About Us

Positive Dog Training is about providing a positive experience for you and your dog.

Sharon Crichton is the owner and behavioural trainer for Positive Dog Training and along with her experienced team provides a wide range of services.

Sharon Crichton

Grad Dip Bus, B.Ed, MDI(CPDT), Cap2

Sharon has a range of qualifications including a Graduate Diploma in Business, a Bachelor of Education and Cert IV in Companion Animal Training through the Delta Institute. Sharon has experience in human resources, operations and training with large corporate organisations and now combines her love of animals and with running a small business.

Sharon is an accredited trainer with the Dog and Cat Management Board and assists a number of councils with dog behaviour issues.

Sharon attends ongoing conference and seminars both here and overseas to ensure her knowledge is up to date so we can bring you the lastest knowledge in training and behaviour.

The Dalmatians

Sharon first become interested in positive reinforcement training (having previously been a traditional trainer) when she wanted to ensure her Dalmatian pup Jasper would be well behaved without having to use harsh methods. The use of positive reinforcement meant Jasper was always willing to have a go and try new things. It was a joy to watch how much he loved training.

Currently Sharon and her husband share their home with two Dalmatians but Sharon has had a variety of dogs over the years. Her previous dogs included a Terrier/Llasho Apso cross  (who used to smile like a Dalmatian) , German Shepherd Dogs, a Labrador, a Kelpie cross and several rescue mixed breeds.

If ever Sharon needed confirmation that positive reinforcement training brings results her second Dalmatian Pippa proved how powerful this method of training can be. Pippa is a ‘special needs’ dog who suffers from anxiety related aggression. This aggression manifests itself in the form of resource guarding (the dog protects things it sees as valuable such as food, toys, space and people). By the age of 7mths one specialist recommendation was to have Pippa euthanised. Sharon refused to give up on this feisty beautiful Dalmatian and with the help of the Veterinary Behaviourist at Sydney Animal Behaviour Service (SABS) Pippa ha made amazing progress. The journey has not always been easy but the joy of seeing Pippa’s improvements have been truly inspiring. In one instance she has gone from not being able to be touched when resting to rolling over for a tummy scratch. Sharon feels very lucky to have a special needs dog that has provided the most wonderful learning experiences.

The Team

Kim Handley

Kim is currently studying Veterinary medicine at Adelaide University and hopes to eventually become a Behaviour Veterinarian. Kim has completed a degree in Business Management. Kim has a passion for all animals especially dogs. She has been volunteering at the RSPCA for three years and loves helping the dogs find their new homes. In her spare time, she plays basketball for the West Adelaide Bearcats and plays with her two dogs, Evie a Golden Retriever and Paddy a Maltese Shih Tzu.

Georgia Hiscock

Georgia became a part of our team in 2018 and is enrolled in the Delta Institute’s Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. Her journey and passion for training and animal behaviour began when she brought her Labrador, Venus to puppy pre-school. Georgia has been assisting with classes at Positive Dog Training, gaining knowledge and experience. She believes positive training is the best way to create a lasting bond and quality of life between animal and owner. Georgia aims to extend her knowledge while working at Positive Dog Training and studying a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing at TAFE in 2019.

Eleanor McCann

Eleanor joined the Positive Dog Training team in October 2019 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) at Flinders University. She has previously completed a double degree in Laws and Behavioural Science (Psychology), as well as a Certificate IV in Business and a Certificate III in Customer Contact. After working in the energy
sector for five years she decided to step away from office life and go back to study. She hopes to use her past and current studies as well as the experience she is gaining at Positive Dog Training to train and study assistance animals in the future.

Areas we Service

Positive dog training is based in Adelaide and offers dog training classes in the Unley Council area.

We undertake private dog training lessons and behavioural dog training throughout the metropolitan areas including the Adelaide Hills, City of Burnside, City of Mitcham, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, City of Marion and the City of Onkaparinga.

We cover the northern suburbs as far as Gawler and down south as far as Port Norlunga.

Memberships

Sharon is a member of a number of professional bodies including:

  • Delta Institute – an arm of the Delta Society
  • PPG Australia – Pet Professional Guild – an organisation committed to force free training
  • APDT – Association of Professional Dog Trainers (Australia & USA)
  • Organisational bodies such as Delta Institute require continuing educational points to be accrued each year to stay as a professional member.

Certifications

Sharon has recently completed the following:

  • Centre for Veterinary Education – Small Animal Behavioural Medicine Conference 2017
  • NAVC Applied Clinical Behaviour Medicine  Course (USA) 2016 run by Dr Karen Overall
  • LLA – Living and Learning with Animals  Certificate of Excellence 2014 & 2015– run by Dr Susan Friedman Professor of Psychology at Utah State University
  • TAGteach Certificate
  • Terry Ryan Chicken Camp 2013 & 2015