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MARK MURRAY

45 years of Dog Training & Canine Business Experience

Early 1970's

Attended classes at 2 prominent Obedience Clubs in Melbourne - beginner obedience training.
Moved away from both Clubs as the training methods on offer were totally unsuitable for my 'very soft' Irish Setter.
Neither Club could offer any alternative training methods as there were really no other methods available at this time.
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

Member of the Dobermann Club of Victoria - obedience training for my 2nd dog, a male Dobermann.
Obedience Instructor, Committee member and then Club Treasurer over a six year period.
Appointed as Chief Obedience Instructor for several years.
Competed in ANKC Obedience & Tracking Trials
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).
Certified as a 'Working Aptitude Evaluation Program' judge for 4 years.

Mid 1980's

Member of Melbourne Schutzhund Club Inc.
Alternated in roles of President and also Chief Instructor for 5 years.
Our Club brought many highly experienced overseas trainers to Australia. They substantially expanded our knowledge & skill levels in the sport of Schutzhund
Competed in SchH 1, 2 and 3 with my Dobermann in competitions around Australia.
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

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.
Purchased an old retail pet shop located in Mentone during 1994, substantially built up the business and sold it in 1996.
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.
The business also trained dogs for arson investigation service work and narcotics detection services.

1997 to 2002

Established the business "Award K9 Sports Centre" in Doveton (Melbourne).
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
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.
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.
Trained more than 15 dog-handler teams each week for approximately 4 years until the end of 2002.
The business was sold in 2002 and I moved to Bendigo to semi-retire.

2003 to 2015 - moved to Bendigo

Continued with "Murray's Dog Training" providing obedience training and behaviour modification training to the general public in the Bendigo Region.
Completed private, in-home lessons and ran weekly obedience classes with more than 600 participants attending each year.
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.
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

Following a severe car accident in late 2015, I was forced to scale-back my dog training activities.
Now focus on coaching competition clients and assisting other clients who own dogs with advanced behavioural issues.
Still provide training workshops, seminars and information sessions to Obedience Clubs, training groups and businesses requiring assistance with dogs in the Community.
It's hard to believe that 45 years have passed since I formally started training dogs. I still enjoy every day of it !!

Murray's