ABOUT
SIT STAY PLAY QLD
Sit Stay Play QLD started with humble beginnings in 2011. Studying at University at the time, Dejana (De) was determined to create a business that would indulge her love for animals and help enrich their lives at the same time. De recognised the evolution of animals as an integrated part of the modern family unit, and that there was a large necessity for force-free functional dog trainers to assist pets and their owners to live in harmony.
Fast forward to today - Sit Stay Play QLD has grown from a humble pet sitting and dog walking team-of-one into a proud team of four. Our services continue to grow and flourish, with Sit Stay Play QLD proudly heading training initiatives such as Leave It for the Brisbane City Council, presenting at the QLD Pet Expo and other pet related events in Brisbane, and creating puppy training classes alongside local vet clinics.
Sit Stay Play QLD provides one-on-one dog behaviour training, dog walking, weekly group outings, pet care such as enrichment puzzles and daily drop in's, and pet behaviour training packages. We are happy to discuss your pet's individual requirements and work with you towards a solution.
Sit Stay Play QLD bases their practice on the most up to date and relevant research into animal behaviour and psychology. We aim for excellence, which sees De and the team frequently engaging in continuous learning through conferences, workshops, and collaborating with other industry leading experts. We pride ourselves in our ability to combine knowledge with fun to create the most effective, functional, fear and force free training methodologies in Brisbane that you and your furry friend will love and utilise together for years to come.
We provide a range of both private behaviour training sessions, pet care services and dog walking across Brisbane and surrounds to fit your specific needs.
From impulse control and obedience to complex cues and tricks - our multi-faceted approach has proved time and time again that no pet is un-trainable!
OUR MISSION
"At Sit Stay Play (QLD), our mission is to create a happier and healthier world for dogs and their owners. We are committed to providing force-free and fear-free dog training, walking, and sitting services that prioritise the well-being, safety, and happiness of every furry friend. Our approach is rooted in positive reinforcement, and we aim to strengthen the bond between dogs and their human companions. We believe in helping dogs thrive, one paw at a time, while offering peace of mind to their owners."
MEET THE TEAM
Dejana (De)
QUALIFICATIONS
-Associate's Bachelor of Animal Welfare and Inspection
-Bachelor of Wildlife Science
-Graduate Diploma in Psychology
-Certificate III in Mental Health
-Certificate II in Animal Care
-other various animal related short/long courses such as:
-Dr Susan Friedman's 'Living and Learning with Animals'
-Karen Pryor's Clicker training courses
Dale
QUALIFICATIONS
​
-Certificate III in Animal Studies (Behaviour)
-Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
-Pet First Aid certificate
Nik
QUALIFICATIONS
​
-Certificate IV in rural operations, including working with cattle dogs and rounding up cattle
-Previous dog training working with dog training group working on basic dog discipline and behaviours
-Pet First Aid course certificate
Sammy
QUALIFICATIONS​
-Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
-Certificate III in Animal Care Service (Behaviour)
-Fear Free Certified
GET TO KNOW US
DEJANA (DE)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PETS OF BRISBANE?
There is so much to like/love/adore but the biggest 'thing' of them all is seeing the regular dogs/cats client's eyes light up when they see me for our session. Their wiggly bodies and happy vocalisation just makes my heart sing!
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Perhaps more to admire from afar rather than have as a pet - A magpie. I find them incredibly intelligent and am interested in the intricacies of how their behaviour as a wild animal works.
​WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EMBARRASSING CHILDHOOD STORY?
​​​During lunch time at primary school, before a very important speech in the running for sports captain, I was stung by a bee on my face. I was rushed to the first aid room where the school nurse applied white paint like medicine to my face to ease the stinging pain. I soldiered on and presented my speech in front of the crowd with my swollen face and white medicated paint. My votes were lacking in numbers and I lost the election- I don't wonder why!
DALE
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PETS OF BRISBANE?
​My favourite part is meeting a variety of different pets while learning all their different quirks and personalities. I also enjoy learning ways to improve the lives of Brisbane's pets while using force free training techniques to help with behaviour management.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?
Certificate III in Animal Studies (Behaviour)
Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Hypothetically I would love to on a Capuchin monkey as they are one of the most intelligent and trainable new world monkeys. Since monkeys are not legal in Australia, I have a small dog named Gizmo who is trained to sit on my shoulders - pretty handy!
​WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EMBARRASSING CHILDHOOD STORY?
My most embarrassing childhood moment would have to be the time I was caught licking the windows in second grade, claiming I was 'cleaning' them for the teacher.
NIK
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PETS OF BRISBANE?
Animals and especially dogs have always been a massive part of my life and I deeply understand the love that not just myself but others have for our furry friends! Because of this my favourite part of everyday would simply be meeting up with and building a relationship with the dogs I see. It's incredibly heart-warming to go slowly from a new face to a well trusted friend of not just the family but the dog as well!
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?
Certificate 4 in rural operations, including working with cattle dogs and rounding up cattle
Previous dog training working with Jules Jordan dog training group working on basic dog discipline and behaviours
Pet first aid course certificate
Lifelong dog owner and lover! With aspirations to work towards training working dogs for property work.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
This is an easy one for me. I know that they are quite hard to come by in Australia but if I had my way, I would absolutely get into raising wolfdogs. Typically, these are a result of mixing something like a Belgium shepherd with actual wolf DNA and the results are beautiful and striking. I would relish in the challenge to train and raise one of those guys!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EMBARRASSING CHILDHOOD STORY?
Ah yes, the joys of being young. Honestly there's so many memoires to choose from but I'd say one of the most embarrassing ones that comes to mind is when I bet my neighbour when I was 12 that I could backflip off my trampoline backwards over the next.. needless to say, that didn't end well for me.
SAMMY
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PETS OF BRISBANE?
​I love getting to work with all of the animals on Brisbane. Throughout my whole life I would always point out to friends and family any animal that I saw. Now that I get to work with animals, it warms my heart. When I greet them and they know they’re getting a walk, some cuddles and maybe a couple of treats, they become all wiggly and happy.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS?
Certificate III in Animal Care Service (Behaviour)
Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
Fear Free Certified
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love a Pappillion dog. While studying my Certificate III our TAFE instructor would bring in her dogs, and I fell in love with her little Papillion. They have so much love to give and are very intelligent.
​WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EMBARRASSING CHILDHOOD STORY?
Wasn’t embarrassing at the time, but whenever my parents bring it up now I get embarrassed. As a toddler, I loved raw mushrooms. Whenever we were grocery shopping I used to pick up the mushrooms, pull off and eat the stalk and drop the cap on the ground. Mum used to have to keep a close eye on me to make sure I wasn’t secretly stealing all the mushroom stalks.