Ros & Mike are totally dedicated to the well-being of the animals in their care. With their intense interest in animal behaviour, they have created a rich environment for boarding dogs, with comfort & safety the priority – as well as plenty of enrichment, choice and importantly, fun for everyone! You rarely see them walking dogs on leads – instead the dogs follow because they are always positively reinforced for their choice.
About Ros
- Former Editor Dog’s Life magazine (DogsLife – Dog Breeds and Pet Care – Dogslife. Dog Breeds Magazine), Sydney, Australia & journalist on National Dog & Cat magazines, Sydney
- Kennel attendant for Guide Dogs at the Royal NZ Foundation for the Blind
- Coordinator and trainer of volunteers at Peninsula Animal Aid Shelter, Queensland
- After three decades working with the often heartbreaking situations of rescue dogs, Ros is now passionate about reducing the large number of surrendered dogs by encouraging early puppy socialisation and owner education and training and Covid has enabled her to further her studies (see below).
- In her spare moments, she enjoys clicker training and dance routines with her canine guests — and sometimes they end up in television ads!
Professional development
To keep up with scientific advances in dog behaviour and training, Ros & Mike regularly engage in continuing education. Too many to list but here are a few recent workshops, webinars and conferences:
2021
Puppy Start Right Course for dog trainers – Karen Pryor Clicker Training | The Leader in Positive Reinforcement Training
2020
Boarding cancellations due to Covid have given Ros the time to spend on futher study. In 2020, she started studying with the highly respected American dog trainer Susan Smith with whom she has regular Zoom meetings, discussing how to maximise the good behaviour of many dogs at the Pet Motel.
Ros is currently doing Susan’s Professional Dog Trainer course and once completed, she will have her knowledge assessed, earning a CPDT-KA (Certification for professional dog trainers and behavior consultants (ccpdt.org)), an internationally recognised recognised certification for top-tier trainers around the world. There are only around 20 CPDT-KA trainers in Australia.
Other courses & seminars:
Train this First – The shortlist for your new puppy – Julie Daniels
The Developmental Stages of Puppies – Eve LaforestDesensitisation & Counter Conditioning, Nancy Tucker, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Socialization: Raising Bold & Resilient Learners for Life, Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Magic Mat Training with Julie Daniels Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Adolescent behaviour and development – Chris Pachel
Come! The Art & Science of Recall Training – Chrissi Schranz
Capturing Behaviour – Michele Pouliot
FDSA & IAABC’s The Lemonade Conference – International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (iaabc.org)
The ABC’s of Animal Training and Behavior. Eduardo Fernandez PhD PPG
2019
* Puppy Schools Essentials seminar for dog trainers – Dr Jen Nesbitt-Hawes BVSc (Hons) MVSt (Wild Med) MANZCVS (Vet Behaviour), Sydney (Dr Jen writes the cirriculum for many Australian veterinary clinic puppy preschool classes)
* Learning About Learning with Dr Susan Friedman (Welcome to BehaviorWorks.org) & Peta Clark (Peta Clarke – YouTube) – 4 day workshop Riverwood Downs
* Australian Association of Professional Dogtrainers (aapdt.org) Conference, Hunter Valley, NSW
About Mike
Mike is so passionate about dogs having fun, he can motivate even the most lethargic pet to play. He is devoted to making sure people are really ready to become puppy owners and is an entertaining speaker on the subject.
Mike is the Kennel Manager for the large dogs, devoted cat and rabbit and guinea pig carer, as well as taking care of the computer geek stuff and endless maintenance on the property. In his past life, he was Mike was a Railway Engineer and then Head Chef at two London restaurants.
Ros and Mike have 16 fur babies of their own, a Miniature Dachshund called Maggie, a Maine Coon, a rescued tabby cat as well as rescued chooks and sheep, which are highly trained, just like the dogs!