Google ★★★★★ 5.0 from 70 reviews (Sep 2026)
1028+ 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
"Fantastic Trainer, and very knowledgeable. highly recommended."

— Blake Henry November 2021

Bella
Maremma x St. Poodle • Mount Macedon
★★★★★ Google
"Natalie was amazing, with so many helpful suggestions and training routines with Bella our labrador. Highly recommended."

— Elizabeth Alexander

★★★★★ Google
"We adopted a rescue dog and whilst she is very cute we knew from the onset that she would need work which is why we went to Natalie. Through the session we were able to work on some strategies to help improve behaviour and remove the anxiety out of interacting with other people/animals whilst out and about. It's been approximately a month now since our session and we can see a noticeable difference in behaviour and we continue to see improvements on a daily basis. My biggest learning was to be realistic about the experience. Things will get better in very slow, little increments. Be diligent and temper your expectations. I keep reminding myself of this and it has really changed the relationship I have with our dog. I'm excited to see her develop even further into the dog I know she can be - all thanks to Natalie."

— Mighty BoB June 2023

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

Ludo Portuguese Water Dog dog training
Ludo Trentham
Tama Koolie X dog training
Tama Barfold
Coco Bull Arab X dog training
Coco Gisborne
Winnie Shitzu x Poodle dog training
Winnie Taradale
Finn Kelpie x Whippet dog training
Finn Sunbury
Maude Labrador x Poodle (Med) dog training
Maude Sunbury
Bettie English Cocker Spaniel dog training
Bettie Kyneton
Bob Border Collie dog training
Bob Kyneton
Honey Jrt X Poodle dog training
Honey Woodend

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