Why Choose Canine Counselling

Why Work With Us?

Mark Ehrman is a certified dog trainer with a diverse training background centred around modern, science-based training. An extensive resume of formal dog training and nearly two decades serving as a degreed automotive engineer gives him the expertise and analytical power to accurately diagnose, explain, and resolve your canine’s behavioural issues.

Mark puts the reins in your hands, providing you with the techniques and skills required to see lasting results and build a closer bond with your dog. His patience and thorough, relatable explanations give dog owners a fresh new insight into changing their canine’s behaviour.

Dog trainer Mark Ehrman kneeling with relaxed dog

LONG LASTING

Not Quick Obedience

Various studies have revealed the negative consequences of adopting a “pack leader” approach based on absolute control, or using harsh corrections and aversive tools to punish bad behaviours. Teaching pet owners to use evolved, humane training methods reduces aggression, improves the willingness of your canine to listen, and promotes a happier life. Mark prioritises maintaining a caring relationship with your dog, over quick fixes and using aversive tools to punish improper behaviour. Mark can help you reframe your dog’s behaviour, and introduce new techniques to help you and your dog deal with challenging situations better.

CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING

& Improving

When Mark counsels you on the best training methods for your dog’s situation, rest assured that he is providing the most modern, effective advice available. He believes that when we know better, we do better, and is constantly expanding his training, attending conferences, and learning as dog training evolves.

training a dog using a food lure

Hundreds Of Case Studies Near You

Mark has been instrumental in bringing modern positivity training to the Sydney area. As the first Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer in Australia, he’s committed to showing people how to promote good manners and behaviour without harming, scaring, or intimidating the dog. View 150+ 5-star reviews on Google:

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
puppy running in grass

Puppy School

Group classes using modern positivity training to promote healthy socialisation and basic training.

calm dog in a field

Private Training

1-on-1 training sessions at your home with Mark to work through most behavioural issues.

Learn More About Mark

Training & Qualifications

“When we know better, we do better”
“Pros & Cons, not Rights & Wrongs”

  • Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour from the National Dog Trainers Federation
  • With the Academic Achievement Award
  • Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT)

Professional Organisations:

  • Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia, Treasurer and Professional Dog Trainer Member
  • Association of Professional Dog Trainers USA, Professional Member

Ongoing Courses:

  • Aggression in Dogs Master Course (2020)
  • School of Canine Science Puppy Lab (2022)
  • APDT AUS 4-day conference: 2021 (online), 2019, 2013
  • APDT USA 4-day conference: 2022, 2020 (online), 2018, 2016, 2014
  • First Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer in Australia (2015)
  • Canine Social & Psychological Development Course (with honours) (2014)
  • Dangerous Dog Handling and Assessment (2012)

Techniques & Methods

Mark is a degreed engineer and worked in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years. During that time, he owned a dog with behavioural issues, and in 2006 completed a course in dog training. That was when Mark discovered his calling and decided to pursue it full-time as a career. He later left automotive to pursue his passion for dog training.

Like many trainers, Mark studied and began training using traditional punishment and “pack leader” (dominance) based methods and philosophy. Since then, the “pack leader” and dominance-based training philosophy has been debunked. Other studies have proven conclusively that dogs trained using aversive punishment-based techniques (technically called  “positive punishment”) develop into more aggressive dogs.  In short, avoid using positive punishment at all costs.

The alternative way to train our dogs is to manage consequences in a neutral or positive fashion, without using pain, fear, intimidation, physical force, etc. This modern style of training uses Positive Reinforcement. Mark has joined this philosophy wholeheartedly, which he demonstrated by becoming the first Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer in Australia. He has  an absolute refusal to condone check chains, shock or e-collars, physical force, and other similar training tools.

Unfortunately, many people who claim to be “positive” trainers (or “balanced” trainers) still use punishment, force, or outdated dominance methods. There is always a humane alternative when you find the right dog trainer, as this Victoria Stillwell article explains. If anyone tells you to do something to your dog that you aren’t comfortable with, then don’t do it!

Mark welcomes any questions or conversations about his training methods and why he believes this is the only way forward with training our pet dogs, cats, or any other animal!

Teaching & Mentoring

In addition to teaching clients, Mark also helps educate and train other dog trainers and pet care professionals. His teaching and mentoring positions include:

  • Lecturing vet nursing students at TAFE NSW on dog body language and behaviour
  • Faculty Advisor for The Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA) Dog Trainer Online Students
  • In-person mentor for VSA students in Sydney

Helpful Links

The myths that fuel “pack mentality” and “positive punishment” have been debunked, and every pet owner should have access to that information. Here are a few links to help you get caught up: