Professional Dog Training & Behaviour Services in Melbourne
Expert Dog Training, Puppy Training & Walk-and-Train Programs in Balaclava
At Carlisle Street Grooming Studio, we’re passionate about helping dogs become confident, well-mannered companions. While many people know us for our exceptional grooming services, our clients also benefit from the extensive dog training and behaviour experience that Mel brings to the studio.
With more than 20 years of dog training experience, Mel has worked with hundreds of dogs and their families, helping owners build stronger relationships through clear communication, practical training and positive daily habits. She holds a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training through the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF) and Top Dog USA and is a member of the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA). Mel is also a former police officer, bringing professionalism, patience and calm leadership to every client interaction.
Whether you’re raising your first puppy, struggling with unwanted behaviours or simply want your dog to become a more enjoyable companion, you’ll receive personalised advice tailored to your dog’s personality, lifestyle and goals.
Professional Dog Training for Everyday Life
Every dog is different, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training. Mel focuses on teaching owners how to communicate effectively with their dogs, creating reliable behaviours that can be used in everyday situations.
Training may include:
- Puppy training and early development
- Basic obedience
- Lead walking skills
- Recall training
- Calm behaviour around distractions
- Jumping up
- Excessive barking
- Pulling on the lead
- Confidence building
- Household manners
- Relationship building between owner and dog
The goal isn’t simply teaching commands—it’s creating a happy, confident dog that understands what’s expected while strengthening the bond between you and your pet.
Puppy Training – Start Right from Day One
The first few months of a puppy’s life are critical for developing good habits that last a lifetime.
Mel is passionate about helping new puppy owners avoid common behavioural problems before they develop. From toilet training and puppy biting through to lead walking, socialisation and building confidence, early education creates the foundation for a well-adjusted adult dog.
Whether you’re preparing for your puppy’s arrival or have recently welcomed a new family member, personalised puppy training provides practical guidance that makes the transition easier for both you and your puppy.
Understanding Dog Behaviour
Many unwanted behaviours have an underlying cause. Rather than simply correcting the behaviour itself, Mel helps owners understand why their dog is behaving that way and develops realistic training strategies to achieve lasting improvements.
Common behavioural concerns include:
- Pulling on the lead
- Poor recall
- Overexcitement
- Jumping on visitors
- Lack of focus
- Destructive boredom
- Difficulty settling at home
- Adolescent behaviour
- General obedience challenges
By identifying the cause of the behaviour and teaching owners practical skills they can use every day, dogs learn faster and families enjoy a more relaxed life together.
Premium One-on-One Dog Walking
Our premium one-on-one dog walking service is designed for dogs who deserve more than simply being exercised.
Each walk provides individual attention, allowing your dog to enjoy a calm, enriching experience tailored to their age, fitness level, personality and training goals. Unlike large group walks, one-on-one sessions minimise distractions while reinforcing good manners, loose lead walking and appropriate behaviour in real-world environments.
Whether your dog is young, elderly, easily distracted or simply enjoys personalised attention, our premium walking service offers both physical exercise and valuable mental stimulation.
Walk & Train Programs
For busy owners wanting to maximise every outing, our Walk & Train program combines professional dog walking with structured training.
During each session, Mel works on practical everyday skills while your dog enjoys a rewarding walk. Depending on your dog’s goals, sessions may focus on:
- Loose lead walking
- Calm behaviour around people and dogs
- Focus and engagement
- Recall practice
- Confidence in new environments
- Impulse control
- Polite walking manners
After each session, you’ll receive feedback and practical tips to help continue your dog’s progress at home. This team approach helps create consistent results that transfer into everyday life.
More Than a Grooming Salon
At Carlisle Street Grooming Studio, grooming, health and behaviour go hand in hand. Regular grooming appointments provide valuable opportunities to monitor your dog’s wellbeing while building trust and confidence through gentle handling.
By combining professional grooming with experienced dog training knowledge and veterinary nursing support, we’re able to offer a level of personalised care that few grooming salons can match.
Whether you need advice on puppy development, behaviour, enrichment, training equipment or everyday handling, our knowledgeable team is always happy to help.
Helping Melbourne Dogs Thrive
Conveniently located in Balaclava, Carlisle Street Grooming Studio proudly supports dog owners from St Kilda, Elwood, Ripponlea, Elsternwick, Caulfield, Brighton, Prahran, Windsor, South Yarra, Armadale, Toorak, Malvern, Bentleigh, Hampton and surrounding Melbourne suburbs.
If you’re searching for dog training in Melbourne, puppy training Balaclava, dog behaviour advice, one-on-one dog walking, Walk & Train programs, professional dog trainer Melbourne or puppy behaviour support, Carlisle Street Grooming Studio offers the experience, knowledge and personalised service to help both you and your dog succeed.
Our philosophy is simple: great dogs aren’t born—they’re developed through understanding, consistency and a strong relationship with their owners. We’re here to help you build that relationship for life.
FAQs
What training methods do you use?
Mel uses positive reinforcement methods to train your dog.
Do you train puppies?
Yes. Puppy training can begin as soon as you bring your puppy home, even as early as 8 weeks of age.
Can you help with reactive dogs?
Yes. Mel can help with reactivity issues. Dogs can be reactive for a variety of reasons, anxiety, dominance, fear etc. Mel will assess your dog and design your training plan to get to the root of the problem.
Can you stop dogs pulling on the lead?
Yes. Mel can help stop your dog from pulling on the lead. Dogs pull on the lead for a variety of reasons, Mel will assess your dog and design your training plan to address these issues.
Can you help with barking?
Yes. Mel can help stop your dog barking. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, Mel will assess your dog and design your training plan to get to the root of the problem.
Do you help with separation anxiety?
Yes. Mel has successfully worked with many dogs suffering from separation anxiety and can design a training plan to tackle this problem.
Can you help dogs living together?
Yes. Mel helps many households whose dogs are experiencing difficulties getting along. Your training plan will be designed to best suit your dogs, living environment and human members of the household.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions is determined by the behavioural problem being addressed, the length of time the problem has existed and your dedication to following your training plan.
Do you come to my home?
Yes. Mel comes to your home for you private training sessions.