Chapter One Dog Training

Am I a little starstruck? Yes! Thank you Dr Tom Mitchell for coming to Australia, sharing your passion and knowledge, and for being just as wonderful in real life 🫶

Simone from Predation Substitution Training was WONDERFUL. I truly didn’t understand how intrinsic hunting behaviours were impacting our dogs and how to work WITH that 🐶🐭🦆

Our Australian presenters were so insightful too - from behaviour medication to living with birds and cats!

I am leaving the The Pet Professional Guild conference with deeper knowledge, new and improved training games, and of course, inspiration to make my classes even better!

I need a little time to let my brain recover from this information overload 🧠 Emails and messages will be responded to in the coming days 🥰🐾

⭐️ Out of Office ⭐️ I’ve spent the last two days enjoying everything Sydney has to offer, and now the fun begins with the Pet Professional Guild Conference! I’m very excited to learn more about all things dog training 😍🐶

Well this is last minute 👀 (sorry guys!) I think the flu is going around if anyone needs to call in sick to work on Monday 😜

Due to a change of plans, I CAN host a small afternoon trial on Ekka Monday at Wellington Point, with our fully enclosed ring set up.

All events are running!

Entries close in two days: https://www.topdogevents.com.au/trials/2083

Are you running low on energy with your new puppy? 🪫

Life is busy, and it’s important to me to meet every dog owner where they’re at with low, medium & high effort training options 🤗

Here’s how to get your dog used to the hair dryer before their next bath day, whether you want an idea that takes no extra time from you or need guidance to do a dedicated training session!

🟣 Low - dry YOUR hair while they eat breaky/dinner or enjoy a treat nearby. Let them get comfy with the sound from a distance!

🟣 Medium - pop their fave snack (yoghurt, anyone?) on a Licki Mat while you gently brush them, introduce the nail clippers or lightly introduce the dryer. Licki Mats are SO self-soothing!

🟣 High - ready for the real deal! Set aside some time to feed your puppy treats while the hair dryer is used directly on them. You’ve got this! 🙌

Starting slow makes ALL the difference for a stress-free groom. Save this for your next grooming prep session!

What a massive day!!! This was a double header trial with special guests from Perth! Course maps to come later in the week!

Unfortunately some really tricky environmental distractions today - we had a record number of wees in the ring 😂 and lots of sniffs, potentially because of the dewy and steamy morning ☀️

When teams could stay connected, we had some beautiful runs 😍 here’s a recap!

Trial 1 - designed and judged by Cara!
Beginners: 4/8 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Jennifer and Seamus. Super fun team to watch!

Intermediate: 4/7 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Anna and Watson. They brought the joy!

Go the Distance Level 1: 5/9 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Andrea and Winnie. Positive, fun and confident run!

Go the Distance Level 2: 0/1 no pass on this course but Emily and Nancy received Judge’s Choice for being a super team with impressive distance handling 🥰

Trial 2 - designed and judged by me (Hannah!)
Beginners: 2/8 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Sam and Ebony. There were some crows flapping around outside the ring and she did so well to stay focussed.

Intermediate: 5/9 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Bethan and Nala. What an impressive interstate team - fast and connected!

Go the Distance Level 1: 6/9 passes
Judge’s Choice 🎀 Mirna and Eppy. Such enthusiasm to RUN!

Go the Distance Level 2: 1/1 pass for Emily and Nancy! And well-deserved Judge’s Choice award as this team has conquered an entire event on their own with flowy runs… onto Level 3 now 👀

We had some teams title today too!
Beginners 🤩
- Emma and Amaya
- Kerrie and Holly
Go the Distance Level 2 🥳
- Emily and Nancy

Thanks for coming everyone! I don’t have any other Hoopers Australia trial dates and venues organised for 2026 but I’ll share when I do 💜