About Us
OUR TRAINER
COZETTE DOWARD
My first love was animals, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits. As a child they were my constant companions, particularly dogs who I would train to go up and down slides at the playground and later to enter obedience trials. However, life as an adult brought bills and responsibility. I completed a teaching degree at Newcastle University and taught in outback NSW and then on the central coast. After six years of teaching I decided to merge my skills and help people enjoy and get the most out of their K9 companions. Establishing Cozette's K9 Education in 2013. I had my own dogs Finn and Claude working as therapy dogs but wanted to know more about training, how dogs learn and what motivates them, so I completed a dog training and behaviour course through the National Dog Trainer's Federation NDTF. What sparked my imagination during this course was the section on complex skills. For the first time I moved beyond the basics. In order to pass this course I trained my labrador Finn to get a drink out the fridge, (very handy on a Friday afternoon) and my spaniel Claude to track my mobile phone (very handy every time I misplace my phone, usually once a day). I marvelled at how both my dogs thrived on the challenge and their behaviour in all area's improved. They were happy, relaxed and the bond I share with both of them strengthened.
I was inspired to continue learning about canine behaviour and the way in which they learn. So, I did some research and was fortunate enough to attend seminars with some of the best trainers and handlers in the business. In particular Kris Kotsopoulos from Von Forell. Kris introduced me to his science based method of training which incorporated working in drive. Previously my aim had been to keep dogs as calm as possible while training. After Kris’s seminar, I was keen to use the techniques I had learned with my own dogs. I was particularly impressed with the transformation in my mild mannered, Labrador Finn. He became motivated and engaged in working beyond my expectations. Subsequently, I have incorporated working in drive into my own training philosophy. I also continue to attend seminars regularly to maintain and update my skills, and keep up to date with the latest training philosophies.
Jim Gorman
I am a retiree who has been living on the Central Coast for the last 11 years , being retired I had a fair bit of spare time so I decided to look for a way to spend my time in a worthwhile manner and to help people in some way. I was the chairperson of Lifeline Central Coast for a couple of years until it was incorporated into Newcastle branch.
I have had dogs most of my life and looked for something that would involve my current dog Kobi my Samoyed. I heard about Therapy Dogs through the media so I investigated the process and applied to become an accredited Therapy Dog handler. Kobi and I visited the ICU ward at Gosford Hospital on one occasion, but Kobie was a bit too fluffy so our hospital visits came to an end, we then spent many hours visiting a nursing home in West Gosford We thoroughly enjoyed our visits with the residents and they looked forward to our time spent with them. Sadly I was unable to continue this for a time as I had a fall and injured my back. I am now back to full health and looking forward to sharing my time and my dog with wonderful people who would love to have a chat and a pat.
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MY PHILOSOPHY
When it comes to training, I believe in balance, as with life if the balance is not correct neither is the training. This is in alignment with the philosophy of the NDTF. Our dogs need to understand when they are doing the right thing and when their behaviour is not acceptable. This means praising your dogs at the correct time, catch them doing the right thing. Correcting your dog at the right time, let them know in terms they understand that they are not doing the right thing. Note well, correcting does not involve harshness, this only induces fear and the partnership you have with your dog is out of balance with the dog lacking the confidence and motivation to work to potential. Similarly, if your dog is only ever told it is a good boy even when it has just peed on your new rug, how will they know this is unacceptable behaviour. The dog will have no motivation to please you as no matter what they do there is no consequence. So yes, your dog will continue to pee on your rug.
I believe in using the best, most advanced tools suitable for the individual dog and their owner. I use martingales, harnesses.cand halters in order to help owners safely walk their dogs in high distraction area. This however comes down to common sense a 70kg man has no need to put a martingale on a 5 kg Chichiwawa. A lady weighing 50 kg may be obliged to consider this form of tool when handling a 60 kg Rottweiler. I use the tool that will keep both the dog and handler safe, but which applies the least force on the dog in order to obtain the desired result.
" Thank you very much Cozette"
"Uno and I met with Cozette once a week at the Haven in Terrigal. There were several dogs there of all ages, sizes and temperaments. This provided an ideal training ground for Uno as there were many distractions and attractions for a young dog. Uno was about 9 months old when we began training with Cozette. Her attention was very unfocused to start off. Cozette allowed her a time to socialise and then it was time for training. Cozette quickly helped Uno gain focus through a series of exercises such as: loose lead walking under distraction, sitting, dropping and staying etc. Cozette also introduced a number of games such as high jumping, and playing with her Frisbee as a reward. We finished training with Cozette when we moved to Melbourne, but we felt confident we could continue training Uno by following Cozette’s example. Since that time Uno has continued to improve. She is now very obedient, and will respond even under severe distraction (such as a mob of kangaroos). We have no trouble keeping her calm at home, and she is very well behaved in public."
- Brian Peddie
OUR
THERAPY DOGS
FINN
This stunning boy is my right hand hound. He is a 5 yr old Labrador Retriever. I have worked with since he was roughly sixteen months old. He is a therapy dog, starting off with working in the children’s unit at Gosford hospital and Veronica’s nursing home in Kincumber. He excels at this and it is truly wonderful to see the smiles he brings to everyone he comes in contact with. He is kind, intuitive and trustworthy. For these reason’s he also accompanies me on the majority of my home visits, particularly when it involves canine aggression as he is completely non- confrontational and allows me to access the source of the aggression. He is working towards his CDX in obedience and B H in IPO.
BILL & BEN
These stunning English Labrador retrievers are brothers from the same litter. They were my first clients and I have now been fortunate enough to work with Bill and Ben for around two years now. These two came to me as they pulled heavily on the lead when their owner attempted to walk them, and occasionally lunged at other dogs. They are now extremely easy to walk, no pulling thanks to some training in heeling and the addition of a martingale. They sit, drop, stay, roll over, shake hands, and have a very reliable recall. Both these clever boys would easily pass assessment as therapy dogs or be able to enter obedience trials with no issues at all. I now work with Bill and Ben mainly for maintenance and exercise.
KOBI
Kobi is a 7 year old Samoyed who lives with his mum, dad and the cat Simba who is a Ragdoll and Kobi’s best friend. He is a fully accredited Therapy Dog who just loves his job. Kobi enjoys interaction with everyone, he is such a beautiful natured boy, who has been assessed to work with children and adults. Kobi weekly visited an Aged Care Centre where the residents loved him, he had them eating out of his paw the ladies called him handsome and told him they loved him , he would just look them in the eye and sit and allow them to cuddle and caress him. He is also very photogenic as he has his photo taken by many tourists and local folk.
Kobi and Jim volunteered recently to help raise money for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal , they did a sterling job together Kobi smiled at all the people and received plenty of pats and big cuddles from the children, he is looking forward to his next appeal.
CLAUDE
This cutie is an 8 yr old American Cocker Spaniel. I am so proud of this boy, I got him as a 3 yrs old at which time he had been through 4 homes. He was both people and dog aggressive, it took me 3 months to get a brush through his coat without being snapped at. If I took him to the park he would find the biggest dog there and try and pick a fight, causing great anxiety to all concerned. We worked on building Claude’s confidence, reinforcing good behaviour and correcting unwanted behaviour. After about a year and a half his true personality overcame his fear and he passed his assessment as a therapy dog. Claude being a typical spaniel loves to track, and can find my mobile phone for me anywhere in the house.
OUR
DOGS IN TRAINING
LUKA
This glamourous girl is a 2yr old Doberman. I began working with Luka when she was a little over a year old. Her owners were having difficulty walking her as she would lung unexpectedly at sticks, leaves her shadow. They could not bring her inside as she would jump all over furniture and people. On our first outing I discovered Luka was very anxious and unsure around traffic, strange people and dogs. Our first month of training were spent purely socializing with basics being taught at home. I then began working basic obedience in busier environments. Luka has improved to the point where her owners are able to walk her through crowds, thanks also to the addition of a halter and martingale. Luka is also slowly being allowed into the house more and more each week allowing her owners to introduce her to friends and relatives without them being jumped upon. Luka is a joy to do obedience work with, her family could easily enter her in an obedience trial as she would excel in this field.
REY
This very clever Husky, German Shephard mix has been training with Cozette’s K9 Education for around 5 months. Her humans, Erin and Damien, came to me to work on some focus and engagement with her. Rey works well in the backyard but loses concentration and sometimes did not come back when called while out at the dog park. Both Erin and Damien have done some fantastic work with Rey and she is now showing a lot more focus around distraction. She is also recalling with a lot more reliability at the park thanks to a change of tactics and lots of treats. As well as basic obedience, Rey is now working on learning to jump and extending her focus by practicing long drop stays around distraction.
MILLIE
I first meet this adorable Labradoodle when she was around two months old for some puppy basics. Millie is now 18 months old and is so clever. Her humans, Joy and Derrick, called me again and said they would like to challenge this girl by teaching her some complex skills. She is now working on retrieving slippers, the remote and socks. As well as finding the keys when they are misplaced somewhere in the house. This girl is the ideal companion, she is gentle, smart and intuitive. It will not be long before she masters these skills and starts looking for new challenges.
