Animal Aid Dog Training 

Training and socialisation are crucial for all dogs. A dog with good manners enriches your life and fosters a relationship built on mutual respect and understanding. Our approach not only enhances your bond with your dog but also sets the foundation for a fulfilling and joyful life together.

Embrace the pillars of responsible pet ownership with us and give your pet the best start in life.

Puppy School

From the age of 8-16 weeks your dog is in a critical period, your puppy is absorbing everything and these experiences, both good and bad, stay with them for life. By beginning your dog’s training during this early developmental stage you are setting them up with right tools to navigate their way through meeting new people, meeting other dogs, new surfaces, different noises and more.

Animal Aid Puppy Preschool covers socialisation, basic obedience, curbing behavioural issues early, reward-based training and dog health.

Basic Manners

We aim to provide long-term results in obedience training, socialisation and behavioural problem solving that will benefit you and your dog for years to come. Animal Aid runs a group obedience class, these classes are designed to help you better understand your dog so your dog is willing and happy to work with you long into the future.

Your dog must be fully vaccinated (C5) to attend.

Dog Behaviour Consulting: 

• • • • $230 for an initial session
      • $130 for a revisit
      • On-site or in-home options available
      • Includes written training notes and progress plan
      • Free 20 minute check in call 4-6 weeks post consultation
      • Includes travel, no hidden fees!

Cat Behaviour Consulting: 

• • • • $160 for an initial session
      • $130 for a revisit
      • In-home consultation delivery
      • Includes written training notes and progress plan
      • Free 20 minute check in call 4-6 weeks post consultation

      • Includes travel, no hidden fees! 

Shelby – Senior Behavourist

Industry professional Shelby Thorn has been working as an Animal Behaviourist since 2015, and brings a rich background to Animal Aid.

After years of devoted passion to study and practical experience, she has worked on the ground at multiple shelters Victoria wide remodeling behaviour departments. Her goal was to create procedures that offer stress minimising animal management strategies and modification training techniques using a science based approach. Shelby’s capabilities were often utilised with dogs who used aggression and she would favour working in seized departments engaging in successful training plans without actually entering enclosures! She’s also worked in private practice supporting clients and their animals with complex conditions such as anxiety in homes, working alongside Veterinary Behaviourists for behavioural recovery. Shelby provides seminars for other animal care professionals such as groomers, vet nurses, and attendant staff on how they can use a force free approach in their impactful roles, leaving a positive psychological print and teaching them how to assess and interpret behaviour.

Shelby also has qualifications in human health and has worked as a holistic Mental Health Practitioner. The support Shelby organically offers to the human end of the leash is what makes her service so unique! Shelby lives with her tribe of rescue animals and enjoys camping, books, professional development and all things ocean! Shelby also loves to travel which is great considering she will be spending half of 2023 working in animal shelters internationally to enhance behaviour programs overseas!

Dylan – Animal Behavourist and Trainer

Dylan has been a dedicated Animal Behaviourist Trainer for over a decade, with extensive experience working with both dogs and cats. His career began in the Behaviour Department of one of Melbourne’s largest animal shelters, an experience that provided him with a robust foundation in handling a wide range of animal behaviours before he transitioned into private practice. He is well-qualified, holding a Certificate IV in Animal Companion Services from Delta and a Diploma of Animal Technology.

Animals naturally gravitate towards Dylan; he has a remarkable knack for gaining the trust and building bonds with those that are fearful, lacking in confidence, or display aggression as a mechanism to cope with fear-related stress. Dylan is particularly drawn to complex behavioural cases, including anxiety or frustration-related reactivity in dogs. Additionally, he has developed a niche specialisation in consulting with cats, an area that remains relatively unique within the behaviourist field. Dylan is driven by a strong belief that everyone deserves access to necessary help and information, and he is committed to providing extensive support to his clients.

Currently, Dylan offers his expertise to clients in Melbourne’s South-Eastern suburbs and the neighboring areas of Coldstream, ensuring a broad reach in his efforts to improve animal welfare and client satisfaction.

Debby – Dog Trainer

Debbie’s journey into dog training began in the early 70s in the USA, when her mother took their Lhasa Apso, Lucy, for training. Debbie fondly recalls her mother teaching Lucy in the backyard and showing her the ropes of basic dog training. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for dog training that continued to grow over the years.

After acquiring her own dog from a caring breeder who emphasized the importance of positive training methods, Debbie discovered the joy of reward-based training. Inspired by the positive impact it had on her relationship with her dog, she was motivated to help others achieve the same. To this end, she completed a course with the Gentle Dog Trainers Association and continues to actively participate in courses and workshops to further her education in positive training techniques.

Debbie is deeply passionate about teaching pet guardians effective communication techniques for achieving a harmonious living environment with their animals. She has a particular affinity for working with puppies and young dogs, focusing on developing foundational skills that set them up for a lifetime of success. Currently, Debbie’s interests have led her to the world of ‘cooperative care’, where she enjoys partnering with dogs to work at their own pace, fostering a positive and understanding relationship between dogs and their owners.