Google ★★★★★ 5.0 from 61 reviews (Jun 2026)
984+ dogs trained in the Macedon Ranges Read success stories →

Portuguese Water Dog Training

Do you have a Portuguese Water Dog that needs some training help? Natalie from Crazy Kind Calm dog training can help!

With over 900 dogs trained across the Macedon Ranges, Natalie understands the unique personality and needs that come with this wonderful breed.

Portuguese Water Dogs are athletic, intelligent dogs bred to assist fishermen. They're energetic, water-loving, and eager to work — with a curly coat and an enthusiasm that needs proper channelling.

Common Portuguese Water Dog traits and training needs

  • High energy — bred for all-day physical work and needs significant daily exercise
  • Mouthy breed — uses their mouth to carry things and communicate
  • Can be exuberant and jumpy during greetings and when excited
  • Intelligent and needs mental stimulation — boredom leads to destructive behaviour
  • Pulls on lead, especially near water or when excited about activities
  • Can develop separation anxiety if too dependent on their family

Portie owners have an athletic, clever dog who approaches everything with enthusiasm. If yours mouths your hands, drags you towards every body of water, or can't settle without a good run first — that's the working heritage coming through. Their intelligence and eagerness to work with their handler makes them excellent training partners. They just need enough outlets for all that energy.

Mango - Portuguese Water Dog dog training

Portuguese Water Dog Training Options

Whether your Portuguese Water Dog is a new puppy or an older dog with some habits to work on, we've got options to suit.

One-on-one dog training
🏠

One-on-One Training

Personalised sessions in your home, where the challenges actually happen. We work together on your specific goals — whether it's pulling on lead, barking, poor recall, jumping up, or something else entirely.

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Puppy school class
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Puppy School

Group classes in Kyneton for puppies aged 8-16 weeks. Build confidence, learn essential skills, and socialise with other pups in a safe, supportive environment.

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Portuguese Water Dog (and others) Success Stories

★★★★ Google
"Natalie was great and gave us all the tools we need to continue training at home. A lot was packed into the training session and we got a lot out of it. The detailed follow up class notes are also fantastic. Would highly recommend Crazy Kind Calm Dog Training"

Rhian Margate September 2022

Cash
French Bulldog • Gisborne
★★★★★ Google
"Natalie was fabulous with my dogs! I have a very anxious Frenchie who I wasn't even sure could be trained. Nat took her time slowly teaching her (and me) steps to achieve our goals. The understanding/care she shows both animals and humans is fabulous! Thanks Nat 🙂🐶"

Mich Cachia

French Bulldog dog training in Gisborne
Ollie
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel • Macedon
★★★★★ Google
"Ollie and I had a great time in our four sessions, learning heaps to work on to create the 'perfect' dog. Ollie responded really well to Natalie's approach and I learnt heaps about how to go about his training. Highly recommended!!"

David Thomas

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog training in Macedon
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Some of the Portuguese Water Dogs (and others) We've Trained

Ludo Portuguese Water Dog dog training
Ludo Trentham
George Yorkshire Terrier dog training
George Kyneton
Benny Golden Retriever x Staffy dog training
Benny Castlemaine
Piper Labrador Retriever dog training
Piper Kyneton
Jacko Jack Russell Terrier dog training
Jacko Kyneton
Flynn Border Collie x Kelpie dog training
Flynn Kyneton
Sunny Flat Coated Retriever dog training
Sunny Kyneton
Lettie American Staffordshire Terrier dog training
Lettie Sunbury
Monti Whippet X dog training
Monti Macedon
Vera Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier dog training
Vera Trentham
Storm German Shepherd Dog dog training
Storm Sunbury

Ready to train your Portuguese Water Dog?

Let's talk about your goals and how we can help your Portuguese Water Dog become the best dog they can be.

Get in touch