Real-world training for real life with your dog.

Science-based methods, hands-on experience, and a programme built around you, your dog, and the life you actually live, proven dog training Sydney, focused on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

5.0 from 34 Google reviews

1-2-1 Training

Every dog learns differently. Training is tailored to your dog’s temperament, age, and what you both need.

Hands-on, real settings

From farm stays to your own street, we train where real life happens, not just in a quiet room.

Support that lasts

Ongoing guidance, progress videos, and a trainer who’s genuinely in your corner long after day one.

How we can help

Discover the best way forward for you & your dog

Whether you’re starting fresh with a puppy or tackling complex behaviors, our programs are designed to meet you where you are.

Private Puppy Program

Bringing a puppy home can be overwhelming. Over four weeks we prepare you for every stage of development and build an unbreakable bond.

6-Week Training Program

A focused group class limited to 6 dogs per class – build obedience, engagement, and everyday reliability alongside other dogs.

Day School & Socialisation

A full day of structured training, enrichment, and social development at our facility with pick-up and drop-off across the Northern Beaches.

1-on-1 Training

Private sessions tailored to your dog – Behaviour Modification, General Obedience, and In-Home Training across the Northern Beaches.

Farm Stay & Train

Board your dog with us and let us do the training. Perfect for busy schedules, holidays, or when you just can’t seem to get results on your own.

Protection Dog Services

A range of protection dog services to suit what you’re after – drawing on Deanne’s competitive Mondioring and sport-dog background.

Meet your trainer

Deanne Janszen

Deanne is a Professional Dog Trainer certified through Australia’s National Dog Training Federation, with a Bachelor of Science double-majoring in Biology and Zoology. Her approach blends science-based methods with hands-on experience from veterinary clinics and animal rescues around the world.

It started close to home – rehabilitating her family’s reactive German Shepherd. That experience set her on the path to becoming a trusted name in dog training Sydney pet owners rely on. Today she trains alongside her Belgian Malinois, Alika, competing at the highest levels of canine sport.

Client stories

What dog owners are saying

Every journey is unique. These testimonials highlight the care, patience, and results that matter most to dog owners like you.

    
 
 
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   Babs Dass 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deanne has been working with our dog since a puppy and being part of his journey in progressing into this teen phase. It was great to get him away to experience his farm stay with other dogs and to work closely with her. Great locations selected for our dog to experience and make new friends to learn / play with. She is great to work with as a first time dog owner, she handles with care and always supportive with providing constructive with feedback. You can see her passion, love for dogs and skill set. I would highly recommend her. A pleasure to work with her and learn along the way :)
  
 
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   Danielle 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We started with Deanne through her Puppy Private Program and then decided to do a Farm stay with our puppy Nami, and we honestly couldn’t be happier with the progress she’s made. Nami went in with quite a bit of leash reactivity and would usually become very alert or react whenever she saw or even heard another dog. Since coming home, she has so much more confidence. Now she’ll either calmly look at another dog or just keep sniffing and walking without reacting, which is such a huge difference for us. Even the little things have improved — she can go outside to toilet without immediately trying to eat the entire backyard 😂. We were also given notes and things to continue working on at home, including her recall, play and other areas to help keep building on the progress she’s made. I really love that Deanne has given us the tools to continue the training ourselves rather than it just being something Nami does while she’s away. We’re so happy with how far Nami has come, and we’re really grateful for the time, patience and effort Deanne has put into helping her build confidence and become a more well-rounded dog. We would absolutely recommend Deanne to anyone looking for someone who genuinely cares about their dog’s behaviour and development. We’d definitely consider sending Nami back for another Farm Stay & Train stay in the future, or even booking some Day School & Socialisation sessions to keep working on her skills and continue building on everything she’s learned. 🐾❤️
  
 
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   Jess C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deanne is absolutely amazing, incredibly knowledgable and is worth every dollar! She helped us tremendously with our reactive dog Sammie. She gave us easy to follow steps during our 1-1 session and showed us how we could continue to improve on our own. We got to implement the training almost immediately as Deanne brought her lovely dog to the session and we were shocked to see how quickly Sammie had adapted to the training! She explained the reasoning for everything she was showing us which we found really beneficial. Within one session, we have seen noticeable changes already - Sammie is much calmer on walks and can now walk on a loose leash (which we never thought possible). We highly recommend!
  
 
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   J R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I signed up my dog for a day train & we also trialled their club’s ’Bite Night’. Deanne met him exactly where he was at with his dog reactivity and he received valuable opportunities for exposure and training. He found bitework so fun and I was pleasantly surprised to see what he was capable of!!! Throughout these experiences Deanne gave me actionable steps to work on at home & was overall very encouraging, professional and knowledgeable :)
  
 
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   Jaime Board 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Sending Memphis (our 7-month-old Staffy x Heeler) to Deanne's Farm Stay & Train was a fantastic decision! Not only did we have complete peace of mind while we were away on holiday, but Memphis came home with some great new habits. He's now happily sleeping in his crate every night, and we feel much more in control when walking him on a leash. Deanne also provided us with valuable feedback and practical advice that we'll continue to work on with him. We highly recommend her!
  
 
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   Jordan Janszen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deanne is a very knowledgeable dog trainer and has a natural way of understanding and communicating with dogs.
  
 
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   Maria 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deanne is just amazing. She explained our dog’s behaviour very well, what we need to do and what we shouldn’t, which really helped and said the things other trainers never told us. She taught us how to walk our reactive dog on a leash and what to do if he tries to pull. All the advice was very helpful!
  
 
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   Giedre Subaciute 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Deanne is great. Very knowledgeable, fair and can adapt to the situation and dogs behaviour as needed. She's also confident which makes it easier for the dog to trust her. Thank you so much! Would definitely recommend her, and we won't need to search for another trainer if we get any other issues to solve l.
  
 
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   Alan M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. "We were initially recommended to Deanne because we had just purchased our Belgian Malinois Bear. We knew we needed an expert who truly understood the breed's high energy and unique needs. Since Deanne specialises in and owns a Malinois herself, she was the perfect match for us. Our journey started with her 10-week puppy program, which gave us the vital foundation we needed. That success naturally progressed into weekly training sessions to keep our pup on the right track. Since then, we have also utilised her board and train program with incredible results. Deanne's deep understanding of the Malinois breed, paired with her structured, expert care, has been completely invaluable to our family and 🐻. We cannot recommend her and Dogs At Work enough!" ☆☆☆☆☆ Alan
  
 
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   Ange R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an awesome experience with Deanne doing the General Obedience program. We signed up to work on Koru the staffy’s leash reactivity around other dogs, and the results have been seriously impressive. The training was super practical and easy to apply straight away—no fluff, just clear structure and consistency. Who knew a structured walk was possible! Loose lead walking and heel have completely changed our walks, and learning how to properly use a slip leash made a huge difference in control and timing. Koru is now much calmer, more focused, and I’m sure with daily application it’ll be way easier to manage him around other dogs. Walks are actually enjoyable again. Highly recommend if you’re dealing with reactivity or just want better control and connection with your dog. Oh and make sure you purchase her slip leash!

FAQs

How does 1-on-1 dog training work?

Every 1-on-1 session is built entirely around your dog and your goals. We start by understanding what you’re working towards, whether that’s everyday obedience, better manners at home, or a specific behavioural challenge, then tailor a training plan to suit your dog’s age, temperament, and current level. Sessions are hands-on and practical, so you’re not just watching us train your dog, you’re learning the skills and techniques to keep progressing together long after the session ends.

Is private dog training suitable for puppies?

Yes. While our Private Puppy Program is specifically designed as a four-week journey through early development, our 1-on-1 General Obedience sessions also work well for puppies who are ready to start building foundational skills like engagement, focus, and loose-leash walking. If you’re not sure which option suits your puppy’s stage, we’re happy to talk it through and recommend the right starting point.

Can 1-on-1 training help with reactive dogs?

Absolutely, this is one of the areas we specialise in. Our Behaviour Modification sessions are built for dogs experiencing reactivity, anxiety, fear, or aggression. Rather than just managing the behaviour, we look for the underlying cause and build a tailored plan to help your dog feel calmer and more confident in the situations that currently trigger a reaction. Our trainer’s own experience rehabilitating a reactive dog shapes how we approach this work.

How many private training sessions will my dog need?

This depends on your dog and what you’re working towards. Some dogs make great progress with just a handful of General Obedience sessions, while more complex behavioural challenges, like reactivity or aggression, often benefit from an ongoing series of Behaviour Modification sessions to build lasting change. After your first session, we’ll have a much clearer picture of what your dog needs and can recommend a realistic plan going forward.

Can you help with aggressive or challenging behaviour?

Yes. Our Behaviour Modification sessions are specifically designed for dogs with more complex or challenging behaviours, including aggression. These sessions take place in a controlled environment where we can safely assess your dog, identify what’s driving the behaviour, and put together a practical, structured plan to help you build a calmer, more reliable dog.

What should I bring to my first training session?

Bring your dog on a secure lead or harness, some of their favourite high-value treats, and any information that helps us understand their history, such as previous training, known triggers, or specific concerns you’d like to work through. Most importantly, come ready to be hands-on. You’ll be learning right alongside your dog.

Where do 1-on-1 dog training sessions take place?

It depends on the session type. General Obedience and Behaviour Modification sessions are held at our Terrey Hills training location on Saturdays, or at Freemans Reach Monday to Thursday. In-Home Training sessions take place at your own home, which is ideal for tackling everyday challenges like nuisance barking or door manners right where they happen. In-home sessions are currently available across the Northern Beaches, St Ives, and Chatswood.