ABOUT US
Who We are
At Canine Wise we believe that every dog deserves the chance to be a great companion & every owner has the potential to be a great leader
We have the knowledge and experience to help you and your dog realise that potential using gentle, proven methods.
Our team provides services throughout Sydney and surrounds, including:
- Canterbury, Bankstown & Liverpool
- Balmain & Drummoyne
- The Hills District
- The North Shore
- The Northern Beaches
- St George area
- Sutherland Shire
JOHN VELLA
Pro Dog Trainer
I am John Vella, your local trainer in The Northern Beaches, The North Shore, Balmain and Drummoyne. I have been a professional dog trainer, and specialist in behaviour and obedience, since 1999.
I will show you how to teach your dog, to be a respectful dog, who listens to you and does what you ask. I feel most satisfied when I achieve a positive outcome with a client, who is at a complete loss regarding their dog's behavioural issues, especially after they have tried other less effective or harsher training methods.
My Positive Reinforcement techniques achieve a solution without cruelty and allows my clients to feel as if they are doing something that works while still allowing them to love their dog and treat it well.
MY EXPERIENCE
I started training dogs as a hobby in the mid-80s when I acquired 2 rescue dogs, a kelpie cross and a border collie cross German Shepherd dog both of which I trained to a very high standard.
In 1995 I purchased “Bonnie”, a German Shepherd. She was a beautiful dog with excellent lines and papers and I started training her. However, by the time she was 18 months of age I was at my wits end with her as nothing seemed to be working; she was pulling on the lead on walks, barking till all hours in the morning, jumping up and digging up my garden.
I had a number of so-called expert trainers trying to help me and I also sent her away for a 3 weeks boarding and training and it was after this that my problems really began. She became aggressive, she bit my son and tried to bite a few other children. This was the final straw! I felt that nothing could be done and my vets advice was to euthanise her as she was a definite liability.
My life really turned, when I met John Richardson, aka "The Dog Whisperer".
John helped me to cure Bonnie, who lived with me till she died at around 12 years old.
I remember asking John Richardson, “Why did this happen with all the training I had put into her and my other dogs?” He explained that I had trained them in obedience training but not behaviour training and had listened to the wrong advice from these so-called experts. He also explained that I did not socialise my dogs by taking them to Puppy School before they were 16 weeks old.
This started a great 16 year relationship between myself and John, who shared his wealth of knowledge about dogs. I also studied and read everything I could get my hands on regarding dog psychology and behaviour.
I have used this knowledge and experience to help thousands of dogs with a variety of behavioural and anxiety issues.
My German shepherd dog "Harley", who I trained using the Canine Wise method, was my constant helper. I used him on a daily basis to rehabilitate aggressive dogs, for demonstrations and in 2015 he and I worked closely with Australia Post to help their delivery staff reduce incidents of dog bites. The feedback from this programme has been overwhelmingly positive.
My current dog is now a gorgeous Black German Shepherd dog who I rescued from being put to sleep from the original owners, who just did not put time into him. He had only been walked once in the first six months of his life and had not been socialised either, He was very, very mouthy and
starting to get aggressive to myself, my family and other people, however, with lots of love, patience and boundaries he is now a big part of our family, and he now also helps me with wayward dogs on a weekly basis.
Les Treuer
Pro Dog Trainer
I am Les Treuer, your local trainer for St George Sutherland shire area, Canterbury–Bankstown, Liverpool, Campbelltown, and surrounding areas. I have been a professional dog trainer, and specialist in behavior and obedience, since 2004.
There’s no such thing as a bad dog, so age, breed, gender or background isn’t a concern. Our methods are not harsh, they are easy to implement and based on dog's and owner's individual needs. I’d be delighted to show you, in the comfort of your own home, how to rectify any dog problems using positive methods to build a harmonious relationship giving you the dog you always wanted.
MY EXPERIENCE
I received my first puppy in 1972 , a delightful 8 week old corgi who quickly became the love of my life. I have a trade background but always wanted to be involved with my true passion, canine psychology. I’ve been fortunate enough to have received a master trainers accreditation , trainer of the year awards and I am an accredited member of APDTA - Australian Professional Dog Trainers Association.
Difficult behaviours like, biting, aggression, destructive behaviour, phobias such as separation anxiety, noises, fear, walking difficulties and helping rescue dogs are all in a days work. Even the most troublesome dogs can be cured with the correct methods.
Our customers love our work
Ringo has slowly but surely gained confidence and is now a lot more independent than he was when he first arrived. He walks beautifully on his lead, sits, and stays on command and will wait patiently until we have finished our meals before he has his food. He also walks into his dog pen voluntarily, without a lead but must say he is immensely happy to see us when we come home!
We were of course very concerned at first about letting him off his lead, but can now happily report that we take him to Bayview doggy park where he runs freely, playing happily with the other dogs and returns easily to us on command. In fact, he never lets us out of his sight and even when playing is always watching that we are there.
John, we have to say Ringo is an absolute joy and your advice and help at an early stage of his development with us has proved invaluable.
Many thanks for all your help.
Karen & Derek
We couldn’t recommend you any more highly to anyone who is experiencing a problem with their pooch.
Our Whippet was causing extreme anguish for us and our neighbours alike. Ambrose had taken to loud and sustained howling, beginning at about 1am and finishing at about 3am each night. The sound was so loud and distressing that neighbours suspected us of physically harming the dog, and we were ‘threatened ‘with calls to the RSPCA. With the puppy causing sleepless nights for us and our neighbours we were also threatened with visits by the police.
John, by strictly following your instructions, we were quickly able to begin reshaping the dogs’ behaviour, and we now have a puppy who has integrated successfully into our lives, and into the wider neighborhood.
John, thanks for your invaluable advice. It has meant the world of difference.
Julia & Tony
John provided great service to me and my family in sorting out some behavioural issues with Poppy, our blue roan cocker spaniel. He shared great strategies with us about teaching Poppy to walk on the lead without pulling, to refrain from jumping up on guests and to come when called. He also gave great advice about Poppy's diet and when to feed her, which immediately had a positive effect on her behaviour. John's approach was methodical and gentle - with both us and Poppy! - which is just what we wanted. We can't recommend him highly enough.
Elizabeth MacDiarmid
Just a quick note to say thank you for coming to our rescue with Archie.
We are finally winning! We are enjoying our puppy again and more importantly he is not stressed or anxious and we are living harmoniously again. If only I could find a spare few thousand dollars to repair the damage, he did before having you come and help us. Keep on encouraging people to attend puppy school because if we had gone, we may never have had the problems we ended up with.
Allana
I am so glad I found John to help me with my two dogs. He saved my sanity! In only four sessions, I can now enjoy walking my 2-year-old, Bordoodle who, until we met John, would go crazy with anything moving past. runners, motorbikes, pushbikes, scooters, kids with balls etc. He would nip, bark and lunge but we now have that under control and our home is also back to being a calm and happy place shared with our dogs. A lifesaver.
Karen
We would just like to thank you for helping us with the barking behaviour of our little dog Sally. The treatments worked and she's turned up to be a beautiful and obedient dog (a real joy to our lives). Everyone in the neighborhood must have noticed the change (I think) as our neighbour, who complained about her barking last time, approached Rob and thanked us. For the efforts we made. We can now have a good night’s sleep. and no longer fear of the council knocking on our door.
Sinta
A short email to thank you for your helpful 3-week puppy training course at which Bella (the boxer) and I attended recently. I picked up many useful tips towards her continuing training program at home. I am finding that she is responding well to all the basic commands using the techniques that you demonstrated during the course.
I have also completed reading the book “The Dog Whisperer” which I thoroughly enjoyed and frequently re-read the sections offering the guidance for training. I would have no hesitation in recommending DogTech to any dog owner seeking assistance with training and behavioural issues. Again, thank you. I have attached for your puppy “Hall of Fame” a snap of Bella who will I am sure be one of your star pupils!!
Michelle Childs
Through three sessions at our home with John, everything changed, for the better. We followed through with all John’s recommendations and within a few days the changes in our dogs behaviour were remarkable. We continue to reinforce the training we received, and our dogs are now much calmer, obedient and recognise who is in charge. The training was very straight forward and easily becoming part of our daily routine.
I would not hesitate to contact John in the future should any further behavioural issues arise.
Carol & Andrew Hungerford
John and I would like to thank you very much for all your good advice and training (mainly us), which is now showing superior results. Layla was a very anxious dog who barked and paced continually when left on her own, she would not play with her Kong’s or eat anything. All this is gradually reversing and at 3 weeks into training her barking has gone from an average of 90% continual barking to around 20% of intermittent barking. We will continue the advice to improve this further.
Layla is a much more relaxed dog now; she walks better on lead and is happy to spend time away from us in different rooms or outside in the garden. She looks forward to her breakfast in her Kong’s and her toys that are given to her just before leaving the house. Layla has also not barked when I have left her in the car for 15 minutes, this has never happened before for longer than a few seconds.
John & Marian Shaw
My dog Leo used to be very uncontrollable was crazy and I could not even walk him! He would pull and jump and bite, but after a few lessons with John Vella from Canine Wise, he has become a changed dog!
He is much nicer to walk, doesn’t bite us anymore and is calmer when he is around us! With more practice and more patience, he will soon become a great dog!
Thank you so much John for your help, you have helped us a lot!
Cygalle
Get started now with a free quote
We’ll give you a training program outline and a price that is tailored to your dog’s needs. Simply fill in the form.
