About Me

Hi, my name is Sonia and I started my business  ALL 4 PAWS 15 years ago.  I live in Mt Moriac on 5 acres and have purpose built two amazing enclosed training fields and a lovely large shed that enables me to train in all weather. 

To say that I was a 'natural' dog trainer wouldn't be true, you could easily say that I fell into becoming a trainer.   The whole reason behind why I did stemmed from one of my own dogs, Lincoln, a golden retriever.  Having owned other dogs I thought I had a good understanding of how to handle dogs and get the best behaviour from them.  Lincoln, however, was a dog that was definitely more of a challenge for me.  It was because of these behavioural issues I was having to deal with that set me on the path of wanting to understand more about how to help him to become a well mannered and better behaved dog, one that was much more enjoyable to live with and take places.  Basically a far happier dog and more content family lfe.  

Whilst searching for the information that I was lacking to help Lincoln,  I became acutely aware that I had not been looking at the 'big picture'.   I had purely been concentrating on the presenting behavioural issue Lincoln had and not all the other little issues that were actually working against me.  I also became far more aware that there is definitely not just one particular way to train a dog.  It is always good to have various options and 'tools in your tool kit' to help you out.    

I feel that I am capable of helping many other owners with their dogs because I was once in their position.   I had issues, I didnt paricularly like my dog at times, I had attended various classes with Lincoln and still felt that no one had given me the 'big picture' information.   It was definitely understanding that I needed to 'undo my dog and start again' that helped me reset things with my boy and start building a better relationship with him.   

I admit that my passion turned into a business of wanting to help other owners to hopefully not experience what I had with my boy,  however over the years of doing this work,  I now find myself more passionate about helping those dogs that often are a little difficult to handle and train due to them being soft, timid, unsure/insecure and just not coping perhaps with life and the things in it.  I feel that many of these types of dogs  just need help building some resilience to better cope with situations that they have found rather stressful.   Its always amazing to see the changes in them and watch them grow in their overall confidence levels.