I can't thank Eve enough for helping me and my dog Stan. She addressed all of the issues Stan had (especially Barking at possums and recall)and gave me the confidence,that with the training I had done with Stan under Eve's instructions and the traing that i continue to give him, he will turn out a well balanced and happier dog.I highly recomend Eve at Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services.

Ian Sutcliffe

The setup was fantastic — each dog had its own separate space, and the dividers worked so well to help them stay calm without seeing each other. I also really appreciated the venue; my puppy loved having the chance to settle inside the class and then enjoy little breaks outside in the large green area. And of course, Eve was amazing — not only teaching us new techniques, but also sharing videos and resources that were incredibly helpful.

Sabrina Syed

I recently used Eve for three training sessions for my dog, Willow. It's clear that Eve is very passionate about her work, taking time to explain theory and to provide practical demonstration of techniques to use. With practise at home, I've seen great success with Willow. Eve is a fantastic trainer and teacher and I would highly recommend her services.

Andrae Foenander

Highly recommend Eve. She helped us with our reactive/anxious X Staffy who had just been recently attacked by another dog. Eve was kind and non judgmental during the consult. The space where she does the consult is also very dog specific --both an inside and outside area. We noticed positive progress in our dog within days of following her advice.

gail bonnor

We reached out to Eve for a behaviour consultation after our dog started showing some concerning behaviours. The sessions were very informative and useful - not just for our dog but for us too. Eve took the time to explain why the behaviour was happening and gave us clear, practical strategies to support him. We also realise some of our actions were making things worse for our poor boy! We are really grateful and would highly recommend Dogaholics to anyone needing a knowledgeable and compassionate trainer and behaviourist!

Sammy

Eve was very knowledgeable and offered fantastic advice. I have a very nervous rescue dog that usually takes a long time to settle in new places or around strangers but Eve made her feel so comfortable within our first visit, so quickly you would have thought it was her second home. Definitely recommend Dogaholics.

Amber

I would personally recommend Dogaholics Behaviour Assessor Eve I give her 5 stars for her help. To anyone that has a declared dangerous dog. My dog Buddy was a declared dangerous dog for 3 years but with the help of Eves Assessment he is now a free man and had his Dangerous Dog Declaration revoked thank you so much Eve for your help i greatly appreciate it so does Buddy he is a much happier dog now he is free and not stuck in a cage .😊

joanne mirabito

Puppy school with Eve from Dogaholics was great, we're first time dog owners and learnt lots and feel we have the knowledge to keep our puppy training going well.

Simon Bush

Had a great time with Eve and the puppy school. Lots of fun and we learnt heaps. Would recommend to anyone with a puppy

Luke Aiello

Grieving for a pet

The grief of losing a beloved pet can be every bit as profound as losing another member of the family. This is a deeply personal reflection on love, loss and carrying precious memories forward.

Published: April 7, 2024

Eve McKenzie

Eve helps pet parents build happier lives with their dogs.

Grieving for a pet is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life.

For those who are not animal lovers, there is little understanding that the grief of losing a pet can be as profound as losing a human family member.

Last week, my beautiful little ginger boy was killed.

While some people might see him as “just a cat,” he was part of my family and one of my children. Losing him has been devastating.

I miss him like crazy and long for him to come home—meowing his way into the house, rubbing against my legs, jumping onto the bench and headbutting my husband when it was mealtime.

He had his own quirks, and I loved every one of them.

He was my sleeping buddy and slept beside me every night for nearly four years.

He left behind his brother, who is struggling after they spent nearly 11 years together. He barely leaves his room, isn’t eating properly and is sleeping more than usual.

I know he misses him too.

The house is quiet without him now, and things will never be the same.

I think that because I am an animal trainer, people may expect me to be okay with the death of one of my fur children—to accept it, come to terms with it, understand it and move on.

On the contrary, I cry every day for my little ginger boy, who was taken away so suddenly.

I feel very angry and very sad. He is in my thoughts every minute, and I will shed a tear for him each day, just as I have for my beautiful Border Collie, who passed away 11 months ago.

The pain is unbearable, and distraction is a helpful coping method for me at the moment.

Having to deal with the deaths of two of my fur children within 12 months is simply too much to bear. I loved them deeply, and each of them gave me such joy and fulfilment that life feels empty without them.

I am a robot, going through the motions.

They say that, with time, the pain will subside. It may ease somewhat, but it is always there in some form.

You carry it with you in your heart because all you have left are the precious memories created during the short time they were here.

Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services

Dogaholics is a dog training and behaviour service located in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area of NSW.

resources

Helpful advice for everyday pet parents.

Greenhounds NSW Muzzle Exemptions and Off‑Lead Skills in Kotara

This guide explains how the Greenhounds NSW muzzle exemption works for pet Greyhounds, including eligibility, paperwork and what to expect

From reactive to regulated: evidence-based help for on-lead reactions in real life

This article explains why dogs react on lead, how to read early body language, and how distance and arousal affect

K9 Nose Work in Newcastle for a calmer, more confident dog

Scent Work For Every Dog: How K9 Nose Work Builds Confidence