Our Instructors

Together our training team has countless years of experience, innumerable hours of study and many hours of dog-related conference attendance under their collective belt. Our instructors are expected to continue to upgrade their knowledge of dog training and behaviour through attendance at workshops, seminars and conferences and also by attending in-house training sessions provided by CBS Inc. Each member of the team has a genuine interest in helping dogs and their guardians. Our goal is to achieve good citizens on both ends of the lead.

Sam Catford

Sam’s journey along the yellow brick road of dog training began over a decade ago in 1999, when she adopted ‘Rupert’ a 3-month-old Lab X from an animal shelter. As Rupert matured it became evident he had significant behavioural problems including fear aggression towards people and other dogs. After exploring traditional training methods (as that was all that was available in her area) Sam knew there had to be a more humane way to help Rupert. A colleague gave Sam the name of a positive trainer and after one in-home consultation it was obvious she had found what she had been looking for. Within a couple of weeks the positive change in Rupert’s behaviour was significant and as a result his bond with Sam became stronger. The trainer who changed Rupert and Sam’s lives was Vicki Burton a Delta Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Instructor. From that day Sam’s goal was to eventually complete the Delta CGC course and to help other guardians develop a deeper relationship with their canine companions built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect.

In 2003, Sam started working with the Animal Welfare League (AWL) as Development Officer. Sam completed her Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training (Canine Good Citizen) in 2004. Since leaving the AWL in 2007, Sam has been an Instructor with Adelaide Pet Dog Training and has been part of the volunteer team at the Canine Behavioural School since Feb 2009. Sam is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Delta Professional Dog Trainer’s Association (DPDTA) and the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP). Sam has also volunteered at the Hahndorf Interim Animal Shelter since 1999, as a dog walker and has fostered and re-homed many abandoned dogs. To ensure her knowledge of dog behaviour and training methods remains current Sam attends workshops and seminars by international and national experts in the field.

Sam currently works full time with Greening Australia as Communications Manager and is  ‘owned’ by ‘Benson’ a Standard Dachshund adopted from the AWL in 2005.

Sadly Rupert passed away in May 2008. Motivated by his memory Sam is committed to help improve the lives of our canine companions by educating their guardians about their dogs behaviour and how to incorporate humane and enjoyable training methods into their everyday life.

Bev Clark

Bev is a lawyer by day and dog trainer by night. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia and is a Delta Society Australia-accredited Canine Good Citizen Instructor. She has attended many local and interstate seminars, workshops and lectures. She is devoted to developing her knowledge in dog behaviour and training.

Having commenced training dogs almost 30 years ago and competing in Obedience and Agility trials, she has, more recently developed a passionate interest in training pet dogs. Bev runs Puppy Pre-School at Derek McNair's Veterinary Surgery each Wednesday evening and in addition to instructing at CBS Inc, where she is also the President, she instructs on a part time basis at Adelaide Pet Dog Training.

Bev's dog interests currently include trick training, good manners training, tracking, herding and when time permits she would like to resume Agility and Trialling with her own dog. She has dabbled in Freestyle dancing, after attending a weekend workshop with the world famous Carolyn Scott, but sadly lacks the showmanship to pursue that activity herself! Bev is also a volunteer for the Delta Dog Safe program, which entails visiting schools in South Australia and teaching children about dog safety.

Bev lives with her husband Robert and two teenage boys Lucas and Nicholas, her furry kids Cooper the Border Collie and Jesse the aged Sheltie, two Devon Rex cats, as well as tree frogs and fish.

Bev is devoted to providing relevant positive training to pet dogs. She firmly believes that aversive methods have no place in dog training and looks forward to the day when all training clubs and schools abandon the use of choke collars, prong collars and correction-based training. Similarly she hopes that the day will soon arrive when such outdated equipment, as well as electronic collars, citronella spray collars and other such cruel and misguided devices are no longer available for purchase anywhere!

 

Leah Combes

Leah is taking a break from her Arts degree at the moment and working full time in order to save money for her European trip with Petra (another CBS Volunteer) in 2010.  Leah plays and coaches lacrosse for East Torrens Payneham lacrosse club and is very committed to lacrosse and the club.

Leah has always loved dogs and has owned them all her life but has only recently gained an interest in training them. Leah started training Max, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as a puppy but was not able to get much further than ‘sit’.   Now that she has discovered positive dog training Leah has been able to achieve a range of tricks and cues with Max who is now 11 years old, slightly deaf, partially blind and, sadly, becoming senile.  She loves the response she gets from Max using positive methods and the quick progress they are making.  Max  is doing really well and is enjoying the extra time Leah is spending with him.

Leah’s goal is to learn as much as she can about dog training and gain as much experience as possible in order to train dogs in the future.  Leah has been reading much of the vast amount of positive training literature that is now available and her favourite book so fare is Patricia McConnell’s “The Other End of the Leash”.

Sharon Crichton

Sharon was keen to ensure her new Dalmatian pup, Jasper, grew into a well behaved dog that did not jump and could walk properly on a lead. A friend recommended the instructors at Adelaide Pet Dog Training. This led Sharon to join CBS which has continued to provide a positive and educational experience. Sharon has joined the team as an assistant instructor in 2010.
Although having dogs all her life Sharon has been amazed at the difference positive reward-based training has made in training Jasper. Sharon is currently training Jasper at Agility and they are working towards achieving their Canine Good Citizen Award. Sharon is convinced the great bond she shares with her dog is due to what she has learnt from the instructors at CBS and Adelaide Pet Dog Training
Sharon works as a Retail Operations Manager for an Optical chain during the day. As a trained teacher Sharon has always had an interest in training both in business and the sporting arena. Dog training has allowed her to combine her love of dogs with her love of training.

 

Susanne Eckert

Susanne had the fortune to be "blessed" with a very difficult and somewhat complex female Rottweiler. Mila forced Susanne to research alternative methods of training as traditional, punishment-based techniques were escalating Mila's fear-based "aggressive" responses both to people and other dogs. This resulted in a pilgrimage which began with the Rottweiler Club of SA where she instructed and, out of necessity developed a special interest in training and rehabilitating difficult/reactive dogs. Her journey continued with the quest for more knowledge which resulted in formal qualifications and attendances at many local and interstate seminars, workshops and lectures. Hopefully this journey will continue for many more years to come, as each new dog brings with it new challenges.

Susanne is employed in the scientific area of medical pathology. She is a Delta Society Australia- accredited Canine Good Citizen Instructor, holds a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia and is CBS Inc Treasurer and Merchandise Manager.

Together with Bodil Schou-Hansen, Susanne runs weekly Puppy Pre-School at Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic.

Three Rotten-weilers, Mila, Piper and Gunter, keep her busy but she is committed to sharing her experiences and knowledge with the many benevolent guardians of wonderful dogs that make many peoples' life complete.

Dogs have always shared Susanne's life but one difficult dog has changed her whole approach to how she now relates to them and most importantly understanding their mental needs and concerns. To quote "Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole".

Petra Edwards

Petra plans to undertake a double degree in law and psychology at the University of Adelaide in Semester 2, 2010. She is currently taking a break from study, working full time in order to save for a 3 month overseas holiday with her friend Leah (also an assistant at CBS Inc). Petra also works for Adelaide Pet Dog Training and as an animal attendant at the Gilles Plains TAFE. She is heavily involved in both playing and coaching at the East Torrens Payneham Lacrosse Club and has recently started Thai Kickboxing at the Flinders University Muay Thai club. Additionally, of course, she is part of the volunteer team of instructors and assistants at CBS Inc.

Petra first became involved in the dog training industry at the age of 12 as an assistant instructor, when her mum, Mim Edwards began the business Adelaide Pet Dog Training (now owned by Bodil Schou-Hansen, CBS’s Assistant Head Instructor). Over the years, Petra has gained a solid understanding of dog behaviour and psychology and is always working to increase her knowledge and experience in the area.  Petra loves working with dogs that are unable to cope in class situations due to reactivity, anxiety or excitement and also enjoys training tricks and agility. Mainly, she likes working with guardians and teaching them how to work their dogs successfully in distracting environments.

Petra has also attended a variety of dog training and behaviour seminars presented by such experts as Suzanne Clothier, Mick McAuliffe, Nina Bondarenko, Dr. Ian Dunbar and Nicole Wilde.  Petra believes that working with such an experienced and diverse range of instructors and assistants as those at CBS Inc means there is always something to learn on a Monday night.

Petra’s goal is to contribute to a better understanding of dog behaviour among dog guardians and to make dog training fun and successful using positive reinforcement methods.

 

Sarah Esau

Sarah has always had a love for animals.  She grew up with lots of pets including dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs and rabbits.

 Having no experience with any official dog training methods,  Sarah was first introduced to reward based training by Bev Clark at the Norwood Veterinary Clinic’s puppy school with her Pug/Cavalier cross, Portia.   Her animal family now includes Portia the Pug X, a Devon Rex cat, a Burmese cat, two chickens and an Australian Bulldog, Hef, who joined the family in January 2009.  After noticing some aggression in Hef, Sarah promptly enrolled him into a puppy course at Adelaide Pet Dog Training and followed on with the Canine Companion Course.  Hef’s behaviour completely turned around as a result of this training and the knowledge Sarah gained of how to handle the situation if/when it arose.

 Sarah is enjoying the knowledge she is gaining about reward based training as she assists in classes at CBS.  She hopes to undertake the Delta CGC Instructors’ course in the future.  However, Sarah is currently in the process of finishing a law degree at Flinders University and would love to practice in Animal Law.  Sarah would also like to become more involved with the RSPCA where she currently volunteers in their TLC dog program.

Debra Millikan

CBS Inc Head Instructor

Deb's dog training experience spans more than 30 years.   She has successfully competed with her dogs in obedience trials and conformation shows gaining Australian Championships and various obedience and endurance titles with them.  In the late 1970s she established Kelver Kanine Dog Obedience School and became an obedience judge in the early 1990s.  However, there was something missing in what she was doing.
Whilst living in the UK and Europe in the late 1990s Deb discovered positive training. She read widely and watched positive training working in the UK. The thought of training without coercion was what she had been seeking to re-ignite her interest in dog training.
Deb undertook the Canine Good Citizen Instructor's Course (Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training) in 2003 and has recently completed a Diploma in Animal Behavior Science and Technology (with distinction) as well as a Diploma in Dog Training and Behavior Consulting (also with distinction).  These diplomas were gained through the Companion Animal Sciences Institute (Canada).  She is a Professional Animal Behaviour Consultant with the Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals (with an emphasis on dogs), a member of the Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association (DPDTA) and a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia.  Deb has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals and is also part of that Association's Professional Practice Guidelines Committee and Membership Examination Committee.   Deb has written articles for various journals and magazines including the peer reviewed Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior, the New Zealand Kennel Gazette, Dog World, the Canine News, Dog Blog n Cat Chat and Pet Lifestyle Magazine.  Deb has been a speaker at workshops and seminars and is to be a speaker at the inaugural education meeting of the New Zealand Association of Pet Dog Trainers in 2010.
Deb currently shares her life with a very tolerant husband, Arnold and two Brussels Griffons (Joe and Bruno).

 

Nicole Schaefer

Nicole grew up in country S.A. before coming to Adelaide to attend boarding school. Growing up on a farm, she was surrounded by animals including horses, cats, pigs, sheep and cows but dogs have always held a special place in her heart.

After finishing school, Nicole discovered life isn't complete without a dog. She now has a terrier x, Ted, who has opened her world to positive reinforcement dog training. After attending puppy pre-school Nicole and Ted were referred to CBS and have been hooked ever since. In 2008 Nicole has decided she wants to learn more, so she enrolled in the Delta Society's CGC Instructor Course. She has also commenced as an assistant instructor at CBS.

Nicole is also a trainee dog groomer and has already found that her dog training experience has been put to good use at work, resulting in more dog-friendly handling techniques and a better understanding of the dogs.

 

Bodil Schou-Hansen

In addition to conducting sales training for the hospitality industry, Bodil is the owner of Adelaide Pet Dog Training which offers reward based training courses at a range of venues in SA.  She is an accredited Delta Society Australia Canine Good Citizen Instructor, holds a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, is a member of the Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association, the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia and the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals.  Bodil is also CBS Inc's Assistant Head Instructor. She has had a great passion for dogs all her life which led her to obtain her dog training qualifications and has attended many local and interstate seminars, workshops and lectures to ensure continued learning and adherence to current best practice methods.

Bodil runs Puppy Pre-School at Stephen Terrace Veterinary Clinic and Adelaide Hills Animal Hospital with fellow CBS volunteers, Susanne Eckert and Debra Millikan. In addition to instructing at CBS Inc and at Adelaide Pet Dog Training, Bodil also provides volunteer services to the Animal Welfare League and the RSPCA.

Bodil lives with her two furry family members, Ming, a 10 year old Chow Chow and Coco, a 6 year old Dogue de Bordeaux (French mastiff) and sadly her other Chow Chow, Chiang (pictured) has since passed away. She is totally committed to providing relevant positive training for guardians of companion dogs to ensure good and happy citizens at both ends of the lead.

Bron Van Heusden

Dogs have always been family members in Bronwyn’s life.  As a child, Bronwyn developed her first canine relationship with a very clever kelpie cross named Bobby; from this stemmed a fascination and love of dogs which has lasted a lifetime.  This relationship was followed by sharing life with 2 Doberman, 2 Gordon Setters, a Lhasa Apso and today life includes a Hungarian Vizsla and a Labrador Retriever.   After taking her current dogs through positive reward based training programs, Bronwyn became hooked on the way the dogs responded to a more humane way of training and was delighted to become involved with the training team at CBS. 
Bronwyn and Xavier (her Labrador Retriever) are a Pet Partner team with Delta Society and visit the patients in Daw House Hospice and at the RAH. They also visit residents in a nursing home with Caring Canine Companions.  Bronwyn does emergency boarding and foster care of guide dogs for the Royal Society for the Blind, and often has an extra Lab in the home.  Bronwyn is secretary of the Hungarian Vizsla Club of SA and is editor of the club newsletter.  Vizsla Rescue is based at her home, and Vizslas needing re-homing or rescue stay with Bronwyn until a suitable home is found.
Apart from all her dog passions, Bronwyn is a home support visitor for new mothers and specialises in helping multiple birth mothers adjust to life with a handful of babies! 

 

Ilona Wright

Ilona has always had a passion for dogs and anything to do with dog training. She has been instructing in dog obedience clubs for 35 years. Her original contact with obedience clubs was due to a GSD with serious (and dangerous) dog and people issues. Her experience with this dog, and all the other dogs-with-interesting-problems she has come in contact with over the years, led her to read anything and everything available on canine behaviour and training in order to help these dogs. For this, Ilona remains forever grateful.

Ilona's current passion is canine freestyle, "obedience with attitude, choreographed to music". It results in the development of a bond with the dog that Ilona finds most interesting and challenging. She also enjoys motivating the dog and of course teaching the dog to work on voice cue only, regardless of what is going on around the dog.

Ilona loves to share her passion for freestyle, also known as doggy dancing, with all who are interested. If you would like to know more about this fun pastime please contact her at ilona@positivelydogs.com.