Council Order Training

Practical Behaviour Support for Dogs Under Council Orders in South Australia

If your dog has been issued with a council order — such as a Barking Dog Order, Nuisance Dog Order, Menacing Dog Order, or Dangerous Dog Order — you may be required to work with an approved trainer in Adelaide to address the behaviour concerns and support safer management moving forward.

At Paws & Reward, we provide compassionate, practical behaviour support tailored to both your dog and your family.

As an Accredited Trainer with the Dog and Cat Management Board in South Australia, I offer structured council order training programs designed to meet council requirements while helping owners better understand and support their dog’s behaviour.

Accredited. Experienced. Supportive.
Behaviour concerns can feel overwhelming — especially when councils become involved. My goal is not just to help you meet council requirements, but to provide realistic, achievable strategies that improve safety, reduce stress, and support long-term progress for your dog.

Using reward-based, practical training methods, I work with dogs experiencing a wide range of behavioural challenges, including:

  • Reactivity towards dogs or people

  • Excessive barking

  • Fearful or anxious behaviour

  • Over-arousal and impulsive behaviour

  • Handling and management difficulties

  • Aggression concerns

Every training plan is personalised to your dog, your household, and the specific concerns outlined by council.

Council Order Training Program

Our Council Order Training Program is designed to guide you and your dog through the training requirements associated with a Council Order, with practical support tailored to your dog's individual needs.

The complete program includes a 90-minute Initial Behaviour Assessment, two 60-minute Follow-Up Training Sessions, a personalised Behaviour & Training Plan, and a Professional Council Report.

Initial Behaviour Assessment
All Council Order cases begin with a comprehensive 90-minute behaviour assessment.

This session is usually conducted in your home (unless otherwise arranged) and includes:

  • A detailed behavioural history and assessment

  • Discussion of the Council Order and any relevant documentation

  • Assessment of factors contributing to your dog's behaviour

  • Practical management strategies to improve safety and prevent rehearsal of unwanted behaviours

  • Guidance on enrichment, routine and emotional wellbeing

  • Foundation training exercises tailored to your dog's needs

  • Recommendations for additional professional support where appropriate, including referral to a veterinary behaviour service if indicated

  • A Give Me Space bandana to help communicate your dog's need for space while out in public

  • A professionally fitted, high-quality front-attachment harness (valued at $45) to support safe handling and training

Conducting the first session at home allows your dog to remain in a familiar environment while we assess their behaviour and begin developing practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.

Following the assessment, you'll receive a personalised written Behaviour & Training Plan outlining management recommendations, training exercises and your next steps.

Follow-Up Training Sessions
Your program includes two 60-minute follow-up training sessions, bringing the program to a total of three sessions.

These sessions may take place at your home or at an agreed training location, depending on your dog's individual training needs.

Follow-up sessions may include:

  • Reviewing progress

  • Adjusting management and training strategies

  • Troubleshooting challenges

  • Continuing behaviour modification exercises

  • Building owner confidence and practical handling skills

  • Practising skills in environments relevant to your dog's Council Order

  • Developing realistic long-term management strategies

Will three sessions be enough?
The program includes three sessions because this is the minimum training requirement. Our aim is to help you and your dog meet the program requirements within these three sessions wherever reasonably possible.

However, completing three sessions does not automatically mean that training is complete.

Every dog and Council Order case is different. Depending on your dog's behaviour, level of risk, progress during training and your ability to safely implement the recommended management and training strategies, additional sessions may be required before we can confirm that the Council Order Training Program has been satisfactorily completed.

If additional training is required, this will be discussed with you and the reasons will be clearly explained.

Professional Council Report
Following satisfactory completion of the training program, a Professional Council Report will be prepared for your local Council and, where applicable, the Dog and Cat Management Board.

The report may include:

  • Training completed

  • Management strategies implemented

  • Behavioural progress observed

  • Current level of risk and any remaining concerns

  • Recommendations for ongoing management and training

  • Compliance with relevant Council training requirements, where applicable

Please note that completion of the training program does not mean that all behavioural concerns have been resolved. Some dogs will require ongoing management and training beyond the Council Order Training Program to maintain safety and support their long-term wellbeing.

Council Order Training Program Investment: $790

Your program includes:

  • 90-minute Initial Behaviour Assessment

  • Two 60-minute Follow-Up Training Sessions

  • Personalised Behaviour & Training Plan

  • Professional Council Report

  • Give Me Space bandana

  • Professionally fitted front-attachment harness (valued at $45)

If additional training sessions are required before the program can be satisfactorily completed, these are charged at $160 per 60-minute session.

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“I would like to express my highest recommendation for Lena from Paws and Reward. From my initial correspondence with her, it was evident that Lena possesses a great degree of compassion and kindness. For both her canine clients and their guardians! She approached my dog, Watra with great sensitivity and insight tailoring her methods to address Watra’s individual needs. Her guidance has been invaluable in helping me understand and manage Watra’s behavioural challenges, and the progress we have made is a direct result of her expertise and empathy. Thank you Lena ❤️❤️❤️”

-Karolina