Simone Tuten - Positive Pets - dog and horse behaviour consultant

20/11/2025

𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬

If you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy into your home, you’ll be happy to know my puppy classes continue right through the festive season.

I often meet behaviour clients who say they would have loved to attend puppy classes early on, but struggled to find any running over the holiday period. One thing many people don’t know is that my puppy classes actually run all year; including the festive season. So this year is no different: same supportive environment, same small groups, and a touch of end of year cheer.

If you have a Christmas or summer-holiday puppy and would like gentle guidance, socialisation, confidence building, and a calm space to learn together, you’re more than welcome to join anytime.

Both my Younger and Older Puppy classes are open for ongoing enrolment.
If you have any questions about which class might suit your pup, feel free to message me.

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜’𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑝𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑦, 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡.

18/11/2025

Earlier this month I spent some time with the dedicated team at , chatting through tailored enrichment ideas for a variety of species in their care, it was such a fun opportunity to stretch my brain into new areas, especially the birds and reptiles.

True to form, I was so focused on observing and supporting the animals and their carers that I only remembered to take videos right at the end. The donkeys tried apple bobbing for the very first time, and it was a lovely example of how we can support new learners as they explore and problem solve. I was especially proud of the shy donkey who showed such bravery (not pictured in this clip).

If you'd like to learn more about enrichmnet strategies, or if you're interested in developing enrichment plans for the animals in your care, I'd love to help.

12/11/2025

After my morning client sessions, I often find a quiet spot to catch up on session notes and take a breath before the next part of the day. Lately that’s meant riverside and beach locations ❤️ There’s something about being near water that helps me reset and clear my mind.

In keeping with the water theme, I’ve also been helping researchers in New Zealand through the Shark Spy project - identifying sharks, rays and skates from short video clips. It’s a small way to contribute to marine research, and a lovely way to let my brain switch gears after a full day of behaviour work.

It feels good to stay connected to my conservation roots (my degree is in Conservation Biology) while supporting dogs, horses and their humans in the present.

30/10/2025

Many dogs dread vet visits or grooming appointments, which can make it hard for you, your canine friend, vet and grooming teams.

My 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 is designed to help you and your dog build confidence and co-operation around everyday care – turning vet visits, grooming and home handling into calm, positive experiences.

In these small, supportive classes you’ll learn how to:
🐶 Use gentle low stress handing techniques
🐶 Teach your dog to willingly participate in their own care
🐶 Build confidence and reduce fear or anxiety
🐶 Strengthen your bond through trust and understanding

Next class starts 9 November at Forrestdale Veterinary Hospital

If you’d love vet visits and grooming sessions to feel easier, calmer and more cooperative – this class is for you.

Message me for details and to register.

30/10/2025

Top tips to support your dog during Halloween. Feel free to share.

Halloween horror for hounds
Halloween seems to be getting bigger each year in Australia. Many dogs can have a very hard time during Halloween for several reasons.
The good news is there are a few steps we can take to help our canine friends stay safe and happier during the festivities.
One reason dogs have a hard time with Halloween are the costumes. But why are costumes so scary for dogs?
Well, most dogs first recognise people by their outline and movement. When we put on a costume it changes our outline. Even our own dog may not recognise us at first and may not even recognise the shape as that of a ‘human’ either. This can be very scary for some dogs.
Noise during the festivities can also be scary for some dogs. Strangers approaching the dog’s home can also cause a lot of concern to some dogs (which may be amplified if they are wearing costumes).
Here are some tips to help our canine friends
🎃If you are going out in costume, consider putting the costume on away from home
🎃If you need to put your costume on at home,
- Let your dog sniff and investigate each part of the costume if they wish too
- Let your dog watch you put the costume on
- Talk and reassure your dog while you are wearing your costume.
- Start telling your dog they are good if you have been in a different room and are about to enter the room your dog is in.
If your dog fears costumes, noises, strangers or fears new things
🎃 If you have been working with a behaviourist follow your management and/or behaviour modification plan
🎃When people come to the front door trick or treating keep your dog away from the front door (try to avoid your dog seeing people in costumes).
🎃Close blinds so your dog can’t see people wearing scary costumes on the streets.
🎃Keep your canine friend inside and stay home with them (or have someone well known to the dog stay with them)
🎃Play music or background sounds to help muffle the sound of the festivities on the street and in surrounding houses.
🎃Close blinds, window and doors. To reduce sounds and stop your dog seeing people passing by in scary costumes.
🎃Give your dog lots of enrichment activities to keep them occupied and focussed on something other than what is going on outside.
🎃You could use ADAPTIL spray to help comfort your dog.
🎃If this is likely to be a really stressful night for your dog talk to your behaviour veterinarian or general practice veterinarian about whether medication may be warranted and suitable.
🎃Place a sign at the front gate/letter box etc asking people to not approach your home, if your dog will be okay with it you could set up a trick or treat ‘station’ near the foot path, so people don’t need to approach your home.
🎃Unless your dog has been carefully conditioned to wearing costumes and loves it, please resist the temptation to dress up you dog. Most dogs will appreciate this.
🎃Keep lollies etc well out of reach of dogs.

09/10/2025

I had a wonderful night yesterday presenting to the Australian Physiotherapy Association in Perth.

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨-𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 was the topic; and it sparked some great conversations, laughs and learning along the way.

It's been a few years since my last in person presentation, and it reminded me just how much I enjoy sharing knowledge, experience and practical strategies to support calmer, safer interactions with animals.

Over the years I have presented on topics such as:
🐶 Dog Enrichment
🐶 Working with Distractions (Dogs)
🐶 Training with Toys (Dogs)
🐶 Meet and Greet People Politely (Dogs)
🐶 Dog Fights
🐶 Defensive Handling (Dogs)
🐶 Play in Puppy Class
🐶 Confidence Development and Behaviour Modification in Puppy Class
🐴 Horse Enrichment
🐴 Introduction to Clicker Training for Horses

If you'd like to organise a presentation or workshop please contact me.

06/10/2025

Care activities like brushing, nail clipping, ear cleaning, muzzle training, and positive experiences on consulting tables all help your puppy build confidence and prepare for low-stress care in the years ahead.

In my puppy classes, we focus on developing confidence, socialisation, body awareness, and building a wonderful bond between you and your puppy.

I currently have room in my 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 (for puppies 12 weeks and under) and 𝐎𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 (for puppies 13–20 weeks).

Contact me for more information.

17/09/2025

Some snippets of puppy class fun and learning. These fun exercises have lots of benefits for growing puppies, including
- engaging their noses (multiple benefits including lowering heart rate, tiring puppy)
- confidence with novel sounds (balls moving, tunnel)
- proprioception aka body awareness
- confidence with different textures and things moving around their feet and heads.

Come join the fun and learning. I have space in my younger and older puppy classes.

Send me a message for more information

23/08/2025

Yesterday was a very sad day with the unexpected passing of my beautiful cheeky horse Jackson :(

Please be patient with me as I'll be slower to respond to messages, comments and queries.

Tomorrow's puppy classes will go ahead. My friend and training colleague Michelle from will be helping.

16/08/2025

All packed and ready for 3 fun classes tomorrow.

Puppies attending the younger and older puppy classes will experience some really cool activities to build confidence and body awareness. Circuit theme includes the very popular tunnel and ball pit.

Then participants in my low stress care class are working on a variety of skills including being approached by a stranger, grooming, open mouth, vaccination prep amongst other skills.

A big afternoon for sure.

02/08/2025

Meet Jackson, one of the gorgeous horses I share my life with. He’s currently on box rest due to an injury, and as you can imagine, being confined to a stable is tough for most horses.

I’ve been looking for ways to keep his mind happy and engaged during recovery. Along with making sure his horse friends can spend time near the stable block and providing plenty of enrichment, I decided to try something new:

Scent work

I’ve never taught scent work before—so this is as much a learning journey for me as it is for Jackson. My goal? To give him something interesting and enjoyable to focus on while he heals.

In this short video, you’ll see our very first steps exploring scent work together. No pressure, no expectations—just curiosity, connection, and a little creativity to support his wellbeing.

Why enrichment matters:
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, especially during times of rest or recovery. Small activities like this can make a big difference to an animal’s stress levels and emotional health.

Have you ever tried scent work with your animal friends? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.

21/07/2025

I'm thrilled to have been invited to present to the Australian Physiotherapy Association about an important topic 'Safe, calm and co-operative: low stress handling for canine physiotherapists' happening on the 20 August.

I'll be sharing practical strategies and real-world case studies to support the incredible work our animal physiotherapists do. Even better, the APA has opened up this presentation to other professionals too, including vets, vet nurses, body workers and trainers.

Let me know in the comments if you would like more info, or feel free to share with someone who might be interested in attending.