Next Adolescent course starts Sat 14 June - enrol today!

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WELCOME TO UNPACKED DOG EDUCATION AND TRAINING

We make it easy for you to understand your dog’s behaviour and learn how to create the dog that fits your home and family. 


 Through fun and positive classes, workshops and consultations, we ‘unpack’ dog training into all of its components, in a way that simplifies the task for you. We teach you what you need to know about understanding your dog's breed specific characteristics, experiences, environment and the relationship between human and dog. 


Our knowledge and experience are deeply embedded in up to date, scientific, evidence based training whilst debunking outdated theories such as pack, 'alpha' and dominance as an umbrella term.


From pre-puppy purchase advice, puppy consultations, adolescent and adult classes, scent detection classes, behavioural consultations and workshops, we cover all life stages and aspects of dog training. 


Come and join us! 

What we OFFER

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

In our 4 week Scent Detection Courses we delve into the fascinating world of scent for dogs and have fun exploring how enriching it is for both dog and handler!  


Perfect for pet dogs of all breeds and ages, bouncy dogs who need a job, shy or reactive dogs, older dogs too and those wishing to compete in scent sports.


Our Level 1 course covers:


  • Developing search and hunt techniques in your dog with food and toys
  • Creating value to target odour
  • Indicating on a target odour once found
  • Developing a dynamic dog-handler team
  • Scent Discrimination


$200 for the 4 week course


Our Level 2 course covers:


  • Progressing to longer and more complicated searches
  • Outside/exterior, containers, vehicles searches
  • Handler training and team work refinement 
  • Multiple targets and different odours


$200 for the 4 week course


Level 1 and Level 2 courses 

on Wednesday nights in Mt Clear


Saturday afternoon classes now available - register your interest.


EMAIL FOR MORE INFO...

ADOLESCENT CLASSES - Level 1

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

The "teens" can be a difficult time for anyone. Navigate the world of adolescence with these fun and informative classes as the next step after puppy school or the first step if your dog missed puppy school. Adolescent dog training classes consolidate and extend your learning of the basics, answering the question 'what's next?'.    


Our 4 week class covers: 


  • how dogs learn 
  • how to develop a direct line of communication
  • relationship building (or repair!) through adolescence
  • greeting people and other dogs politely
  • loose lead walking 
  • recall (come when called)
  • progressing obedience exercises
  • appropriate play between dogs 
  • correctly reading behaviour 
  • working with distractions and 'leave it’
  • destructive behaviour like barking, digging, and chewing.  


For dogs aged 5 - 12 months + 


$200 for the 4 week course


Saturday morning classes in Redan


Monday nights available during daylight savings - register your interest.


N.B. This course is also suitable for adult dogs and is a prerequisite for our Life Skills - Level 2 course.

email for more info ...

LIFE SKILLS COURSES - Level 2

SCENT DETECTION COURSES - Levels 1 and 2

Do you want a dog you can go to a cafe with, take camping and on holidays?  How do we build on the skills we learnt in  adolescent classes?


Our Life Skills - Level 2 course is based on the Canine Good Citizen Test or Award - as our aim is always better and happier dogs in society.  In fact, we finish the course with a group walk in Ballarat!

Our 4 week Life Skills (Level 2) course (with optional week 5 group walk) will cover:


  • 'levelling up' our recall, loose lead walking, leave it with more distractions and other exercises 
  • bridging/marking skills, including a fun game that will improve what your understanding of what it’s like for your dog 
  • perfecting our greeting skills of people and dogs - teaching politeness / impulse control around doors, gates, getting in and out of the car, crossing roads
  • working on brief periods of separation and being calm while not being glued to your side!
  • standing for examination / vet visits, close or middle, come to heel and practising ’settle’
  • Defensive dog handling - what to do when an off-lead dog rushes you and your dog.


Suitable for dogs who have completed our adolescent class.


$200 for the 4 week course + $50 for group walk (optional)


Saturday morning classes in Redan


Monday nights available during daylight savings - register your interest.


email for more info ...

BEHAVIOURAL CONSULTATIONS

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

Specific problems can crop up any time for all kinds of reasons. We help you set things right with private home consultations available for dogs of all ages covering a range of issues including:


  • reactivity (dogs and/or people)
  • separation anxiety
  • other anxiety (fears, etc)
  • destructive behaviour - barking, chewing, digging
  • multi-dog household issues
  • Integrating a new puppy/dog with babies, kids and other dogs/cats/pets 
  • walk and lead training 
  • issues after a dog attack
  • any other issues/problems specific to your lifestyle


In-home consultation is perfect for all the family and dogs not suited to group classes


Available for the Greater Ballarat Area and Surrounds, including Melbourne.


$175 for 1.5 hours in Ballarat Area.

Additional travel fees apply outside this area


Follow up consults $75 for 45 mins


email for more info ...

PUPPY CONSULTATIONS

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

Make sure you and your family are ready for this crucial stage in your new family member's life. We offer an unique, tailor made individual private puppy consultation service which can include:


  • pre purchase advice, breeder check, equipment to purchase, how to set up and puppy proof your home
  • settling puppy in the first few weeks
  • common puppy issues: toilet training, crate training, kids and pups, nipping and biting
  • socialisation and developing independence 
  • understanding dog behaviour, body language and how to create a safe member of your family
  • play - developing a sound and confident puppy 
  • basic obedience: how to train a sit, drop, recall, stay, leave it
  • cooperative care for grooming and vet visits


For puppies up to 16 weeks and beyond.


Services:


Puppy Preparation

Pre purchase advice and set up (1.5 hours) 

$150 online via Teams

$175 in home 


Puppy Consultation

1.5 hour in-home consultation   

$175 


Puppy combination package

1.5 hour in-home consultation

+ 4 week adolescent course 

$350


(add puppy prep online for $100 with puppy combo package)

email for more info ...

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, TALKS

We are passionate about community dog education and promoting responsible pet ownership. 


TALKS

We welcome the opportunity to speak about issues such as dog attacks and child safety, off lead dog parks and beaches, and how to choose the right puppy for your family. 


If your community group or school is interested in advice and guidance from experts, please contact us.  


WORKSHOPS

We also have some exciting workshops in the pipeline and are taking expressions of interest for the following activities: 


  • nose work and scent detection
  • defensive dog handling and what to do in a dog attack
  • pre puppy purchase advice - which puppy is right for me?
  • agility/hoopers
  • loose lead walking
  • recall 
  • pet first aid 


More details to follow. Use the email button below to ask us to keep you informed!

email for more info ...

Calendar 2025

Sat 10 May

Scent course - Level 1 (sold out)

12.30pm

-

2.00pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Event Details

Sat 10 May

Scent course - Level 1 (sold out)

4 week scent course - Level 1 - for beginners

Dates: 10, 17, 24, 31 May

12.30pm

-

2.00pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Sat 14 June

Adolescent course - Level 1

9:30am

-

10:30am

Morshead Park, Redan

Event Details

Sat 14 June

Adolescent course - Level 1

4 week adolescent course - Level 1

Dates: 14, 21, 28 June and 5 July


9:30am

-

10:30am

Morshead Park, Redan

Weds 18 June

Scent course - Level 1

5.30pm

-

6.30pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Event Details

Weds 18 June

Scent course - Level 1

4 week scent course - Level 1 - for beginners

Dates: 18, 25 June and 2, 9 July

5.30pm

-

6.30pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Weds 2 July

Scent course - Level 2

7.15pm

-

8.45pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Event Details

Weds 2 July

Scent course - Level 2

4 week scent course - Level 2 - extend your searches!

Dates: 2, 9, 16, 23 July

7.15pm

-

8.45pm

Mount Clear Scout Hall

Sat 12 July

Life Skills course - Level 2

10.45am

-

11.45am

Morshead Park, Redan

Event Details

Sat 12 July

Life Skills course - Level 2

4 week Life Skills course - Level 2

Dates: 12, 19, 26 July and 2 August


(*N.B. our Adolescent - Level 1 is a prerequisite for this course)

10.45am

-

11.45am

Morshead Park, Redan

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Unpacked Dog Education and Training

Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

0460 305 652

Hours

Open today

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

testimonials

From Maggie the Monster to Maggie the Magnificent!

"In February, I adopted a 2 year old mixed breed dog from a pound. Although Maggie is a great dog, she had some areas to work on, especially her willingness to engage with other dogs in a friendly and welcoming way and her ability to follow directions when in a high distraction environment. I stumbled across Unpacked Dog Training Adolescent classes and reached out and to say I'm glad I did, would be an understatement. This four week program was exactly what Maggie and I needed to help her become the best dog she can be. Through the course, we developed recall skills, loose lead walking, focus and connection between myself and Maggie and how to greet other dogs politely. Maggie absolutely thrived in the group environment  and every week went from strength the strength. 


 Tanya and Leigh are fantastic! They teach with kindness and understanding (particularly regarding Maggie's background). It is obvious how passionate they are about dogs and dog training, they really understand dogs and can answer any question you throw at them. Each week they send through a summary of the lesson as well as some readings to better understand why our dogs behave the way they do. Thanks to Tanya and Leigh, I now have a dog, that has a strong bond with me and our relationship is at the centre of our training. I can walk her happily, without anxiety over her behaviour when we approach another dog and have lots of fun activities and skills to keep developing at home. Maggie and I can't wait for more training options with Unpacked Dog Training in the future  In the meantime we are so grateful for the opportunity to learn! Maggie has gone from Maggie the Monster to Maggie the Magnificent!"


Rebekah 

testimonials

We Fell in Love again....

"Words just don't do ~ how valuable this training course conducted by Tanya & Leigh is!

My hubby and I , just completed this amazing 4 week course for - "us" and our now 8 month old Cocker Spaniel- Jasper 

Prior to commencing this course with our Boy - we were not sure Jasper would ever settle into our home.

Now we have learn't the skills to; connect and guide our boy through positive reinforcement!

Life is so much more enjoyable together 

YES!!! There is a notable change in just 4 weeks!!

A heartfelt Thank you so much Tanya and Leigh "


 Geoff, Dawn & Jasper 

testimonials

A Fun way to learn

"Just finished the course with my 1 year old golden retriever. I can’t recommend this course enough! Tanya and Leigh are absolutely wonderful! Great positive reinforcement, a lovely way to learn and connect with your dog, and just so much fun! "


Janine 

testimonials

"Thank you, Leigh and Tanya, so much for your training and expertise! We really enjoyed the course and feel as though we learnt a lot from it. 

Thank you for fitting us into your schedule when the weather was not permitting! 

We are excited about our ongoing training progress and will definitely contact you in the future should we need any further assistance. 

Thanks again, and all the best."


Bec, Joel and Vinny! 

testimonials

"Finding Unpacked Dog Training with Leigh and Tanya was an absolute joy and I say a big thank you to them both.

I have a male Spoodle (Banjo) who unfortunately didn’t come with an ‘OFF’ button. He was enthusiastic about everything and everyone and certainly lots of fun, but I needed extra help as he moved into his adolescent stage. 

Banjo was 6 months old when I realised something was missing and I needed to have a different approach to his training. Unpacked Dog Training was recommended to me and when I investigated their method of training, I realised I had found what I needed to help Banjo become the dog I knew he could be. 

I started the process with some private sessions so Leigh could assess what I wanted to achieve with Banjo, these sessions were invaluable and a wonderful way to start Banjo’s adolescent training. 

We then moved to the weekly group training which was informative and presented with clear instructions and demonstrations on how to work and connect with our dogs. Banjo loved it all and it has made me a more comfortable, competent dog owner. I now enjoy our daily training, along with our regular ‘sniffing’ walks. Banjo is now on his way to be being a well-mannered, happy dog and I can now look forward to having a wonderful companion."  


Emily & Banjo. 

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    Acknowledgement of country

    Unpacked Dog Education and Training acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways.


    We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.


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