About Me

Hi, I'm Shenae — Founder & Lead Trainer

My journey into dog training didn’t start because I just casually liked animals. It started on the other end of the leash, feeling the exact same frustration, stress, and worry that you’re probably dealing with right now.

Growing up, my family had a dog named Misty. She was never formally trained, and because we didn't know how to build those core foundations, she could never safely go off-lead. The constant worry of her running away meant her world stayed quite small, and she missed out on a lot of freedom.

Years later, I brought home my own pup, Layla. She was the absolute perfect puppy, but as she grew up, things changed. Trying to do the right thing, I over-socialised her with dogs and people, but it completely backfired. Instead of making her friendly, she became deeply fearful and reactive towards them. On top of that, Layla was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, and watching her deal with that pain showed me firsthand just how much physical discomfort completely changes a dog’s behaviour.

Desperate to help Layla and get our lives back on track, I threw myself into learning everything I possibly could about dog behaviour. What started as a personal mission to save my own dog quickly turned into a massive passion. I went on to get my Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training so I could turn those tough personal lessons into professional skills.

Today, Layla is living proof of what’s possible with the right guidance, and she is the reason I started Paws Play and Train.

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How I Approach Training

I believe every single dog has the potential to thrive, but they need clarity, patience, and realistic structure to get there.

My training focuses heavily on building real trust and clear communication between you and your dog. I don’t believe in just masking a problem or slapping a quick fix on a behaviour. I look at the whole picture—including your dog's health, their environment, and their unique personality—to figure out why they are acting out in the first place.

Whether you’re stuck in the middle of the chaotic puppy phase, struggling with a dog who lunges and barks on walks, or just trying to get your dog to look at you around distractions, I’m here to support both ends of the leash. I want to give you the practical, real-world skills and the confidence you need to handle your dog safely and calmly.

Let’s work together to stop just managing the chaos, rebuild your trust, and get you back to actually enjoying life with your dog.