The Evolution of Dog Breeds: From Ancient Companions to Modern Day Pets
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Dog-trainer Layla Potipa about dogs; “You get out what you put in”!
Photo: Layla Potipa with a very special German Shepard, a dog that played a major role in her life. Photo: Layla Potipa.
Dog-trainer Layla Potipa moved from Sweden six years ago to pursue here lifelong dream of working with animals. Ever since she was a girl and used to take the neighbour´s German Shepard out for daily walks she knew she wanted to become a dog-handler. And not just any trainer, Layla is someone with the attitude that “Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, but not everyone can train dogs.” So she set out to do just so and to fill her own life with the joy of helping other people and their dogs. With a an interest in dogs myself I wanted to know more about this woman with a strong passion for dogs, and an interview was granted!
Layla is now 25 years old and all her hard work of constant training, studying and taking courses including a NDTF (National Dog Trainers Federation) accreditation has paid off. The NDTF course is a distance course based in Melbourne, however she had 2 practical weeks during the 10 month course which took place in Dural. And for six months now she has worked as a dog trainer for PetResorts in Dural, a place she says has ”such a lovely environment with truly passionate people and I really felt at home”. When she is not working with the dogs at the PetResort, she has not one but three dogs of her own to take care of. She is as she states it “the proud owner of 2 rescue dogs, one is a 10 year old Pomeranian and the other is a 4 year old Pomeranian cross. As well as a very cheeky 5 month old German shepherd puppy”.
Layla, for how long have you had animals?
“I have always had rescue animals back home. Mainly rabbits and birds but I also had a cat growing up that decided he wanted to live with us. These are my first dogs though”, she explains.
What is your favourite memory when it comes to dogs, I wonder?
“I was never allowed to own a dog growing up so for as long as I remember I have always trained other people's dogs. Neighbour´s, friend´s and relative´s... Pretty much anyone that would let me! “ she says. She thinks it's difficult to pick one dog or one memory as a favourite but then explains that when she was about 11 her neighbour´s dog had puppies and one of her friends that lived down the street got one. “That dog probably lived with me more than it lived with them! We had such a connection and even though she was a very low drive dog (a Havanaise) she absolutely loved working with me. She wasn't food or toy motivated so literally I had to be her motivation. Getting pats and love from me was all she wanted and she was the most incredible little dog. I don't think I ever had her on leash even in the middle of the city she would just follow straight behind me, stop when I stopped, and take directions when needed. (Just to be clear I absolutely do not recommend that people do this with just any dog and I certainly don't do it with my dogs now)”. Layla then continues to explain about her “real" training dog that came a couple of years after that. “She was a German Shepherd owned by another neighbour. She probably taught me more about myself, dogs and training than any other dog. I would take her out so often I even got a key to my neighbour´s apartment so I could just grab her when the owner was at work! She was the dog that made me realise that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
What might your day at work look like?
Layla describes how an average day at PetResorts starts with answering emails and training enquirers. After that she have a look to see what appointments they have that day (they offer group classes, private consultations and home consultations). She also have to check if there are any departures. “A departure means that a dog boarded with us has had training, so when the owner comes to pick up the dog we want to set them up for success meaning we have a departure lesson which takes about an hour. In that time we go through what we have taught the dog, our training methods, any specific issues the dog might have had and all the different commands. After that we hide the owner away in our training shed and bring the dog out where the owner is able to look at what we have accomplished through a window so they know what the dog is capable of. It is important to show what we have accomplished with the dog before they reunite as after the reunion the dog might be so excited and distracted it isn't performing at its best. After that we get the owner to come out and practice!”
Layla then moves on to the next thing on her schedule. If they don't have any lessons on that day, it's time to train! She explains that the training starts as soon as she enter the kennel meaning the dog isn't allowed to jump or barge out the door. “We spend as much time with each dog as necessary as all dogs are different but average is 2x 20 minute sessions per day”.
But it´s not all about handling the dog as I understand when she explains how they between each dog have to disinfect the equipment as well as themselves and their shoes to limit contamination. After all the training is done they clean the training shed (they don't always train in there it really depends on the weather and the dog). After all the cleaning is done Layla check if there are any new emails and return any phone calls as well as call owners who's dogs recently left the resort to follow up on their training or to see if they have any questions. “I also of course have lunch in the middle of the day between training dogs”, she add before realising that next on the daily schedule is home time.
What has it meant to you in person to receive a National Dog Trainer Federation Accreditation I wonder?
“It has meant a lot to me but I also think it's important to clients. They know I have accreditation and merit! Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, but not everyone can train dogs.”
According to PetResort´s website the dog owner with its companion can choose private tuitions at home or on location, or group trainings depending on needs. What problem areas are good for each one of these training methods?
“It really depends on the dog but also what the owner wants”, she explains.” If it's a matter of the dog having specific issues in the home environment then a group class is most likely not going to offer a solution. We almost always recommend a private lesson where we can focus on the client and their specific needs before anything else. That way we can assess the dog and the situation before suggesting an individual training plan.”
Do you see dogs of all kinds of backgrounds, breeds and ages in all the types of classes you are teaching?
“Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to our classes however if anyone is interested in our group classes we recommend a private lesson first so we can go through everything from loose lead walking to marker and release words, all of which we use in classes. A group class is also not the best place for dogs to learn new skills but are better for refining and proofing skills the dog already has. You should always work with your dog in a low distraction environment when teaching them a new skill to set them up for success! And between all the smells, sounds, other dogs and people it can be difficult for even the most experienced dog to focus!”
Are there any major differences in how a dogs life is in Australia compared to your birth-country Sweden?’
“People have a different views on dogs in almost every country. I definitely think education is so important and that you get a dog that suits your lifestyle because as cute as that puppy is now, it won't be as cute when it's a 40kg dog that you can't walk down the street and keeps you awake all night with its barking.”
What is the best thing about working with animals?
“That it changes people's lives. When people think their dog is beyond help and we are able to give that dog (and owner) a whole new lease on life. There's no better feeling! “
Do you have any favourite wise words to share with your fellow dog owners?
“You get out what you put in. Meaning if you put in the time and effort in to the dog that is exactly what you will get back!
Another thing people often forget is work with the dog you have in front of you. People often get wrapped up in "the amazing dog down the street" and get frustrated when their dog lacks the same drive or skill as another dog. All dogs are individuals and should be treated as such. Just because you want your dog to do a certain skill doesn't mean it'll necessarily be so.
Also, almost nothing that you do to your dog can't be undone! People are often so scared to fail that they don't even try. Try, learn and succeed!”
With those wise words the interview with Layla Potipa is over. I would like to thank her for sharing her experience and I wish Layla and her dogs all the best.
Before saying goodbye myself first I would like to share a quote I saw on PetResort´s website;
“A well behaved dog is a pleasure to own and contributes to a happy, stress free family. Let us help you turn your pup into a stress breaker rather than a stress maker!”
And is that not what we all want? Just to be able to enjoy not only everyday life and special occasions in our homes but also Australia´s beautiful nature and its people together with our beloved pets! At least that is my own goal and that’s what I strive for when trying to train my own dogs. I will do what Layla suggests; “Try, learn and succeed!”
If you want some more information about Layla´s work one way is to visit PetResort´s webpage:
