Hi, I'm Dave.
As a former dog trainer in the Australian Army, I’ve spent over 18 years training dogs day in and day out. Understanding what makes them tick, teaching new behaviours and correcting old ones.
I’ve trained many dogs in obedience, agility and scent detection as an Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) handler and also taught other handlers how to train and handle their dogs with the most effective training techniques.
A lot of military dogs come from shelters or have been given away by their owners. This ensured I came across a lot of dogs with quirks and behaviours that needed help.
Almost any problem can be corrected or re-trained if you are prepared to be patient and put in the work.
During my last nine years in the Army, I deployed to Afghanistan five times as part of a Special Operations unit. Here I was the dog trainer and handler to Sarbi, an exceptional dog who became Australia’s most recognised canine war hero.
Sarbi went missing in action when our patrol was ambushed in a heated battle with the Taliban. She was recovered 14 months later by an American Special Forces soldier and reunited with our Australian Forces. Sarbi was awarded the Canine Service Medal and the War Dog Operational Medal from the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association and the Purple Cross Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) when she returned from Afghanistan.
I’m pleased to say Sarbi came home and lived a happy life in retirement with my wife and I.
What will you find on Dave's Dogs?
Dave’s Dogs is a place where you can find advice, and gather information and knowledge on a wide range of dog-related topics including training, behaviour, health and get general tips.
I incorporate a lot of my experience into each post to give you practical tools and techniques you can use at home. The range of topics you’ll find here include:
- Obedience Training
- Agility Training
- Understanding and Managing Behavior
- Tricks
- Scent Detection
- Diet and Nutrition
- Health and Wellbeing
- Equipment and Toys
Need More?
- Learn about training
- Learn about behaviour
- Check out our favourites
Happy Training
Dave
