ABOUT ANNA

Anna is a behaviour consultant and group class trainer with Thrive Canine.

I’m Anna, and my approach to training and behaviour is compassionate, backed by evidence and prioritises wellbeing. My goal is to provide support and guidance using effective and ethical techniques, so that you and your dog can live life with more ease and joy.

My very beloved British Bulldog Dahlia came to me in 2017 with a big list of health issues and even bigger feelings. This led me to recognize the major impact pain can have on our dogs' behaviour and I was committed to finding solutions to help her cope in the world and feel her best. This journey has motivated me to help other pet parents navigate and overcome their own challenges, which for those of us with reactive dogs can often be a very difficult and confusing one to go alone.

I am currently completing my Certificate IV in Animal Training and Behaviour with the Delta Institute and have been working providing fresh food to the animals of Melbourne since 2022. I am committed to ongoing learning to ensure my practices reflect the most up to date research on animal behaviour.

Anna's Qualifications

My qualifications and credentials are as follows:

Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training, Delta Institute (current)
Advanced Diploma of Acting, National Theatre Drama School (2016)

My recent continuing education is as follows:

Aggression in Dogs Conference (2025)
We Do Animals Chicken Training Workshop (2025)
Canine Adaptive Socialisation Webinar - Dr Kat Gregory BVsc.MANZCVS, Margaret Keast BPsychS (2025)
The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) Model Webinar - Eduardo J Fernandez PhD (2025)
Interpreting Dog Behaviour Research Webinar - Dr Dennis Wormald BVsc.MANZCVS (2025)
Sound Sensitivity Masterclass - Calm Canine Academy (2024)
International Reactivity Summit - Barking Up the Right Tree (2024)
Pet Anxiety Summit (2023)
Decoding Your Canine Summit (2023)

My relevant experience is:

Behaviour volunteer at the Lost Dogs Home (since June 2025)

The Inspiration

Cooper

Born in 2014. Cooper suffers from anxiety, fear-based aggression, compulsive behaviours and spondylosis. Cooper continues to teach us a lot about aggressive behaviours and why they occur.

Atlas

Born 2019. Atlas has a beautiful temperament and often attends set-ups to help train with our reactive dog clients.

Flynn

Born 2021. Flynn was a confident, highly social puppy whose behaviour turned at the flick of a switch at eight months of age. Flynn has displayed reactivity to dogs, cars, trucks, motorbikes, bikes, children, joggers, and novel items.

Maggie

Born 2015. Maggie was a sweet, clever greyhound who Hannah adopted in 2017. Bred and raised in the racing industry, Maggie was very anxious out in the big wide world. Her rehabilitation spurred Hannah's passion for animal welfare and behaviour, and drove her to become the trainer she is today. Maggie unexpectedly crossed the rainbow bridge in 2023, and is deeply missed.