Sharon Carroll, Faculty (Behavior, Foundations)
Main info
Sharon (she/her) has been a professional animal trainer for 30 years. She has been both a presenter and trainer in a range of animal shows, and currently operates, a dog training and behaviour consulting business based in Newcastle, Australia.
Sharon started competing with dogs over 30 years ago, she then made the change from competing with dogs, to competing with horses.
For the next few decades Sharon had a successful career riding, and coaching, through to the highest levels of both eventing and dressage (Grand Prix). She has been an Australian representative rider, and in 2013 acquired her EA Level 3 dressage specialist coaching certificate (qualified to coach through to Olympic level).
Although Sharon’s competition focus was on equestrian during those years, Sharon continued to train dogs and a variety of other species. In 2018 she made the transition back from competing with horses, to competing with dogs. She has since titled several dogs and achieved multiple wins and best in trial performances. Her oldest dog attained his rally masters title and his CDX within 18 months of commencing competition.
Intent on really understanding animals better, Sharon completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma (Captive Vertebrate Management – wildlife and exotics) and a Master of Animal Science. Sharon is currently completing a PhD in Veterinary Pharmacology – studying behaviour-modifying medications for anxiety-based disorders and stereotypies.
Sharon is a fully certified behaviour consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) in both dogs (CDBC) and horses (CHBC), and is a certified professional dog trainer - CPDT-KA.
Sharon guest lectures to post graduate veterinarians and behaviourists at several universities and organisations, on the topics of animal behaviour, training, species-specific cognition, welfare and psychological trauma in animals.
Nowadays Sharon’s primary focus is working with dogs displaying significant aggression (dog-to-human and dog-to-dog), and also cases where the animal is performing a range of other behaviours associated with fear or anxiety.
In all cases, Sharon’s primary aim is to help the humans to understand the underlying cause for their dog’s behaviour, and to use both management and behaviour-modifying training, to achieve a better outcome for the dog and their human family.
Beyond her knowledge of animal learning, Sharon is a sought-after coach and mentor for competitors in a variety of sports. Sharon has coached several International teams and countless individuals to winning performances. She is consistently effective at improving performances, not just in elite level competitors, but anyone looking to get started in a sport or improve the quality or level of their performance.
Sharon and her husband currently share their home with three amazing dogs and a very tolerant cat.
Further information is available at www.AvantiDogTraining.com.au
Pronouns: Sharon goes by she/her.
Sharon Carroll's current and upcoming courses
BH240 Working with Reactive and Hyper-aroused Dogs
In this class we focus on dogs who react in an active way to aspects of the environment (e.g. joggers, other dogs, cars, unfamiliar people, bicycles, children, skateboards, prey animals, etc.) or to the environment as a whole (e.g. become over-stimulated when first arriving at the park / beach / hiking trail, or when in a class or trial environment).
Why choose us?
We offer a variety of online training solutions designed to help you and your furry friend achieve success
Our testimonials
Don't just take our word for it — see what our clients say about their experience working with us.
A great course - so worthwhile for teams at all different levels. Even at bronze I found it to be fantastic. It felt like it was personal instruction for me - for both of my dogs, each very different. Taking courses from the Fenzi Academy gives you a chance to "work" with many different highly skilled/positive instructors and even today it isn't easy to find that many trainers who are primarily positive at competition levels. I feel like I come away with a new skills or insights from each class I take (4 so far).
Read all testimonialsI've taken a number of classes by a number of instructors at FDSA. I appreciate how well they overlap, and that the message is often the same despite who's teaching.The FDSA online site is so great! Not complicated; it has been easy to use. I am really impressed with Denise's mission to bring into her Academy absolutely top-notch instructors! Plus, I really love the 3-tier options for her students! With these options, the online courses are affordable for everyone that is interested in improving their dog training skills and building the best relationship with their dog(s) -- whether they do, or plan on doing dog performance sports, or just want to spend time with their dog and have a well-trained dog ... a dog that is a wonderful representative to the community at-large....all achieved with positive training methods! The depth of knowledge that i am getting from the classes I am taking is invaluable. It has opened a door to training and overall learning for me that I wouldn't be able to get elsewhere. I am in a power wheelchair and finding transportation to classes is often difficult for me. These online classes have given me the guidance I've needed to stay focused and motivated to work with my dog.
Read all testimonialsIf you live in an area where finding an appropriate positive based class is a struggle then I strongly urge one to sign up with the Fenzi Dog Sport Academy. The on line instructors I have had thus far have been outstanding. Their dedication to their students shines thru and the learning one achieves surpasses many classes that I have taken in other schools. I recommend and prefer the gold level however I have also taken a bronze level course and was satisfied with what I learnt.
Read all testimonials