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Private Training

Mark offers personalised private dog training sessions to help with most behaviour issues, but specialises in difficult situations such as aggression and on-lead reactivity. Based in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and Inner West, Mark is available for in-home behavioural training. Mark will assess the situation, explain what is going on in a clear and detailed manner, and then show you what you can do differently to improve your dog’s behaviour.

Mark Ehrman teaching client about dog training

YOUR DOG BEHAVIOURIST

In Sydney, Australia

Mark Ehrman of Canine Counselling is the first Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT) in Australia, and a faculty advisor and mentor for the Victoria Stilwell Dog Training Academy. His methods focus on training you to help your dog learn manners, not become obedient. This results in lasting, high-quality dog training and a better quality of life for you and your canine companion.

Puppy School

Attending a professionally run puppy school is critical to having a well-behaved dog joining your family. Learn why it is important to attend a puppy school early on, that emphasises socialisation more than obedience. Trust your puppy to a full-time dog behaviour specialist with extensive training experience and proven results with various behavioural issues. Beginning Puppy School early-on is the best way to establish a lifetime of good manners and behaviour.

When we know better, we do better.

Dog training has EVOLVED beyond the outdated “pack leader” and “dominance” model of dog behaviour.

If you’re ready to change paradigm, and learn about dog behaviour from a modern perspective, let Mark help you reframe your dog’s behaviour and help you learn new approaches to changing behaviour.

PUPPY TRAINING

Upcoming Classes

Puppy School Starting 7.Apr

April 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

Puppy School Starting 16.Apr

April 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

Puppy School Starting 24.Apr

April 24 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

PUPPY TRAINING

Upcoming Classes

Puppy School Starting 7.Apr

April 7 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

Puppy School Starting 16.Apr

April 16 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

Puppy School Starting 24.Apr

April 24 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

5 week puppy school prioritising puppy socialisation and interactions.

 

Canine Counselling by MarkExcellentCanine Counselling by Mark5.0 Based on 163 reviews fromSee all reviews review us onTayme L.Tayme L. ★★★★★ My dog attended the puppy school for the past five weeks, and I have to say Mark was so helpful and informative throughout the sessions. Marks ability to read the behaviour of the dogs was amazing and he truly loves what he does. I guarantee you will have a great time, and so will your dog!Deborah V.Deborah V. ★★★★★ Best investment to have a beautifully trained puppy in such a happy environment . Mark was a fun informative teacher and made it a great course. Highly recommendAshley Chee Q.Ashley Chee Q. ★★★★★ Mark did an excellent job of helping our little pup come out of her shell. He was patient, professional and knowledgeable at all times, and taught us training techniques, do's and don'ts, and answered all of our questions. The handouts he provided also contained additional useful information. Highly recommended.Maree W.Maree W. ★★★★★ Mark is a great and supportive trainer. Recommend every timeNicole G.Nicole G. ★★★★★ An excellent experience seeking advice on our two dogs with very different issues. Mark helped us to understand the reasons behind certain behaviours and strategies to address them. Strategies have been very effective and importantly, we now know more about the underlying causes and drivers. Thanks Mark!Chloe Riley H.Chloe Riley H. ★★★★★ Mark's extensive knowledge, tips, and demonstrations were crucial to our puppy Rusty's early training success and socialisation. Over the course of a five-week program, we have come leaps and bounds. This is not only a program for dogs but their parents too. Any questions or concerns were welcomed with the intention to create the best life for the dog. For example, challenging a dogs fear towards something in the developmental stage so they do not have behavioural issues later on. I also had peace of mind knowing that my pup was in a safe, sterile environment where he could socialise. To any other puppy parents who are hoping to maintain their sanity and bond further with your new furry family member, I highly recommend the Canine Counselling service.Kaitlyn G.Kaitlyn G. ★★★★★ We had an in home visit from Mark where we have an anxious reactive French Bulldog, Ace. Mark really went in depth and had lots of information about behaviours, triggers and body language. He spent a lot of time really going into the detail with us. We have made some progress with Ace with some assistance of some other devices as well, and will continue to use Mark to develop Ace's behaviours and learn to live a little more peacfully!David S.David S. ★★★★★ Mark was great to deal with. He was knowledgable and combined a bit of the context and research with his actionable suggestions. We felt we better understood our dog's issues and had practical steps that empowered us to work on them. would recommend highly.Alessandro CAlessandro C ★★★★★ Mark was very knowledgeable in helping me understanding my dog and offered me practical advice, positive reinforcement-based exercises and surprising yet helpful tips such as what music calms your dog if they have possible separation anxiety.Nathalie R.Nathalie R. ★★★★★ Mark was absolutely brilliant and we are grateful for his assistance. He was compassionate and understanding of our situation with trying to manage household aggression between two dogs (and with a new baby) . He listened carefully, provided an honest feedback and assessment of our situation. He also provided a “prognosis” in terms of chances of us succeeding, but was also honest in terms of the trade offs between managing the situation versus the obvious lifestyle sacrifices this might have (both for us and the dogs). Plenty of management strategies suggested to create a safe home environment. He was clearly very experienced and knowledgeable. Also provided good follow up after our in person session.Thank you very much to Mark for his time and care. Would strongly recommend his services if you are looking for dog behavioral management strategies or even just wanting to consider your options.Leah M.Leah M. ★★★★★ TL;DR: Experienced in dog behaviour, particularly dog reactivity. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly, great value & absolutely worthwhile. Highly recommend!Our experience with Mark has been absolutely fantastic! His knowledge about dogs is extensive, and he’s like a walking encyclopedia for dog behaviour. But what truly stands out is his friendly and approachable demeanour. He’s not just about techniques and theory – he genuinely cares about you and your dog.Initially, I was quite unsure about the investment for the three-hour session, but it was worth every minute and the return on investment has been phenomenal. He took the time to really understand our dog, Rory’s, issues and tailored his approach to our specific needs. The results have been incredible. I used to be stressed out of my mind whenever I took Rory for a walk due to his sudden reactivity, but now walks are back to being a relaxed and positive experience for both of us - I cannot emphasise enough how relieved I am. I wish I had met with Mark sooner, because the longer we waited, the more ingrained Rory’s coping mechanisms became.One of the best things Mark did was help us with reactivity (As well as heel training, recall, listening and more). Rory had started becoming reactive after being bitten by another dog and we were really struggling with walking him, but Mark’s progressive plan and management techniques made a world of difference. Mark’s approach gave us both short term management and a long-term training plan which we progressed each session. Over our four sessions, it was such a relief to see results and continue working towards the long term goal of getting Rory back to being comfortable around other dogs and not reactive on leash.If you're looking for someone who's not just an expert in dog behaviour but also incredibly friendly and kind, I wholeheartedly recommend Mark.- Leah, Matt (& Rory)Andrea B.Andrea B. ★★★★★ Game changer. Sensible advice helped change some behaviors almost over night. Mark was just wonderful to work with and has made life with our beautiful Birdy so much easier. Thank you.Nicole B.Nicole B. ★★★★★ Mark was fantastic. Had a very calming presence, good method of retrieving information and formulating a individualised plan and his way of explaining things were relatable. Came to my place on a weekend and maintained professionalism throughout, something a female on her own appreciates. Gave me great strategies to start working with straight away and deconstructed what our road to recovery could look like. Definitely someone I would refer to a friend! Thanks Mark :)Sarah C.Sarah C. ★★★★★ Our session with mark was such a positive step for us! He is knowledgeable and patient, makes time to really understand your problem so he can best help in a targeted, informed way. We have seen great results so far and highly recommend him to anyone looking for something more tailored than a one size fits all approach. He didn’t rush us, he explained the theory from the ground up so that we would understand the how and why behind the instructions, which I think is super important to help you stay on track when something new comes up / slightly different circumstances to what was discussed.Thankyou Mark!js_loader

EXPERT IN

Dog Aggression Training

Mark is an on-lead aggression specialist, having completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course, and is a Certified Behaviour Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI-KA). If barking and lunging on lead is an issue, Mark can help. His modern, best practice techniques avoid punishment and outdated dominance concepts. If traditional dominance and pack-leader methods haven’t worked, or don’t resonate with you and how you want to treat your dog, let Mark introduce modern methods that focus on the relationship and avoid the fallout of punishment and absolute control.

aggressive dog being held back by owner

LASTING RESULTS

Not Short-Term Obedience

Mark works with canine guardians that want to help their pet become a well-trained, intelligent companion; not a dog that you always to direct it what to do. Showing you how to teach your dog to make good decisions, and not just control them, can give you and your dog a better quality of life. Improve negative behaviours such as aggression and lead pulling in the healthiest way possible.

Dogs are a valued part of every family

BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

We Work With

Mark’s extensive experience and training prepare him to handle various dog behaviour issues to improve your dog’s life and give you a permanent solution.

Aggression toward other dogs or people

Not coming when called, or “selective hearing”

Lunging & on lead reactivity

Puppy behaviours such as jumping up, nipping, toilet training, etc.

Excessive barking

Most other undesired behaviours

Canine Counselling is a dog training service run by Mark Ehrman, a certified dog trainer with a diverse background and modern training methods. His formal studies in dog behaviour, combined with experience and ongoing education, allow him to accurately diagnose what is happening with your dog. Mark will then clearly explain what is happening and how we can improve your dog’s behaviour. Unlike many animal behaviour professionals, Mark believes using truly humane and positive methods is the best approach to behavioural modification training.
There are many reasons why it might be a good idea to hire a professional dog trainer. First and foremost, professional trainers have the knowledge and experience to train dogs effectively. They are well-versed in identifying and addressing behavioural issues, creating personalised training plans, and providing guidance and support throughout the process.

Consistency is key in dog training, and professional trainers can provide that consistency. They can work with you and your dog regularly, which can help your dog learn and retain new behaviours. Additionally, training a dog can be time-consuming, especially if you are not experienced. Hiring a professional trainer can save you time and effort, as they can set you on the right path from the start, rather than trying lots of solutions you might see on the internet. Every dog is unique and may require different training techniques. Professional trainers can assess your dog’s individual needs and create a customised training plan to address those needs. By taking this approach, you can be confident that your dog is receiving the training that is most effective for them.

Professional trainers are more likely to produce long-lasting, positive results than DIY training. They can help address problematic dog behaviours and teach new skills, leading to a happier, well-mannered companion. Hiring a professional dog trainer can help you establish a positive, lasting relationship with your dog and ensure your furry friend is well-behaved and happy.

Working with a Sydney dog trainer can benefit canines and their owners, from basic behavioural issues to help with more serious issues and personalised in-home training sessions based on your goals.

While some dog trainers promise fast results, Mark promises quality training services that help your pet learn positively. The timeline for your dog training services will depend on your dog’s current behaviours, what you would like to work on specifically (leash pulling, chewing, basic obedience, etc.), and your commitment level. For more details, contact Mark and set up your dog training consultation.

A dog behaviourist is a specialised professional who focuses on diagnosing and treating problem behaviours in dogs. They possess specialised knowledge and training in animal behaviour, psychology, and learning theory, which they use to help dogs overcome problematic behaviours. Initially, a behaviourist will observe your dog and gather information about their behaviour, history, and environment to determine the potential root cause of the problem. Based on this assessment, they will create a personalised treatment plan that is tailored to the specific needs of your dog. This plan may include a range of techniques, such as behaviour modification, training exercises, and environmental changes. The behaviourist will also teach new behaviours to replace problem behaviours and work closely with dog owners to provide guidance and support throughout the dog training process. Finally, a behaviourist will monitor your dog’s progress and adjust the training plan to ensure the best possible outcomes. A dog behaviourist can help improve your dog’s behaviour and strengthen the relationship between you and your furry companion.
Anytime you begin to observe a behaviour that you would like to improve or change but haven’t succeeded yet. Or if the problem is getting worse (despite your efforts to improve it!), you should see a dog behaviourist. Examples of such behaviours may include aggression, excessive barking, destructive behaviour, fearfulness, and compulsive behaviours.

It is also recommended to seek the help of a behaviourist if your dog has experienced a significant life change, such as a move to a new home, a change in family members or routine, or a traumatic event. In some cases, even seemingly minor changes can trigger behavioural issues in dogs.

A behaviourist can work with you to identify the underlying causes of your dog’s behaviour and develop a tailored treatment plan to address the problem. They may use techniques such as positive reinforcement training, behaviour modification, and environmental management to help your dog overcome their behavioural issues.