Hey there! I'm Lexi, and I'm proud to be the founder of 4 Paws. My love for animals, especially dogs, has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. During high school, I couldn't resist delving deeper into my passion. While pursuing a Certificate in Animal Studies at Tafe, I dedicated my weekends to volunteering at veterinary clinics. After completing high school, I took a detour into the commerce field during my time at university and landed a "normal" job.

However, my heart yearned for something more fulfilling. In 2015, I took a leap of faith and started 4 Paws Pet Care initially as a dog walking service to fill the void of not having my own furry companion while working in the dental industry. It didn't take long for me to realise that there weren't many appealing options for pet owners when they needed to go away. Traditional kennels didn't always fit the bill. And so, I expanded my services to include pet sitting, doggy daycare, and dog boarding, providing a personalised and comfortable experience for furry friends while their humans were away.

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Through my own adoption journey with my first dog and heart dog, Ajana from Fetching Dogs Rescue, I discovered a community of rescuers, foster carers, and past adopters—what we fondly call the "Fetching Family." Naturally, I couldn't resist getting involved myself! Since then, I've been fostering puppies and witnessing the incredible impact we can have on their lives during their critical development period. It's not always easy to say goodbye when they find their forever homes, but knowing that I've brought happiness to both the puppies and their new families makes it all worthwhile. After all, I can't keep them all (even though I'd love to)!

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In my pursuit of knowledge and expertise, I obtained a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training from the National Dog Training Federation in early 2017, becoming a qualified dog trainer. In addition to offering training services through 4 Paws Pet Care, I also contribute as a dog trainer for a local business, where instructed group classes for pet dogs, as well as becoming head training coordinator for a local dog sport club. To stay at the forefront of advancements in the field, I actively attend seminars, workshops, and network with fellow trainers and behaviourists.

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Recognising the crucial role nutrition plays in a dog's well-being, I enrolled in an accredited Canine Health & Nutrition course. I firmly believe in a holistic approach to training, understanding that we are what we eat. If you ever need advice or guidance on nutrition, don't hesitate to reach out—I'm always here to help!

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When I'm not busy caring for other people's pets, you'll find me immersed in more dog-related activities. Training my own dogs is not just a hobby, but a genuine passion. Joy, one of my working line German Shepherds, competes in IGP (Schutzhund) and GRC. Through these sports, she excels in precision obedience, tracking, protection work, weightpull and mill racing. Joy also has multiple titles, including a BH, SR1, SR2, MR1 and on her way to WP1.

As for my new German Shepherd, Puppy, she's still discovering her path, but she loves everything she tries. We currently train at our club, K9 Sports Illawarra, where I am currenly the head trainer.

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As I continue embarking on new adventures, my goal remains the same: to enhance the lives of our canine companions. I hope that my journey and experiences can contribute to improving the lives of your pets too. Feel free to reach out anytime—I'm here to help!

Lexi x