Amy Cole (Goodog owner)
Amy joined Goodog as a trainer in 2021 and later became a Goodog partner in 2025. Amy took over the running of the daily Goodog business in July 2025.
Amy has completed her formal qualification with the Dunbar Academy in both SIRIUS and Science Based Dog Training courses. Amy is currently studying the Masterclass of Animal Behaviour with Dr Karolina Westlund of ILLIS Animal Behaviour Training.
When Amy rescued her dog Loki, she knew he needed more guidance and understanding than her previous rescue dogs. Investigating Loki’s needs led Amy on the path to become an accredited dog trainer, to help other humans with settling in their own rescue dogs.
While studying at Dr. Dunbar’s Top Dog Academy Amy worked in doggy day care and a wildlife sanctuary to be closer with animals. After graduation, Amy opened her own dog walking and training business on the NSW Central Coast – Coast Canine Care where she trained puppies, rescues and teenage dogs.
Amy loves to help puppies have the best start to life with group training and socialisation courses and is dedicated to force free, science-based dog training methods, with a personal focus on rescue dogs like Loki.
- Currently studying – Masterclass of Animal Behaviour – ILLIS ABC – Dr Karolina Westlund.
- SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy (Puppy and Adult Dogs) – Dunbar Academy
- Science Based Dog Training – Dunbar Academy
- Owner Goodog Positive Dog Training – Northern Beaches 2025–present.
- Member of Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA)
- Owner Coast Canine Care – NSW Central Coast 2021–2025.
- The Dunbar Academy is accredited by:
- The Certification Council for Professional
- The National Association of Dog Obedience Instruction (NADOI) – USA
- The International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC) – USA
You can contact Amy at amy@goodog.com.au or call 0403 899 592
Barbara Hodel (Goodog founder)
Barbara is the author of How to love and survive your teenage dog – which guides you through living with a teenage dog (and them living with you) for a more harmonious life together. Barbara wrote this book after professionally helping thousands of humans and their teenage dogs get through that challenging teenage phase.
Barbara competes in dog sports with her GSPs. Previously at the Master level in Rally and Agility with Shellbe (now retired) and currently with Chillax (one of Shellbe’s puppies) in Rally Master and Agility Excellence.
Barbara also previously served as the President and Vice President of the Pet Professional Guild Australia for seven years. The Guild promotes force free and humane training for all pets.
Barbara holds a Master’s Degree in Modern European History and Economics from the University of Berne (Switzerland) and a MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Southern Cross University Australia. In addition, Barbara has in-depth experience in adult education and training, having taught high school and university students in Berne, college students in Sydney, as well as middle and top management employees of a large public corporation in Switzerland.
- Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services with the Delta Society (2007)
- Diploma in Canine Behaviour Science and Technology at CASI Canada (2015)
- Advanced Animal Training at Illis ABC Sweden (2021)
- Master’s Degree in Modern European History and Economic (University of Berne, Switzerland)
- MBA (Master of Business Administration from Southern Cross University Australia)
- Past President and Vice President of the Pet Professional Guild Australia (7 years).
- Professional member of the Delta Institute
Maz
Maz has completed his formal qualification, a Certificate IV in Animal Companion Services through Hanrob Dog Training Academy. He has trained multiple of dogs over his life and has been training and caring for dogs since a very young age.
His current dog Messy, a German Shepherd cross displayed aggressive behaviour towards other dogs and separation distress but through positive reinforcement training, Maz has assisted Messy in overcoming these behaviours. Messy has now started scent work, agility and Rally and has become a much happier and more relaxed dog.
Maz is passionate about dogs and training and understanding dogs’ behaviour is his forté. Maz has also been exposed to different training methods, however adopted a positive reinforcement approach as the best strategy and has experience with puppy adult dog training programs as well as agility, herding, and scent detection. Maz also volunteers at the local dog club.
- Certificate IV in Animal Companion Services
- Member of Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA)
Andrea
The exuberant energy and sensitive nature of my Dalmatian girl (Jamie) led me to pursue dog training. I then studied with Delta commenced and teaching Teenage Classes at Goodog in 2024.
I am originally from Switzerland where I worked mainly in the book industry and even trained as a librarian. I also have a degree in psychology, which helps me to work with/train humans who’d like to understand their dogs better.
I love working with all kinds of dogs and human/dog teams. I am also particularly interested in understanding and supporting the interspecies dynamics between humans and their dog friends and family members.
- Delta Course Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training (currently attending 2024/2025)
Us with our dogs
