"Would I trust anyone to walk Hermes? No
Would I trust Fiona @empireofthehound? You bet."
Nickolas, Hermes' dad
What your urban dog is missing
For thousands of years dogs have been selectively bred to excel at specific jobs such as herding, hunting, guarding and retrieving
Dogs used to perform these jobs every day, giving them a strong sense of purpose
These jobs were highly stimulating to dogs
Not only physically, but also mentally
Then we moved dogs into urban environments and we effectively took their jobs away
However a dog's natural instinct to perform the job they were bred to do is still there
It's genetically hardwired into them
It can't be trained out of them
It's like asking a fish not to swim
It's who they are
Not providing an outlet for this instinct means your dog hasn't unlocked it's full potential
Not providing an outlet for this instinct is leaving your dog still wanting more after a walk around the block
Not providing an outlet for this instinct is leaving your dog to create their own jobs- usually ones you don't like
Not providing an outlet for this instinct is contributing to your dog feeling bored and frustrated
Not providing an outlet for this instinct is contributing to problem behaviours such as boredom barking, chewing and digging
Not providing an outlet for this instinct leaves your dog trying to get rid of excess energy- usually at night when you want to relax
The solution
To give your dog their job back and give them their sense of purpose again
But how do you do that? And who has the time?
Empire of the Hound's Enriching Outings and Instinct Play sessions are the missing link in your dog's routine
All levels of participation are on a 1 to 1 basis, allowing them to be tailor made to suit exactly what your dog needs
Enriching Outings focus primarily on physical and environmental stimulation, with a longer time frame of 45 minutes to allow your dog to set the pace of fast, slow or something in between
Your dog is encouraged to take their time to explore the outdoor environment on their schedule and have the freedom to stop at any time to engage uninterrupted in the deeply satisfying and calming behaviour of sniffing as much as they'd like to, releasing endorphins and promoting calming behaviour that lasts long after the outing is over
Enriching Outing & Instinct Play sessions are an upgrade to include specialised breed specific physical and mental stimulation
On a 1 to 1 basis I'll engage your dog in activities aligned with their natural instincts and the jobs their ancestors were bred to do
From scent driven nose work to simulated hunting and herding play, every enriching moment is shaped by what your dog was born to do, honouring instinct, drive and natural behaviours, all carried out in the safety of your own backyard
Expect a service that is calm, structured, safe and deeply attuned to your dog's enrichment needs
The outcome
When your dog is given the opportunity to fulfil their natural instincts through mentally and physically enriching activities, their pent-up energy is redirected into positive outlets, leading to a reduction in anxiety and boredom-induced behaviours like destructive chewing, digging and excessive barking
They learn to switch off, relax and feel calm and settled at home
When you give your dog the opportunity to find their purpose again and be the dog they were born to be, everything improves
Spend time out of your home knowing you'll come home to a well-spent dog
This is not standard dog walking
This is tailored care for dogs that thrive on more
Come home to calm and peaceful
Enriching Outings are focused stimulation and are ideal for maintaining daily calm
All sessions are 1 to 1 and tailor made to suit your dog
Your dog sets the pace- fast, slow or something in between
Your dog will not only receive the physical stimulation they need, but the 45 minute session gives your dog the freedom of time to explore at their own pace and focus on what matters to them
Your dog is securely on leash for the duration of the outing
Time spent cooped up in a van or walking to collect other dogs isn't part of your dog's day with Empire of the Hound- their outing starts as soon as we close the front gate
It's a genuine 45 minute outing- timed only from paws out the door and not before
You'll receive an arrival and departure text, and in your private portal in the client app you'll receive photos and videos to treasure and GPS data at every session so you're always involved and informed even when you can't be there
Never rushed, always thoughtful
This is not your standard walk around the block

The signature 45 minute enriching outing is upgraded to include a 30 minute instinct play session in your backyard following straight after the 45 minute enriching outing
Jam packed with instinct led activities specific to your dog's breed type and individual preferences, the instinct play session is carried out safely in your own backyard, or inside if you prefer
Carefully planned activities depending on your dog's breed and needs include simulated hunting games, herding games, nose work and slow foraging
Activities are carefully balanced to ensure your dog is neither over stimulated or under stimulated and to foster calm and relaxed behaviour
Every session is different to the last to keep the interest high for your dog, and their participation and interest level is noted for you on a daily report card left out for you to read when you arrive home
These sessions provide the mental stimulation your dog is looking for by allowing them to participate in activities they are hard wired to engage in according to their breed type, embracing their natural instincts to hunt or herd or chase or forage
You'll receive an arrival and departure text and a daily report card showing activities your dog took part in and their response
In your private portal in the client app you'll receive photos and videos to treasure and GPS data at every session so you're always involved and informed even when you can't be there
Just 15 minutes of mental exercise for a dog is equivalent to a 1 hour walk
Imagine how calm and relaxed your dog will be after adding the 30 minute instinct play session onto their outing

This session is an extended version of our standard Enriching Outing & Instinct Play session
It's best suited to dogs who have higher than normal energy levels and need even more
if your dog hasn't been in an enriching outing and instinct play session before, it's best to start with the standard 1h 15 minute session as that may be enough for your dog
You can always upgrade to the extended session next time if you need to

If for any reason you don't feel a provided service was of exceptional value and made a genuine difference to your dog's day, a full refund will be provided
Armadale, Toorak, Malvern, East Malvern, Kooyong, South Yarra,
Prahran, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Camberwell, Kew

Hello it's lovely to meet you
I'm Fiona, the founder of Empire of the Hound
I'm a certified canine behaviourist (ISCP.Dip.Canine.Prac) and I've worked as a volunteer kennel attendant at the RSPCA
I'm a resident of Stonnington and I love living in the area with my family and our two large dogs
As the only dog handler at Empire of the Hound I'll always be the friendly face greeting your dog and making sure they have a wonderful time
I'm fully insured and I'm trained in canine first aid in the unlikely case of an emergency
I have a current national police check and can provide client references on request
I know you love your dog as much as I love mine, so you'll want to know how I'll approach any behaviour that's I might see from your dog when we're out and about, especially if your dog can be anxious or reactive
I only use positive reinforcement methods with dogs because as a canine behaviourist I know this is the most effective way for a dog to learn
Punishing a dog when they don't want to do something is scientifically proven to be much less effective in changing behaviour than positive reinforcement, and it's very harmful to your dog's confidence and the bond you have with them
With me your dog will never be punished with sharp lead corrections, or pulled along because they're taking too long to sniff, growled at or yelled at, forced into an activity they don't want to do, or be placed in an environment that makes them feel fearful
When your dog is with me they'll be rewarded with lots of praise and pats and treats (approved by you of course) to let them know when they got things right, and caring guidance towards the right way to behave when needed
I know our sessions will help your dog because it's the business I was looking for years ago but couldn't find when I was in the same position as you're in now- working hard to keep all the plates spinning and not home nearly as much as I wanted to be for my dog. I had a corporate role in the design industry, and I was gone all day, sometimes interstate. It wasn't helping my dog who was not only anxious but also reactive to other dogs
I wanted to find something to make his day easier and more fun when I couldn't be there, with a company who would care about him as if he was their own dog. I needed to be confident he wouldn't be put in situations that would make him uncomfortable or unsafe, and I wanted it to be an experience that was just for him. I looked for it but it didn't seem to exist
This is the reason I created Empire of the Hound
For owners who are looking for a caring and personalised service that prioritises their dog's wellbeing and happiness
And for all the beautiful dogs that thrive on more
I can answer any questions you may have and I'll also ask you detailed information about your dog to understand their needs thoroughly so I can provide a tailor made experience just for them. Please have a copy of your dog's current C5 vaccination on hand as this is a requirement to work together
Please allow up to 30 minutes
If everything sounds like a fit, we'll book in your dog's first session. I offer a 100% money back guarantee, which makes your first session completely risk free, in the unlikely event you don't find it to be what you expected
Ph: 0490 458 856 instagram: @empireofthehound PO Box 83 Malvern Vic 3144

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