Meet Sammy Crisp, Brisbane Dog Behaviour Trainer
Helping pets feel safe, confident and understood.
I'm Sammy — a force-free dog trainer and cat behaviour consultant with a particular interest in reactivity, aggression, fear and the animals who need a little more understanding.
I help pet guardians across Brisbane make sense of behaviour, build practical skills and feel more confident supporting the animal in front of them.
Behaviour Has Always Fascinated Me
I've always been interested in the why behind behaviour.
Why does one dog bounce back quickly while another finds the same situation overwhelming?
Why does a pet behave one way at home and completely differently somewhere else?
And what changes when we stop asking, "How do I make this behaviour stop?" and start asking, "What is this animal trying to tell me?"
That curiosity has shaped both my education and my career — from studying psychology and animal behaviour to working hands-on with dogs and cats at the RSPCA.
Today, it sits at the heart of Sammy's Pet Training.
From Psychology to Professional Animal Behaviour
Before starting Sammy's Pet Training, I worked as a behaviour trainer at the RSPCA, supporting dogs and cats with a wide range of personalities, histories and behaviour needs.
That experience gave me the opportunity to work with animals who were fearful, reactive, frustrated, shut down, highly excitable or simply struggling to cope with the environment around them.
It reinforced something I still bring into every session:
The behaviour we see is only part of the picture.
Good training means looking at the animal as a whole — their environment, emotions, learning history, body language and the people supporting them.
My background in psychology adds another layer to that work. Because successful pet training is rarely just about teaching the animal. It is also about giving you clear information, realistic strategies and the confidence to use them in everyday life.
A Special Focus on Reactivity, Aggression & Fear
Reactive and fearful animals are often misunderstood.
A dog who barks and lunges may be desperately trying to create distance. A growl may be an important warning that a dog is uncomfortable. A cat who hides, scratches or avoids interaction may be telling us that something about the situation does not feel safe.
These are not animals who need to be "shown who's boss". They need us to listen carefully, improve safety and help them learn different ways to cope.
I specialise in working with concerns including:
- Dog reactivity
- Aggression-related behaviour
- Fear and anxiety
- Resource guarding
- Bite incidents
- Protective or territorial behaviour
- Handling sensitivity
- Grooming and veterinary stress
- Fearful and anxious cats
Every case is different, and there are no guaranteed outcomes or overnight fixes. The goal is thoughtful, realistic progress that improves life for both you and your pet.
Force-Free Training, Without the Fluff
Force-free does not mean doing nothing. It does not mean letting difficult behaviour continue unchecked. And it does not mean avoiding boundaries.
It means we do not need to use fear, pain or intimidation to teach.
My training may involve positive reinforcement, thoughtful management, environmental changes, enrichment, desensitisation, confidence building and teaching useful alternative behaviours.
We still make plans. We still create structure. We still work towards meaningful change. We just do it in a way that protects trust and takes your pet's emotional wellbeing seriously.
I'm Here to Train With You, Not Perform for You
You are the person who lives with your pet every day. So my goal is not to walk into your home, get your dog to behave beautifully for an hour and leave you wondering how I did it.
I want you to understand what I am seeing. Why I am suggesting a particular strategy. What to practise. What to avoid. And what realistic progress might look like for your individual pet.
You do not need to become a professional trainer. You just need a plan that makes sense in your actual life.
Qualifications & Professional Experience
My background includes:
Bachelor of Science, Psychology
University of Queensland
Certificate III in Animal Care Services, Behaviour
TAFE Queensland
Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer
Advanced Pet First Aid
Former RSPCA Behaviour Trainer
Pet Professional Guild Australia
Dog Training Professional Member
Certificate IV in Dog Behaviour and Training
Currently completing — Delta Institute
Public Presenter & Panel Participant
Pet Professional Guild Australia
I continue to learn because animal behaviour is complex, and good trainers should never assume they have nothing left to learn.
Dog Training Where Real Life Happens
Based in Woolloongabba, I provide one-to-one, in-home training across Brisbane and surrounding areas.
Working in your pet's everyday environment gives us useful context. We can see the front door your dog reacts to. The street where walks become difficult. The setup around your cat's litter tray. The place your puppy struggles to settle. And the routines that shape what happens every day.
For many reactive, fearful or easily overwhelmed pets, home can also be a much more comfortable place to start.
The Short Version?
I love behaviour.
I love the moment when something suddenly makes sense to a pet guardian. And I love seeing animals become more comfortable when the humans around them begin to understand what they have been communicating all along.
Sammy's Pet Training exists to make that process feel less confusing and a lot more supportive.
No judgement. No outdated dominance advice. No expectation of a "perfect" pet.
Just thoughtful training for real animals and real households.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sammy specialise in?
Sammy has a particular focus on dog reactivity, aggression-related behaviour, fear, guarding and bite incidents. She also provides puppy and life skills training, cooperative-care support and cat behaviour training.
What training methods does Sammy use?
Sammy uses positive reinforcement and force-free methods only. Training prioritises safety, trust, communication and practical behaviour change without intimidation or aversive tools.
Is Sammy a veterinary behaviourist?
No. Sammy is a qualified dog behaviour trainer and cat behaviour consultant. Where a behaviour concern may involve medical factors, severe anxiety or significant risk, veterinary or veterinary behaviourist support may also be recommended.
Does Sammy train pets in their homes?
Yes. Sammy provides in-home dog training and cat behaviour support across Brisbane and selected surrounding suburbs.
Does Sammy work with both dogs and cats?
Yes. Sammy works with both dogs and cats and has professional behaviour experience with both species.
Ready to Work Together?
Whether your dog is struggling with reactivity, your puppy needs some guidance or your cat's behaviour has left you scratching your head, you're welcome to reach out.
Let's build a plan that makes sense for you and your pet.