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At the Academy for Canine Companions, we believe that every dog deserves to have a happy and fulfilling life. Our dog training program is designed to help you build a strong bond with your furry companion, while also giving you the tools to teach your dog the skills they need to be confident in everyday situations.

 

Claudia has been a qualified dog trainer for over 20 years and promotes positive reinforcment training methods only. Over the years, she has attended countless courses, seminars and webinars from renowned dog scientists and trainers, e.g.,

 

Dr. Dorit Feddersen-Petersen on body, language, vocalisation, and communication in dogs

 

Dr. Adam Miklos from the Family Dog Project at  ELTE University Budapest  on problem-solving in dogs (https://ethology.elte.hu/Family_Dog_Project)

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Dr. Udo Gansloßer and Dr. Sophie Strodtbeck on health problems and their influence on behaviour as well as desexing and the influcene on health and behaviour

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Live-in practicum raising Hudson Bay Wolves at Wolfcenter Dörverden/Germany

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to name just a few. She also is a vivid reader of science Journals such as the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour and as built a substantial library of books on dog body language, behaviour, training and more. One important aspect of her learning is the constant dialogue with trainer colleagues all over the world.

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Her career spans over more than 20 years and 2 continents. She started in Germany and continued in Toowoomba/QLD after moving to Australia in 2016. She continues to learn about dogs, keeps up with the latest research in dog science, and translates her extensive knowledge into practical dog training.

 

We use and promote positive, reward-based training methods, concentrate on giving you all the tools to train your dog and to form a strong bond and relationship with your dog built on trust and kindness through fun activities and training.

 

Proactive, Not Reactive: We believe that starting training as soon as your new puppy or older (rescue) dog arrives is better and fairer than waiting until your dog has developed bad habits and unwanted behaviour. But life often comes in the way and we are here to help you at every life stage of your dog. No dog is too old to learn new things and change their behaviour.

 

Claudia holds the following qualifications:

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Diploma in Dog Psychology and Training, ATN Akademie für Tierpsychologie und Tierverhaltenstraining AG (Switzerland), 16 March 2002

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Certificate in Canine Psychology and Training, TISVON, 6 October 2021

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She is the recommended Assistance Dog trainer in Toowoomba for Assistance Paws Australianand mindDog Australia as well as Team Assessor for Story Dogs.

 

(Professional) memberships:

ADPT Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia

Pet Professional Guild Australia

Animal Therapies Ltd.

DQ Dogs Queensland
LRCQ Labrador Retriever Club Queensland
 

and foster carer for Labrador Rescue Australia and Small Animal Rescue QLD.​

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