can skyrocket quickly—he’s wired for action. But high-drive dogs need to learn how to switch off just as much as they need to switch on. Through calm, structured sessions, clear boundaries, and controlled pressure, we’re teaching Mak how to self-regulate.

This means slowing things down, creating moments of calm after intensity, and reinforcing that relaxation is part of the job. When he learns to settle, his nervous system begins to balance out—he becomes clearer in thought, more responsive, and less reactive.

We’ve also introduced a little more pressure and accountability in training. It’s not about correction—it’s about communication. When Mak feels light pressure (through the leash, spatial awareness, or a cue) and learns that calm compliance brings release, he’s building resilience and confidence.

What’s exciting to see is the shift in his state of mind. He’s calmer in sessions, quicker to recover after stimulation, and more focused on working with me rather than in constant overdrive. The trust is still the foundation—but now we’re layering structure and emotional control on top.