Our Ethos
We believe in force-free
We believe in utilising the brains of all animals
We believe in building trust
We believe in choice
We believe in ongoing education
Here at The Dog Project™ you will only find training approaches that are based in the science of learning. Our Instructors are all self-driven in their ongoing desire to learn about canine behaviour, and core to any approach is the underlying ethics we share.
Meet the Team
Jacqui Tourle - Business owner, Behaviourist, Instructor
Jacqui's passion sits with helping pet dogs & their families have the most cohesive life together. She, her husband & daughter currently share their home with Flash the Beagle puppy and a handful of chickens.
- Certificate IV, Companion Animal Services - Delta Society of Australia, 2011
- Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) of K9 Nose Work®, 2020
- Approved mindDOG assessor & trainer
- Approved Greenhounds assessor NSW, 2012
- Geek Week 2021
- Lemonade Conference 2020
- Attended APDT Conferences 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019. Keynote speakers included Ken Ramirez, Steve White, Peta Clarke, Karen Pryor, Kay Lawrence, Dr Gabrielle Carter, Dr Kersti Seksel, Pat Miller, Dr Sophia Yin, Grisha Stewart, Veronica Boutelle, Pia Silvani, Nando Brown, Chirag Patel, Dr Cam Day, Dr Susan Friedman, Michael Shikashio
- Learning about Learning with Dr Susan Friedman & Peta Clarke, 2019
- Terri Ryan Chicken Camp, Penrith Australia 2013
- Suzanne Clothier, Newcastle, Australia 2015
- Delta Institute inaugural conference with Alexandra Horowitz, Sydney Australia 2017
- Professional member of Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Australia, Delta Institute & Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDT)
Rosie Porter - K9 Nose Work Instructor
Rosie first attended a K9 Nose Work® course in 2014 with her Irish Setter Buddy, and she hasn't looked back! She loves the sport for it's inclusiveness, of both dogs and handlers, and for the incredible therapeutic benefits it has offered both her precious dog and every client she meets. She's currently introducing the sport to her young Irish Setter Molly.
- ACSW Judge & CO
- Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) of K9 Nose Work®, 2018
- Buddy NW1 Title 2016, 1st place in vehicle search
- Susan Garrett 2010
- Ken Ramirez 2012
- Ian Dunbar 2013
- Steve White 2013
- Kathy Sdao 2014
- Suzanne Clothier 2014 & 2015
- Jill Marie OBrien 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2019
- Fred Helfers 2016
- Alexandra Horowitz 2017
- Professional member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDT)
Lynn Lavis - Instructor
Lynn believes that the purpose of dog training is to open the lines of communication between human & dog – & that it is a process that we do with our dogs, not to our dogs. Lynn is our resident 'details' expert: whether it's focus on your own breathing when working with your dog, or the finer aspects of shaping, cues or body language, Lynn is in it for the details! Her two Border Collies, Charlie & Archie, love to help with the details & are great practice dogs for new exercises 🙂
- Train the Trainer (Aust. Institute of Management 1986)
- Karen Pryor Academy – Dog Trainer Foundations
- Karen Pryor Academy – Puppy Start Right for Instructors
- Susan Garrett - Inner Circle Alumni - Recallers, Handling 260, Agility Nation
- Fenzi Sports Academy (US) – Alumni- Foundations, Behaviour and Ring Ready
- One Mind Dogs (FIN) – International Training Program for Dog Sports
- Absolute Dogs (UK) - Game Based Training Program
- Attended seminars between 2013 - 2018 with speakers including Steven White,
Susan Garrett, Suzanne Clothier, Kathy Sdao, Emily Larlham. Diane Garrod, Turid Rugaas, Fred Helfers, Jill Marie Obrien, Denise Fenzi Dr Alexandra Horowitz, Rise Van Fleet, Peta Clarke, Dr Susan Friedman - Wonderdogs Seminar 2017 – Training, Behaviour and Crtieria
- Attended PPG Conference 2018 (AUS) – Key Speakers Kathy Sdao (US) Chirag Patel (UK) Michele Pouliot (US)
- Learning about Learning with Dr Susan Friedman & Peta Clarke, 2019
- Professional member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDT)
Julz Gouveia - Instructor
Julz first discovered The Dog Project™ as a client. Already an avid dog-lover she decided to further her learning & sign up for the Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. After volunteering for experience, she joined us as an Instructor in 2017. Her dogs (Loki, a Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog, and Sia, a Border Collie x Kelpie) are the proud owners of arguably the largest collection of canine enrichment & puzzle toys in the Illawarra!
- Certificate IV Companion Animal Services - The Delta Society 2018
- Delta Institute inaugural conference with Alexandra Horowitz, Sydney Australia 2017
- APDT Conferences 2014, 2017, 2019 with keynote speakers including Dr Susan Friedman, Peta Clarke, Emily Larlham, Marion Brand
- PPG Australia Conference 2018
- Learning about Learning with Dr Susan Friedman & Peta Clarke, 2019
- Professional member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia (APDT)
J Tourle t/a The Dog Project, ABN 56 506 401 282