Who this is for
Most of my mentorship students fall into one of three groups:
- Working dog trainers who feel the standard pet-training pathway didn't give them enough. Their clients improve, but the changes don't always stick. They're looking for a deeper lens.
- Career changers moving into dog training from another field. Often vet techs, animal behaviour students, or people coming from related professional work.
- Aspiring trainers who want to start, but don't want to start with a method that produces obedient-but-stressed dogs.
Spots are limited. Current and past students span Melbourne, Brisbane, regional Victoria, and overseas, all by word of mouth.
Why the cross-industry background matters
Most trainer education is built around domestic dogs. That's not the only way to learn. I came up through zoo work, wildlife reserves, and assistance dog programs. The animals you can't manage by force teach you everything that gets watered down in pet training. By the time I started working with pet dogs, I was already used to thinking about regulation first and behaviour second.
Add Vet Science (how the body works) and Early Childhood Education (how a developing brain regulates), and you get a lens that very few trainers in Australia have. That's what the mentorship transfers.
How the program works
Part 1 · Theory ($1,955, online, self-paced + group calls)
The methodology underneath the practical work. The four modes of the PACE framework (PLAY, ANCHOR, CALM, EXPLORE) and how each protects the integrity of the others. The Still Waters waterline model for arousal and how to read where a dog is sitting on it. Body language reading at the level you need for behaviour cases. The cycles framework that replaces walks for reactive dogs. The handler-side bottlenecks that produce most "my dog isn't listening" complaints.
Delivered as recorded modules with monthly group video calls and ongoing WhatsApp support. Most students take 8 to 12 weeks. Required before Part 2.
Part 2 · Practical in Melbourne ($4,370, in person, 5 days)
Five intensive days at my training base in Melbourne. You work with my own dogs, with private clients (with consent), and with each other. Lead handling, the clock-position ANCHOR practice, CALM crate work, PLAY structure with food and toys, body language reading in real time, the handbrake on the lead, breaking a reactive cycle.
You leave with the muscle memory and the eye. Theory is what you say to a client. Practical is what your hands and timing actually do.
Part 3 · Business and Career ($920, online, standalone)
The part most trainer programs skip. How to position your work, what kind of clients to take and which to refer on, pricing without burning out, building a referral network with local vets, structuring multi-session programs that actually deliver, marketing without being shouty. This module can be taken on its own, even if you're not doing Parts 1 and 2.
Full bundle ($7,045, save $200)
Theory, Practical, and Business and Career together. Payment plans available.
What the work looks like, week to week
- Recorded theory modules to watch on your schedule
- Monthly group video calls with the cohort
- WhatsApp support throughout, including video reviews of your client sessions
- Live observation of my private sessions (with client consent)
- Five-day practical intensive in Melbourne for Part 2 students
- Business module materials and templates for Part 3
Outcomes
Past mentorship graduates have:
- Started their own dog training businesses (Paws With Purpose, Mary Puppins Brisbane, The Daily Dog Trainer, Mindfulness Dog Training)
- Specialised in reactivity work after years of generic pet training
- Refreshed their knowledge after time away from professional training
- Built referral relationships with local vets they didn't have before
Limited spots
I take a small number of mentorship students each year so the WhatsApp support and group calls stay tight. The application form below tells me about your background and where you'd like the work to go. I read every application myself. If we're a fit, I'll book a 30-minute call with you before either of us commits.