About/ All you need to know about us

Ryan has always loved being with dogs – it’s hard not to growing up in a family that breeds Cocker Spaniels! After spending 6 years in the Army, Ryan started his dog training journey in 2014. Ever since then Ryan has been a part of The Canine Classroom as an instructor, and as the senior trainer at The National Canine Academy boarding school. Ryan loves instructing classes, but his speciality is working with dogs that are human or dog aggressive, and in the last 10 years has personally trained over 15,000 dogs! Ryan recently took ownership of The Canine Classroom in July 2022, and is enjoying spending time helping dog owners in private lessons and walk & trains. Ryan has 3 dogs of his own – Onyx the Cocker Spaniel (our helper dog specialist), as well as Kayla and Zeus the German Shepherds.

Nicole joined “The Canine Classroom” in 2019 as admin support after starting the NDTF course. What started as interest in gaining a better understanding of her own dogs after the addition of her second, turned into a hobby, and then full time job training dogs. These days, Nicole’s life is all things dog. From training other people’s pets to hitting the sports field in various disciplines with her own, her skill set and understanding of what makes dogs tick has really grown.

Tegan is a dedicated canine educator with over three years of experience at The Canine Classroom, where she is honing her skills in dog training and behaviour modification. Prior to this role, she worked as a veterinary nurse and kennel hand for four years, gaining valuable insights into animal health and behaviour that enhance her training approach. Tegan specializes in teaching weekend classes for all age groups, from playful puppies to more advanced controlled obedience. Her particular interest lies in working with dogs that exhibit reactivity. Tegan finds immense joy in witnessing the transformative journey of these dogs and their owners, as they develop trust and understanding. Outside of her professional endeavours, Tegan is an avid equestrian and proudly cares for her two beloved horses, reflecting her deep commitment to animal welfare and training.

Sam says - I first met the team at The Canine Classroom in early 2017 when I adopted my spirited pocket rocket, Ruby Jones. Our journey together began with obedience training, but what truly stood out was their dedication to helping us address Ruby's reactivity with other dogs. The support and guidance they provided were exceptional, and it inspired me to become part of their mission. That same year, I enrolled in and completed the NDTF Dog Training Program. Since then, I’ve been passionately involved with the team, and can often be found on Sunday’s running admin

Renee is our newest trainer, after coming from a background of running her own dog walking and pet sitting business for 8 years, and then later working in dog daycares. Renee can be found at our Brisbane group classes where she is just moving into an instructor role, and is also responsible for many of our walk & train sessions during the week!

Lauren has expanded her knowledge in the dog training field, moving from a client at The Canine Classroom to earning her NDTF qualifications and now working as an employee. Since joining in 2021, she has served as the operations manager while also teaching group classes, conducting walk-and-train sessions, and offering private lessons. Having grown up with a variety of dog breeds—including Poodles, Pomeranians, and Border Collies—she developed a special affection for German Shepherds, particularly those her uncle brought home from the police force. Currently, Lauren is the proud owner of two German Shepherds, Zoe and Sonny. She enjoys the personalized interactions in group classes, witnessing the deepening bond between owners and their dogs each week. Her favourite part of dog training is helping owners reach their goals and ensuring their dogs integrate smoothly into their lives.