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 very professional and a lovely person to deal with. My 10 month old Lowchen was very responsive to her commands. I was very impressed with the training notes she sent the next day too. I would recommend Crazy Kind Calm . Jenny Ryan"

Jennifer Ryan July 2021

★★★★★ Google
"We have been using Natalie for the past few months to help train our Groodle pup Willow. Natalie is fantastic with very practical and easy to implement tips and tricks. Great value for money and really lovely lady. Willow loves it when Natalie walks in the door and we always leave with small steps to work on between sessions to improve her behaviour in increments (including jumping, barking and bailing up the cat). The improvements to Willows behaviour have been significant. Natalie comes to you for one on one training, which achieves much more in short space than puppy training did for us. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her services."

Jessica Wilkinson February 2019

Sadie
Border Collie • Kyneton
★★★★★ Google
"Natalie has been working with us and our little one for a while now and we cannot thank her enough for her knowledge and effort. She’s a wonderful trainer, with a very positive philosophy and we are so pleased with the progress we have seen within our Sadie."

James Hibbert

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Some of the Portuguese Water Dogs (and others) We've Trained

Ludo Portuguese Water Dog dog training
Ludo Trentham
Bear Labrador Retriever dog training
Bear Kyneton
Lily Boxer dog training
Lily Woodend
Milo Kelpie x Smithfield dog training
Milo Gisborne
Buster West Highland Terrier X dog training
Buster Kyneton
Zeke German Shepherd Dog dog training
Zeke Taradale
Evie Kelpie X dog training
Evie Sunbury
Ziggy Golden Retriever dog training
Ziggy Diggers Rest
Bob Border Collie dog training
Bob
Ivy Standard Poodle dog training
Ivy Romsey

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