Puppy socialisation & training visit

Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
Available within 4km of Richmond only

Puppies that have negative experiences in puppyhood will likely develop behavioural problems &/or anxiety in adulthood. The reason so many dogs have behavioural issues like reactivity & anxiety is the result of a poor socialisation period as a puppy/young dog.
This service shapes your puppy into a well adjusted, confident adult as it prepares them for what’s to come in adult life. 
Too often puppies are forced into extreme social situations too soon, owners can be too harsh when correcting & fail to provide a routine/structure at home- so there are many insecure & anxiety filled dogs left to manage their emotions & instincts on their own- hence barking, digging, chewing, reactivity etc.

• What is ‘Dog socialisation’? - many get it wrong, and assume dog socialisation is throwing your dog into a pack of dogs at the dog park or dog daycare & letting them ‘work it out’ - which only causes them anxiety, reactivity, injury & loss of trust in their owner.

• Puppy’s have a ‘fear imprint’ period between 8-11 weeks- anything negative that happens in this period, has a lasting effect & behavioural issues, fear & anxiety are the result.

• Dog socialisation is actually: exposing & desensitising them to experiences slowly from a distance, short & friendly interactions, having them pay attention to us, ignore distractions & to be calm in high distraction environments.

• As much as it is a common stigma- Dog daycares & dog parks are absolutely not reliable/safe places to socialise a puppy/dog- daycares are for profit & convenience, so unfortunately aren’t honest to owners about their dogs wellbeing (having worked at a few) they pack way too many dogs in, with few inexperienced handlers so negative experiences happen often- including dog fights. Using dog daycares ruins the bond & training you’ve worked hard on - the handlers do not know your dogs training so your dog ends up confused.

• Dog exposure is very important- however, group hangouts are not a need for a dog. Dogs may be pack animals, which is in reference to their family home pack. It doesn’t mean they thrive in an environment with all different dog personalities from different homes, all day, with no proper downtime or structure (which dogs need) & unfamiliar handlers using changing training methods.

• At Playmates Pet Care, the focus is on building a solid, consistent relationship with dog & owner/handler & socialising/training them the right way, so it transitions into every day life. Rather than deal with behavioural & health issues repeatedly taking them to unsafe areas.

• Playmates Pet Care services are from your home, in your local area or park - instructed by myself, so your pup has a familiar handler that understands their training, care + looks out for their well-being. I do not use any averse training - only force-free, positive reinforcement & counterconditioning methods.
  
  What is involved in Puppy coaching?

- Puppies are taken on safe, short & controlled visits to places like Bunnings, local quiet parks, short trips in the car, outdoor cafes etc
*clean blankets are used on surfaces & will be carried if not fully vaccinated*

- Safe dog socialisation: with my kelpie & other potential friendly, vaccinated & healthy dogs only

- How it’s delivered: For reinforcing at home, I send updates, videos, photos & PDF files of information so you’re able to reinforce the same at home

• For puppies 8 weeks - 1 year

• At home session: sound & object exposure/desensitisation session - thunder, fireworks, traffic noise, vacuum, umbrella, kitchen sounds, hair dryer, doorbell, alarms, puzzles & a variety of toys

• Safe & controlled dog & human socialisation

• Grooming & body handling (for vet visits) desensitisation 

• Ground texture exposure 

• Training basics: Recall, door thresholds, ‘leave it’, ‘drop it’ & basics: sit, drop, wait, come, stay, place (settle)

• How to ignore distractions & stay calm around other dogs

• Lead training 

• Crate training 

Walk & train

Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
Available within 4km of Richmond

As a certified, rewards based trainer- I offer walk & trains to assist with targeting certain skills your dog may need guidance with. While my usual dog walking service does include basic training- this service is a focus on training only, however will also satisfy your dog mentally & physically while you’re at work or otherwise preoccupied.

- It can be hard to find the time to train your dog during the week & be a bit confronting on where to start. With consistency & patience, I work with you and your dog on building a training plan that is suitable for them.

• For ages 16 weeks & up - all breeds accepted.

• Sessions are 30, 45 or 60 minutes long & I work with dogs individually or with another dog, within the same household.

• Can be provided regularly or on a casual basis.

• Photos/videos & a report/update will be sent to keep you informed of your dog’s progress & so you’re able to reinforce the same with them at home.

• I can assist with- dog or human reactivity training, puppy socialisation, loose lead walking, solid recall training, thresholds/boundary training, confidence building & basic command/trick training.

Companion walk-

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm
Richmond, repeat weekly clients only

Does your pooch need a doggy pal for a leisurely stroll? Daycares/group walks aren’t suited to them? A Playmates Pet Care companion walk could be your best bet for your furbaby! We now offer on-lead neighbourhood ventures with a friendly buddy/mentor- my dog & light of my life (kelpie x) Bronson! (as pictured with his 2 best friends). These walks assist with confidence building, proper socialisation & general lifestyle training.

• For ages 16 weeks & up - all breeds accepted.

• 30, 45 minute sessions- repeat weekly bookings only.

• Ideal for dogs that are reactive & could benefit from slow, safe exposure to other dogs individually- guided by a professional dog trainer.

• Also beneficial for young dogs/puppies & dogs with anxiety that prefer one-on-one socialising from a safe/controlled distance.

• We go to all different trails in the area- open green ovals, bushy trails & can either go at a slow/steady pace allowing lots of time for sniffs/exploring or do a higher energy walk with more fast-pace movement & engagement play- it depends on your dogs needs.

• My business partner David brings along Bronson to these sessions on lead, so I have total focus on your dog.

• Updates & photos sent of what your pooch gets up too!

  
  For more information contact- playmatespetcare@gmail.com
  
  Please note: This service includes all of the Dog walking additions.

Postoperative Care/Medicate & Monitor Visits (dogs, cats & rabbits)

Monday-Sunday 7:30am-6:00pm
Available within 4km of Richmond

Is your pet recovering from surgery? Too busy to be able to continue their care throughout the day?

-I have extensive experience in monitoring dogs and cats post surgery, administering medication and wellness support. Having worked & trained as a veterinary nurse at one of Melbournes most successful veterinary clinics (Southern Animal Health), I gained a wealth of knowledge over multiple years of experience.

-If your pet is recovering from a complex surgery, requires medication or has a serious medical condition that requires monitoring, regular feeding, toileting & medicating - I have the skills, knowledge & experience to assist with their care.

• Included in visits: Medication administration, checks to wounds, health, diet & behaviour closely monitored.

• Supporting your pets recovery- completing rehab exercises post surgery, routine toilet breaks & supervised gentle play/exercise/environmental enrichment.

• For all ages & breeds of dogs, cats & rabbits.

• Detailed updates & photos.

Small Dog Hosting

Dogs under 15kg

Your pooch will be sharing with our nervous rescue kelpie at our place in Richmond - he does like other dogs, only can be a bit territorial of his space at home with dogs he doesn’t know well- Hence why for new dogs, we recommend 2-4 trial days (in the weeks/month before) as we find that both dogs are more settled after spending time together.

As I’m a certified dog trainer, I am confident managing the needs of all different breeds so they will always be treated like one of our family (Bron eventually accepts them as pictured🐶)

• Trial days are $40 (pick up & drop off included) - some dogs may need more than others depending 

• Your dog must have their own crate, bed + usual food

Included in your dogs stay:

- Your dog will have access to the whole house - including outside in our grassy medium sized yard

- We section our house so the dogs can have their own space when needed

- Regular toilet breaks, playtime, rest time & walks with consistent supervision/monitoring - if I am working during the day (which is approximately 3 hours at a time), my animal lover partner (David) is home as he has a flexible wfh job- otherwise I am at home

- If the dogs are ever left alone for a brief period, they will be separated in different sections of the house or in their crates (never left alone together)

- Morning, Midday & afternoon 30 minute walks (if desired), fun enrichment sessions + lots of cuddles, kisses & treats in between

- Pick up/drop off included
- Updates & photos

• Weekend stays, day stays or long stays are welcome - as long as we trial with our kelpie (if you’re new) beforehand so both dogs are adjusted around each other