The Leading K9 Team
Dog training is more than a career for me — it’s a huge part of how I live my life.
Outside of working with clients, you’ll usually find me doing something with my own dogs. We train, we play, we explore and seek out meaningful activities we can enjoy together. For me, dogs should make our lives bigger — and we should strive to do the same for them.
That same passion drives me to continually learn, challenge my thinking and improve my craft. I regularly seek out leading trainers and educators from across Australia and around the world, investing in opportunities to expand my knowledge and develop my skills.
I’m also passionate about bringing those opportunities to our local dog community. Alongside attending seminars, workshops and training events, I host visiting trainers and educators here on the Sunshine Coast, making high-quality education more accessible to local dog owners and trainers.
My education doesn’t stop with a qualification — and I don’t believe it ever should.
“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.”—Konrad Lorenz
Kirsty - Owner / Head Trainer
I’m a nationally accredited dog trainer through the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF), holding a Certificate III in Dog Training and Behaviour, and have been training dogs professionally since 2017.
Before dog training became my career, my interest in behaviour began back home in Scotland, where I completed a BSc (Hons) in Zoology. Animal behaviour was always the area that fascinated me most, and today that background continues to shape the way I approach training — looking beyond what a dog is doing to understand the individual behind the behaviour.
I have a particular affinity for herding breeds and high-drive dogs, but my real passion is helping people truly understand the dog in front of them. What motivates them. What fulfils them. What they need from you, and what you need from them.
Because great training isn’t about trying to fit every dog into the same mould. It’s about understanding who your dog is, developing their individual strengths and giving you both the skills to get the most out of the life you share.
Gary
The Border Collie who started it all!
Gary is my right hand dog, and helps out with client sessions. You may have seen Gary elsewhere - he also works with my partner Kerr over at Utility Dog
Gary has a lovely temperament and social attributes which make him ideal as a trainer's helper dog. He helps me with puppies, reactive dogs, and dogs working on their social skills.
Outside of having two jobs, Gary enjoys training tricks, man trailing, going on hikes and competing in K9 Noseworks.
Rhu
I developed a love of sheep herding in 2020. With Gary not showing a great deal of interest, and me very much keen to train and trial in the sport, along came Rhu in 2021.
Rhu is a working line Border Collie, who I have raised from an 8 week old pup. She is high in drive and at her happiest when she is working or playing.
Rhu started on sheep at 5 months and will trial with me ongoing. In addition to being a cracker herding dog Rhu also enjoys scent work and man trailing, and loves to turn her hand (paw) to absolutely anything where she gets to use her brain and body to their full potential.
Styx
Styx is a Belgian Malinois. We are training towards competitive sport goals together, primarily in PSA and also in scentwork.
I brought Styx home as a 9 week old pup in 2025. Raising and training him has been an incredibly rewarding experience thus far. I couldn’t ask for a better team mate, and am excited to keep figuring out how to do cool guy things together.