PUPPY SCHOOL | TUESDAY - SATURDAY
Early training, done right. Confidence, structure, and social skills from day one.
DANIEL
Founder & Head Trainer at Dog Club SA — Specialist in Behaviour & Obedience
VIC
Vic is a research scientist by day and a dog trainer by night. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour from Flinders University, and clients often describe her training style as scientific, practical, and methodical.
Growing up on a farm surrounded by alpacas, horses, dogs, sheep, and cattle sparked a lifelong passion for working with animals. That passion led her into dog rescue, where she spent many years fostering more than 40 dogs with behavioural challenges, including aggression, separation anxiety, and puppies requiring early guidance and socialisation.
Her own dogs play an important role in her training program, serving as calm, reliable role models for dogs learning appropriate social skills. Through carefully managed interactions, they help build confidence, improve communication, and teach dogs how to engage appropriately with both people and other dogs in a controlled environment.
Vic's favourite part of training is witnessing the transformation that occurs when owners and their dogs learn to work together as a team. She is passionate about helping clients achieve lasting results while building strong, rewarding relationships with their dogs that continue long after formal training has ended.
ALICE
Alice Smith is the founder and head trainer at South Australian Detection Dogs, where she is currently developing working dogs for private narcotics detection and termite detection.
She holds a Bachelor of Animal Science from the University of Adelaide and completed her professional training through the National Dog Trainers Federation, studying across both Sydney and Western Australia. Committed to continual professional development, Alice regularly expands her knowledge through international detection programs and mentorship with some of the world's leading canine professionals.
Alice's training philosophy focuses on clear communication, building motivation and drive, and shaping reliable, confident behaviours. She shares her life with two young working-line dogs—a Hungarian Vizsla and a Field Cocker Spaniel—as well as her family's Spoodle.
Alice first connected with Daniel Tropeano and Dog Club SA in 2022 through a shared interest in bite sports. However, it was detection work that quickly became her true passion. Since then, she has played an integral role in helping Dog Club students develop advanced scent detection skills, coaching handlers and dogs to achieve high training standards.
In addition to her detection work, Alice assists with Dog Club's Puppy School program, helping owners establish strong foundations during the critical early stages of training. Her practical, science-based approach equips both dogs and their owners with the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.
