Google ★★★★★ 5.0 from 51 reviews (Apr 2026)
962+ 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

Leica
Vizsla • Malmsbury
★★★★★ Google
"Natalie is a brilliant pup & human educator! Her solutions are focused on sustainable, kind & fun techniques for the whole family. Our pup Leica was enamoured from day one & to be honest we were a little star struck too. Cannot recommend Natalie highly enough. 5 stars just aren’t enough."

Kirsty Doyle

Vizsla dog training in Malmsbury
★★★★★ Google
"Nat was excellent. I felt she understood my puppy and me immediately. She is clearly very knowledgeable and left me with a very different approach to helping my anxious boy. She was kind towards both my puppy and me and I was confident she understood and cared about dogs - I have had different experiences with other trainers. After our session and the follow up email I have a lot of different tools to use to work with my boy. I would recommend her to anyone looking for help giving a dog its best life. Thanks Nat."

Catherine Martin July 2025

Barney
Dingo x Acd • Romsey
★★★★★ Google
"I began fostering a rescue dog in July 2022 and knew I would need some help with 'Barney'. I found Natalie online and have booked twice now to get help and training with Barney who was initially severely car reactive and pulled excessively on his lead on walks. I love Natalie's approach, methods and her natural ability and skill set which helps owners and their dogs live a happy and calm life. Can't recommend Natalie highly enough!"

Rachel Cuthbert

Dingo x Acd dog training in Romsey
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Some of the Portuguese Water Dogs (and others) We've Trained

Ludo Portuguese Water Dog dog training
Ludo Trentham
Sammy Harrier dog training
Sammy Castlemaine
Maggie Australian Kelpie dog training
Maggie Gisborne
Kellie Australian Kelpie dog training
Kellie Daylesford
Ralph Irish Wolfhound x Old English Sheepdog dog training
Ralph Taradale
Mash English Bulldog dog training
Mash Lancefield
Merlot Australian Shepherd dog training
Merlot 3551
Harvey Golden Retriever dog training
Harvey Kyneton
Sam Bichon Frise dog training
Sam Maldon
Floss Bordoodle dog training
Floss Gisborne
Billie Australian Shepherd dog training
Billie 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