This week Matt and I talked through how to build a down your dog can actually relax in. We covered getting the position, rewarding while they’re still down, building duration, giving a clear “break,” and what to change when distractions make it harder. Huge congratulations to @Carina Herbert and Lenny for taking out Week 2 for the Jackals! That makes it 2–0. Enjoy it while you can, Jackals. The Wild Dogs are underdogs now, and we’re coming for you. 🐕🔥 Watch the replay, get your downs happening, and show your pack how you’re going!

On Saturday 31 October, we’re walking the Blue Mile together and finishing at Diggies for coffee, with our dogs settled calmly under the tables. That’s the finish line. Getting there takes six weeks, six skills and six rounds, starting Monday 14 September. But we decided that simply helping everyone build better dogs wasn’t quite competitive enough... So we’re putting something far more important on the line. 🔥 NATH vs MATT. 🔥 Bragging rights. And unfortunately for one of us, there will be witnesses. When you commit, you’ll be randomly drafted into one of two packs: 🐺 THE WILD DOGS with Nath 🦊 THE JACKALS with Matt You don’t choose your pack. You can’t swap. And once you’re drafted, you're no longer on your own. But this isn’t just you training your dog and sending in homework. Your Pack Leader is in this too. Nath and Matt will be coaching, competing, stirring each other up and doing everything legally permitted under Walkys law to make sure their pack walks into Diggies as champions. So yes, you’re working on your dog. Yes, you’re working with your pack. But you’re also carrying the hopes, dreams and incredibly fragile ego of your Pack Leader. No pressure. 😂 HERE’S HOW THE SIX WEEKS WORK. Every Sunday night, a new level drops as an online course for you to work through. Every Monday evening, your Pack Leader goes LIVE in Skool to break down the week’s challenge, answer questions and get the pack ready to earn that point. Then your private pack WhatsApp group takes over. Questions. Videos. Training. Struggles. Wins...... Trash talk. And when someone posts at 9pm on a Tuesday night because their dog just nailed something they couldn’t do a week ago, the whole pack piles on. Then Friday comes. 🏆 ONE DOG + HUMAN TEAM WINS THE WEEK. They take home a prize from Drifter Dog Gear and, more importantly, put a point on the board for their pack. Six rounds. Six chances to score. And on Halloween, one pack walks into Diggies knowing they won the 2026 Walkys Spring Challenge.

🎯 Academy Members – Take Your Training to the Next Level. 🤔 Are you working through the membership but feeling stuck on a particular behaviour? 🥳 Members can now take advantage of a one-on-one session at the Shellharbour Academy on Mondays. 📌 1 session per month to work on anything you need!! 👀 Sometimes all you need is a fresh set of eyes. Whether it's: 🐾 Loose leash walking 🐾 Reactivity 🐾 Jumping 🐾 Recall 🐾 Engagement 🐾 Confidence building 🐾 Puppy foundations 🐾 Or simply refining your training... A private session gives us the opportunity to tailor a plan specifically for you and your dog. We'll work through your challenges together, fine-tune your technique, and make sure you're getting the most out of your training journey. Send me a DM via Skool to book your session. Book now as slots fill up fast! 💚Shaping the Next Chapter.💚🐾