ABOUT EUGENIA
Eugenia is a group class trainer with Thrive Canine, and also offers one-on-one behaviour consultations in the Caulfield-area via her own business, Pawsitive Bonds. She speaks both English and Cantonese.
My name is Eugenia, and I'm a Certified Training Partner of the Karen Pryor Academy.
My background is in engineering. However, in 2020 I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join a guide dog school in Hong Kong as a trainer cadet. During my time as a trainer in Hong Kong, I developed strong skills and knowledge in dog training, breeding, whelping, and rearing puppies, as well as in handling therapy dogs alongside occupational therapists and psychiatrists, serving clients with special educational needs. This is also when “Little Dory the Labrador” (and I literally mean “little”, as she is only 19kg full-grown) came into my life. Dory was born as a guide dog puppy, but was withdrawn from the program due to health reasons, and joined my family instead.
Raising Dory has not been easy, as she initially struggled with separation distress (which we have since overcome - yay!) and is reactive to other dogs. I'm grateful to have supported Dory through these challenges, as she has driven me to learn more about behaviour and made me the better trainer I am today.
In early 2024, I moved from Hong Kong to Melbourne with Dory and my partner. I now operate my own dog training business, Pawsitive Bonds, in the inner-southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, through which I train pet dogs and educate families on how to manage behavioural challenges.
My goal is to educate families on understanding the “why” in dog behaviour and “how” to address them through ethical, humane training methods, ultimately building a stronger bond and better relationship between dogs and humans.
Eugenia's Qualifications.
My qualifications and credentials are as follows:
-
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner #55973 (2024)
-
Master of Science (Environmental Management), University of Hong Kong (2014)
-
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering), University of Hong Kong (2012)
My memberships are:
-
Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Accredited Professional Member
My recent continuing education is as follows:
-
Aggression in Dogs Master Course (Michael Shikashio) - In Progress
-
ClickerExpo Live - Virtual (2025)
-
Handling Reactive Dogs in the City, by Dr. Sarah Shapiro-Ward (2024)
The Inspiration
Cooper
Born in 2014, owned by Alli. 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, owned by Alli. Atlas has a beautiful temperament and often attends set-ups to help train with our reactive dog clients.
Flynn
Born 2021, owned by Alli. 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, owned by Hannah. 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.
Dory
Born in 2022, owned by Eugenia. Eugenia adopted Dory after she was withdrawn from the Hong Kong Guide Dog Program due to a congenital cleft palate and limb deformity. Dory displayed separation anxiety at a young age (which we have overcome, yay!) and is also working through leash reactivity towards other dogs.