MARK MURRAY
45 years of Dog Training & Canine Business Experience
Early 1970's
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Attended classes at 2 prominent Obedience Clubs in Melbourne - beginner obedience training.
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Moved away from both Clubs as the training methods on offer were totally unsuitable for my 'very soft' Irish Setter.
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Neither Club could offer any alternative training methods as there were really no other methods available at this time.
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Started to experiment with very rudimentary reward based training techniques using a tennis ball to keep my dog happy & focused.
Late 1970's & Early 1980's
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Member of the Dobermann Club of Victoria - obedience training for my 2nd dog, a male Dobermann.
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Obedience Instructor, Committee member and then Club Treasurer over a six year period.
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Appointed as Chief Obedience Instructor for several years.
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Competed in ANKC Obedience & Tracking Trials
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In conjunction with Mr. Keith Ralph, developed the Working Aptitude Evaluation Program (the "WAC" test) a temperament testing program for the National Dobermann Council of Australia (still in use today).
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Certified as a 'Working Aptitude Evaluation Program' judge for 4 years.
Mid 1980's
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Member of Melbourne Schutzhund Club Inc.
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Alternated in roles of President and also Chief Instructor for 5 years.
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Our Club brought many highly experienced overseas trainers to Australia. They substantially expanded our knowledge & skill levels in the sport of Schutzhund
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Competed in SchH 1, 2 and 3 with my Dobermann in competitions around Australia.
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Went on to train my dog and a number of other top dogs in the Dutch Police Dog Training Program (KNPV) and in the United States Police Canine Program (USPCA).
The 1990's
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Created the business called Pet Health Food Products P/L which still manufactures and distributes the dog-food product known as "Ecopet". Sold the business to my partner 2 years later.
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Purchased an old retail pet shop located in Mentone during 1994, substantially built up the business and sold it in 1996.
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During 1996, I established "Murray's Dog Training" - a business specialising in obedience training, predominately for ANKC obedience and tracking clients and behaviour modification training for difficult dogs.
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The business also trained dogs for arson investigation service work and narcotics detection services.
1997 to 2002
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Established the business "Award K9 Sports Centre" in Doveton (Melbourne).
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The business operated 7 days per week. It was an indoor dog obedience training centre with a purpose-built, in-door heated dog swimming pool, it also had a retail pet shop, hydrobaths, dryers, walking machines, part-time groomer and part-time chiropractor
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Completed more than 50 private obedience lessons each week over the five years of operation, predominately for ANKC competition dogs and dogs with behavioural issues.
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The business was certified by the City of Casey as a "Registered Dog Training Establishment" licenced to undertake protection training for Licenced Security Guards and Service Personnel.
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Trained more than 15 dog-handler teams each week for approximately 4 years until the end of 2002.
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The business was sold in 2002 and I moved to Bendigo to semi-retire.
2003 to 2015 - moved to Bendigo
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Continued with "Murray's Dog Training" providing obedience training and behaviour modification training to the general public in the Bendigo Region.
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Completed private, in-home lessons and ran weekly obedience classes with more than 600 participants attending each year.
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Conducted weekend and one-day workshops for many Melbourne and country dog obedience clubs. The workshops covered many topics including: Dog Aggression, Reward-Based Training Methods, Puppy Development Training and Competition Trial Preparation to name a few.
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Volunteered my services to Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services for temperament assessments and obedience training for dogs coming into their care at the shelter.
2016 to Current Time
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Following a severe car accident in late 2015, I was forced to scale-back my dog training activities.
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Now focus on coaching competition clients and assisting other clients who own dogs with advanced behavioural issues.
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Still provide training workshops, seminars and information sessions to Obedience Clubs, training groups and businesses requiring assistance with dogs in the Community.
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It's hard to believe that 45 years have passed since I formally started training dogs. I still enjoy every day of it !!
Contact Us
To attend my Competition classes or make an inquiry regarding my Seminars & Workshops, please email or call my mobile.
If you would like to ask a question or make a comment on the content of this webpage, feel free to send me your thoughts.
Mark Murray
Phone: 0410 63 55 68