Polite
Paws
Polite
Paws
About us.
We care about
Welfare, Science,
Cooperation
& Outcomes!
Meet Lisa!
Growing up I had an affinity for animals, and always planned to be a vet. I was allowed almost any pet, except a dog or a cat. I had so many different kinds, our house was nicknamed the zoo! Due to the lack of a dog LOL, I helped people by walking and washing their dogs for them. I became close friends with one lady whose two dogs I had looked after for over 10 years, and when she passed away she left the dogs in my care.
Shortly after moving out of home into my own apartment and buying my first Long Hair Chihuahua Monty, I was a passenger in a serious car accident that forced me to stop the theatre work I had been doing, along with dancing and most of my other passions. Due to the time I spent at home with my injuries, I had plenty of time to spend training my two Chihuahua (I ended up with 4 Chi plus 5 other dogs LOL). I think my dogs actually taught me how to train them.
Late 2009 it was confirmed I would not fully recover from my injury, so I decided that dog training and behaviour modification was the road I’d like to take. I enrolled in courses, purchased books, attend seminars, watched webinars, listened to podcasts and attended lectures. I still do this each year to broaden my knowledge and skills within the field.
I now live with 1 Chihuahua, sibling rescues Sally and Sam who are Shepherd/Malamute X Labrador/Golden Retriever, my crazy Pyrenean Shepherd Bolt (herding/guarding breed) and Jake my derpy German Shepherd. Yes I have 6 indoor dogs... and a Quaker bird called Lola. Who talks. A lot.
How we Train!
I use different methods for each dog, while keeping within the scope of force free positive reinforcement training. When working with cases of anxiety and aggression, there are many science based methods to improve emotional responses while making the dog feel safe and supported.
I like to give the dog choices and let them think they are doing the training. Why wouldn’t they want to do things if it was their idea in the first place! Motivate them with what they want (food, toys, cuddles, car rides, running etc) and use triggers in the environment to cue their behaviours. Touch the door, they sit and wait. Sit on the couch they settle in their bed. Doorbell goes off and they go to their mat. They see a dog on a walk and offer eye contact. Easy as that!
I only use methods championed by world leading trainers, behaviourists and vets such as Denise Fenzi, Patricia McConnell, Susan Garrett, Nicole Wilde, Emily Larlham, Jean Donaldson, Ken Ramirez, Karen Pryor, Dr. Susan Friedman, Bob Bailey and the late Sophia Yin.
I don’t condone confrontational and punishment based training methods. A good trainer should be able to stay away from these with good education, mechanical skill and problem solving. If having to resort to methods that scare the dog, or collars (choke, slip, prong, shock) designed to cause pain the trainer needs to update their edcuation. There is also no place in training for outdated and disproven dominance and pack theory. Trainers who still talk about this use it to hide the pain and fear they use in training, along with not teaching their students how to correctly read body language. These methods may appear to have instant results, but they dont last and have dangerous side-effects.
Dog training should be fun for everyone! The overall purpose is to form a bond with your dog, while learning about how to tackle the world and it's challenges together as a team.
Other Info!
- MindDog Psychiatric Assistance Dog Trainer
- Working for 3 years as a Pet Educator for Local Government in NSW schools with K-2 kids
- Teaching Pet Education, Vet handing and other relevant topics with my 4 Chihuaha and GSD Jake at the Future Vet Kids Camp for 7 years
- Working as a KONG Advisor with my dogs helping people understand their dogs motivations, and how to use these to enrich their lives.
- Raising puppies for rescue organisations from 0 weeks up to 14 weeks
- Rehab work for puppy farm rescue dogs, and also ex-racing greyhounds
- Developed Adoption Matching and Assessing protocols for shelters
- Worked for 12 Months as a Head Shelter Behavourist and Behaviour Assessor
- Member of “Association of Pet Dog Trainers” Australia
- Member of Pet Professional Guild
- Senior First Aid Certificate
- Working with Children check completed
- Covered by Marsh Insurance for Pet Dog Trainers Liability Insurance
Ongoing Education!
Aggression in Dogs Conference (October 2023)
https://aggressivedog.com/conference/
Aggression in Dogs Conference (Sep 2022)
https://aggressivedog.com/conference/
Lemonade Conference - Collaboration between IAABC and FDSA (Feb 2022)
https://thelemonadeconference.com/
Aggression in Dogs Conference (October 2021)
https://thelooseleashacademy.com/aggression-in-dogs-conference
Lemonade Conference - Collaboration between IAABC and FDSA (May 2021)
https://thelemonadeconference.com/
Behavioural Medicine & Medications Presented by Dr Diane Van Rooy (April 2021)
https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au/event-4252801
Geek Week - For the Love of Science! Pet Professional Guild (Nov 2020)
https://event.vconferenceonline.com/microsite/html/event.aspx?id=1721
Lemonade Conference - Collaboration between IAABC and FDSA (April 2020)
https://thelemonadeconference.com/
Monthly Behaviour Webinars Hosted by Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/
Pet Professional Guild 4 day Conference featuring; (July 2018)
- Kathy Sdao
- Chirag Patel
(https://ppgaustralia.net.au/)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers 4 day Conference featuring; (October 2016)
- Robin Bennet
- Sonya Bevan
- Alexis Davison
- Anita Marchesani
- Mik Moeller
Denise Fenzi - 2 day Workshop (July 2016)
Day 1 - Engagement, Toy and Personal Play
Day 2 - Handler choice problem solving
Association of Pet Dog Trainers 3 day Conference featuring; (October 2014)
- Emily Larlham
- Diane A. Garrod
- Robyn Hood
Kathy Sdao - What not to Err: Training Mistakes that Create Headaches
for Dogs 2-day Seminar (Sep 2014)
Suzanne Clothier - Relationship Centred Training &
Fearful, Anxious and Reactive Dogs (May 2014)
(http://www.suzanneclothier.com/)
Denise Fenzi - Workshop at Camp Tailwaggers (July 2013)
Denise Fenzi - Drives and Motivation &
Obedience problem Solving (July 2013)
Delta Society Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services course (December 2009 - Feb 2012)
(http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/Programs/Course_Structure)
Ken Ramirez - Making the Impossible Possible! (November 2012)
(http://www.hillskennelandtrainingclub.com/ken-ramirez/Ken-Ramirez.pdf)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers 3 day Conference featuring; (October 2012)
- Pat Miller
- Grisha Stewart
- Dr Sophia Yin
Emily Larlham (KIKOPUP)- The Building Blocks to Advanced Canine
Training and Companionship (August 2012)
(http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup)
Bob Bailey - AVBIG Animal Behaviour with Bob Bailey (February 2012)
Ian Dunbar - Science Based Dog Training with Feeling (February 2012)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers 3 day Conference featuring; (October 2011)
- Dr Kersti Seksel
- Kay Laurence
- Dr Gabrielle Carter
- Nic Bishop
(http://www.apdt.com.au/news-and-events/past-events.html)
Monthly Webinars run by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers America (December 2010 - ongoing)
(http://www.apdt.com/education/webinars/default.aspx)
TTouch for companion animals 4 day training with; (November 2010)
-Robyn Hood
-Andy Robertson
(http://www.ttouchaustralia.com.au/companion_3.html)
Susan Garrett - 1 day Lecture on Free Shaping (November 2010)
(http://www.clickerdogs.com/susangarrett.htm)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers 3 day Conference featuring; (October 2010)
-Ken Ramirez
-Steve White
-Peta Clarke
(http://www.apdt.com.au/news-and-events/past-events.html)
Knowing your pet’s health ½ Day workshop run by Pet Tech (October 2010)
(http://www.pettech.net.au/kyph.php)
DELTA society 6 day intensive workshop (September 2010)
(http://deltasociety.com.au/Programs/Workshop)
DELTA society CGC Weekend Seminar (December 2009)
