Welcome to P.E.T.S
Pets Education Training Support is a professional dog training business located in Swan Bay, Richmond Valley in the beautiful Northern Rivers of NSW.
P.E.T.S primarily provides an assistance dog coaching service for people diagnosed with a disability, who are aiming to train their own dog to Public Access Test (PAT) standards.
We service our local area of Woodburn, Evans Head and Coraki, and travel between Ballina, Lismore, Casino, Lennox Head and Yamba offering our clients a high standard of personalised training and support.

At P.E.T.S we use up-to-date, science-based, positive reinforcement training methods. This method of training helps to promote a positive relationship based on trust and understanding, which is paramount for creating the bond needed for an Assistance Dog team.
P.E.T.S ensures the handler and dog are supported throughout the training process and beyond into the handler and dog’s working life together. Our programs are flexible and customised to suit each specific team. The handler is guided step by step through the training process from understanding the theory behind how dogs learn, through to training specific tasks to support the individual’s needs.
We also offer private training for companion dog owners in the Northern Rivers who are needing assistance with basic manners or with training for emotional support/therapy (visitation) dogs. As well, we offer training for new puppy owners, ensuring they get off to the right start. Setting people up for a wonderful future with a well-mannered canine citizen is our primary goal.
We DO NOT perform Public Access Testing (PAT) for teams who have not completed training with us.
We DO NOT provide pre-trained Assistance Dogs.
Am I fully prepared to owner train an Assistance Dog?
Financial commitment involved with owner trained Assistance Dog training & certification: P.E.T.S is a privately run small business, which is not affiliated with a charity or organistation. There are charges for the services that I provide, and you need to consider if you are financially equipped to take on this long term commitment. Training your dog to a high standard will require a considerable amount of money and if you are not prepared for this financial outlay then owner training may not be the right path for you.
Important points to consider…
About The Dog
Firstly: MUST LOVE DOGS!
Be prepared for the life stages your dog will go through. From puppyhood, through adolescence and then your aging dog and it’s needs. You will need to navigate fear periods and behaviour challenges and continue with maintenance training throughout their working life. You will also need to consider their changing needs as they age and prepare for retirement. Then finally, looking at the idea of purchasing and training a new Assistance Dog candidate. Not all decisions will be easy, but they are all important parts of the journey.
TRAINING YOUR DOG
Training your dog is a lifelong job. You never stop training (or learning). However, you put in a lot of hard work in the first few years. Dogs are generally not mature enough, physically, or emotionally, to cope with all the stress of Assistance Dog work until they are at least 2 years of age. You need to be able to train your dog within your daily routine to progress through the different levels of training. Basic Skills – Advanced Skills – Task Training – Public Access – PAT – Maintenance Training.
It is a journey, not a race. Enjoy the ride. Don’t be in a rush to get to the finish line. Throughout the journey you are going to give your dog the necessary skills and experience needed to handle different situations and the ability to work in many different environments. Increasing distractions, working on generalising behaviours and teaching your dog how to relax and settle are all key points to cover. All of this can be trained in pet friendly places like pet shops, bunnings, parks and cafes. There is no need to rush the dog into public access training until they are ready.
Final Thoughts…

Choose your breed carefully (BEFORE purchasing). See our ‘Thinking of getting a puppy’ page.
Research the breed of dog you choose including common health issues and breed characteristics
Be realistic with the expectations you have of your dog – they are not humans!
Choose an appropriate breed for your requirements: a chihuahua is NOT suitable for mobility support
The first 12 months of your dogs’ life are for letting them be a dog. Learning social skills, experiencing different environments, interacting with friends and family and learning good foundation skills
You need to learn to speak dog! Learn the early signs of stress and understand your dogs’ body language
