During this inspiring event, Christine met Mick Davis, who would become her mentor, teacher and lifelong friend. Mick was a well-known, respected horseman, cattleman, dogman and showman. Rough around the edges and direct, he would tell it like it was. Mick sadly passed away in 2019, in his eighties.

Mick would be gone, with his dogs in toe, three to four months of the year to work as a stockman on cattle properties throughout New South Wales and Queensland. Upon his return,

his twelve dogs were trustingly placed in Christine’s care, as he had no room to house them where he resided. Christine happily took the hardworking pooches in and fed and exercised them daily.

In return, Mick shared his knowledge during the remaining months of the year he was home. He visited Christine three times a week to collectively train his and her (by then), six beloved dogs with encouragement and often harangue. “It was tough at times,” Christine claimed, “but I would do it all again if I could.”

Over time, additional canines joined Christine’s brood and she too, worked three years as a jillaroo on rugged cattle properties in New South Wales and Queensland. She particularly enjoyed handling young cattle and teaching them to be respectful of the dogs, while being guided by them. A perfect example of symbiosis.

In 2007, through a sudden turn of events, Christine, her partner and her then ten precious working collies returned to a farm in South Gippsland. Acclimatising wasn’t easy. In an attempt to fill a void, Christine discovered a local Dog Working Group in Berrys Creek. At the time, this was the perfect solution for herself and her furry friends, given the circumstances. The connection shared within the group through a love for working dogs was sincere, informative and nurturing. For over two years Christine thoroughly enjoyed being a part of such a wonderful community.

During this time Christine also successfully completed Cert 3 in Dog Behaviour and Training, offered by the National Dog Trainers Federation in Melbourne. Gaining accreditation as a comprehensive dog trainer, it was the end of 2008 when she excitedly launched her business ‘Everydog Behaviour & Training’. She began feeling her way within the industry, working one on one with dogs and their humans.

By 2010, life had taken another twist and Christine moved to Venus Bay with her five dogs where she now remains. Sadly, all her five furry companions have since passed on, however a new, adorable friend, Fingers, arrived six months ago.

Christine enjoys her coastal lifestyle and takes great pride in her dog training venture. She strongly believes teaching dog owners to read their pets’ subtle body language to understand their communication, is vital towards gaining mutual respect. Christine affirms, “It’s not rocket science. If dogs are settled, the relationships between them and their owner’s flourish. It’s about training people to train their dogs.”

Christine, fuelled with passion and expertise, has over the years successfully assisted many breeds of dogs and their human families or individuals to bond on a deeper level. Her unique, kind and intuitive manner with canines is remarkable. For this reason, she is known within the community as our local ‘dog whisperer’.

You can reach Christine Grant via her website at everydogbehaviourtraining.com

or phone: 0412 874 318