The Team
YOUR TRAINER
Kristy is a professional Dog Trainer, completing The Alpha Canine Group’s 10 month dog training course in 2010 with Ralph, her canine best friend. To pass this course, Kristy had to train and handle 250 dogs at The Alpha Canine Boarding Kennels in Macclesfield, Victoria, and have Ralph working at demonstration level. Kristy has worked with hundreds of dogs of all ages, breeds and temperaments over the years.
Having had a love for dogs since bonding with her childhood pets, her passion and love for dog training came in 2008 when she bought Ralph; a cute puppy in the window that she couldn’t walk past! 10 weeks old at the time, Kristy took Ralph to Puppy Preschool with Alpha because she knew he would be large and wanted to ensure she could have control over him. She also wanted to make sure he would be well socialised and have the basics of a well-mannered dog. Sparking her passion even further, Kristy and Ralph joined Alpha Dog Training at 12 weeks and continues to train him every day. Kristy has also trained her parents dog Oliver, who was dominant and in charge of the household, and Frank, her brother’s dog, as he was beginning to become uncontrollable.
This kickstarted her move towards becoming a professional dog trainer, and after completing her traineeship, Kristy began to work at Alpha Canine Dog Training in Boronia (now located in Knoxfield), Victoria. In 2010 Kristy furthered her horizons and became a certified Therapy Dog handler for Ralph, completing the Lead The Way course. This allows Kristy and Ralph to assist and run programs at schools, nursing homes and hospitals. As a Secondary School teacher, Kristy loves to work with Ralph to help disengaged and struggling students to excel in the classroom.
2011 saw Kristy open Mind Your Paws Dog Training and Therapy Dogs, and upon relocating to Darwin, the business took off! Kristy offers private lessons for dogs of all ages and behavioural needs, as well as Beginner and Intermediate Classes, along with workshops throughout the year.
HARLOW (CEO in training)
Harlow is a 3-year-old Standard Groodle (Golden Retriever x Standard Poodle) with a white fleece coat, who loves to have fun and cuddle up with anyone who will let her sit on their lap, especially children. Harlow was adopted at the age of one and was certified as a Therapy Dog through Lead The Way in 2016.
Harlow has completed her beginners and intermediate courses through the Mind Your Paws dog training programs and is working towards being off lead trained. Her coat is the same as Ralph's. Harlow is always up for an adventure, she loves to play tug-o-war, learn new tricks, and just be with people.
RALPH- RIP My beautiful boy
Ralph is a 9-year-old Standard Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever x Standard Poodle) with a gold fleece coat. He is a highly trained dog having attended Alpha Canine Dog Training from the age of 10-weeks; passing Advanced Level 3 Off Lead.
Ralph is a certified Therapy Dog through Lead The Way. He has a hypoallergenic coat, which means he does not shed and needs to have his coat groomed every eight weeks. Ralph is a gentle giant who loves to show off his tricks and is a real softie who loves getting all the attention.
Ralph passed away in April 2018 (one week shy of his 10th birthday) after two brain surgeries and fighting hard to overcome a fungal infection, aspergillus, but unfortunately there was nothing more that could be done to save him. He was a true gentleman, the reason Mind Your Paws exists, Kristy's best mate, and will forever be the angel he was to many people in Darwin. Fly high beautiful boy.
