Understanding your dog

This is a relaxed opportunity to hang out, ask questions, and learn more about your dog’s behaviour and how to build a better relationship through calm leadership.

You’re welcome to bring your dog, as long as they are social, manageable, and under control. The park is a public off-leash space, so dogs must be able to safely share the area with others.

If your dog is a bit unsure or struggles with social situations—but can be calmly managed on leash—that’s totally fine. These sessions can be a great chance to observe, learn, and get some guidance in a real-world setting.

However, if your dog is highly reactive, aggressive, or difficult to control, it’s best to leave them at home for now. You’re still very welcome to attend without them, ask questions, and get advice tailored to your situation.

We’ll observe how the dogs interact, and I’ll offer commentary on their energy and body language. This is always a fun part of the session — most people are surprised by what their dog is actually communicating.

The location will be at Chelsea Heritage Park (near the public toilets, left side of the road as you drive toward Chelsea Sugar Factory)
Parking can be tight, so I recommend parking at the Sugar Factory and walking up. There's also a hidden path through the trees that leads to the dog area — keep an eye out for it.

This is an open, unfenced park, so if your dog doesn’t have a solid recall, bring a long line (6–10 ft rope) so they can socialize while still being under your control.

The event is free of charge. I’ll have a few of my handmade slip leashes available for purchase ($25), and I’ll explain how and why I use them in my training.

If you’ve got any questions before the day, feel free to reach out. The vibe is casual, calm, and focused on helping people and dogs connect through better leadership.

Looking forward to seeing you there.
— Chris