Deb Randle’s business, Pawspectives, was born from a desire to help others experience the joy beloved canine companions offer.
Deb started a dog training school at her Nagambie property after regular visits to a local school with her therapy dog Autumn.
The children would lament how they wish their dogs could be like hers.
Soon, Deb realised that the only barrier to these children having strong connections with their dogs was training.
Her passion for working with dogs and children was born, with training methodologies built on a foundation of connection and compassion.
“I became a dog trainer so people can get the most out of their relationship with their dogs,” Deb said.
“The reason my dogs can be such a big part of my life is because they are well trained and I want other people to be able to experience that too.”
Deb offers a range of services, based on what she has seen a need for.
She offers individual dog training either at home or on her property.
She also runs a puppy school for older puppies from 12 weeks to 24 weeks old.
“A lot of vets run a baby puppy class,’’ Deb said.
“So, I wanted to complement what they are doing and offer that slightly older age group; with a six-week class including owner education, managing things like chewing, digging and biting.’’
Deb also runs a family dog program, where she provides six weekly house calls for hour-long training sessions tailored to each family, teaching family members safe and fun ways to interact with their dog.
According to data from Melbourne’s Royal Children's Hospital, children are at least three times more likely to experience a bite needing medical attention than adults.
“Eighty percent of dog bites in Australia are from dogs that are familiar to the person … often it is the family dog not able to tolerate the way they are being treated any longer,” Deb said.
“They will give us subtle signs … They can’t talk the way we can, they can only communicate through body language, so it’s about teaching families to read those signs.
“I called the business Pawspectives because it is about trying to put ourselves in their shoes, we see things through our eyes.”
Deb uses positive reinforcement and relationship building as the cornerstone of her training methodologies, living by the motto ‘when you treat it, they repeat it’.
“I really like to try and catch dogs being good, because rewarding the behaviour we like, hopefully, we get more of that,” Deb said.
“Trainers used to train with a lot of force but now science has discovered that we don’t need to use fear or force, it’s not necessary, and if we do we risk undermining the relationship.
“The training part of it, the sit, the lie, down that’s the easy bit.
“Any relationship takes time, trust, respect and compromise … so, my focus is very much on building that relationship.”
Instead, Deb finds ways to allow dogs to use their natural instincts and have their needs met in safe and non-destructive ways that work with the owner’s lifestyle.
“We look at the natural behaviours and provide plenty of opportunities for them to develop good habits,” Deb said.
“For example, a puppy chewing.
“We look at what they are allowed to chew, and reward them for that.”
Above all, Deb believes success is as much about prevention as intervention.
“As humans, we have very high expectations of dogs,’’ she said.
“Sometimes we just need to adjust our expectations because they are living being, they aren’t robots.’’
To get in contact with Deb visit the Pawspectives Facebook page, email deb@pawspectives.com.au or call 0481 336 642.