I am John Vella, your local trainer in The Northern Beaches, The North Shore, Balmain and Drummoyne. I have been a professional dog trainer, and specialist in behaviour and obedience, since 1999.

 

My Experience

I started training dogs as a hobby in the mid-80s when I acquired 2 rescue dogs, a kelpie cross and a border collie cross German Shepherd dog both of which I trained to a very high standard.

In 1995 I purchased “Bonnie”, a German Shepherd. She was a beautiful dog with excellent lines and papers and I started training her. However, by the time she was 18 months of age I was at my wits end with her as nothing seemed to be working; she was pulling on the lead on walks, barking till all hours in the morning, jumping up and digging up my garden.

 

I had a number of so-called expert trainers trying to help me and I also sent her away for a 3 weeks boarding and training and it was after this that my problems really began. She became aggressive, she bit my son and tried to bite a few other children.  This was the final straw! I felt that nothing could be done and my vets advice was to euthanise her as she was a definite liability.

 

My life really turned, when I met John Richardson, aka "The Dog Whisperer".

John helped me to cure Bonnie, who lived with me till she died at around 12 years old. 

 

I remember asking John, “Why did this happen with all the training I had put into her and my other dogs?” He explained that I had trained them in obedience training but not behaviour training and had listened to the wrong advice from these so-called experts.  He also explained that I did not socialise my dogs by taking them to Puppy School before they were 16 weeks old.

 

This started a great 16 year relationship between myself and John, who shared his wealth of knowledge about dogs. I also studied and read everything I could get my hands on regarding dog psychology and behaviour.

 

I have used this knowledge and experience to help thousands of dogs with a variety of behavioural and anxiety issues.

 

My German shepherd dog "Harley", who I have trained using the DOGWISE method, is my constant helper. I use him on a daily basis to rehabilitate aggressive dogs, for demonstrations & in 2015 he and I worked closelywith Australia Post to help their delivery staff reduce incidents of dog

bites.  The feedback from this programme has been overwhelmingly positive. 

 

My Training Philosophy

I will show YOU, how to teach YOUR dog, to be a respectful dog, who listens to you and does what you ask.

 

I feel most satisfied when I achieve a positive outcome with a client, who is at a complete loss regarding their dog's behavioural issues, especially after they have tried other less effective or harsher training methods; - my Positive Reinforcement techniques achieve a solution without cruelty and allows my clients to feel as if they are doing something that works while still allowing them to love

their dog and treat it well.