Hi, I’m Carolina
— the human behind Dynamo Dogs.
I’m a dog trainer, lifelong dog nerd, and someone who knows firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to live with a dog who has Big Feelings.
When I first brought home my kelpie Cricket, I thought I was prepared.
I'd worked with dogs before, fostered for rescue groups like Dogs4Jobs and Second Chance Animal Rescue, and I was ready for the challenge.
But reactivity? That was something else entirely.
Cricket taught me more than any textbook ever could about trust, patience, boundaries, and what it really means to support a dog who's struggling.
Why I don't start with reactivity
Living with Cricket taught me something I didn't expect.
The barking wasn't the biggest problem.
It was the tiny world that slowly grew around it. Walks became stressful. Visitors became difficult. Everyday life started revolving around avoiding the next reaction.
That's why I don't start by asking, ‘How do we stop the barking?’
I start by asking, ‘What sort of life is this dog living?’
Because behaviour makes much more sense once you understand the dog underneath it.
What this means in practise
Most of the dogs I work with aren't trying to be difficult.
They're intelligent, capable dogs who have nowhere appropriate to put their energy, drive or instincts. They've often learnt that barking, pulling or exploding at other dogs is one of the most exciting parts of their day.
So rather than jumping straight into correcting the behaviour, I look at the bigger picture.
How well do we communicate with the dog?
Are we giving them opportunities to use their brain and body in ways that actually fulfil them?
Do they know how to switch off and recover, or are they constantly ‘on’?
Once those pieces start falling into place, teaching practical skills like loose leash walking, recalls and calm behaviour around other dogs becomes much easier.
Everything I do comes back to five values:
Curiosity — behaviour always has a reason.
Courage — real progress happens outside your comfort zone.
Passion — because I genuinely love this work.
Adventure — training should give you more freedom, not less.
Honesty — clear communication, realistic expectations and zero judgement.
Today, I help people build a life with their dog that feels bigger than it did before.
More confidence. More freedom. More understanding. More adventures.
Whether that starts with one private training session or ends with your first off-leash Adventure Club walk doesn't really matter.
What matters is helping both ends of the lead enjoy life together again.
If that sounds like what you're looking for, I'd love to help.
Don’t just take my word for it
“The continued support after training has been phenomenal. Carolina is always there for any questions and concerns.”
“Absolutely amazing trainer and human! Can’t thank the sessions and check-ins enough!”
“Carolina helped us reframe our thinking, change our mindset, and we can’t thank or recommend her enough.”
FAQs
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I focus specifically on working with dogs with Big Feelings—especially those who struggle with reactivity, overexcitement, or frustration on walks. I also support first-time dog owners and people with rescue or rehomed dogs who are still settling in.
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Private training is one-on-one support tailored to your dog and your goals. Adventure Club events are structured group walks designed to give dogs safe, controlled social exposure with calm guidance. Both can be great for reactive or nervous dogs, depending on their needs.
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I can help with a range of reactivity struggles—like leash reactivity, jumping, pulling, overexcitement, and general stress out in the world. I also support clients working on recall, loose-leash walking, confidence building and breed-specific fulfilment.
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Yes! All training clients get access to a buttload of support between sessions—generally it’s check-ins via WhatsApp chat so we can share videos and quick troubleshooting help. I know real life doesn’t happen on a schedule, and I’m here to guide you along the way.
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Great question!
The best way to find out is to book a quick chat with me. We'll talk about what’s going on for you and your dog, and whether we would be a good match in working together. No pressure—just a friendly conversation to explore your options. -
I am fully qualified with the National Dog Trainers’ Federation Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training, a certified LEGS Family Dog Mediator and a certified Mantrailing instructor through Mantrailing Global.
I am also a member of Professional Dog Trainers of Australia Inc. and lastly, I am continually attending seminars, conferences and completing courses to keep my skills and knowledge up-to-date.
