Hi, I’m Marianne! Thank Dog You’re Here started after a lifelong love, passion, and respect for dogs. Dogs really are extraordinary animals. Their main strength is their sense of smell, with many dogs outperforming any type of machinery (or person) to assist people in numerous and varied tasks. They also truly know how you are feeling — your scent gives you away. My aim, through this business, is to help dog owners understand how to properly communicate with and understand their dogs, while still letting dogs be dogs.
I can’t remember ever not asking my mum if we could get a dog. You know how it goes: “Can we get a dog? Can we get a dog? Can we get a dog? Can we get a dog? Pleeeaaaaase??” She finally caved when I was in my teens and we got our first dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Gretel. I used to love spending time with Gretel — we spent many hours walking, a lot of time training, and time just sitting — she weighed over 40kg but still thought she was a lapdog! When Gretel sadly died, we then brought a Tibetan Terrier named Kailas into our lives. I also loved training her and clearly remember trying to figure out how to keep her quiet at night and how to get her toilet trained!
When I was married and moved out of home, I convinced my husband to let us share our home with my heart dog, a German Shepherd named Sarabi. She proved to be a beautiful dog. It was early in Sarabi’s life that I started to wonder where I could find a really good dog trainer, after being to several dog training clubs and other trainers over the years and not being fully satisfied. I was convinced there was always more I could and should know. But it wasn’t until I got my Cattle x Kelpie named Biscuits that I really needed help!! Not only is Biscuits a working breed, but he was also a rescue dog who I believe was sent to test me and who was probably the driving force behind me achieving my Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour and developing Thank Dog You’re Here. I have a lot for which to thank that crazy dog! 😉
We are now a family of five humans and three dogs. As well as Biscuits, we have Cocoa, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who, yes, has also been trained to do some good tricks – no one can tell me that certain dogs/breeds can’t learn new things… Given the right motivation and type of training, any dog can be a good dog and some even great! And last, but certainly not least, we also have a Smooth Collie, Piper — a gentle soul, who is very clever and fits in wonderfully with the family. I think three dogs is enough for now!
I am fully qualified and insured. I have my Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour from the National Dog Trainers Federation of Australia (NDTF) and I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). I continue to broaden my knowledge through learning at dog-training seminars and workshops.
I sincerely hope that I will be able to help you in building the best relationship possible between you and your dog.