About us
Our approach to pet care is guided by one simple philosophy: Do not hurt.
When you hand over the leash, you’re placing a piece of your heart in someone else’s hands. We never take that trust for granted. Every animal in our care is treated with the same respect, patience and attention we’d give our own furry family members.
As a force-free, positive reinforcement dog training and pet care service, everything we do is built on trust, compassion and a strong understanding of animal behaviour. Choosing us means dependable, expert care for the best possible experience for you and your pet.
Meet Monica
Founder, The Gentle Dog Co.
Monica’s journey began in 2013 when she started volunteering as a kennel hand at Monika’s Doggie Rescue, where she adopted Crumpy, a fearful rescue dog who changed the course of her life. Wanting to better understand and help him, Monica immersed herself in the study of dog behaviour, training, emotions and enrichment.
Crumpy became the inspiration behind The Gentle Dog Co.’s logo and philosophy. Today, Monica is a passionate advocate of force-free and fear-free training methods. She believes dogs are always learning and our role is not to dominate or control them, but to guide them through the human world with kindness, patience and respect.
Beyond Australia, Monica has also dedicated years to animal welfare work in Peru, organising desexing campaigns for dogs and cats and delivering educational workshops for pet parents, rescuers, shelter staff and dog trainers.
Through The Gentle Dog Co., Monica continues Crumpy’s legacy by helping dogs and their humans build confidence, trust, optimism and meaningful connections. Every dog is treated as an individual, every family is treated with care and every interaction is guided by one simple principle: Do not hurt.
What to expect when working with us
Peace of mind
We’re fully insured, background-checked and professionally trained, so you can feel confident knowing your pet and home are in capable, loving hands.
Expert care
Our team is trained in animal behaviour, body language and safety. We also keep our client roster intentionally small, so every pet receives the attention they deserve.
Local knowledge
As a locally owned business, we know all the best bush tracks, dog parks and vets. We also love supporting community organizations like Monika's Doggie Rescue.
Updates you’ll love
You'll receive a notification within 10 minutes of our arrival, plus detailed visit report cards so you can follow along with your pet’s day wherever you are.
Certifications & Memberships
Meet the humans your pet will love
Monica Vanthoff
Head Trainer
While working as a kennel hand, Monica cared for and handled rescue dogs with a range of emotional and behavioural needs. Working so closely with vulnerable dogs strengthened her understanding of canine body language, stress, fear and resilience, and reinforced her belief that gentle handling and emotional safety should always come first.
Her “aha” moment as a trainer came from seeing how many dogs were misunderstood simply for expressing emotions in normal canine ways. She realised training could be so much more than teaching cues or obedience — it could be a way to help dogs and humans understand each other better and live together with more trust, empathy and harmony.
Through gentle guidance and positive reinforcement, she helps dogs build confidence and coping skills, while helping their humans better understand their emotional needs.
She continues to expand her knowledge through ongoing professional education, certifications and evidence-based learning in modern dog training and behaviour. She is deeply committed to lifelong learning so she can continue bringing the best possible care to every dog and family she works with.
Scott V.
Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
Scott has always shared a special connection with animals and loves spending time outdoors. He enjoys helping dogs explore the world through gentle adventures, sniffing opportunities and positive experiences.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Science and has a keen interest in Australia's native wildlife. He is a member of the Australian Herpetological Society and is currently developing a Snake Awareness Workshop for Dog Walkers.
Favourite activity with dogs: Exploring bush trails and nature walks
Dave D.
Dog Walker
Dave loves helping dogs enjoy calm, enriching adventures in nature. He often joins Scott on bush walks with larger dogs and dogs who may feel overwhelmed by the busy human world, where they can explore, sniff and decompress at their own pace.
Dave’s patient nature and genuine love of dogs help him build trust quickly. His favourite part of the job is seeing pups return home relaxed, content and ready to enjoy a well-earned party bag filled with treats or a tasty chewy.
Favourite activity with dogs: Bush adventures and decompression walks
Martha P.
Pet Sitter / Dog Walker
Martha has been a kennel hand at Monika's Doggie Rescue since 2014 and currently works as the shelter's house manager. Over the years, she has cared for countless dogs of all ages, breeds and personalities, giving her extensive hands-on experience in animal care.
Known for her loving nature and reliability, Martha has a wonderful ability to notice the little things and ensure each pet's needs are met. When caring for your pets and home, she treats them with the same kindness, respect and dedication she brings to every animal she meets.
Laura B.
Pet Sitter
Laura loves caring for pets while their families are away. Her calm nature, attention to detail and excellent communication skills make her a wonderful companion for both pets and their humans.
With a professional background in media and communications, Laura is highly organised and reliable, and takes the time to learn each pet’s routines and personalities. She believes that pets thrive when their routines remain familiar, so she takes great care to provide consistency and plenty of reassurance.
Debbie H.
Pet Sitter
Deb has been a dedicated kennel hand at Monika's Doggie Rescue since 2011 and has many years of experience caring for dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds and personalities. From playful puppies to senior dogs and those needing extra patience and understanding, she’s seen it all.
As a proud dog mum to several adopted rescue dogs, she understands just how important it is to find someone trustworthy to care for your pets and home. Her experience and kindness help pet parents feel comfortable knowing their beloved companions are in safe, caring hands.
Jenny R.
Pet Sitter
As the proud owner of several adopted dogs, Jenny understands how important it is for pets to feel safe, comfortable and loved while their families are away.
Known for her warm nature, reliability and attention to detail, she takes the time to get to know each pet and their unique routines. She treats every home with respect and every pet as if they were her own, giving families peace of mind while they're away.
Erin
Pet Sitter
Erin is the youngest member of The Gentle Dog Co. and is currently studying at university. She has a gentle, caring nature and quickly forms beautiful connections with the pets in her care.
Known for her patience and kindness, Erin takes the time to help pets feel comfortable, safe and relaxed while their families are away. She has a special soft spot for small dogs, who seem to adore her calm presence and gentle approach.
