The Leading K9 Team
Dog training is more than just a vocation for us - it is our passion. We have dedicated our lives to dogs, and you’ll find us in our spare time living life to the fullest with our own personal dogs. We train, we play, we engage in meaningful activities we can enjoy together that make our lives bigger and fuller. We are dedicated to consistently upskilling and improving at their craft, seeking out the best trainers from both Australia and internationally to learn from. Click here to see our ongoing education.
“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.”—Konrad Lorenz
Kirsty - Owner / Head Trainer
Kirsty is accredited through the National Dog Trainers Federation of Australia, holding a Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour, and has been training dogs professionally since 2017.
Back home in her native Scotland Kirsty gained her degree in Zoology (BSc, Hons). Her biggest area of interest whilst studying was animal behaviour, so it is incredibly fulfilling for her to now be helping people to understand the behaviour of their dogs better.
Kirsty has a special affinity for herding breeds and high drive dogs, but her passion lies in helping people to really know their dog as an individual - what motivates them, what fulfils them, and how to maximise their unique potential.
Gary - Chief Helper Dog
The Border Collie who started it all!
Gary is Kirsty's right hand dog, and helps out with client sessions. You may have seen Gary elsewhere - he also works with Kirsty's partner over at Utility Dog
Gary has a lovely temperament and social attributes which make him ideal as a trainer's helper dog. He helps Kirsty with puppies, reactive dogs, and dogs working on their social skills.
Outside of having two jobs, Gary enjoys training tricks, going on hikes and competing in K9 Noseworks.
Rhu - The Working Girl
Kirsty developed a love of sheep herding in 2020. With Gary not showing a great deal of interest, and Kirsty very much keen to train and trial in the sport, along came Rhu in 2021.
Rhu is a working line Border Collie, who Kirsty has raised from an 8 week old pup. She is high in drive and at her happiest when she is working or playing.
Rhu started on sheep at 5 months and will trial with Kirsty ongoing. In addition to being a cracker herding dog Rhu also competes in K9 Nosework, and loves to do anything where she gets to use her brain and body to their full potential.