About Me
Michelle Vecsei
Qualifications
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DELTA Certificate 4 in Animal Behaviour & Training - 2024.
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MIND Dog Certified Trainer - 2024 -2026.
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Pat Dogs Australia Certified Trainer & Assessor - 2024 -2026.
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Professional Force-Free dog training - Member 2021 - 2026
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Pet Professional Guild Australia.
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Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
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Certificate 3 in Captive Animals - TAFE 2018.
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Masters of Research Biology - Animal Behaviour & Communication - Macquarie University 2016.
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Bachelor of Science - Biology - Brain, Behaviour & Evolution - Macquarie University 2013.
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Bachelor of Arts - Psychology - Macquarie University 2007.
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First Aid - Human & Pet - 2021.
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Fully insured.
I’m an animal behaviour expert with a strong scientific education and broad, practical experience across companion dogs, zoo animals, wildlife and farm animals. My approach is force-free, welfare-focused and grounded in positive reinforcement, careful observation and evidence-informed practice.
Alongside my animal behaviour qualifications, I hold degrees in psychology and biology, including a Master of Research specialising in Animal Behaviour & Communication. I also bring extensive experience coaching people, adapting to different learning styles and helping clients turn their goals into practical, achievable steps.
My work is about more than understanding animal behaviour and training dogs. It is about helping people understand their animals, feel confident in their decisions and build relationships based on trust, communication and motivation.
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A lifelong fascination with animal behaviour
I have been fascinated by animals and the way they communicate since childhood. That early curiosity grew into a lasting interest in how animals learn, respond to their environments and form relationships with the people around them.
Growing up with dyslexia also shaped the way I observe and understand the world. With support through a “read by colours” program and coloured reading glasses, I learnt to read at 13. That experience helped me appreciate that learning is not one-size-fits-all, and strengthened my interest in the different ways people and animals process information.
It also taught me to look closely, notice patterns and find practical ways to make learning clearer. Those skills remain central to the way I work today — with patience, curiosity and respect for individual differences.
The psychology of learning
My Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Macquarie University gave me a strong foundation in learning, behaviour, motivation and communication. I later worked in education, coaching children with learning disabilities and supporting them to develop strategies that worked for their individual needs.
That experience continues to shape my work with dog owners. Behaviour change is not just about knowing what to do; it is also about understanding how people learn, what motivates them and what makes a new skill practical to use in everyday life.
I explain concepts clearly, adapt my teaching to different learning styles and break complex goals into manageable steps. This helps clients build confidence while developing realistic, consistent strategies for their dogs.
Coaching that meets people where they are:
Clear communication — explaining behaviour in a way that is easy to understand and apply.
Flexible teaching — adapting guidance to suit different learning styles and circumstances.
Practical goals — coaching clients towards progress that fits their lives and supports their dogs’ welfare.
From psychology to animal behaviour
My interest in behaviour developed through the connection between people and animals. International travel and ecotourism gave me opportunities to see animals in different environments and to think more deeply about the relationship between behaviour, habitat and wellbeing.
During this time, I volunteered at a horse rehabilitation centre and a safari park in Africa. These experiences brought together my interest in animal behaviour, welfare and learning, while showing me how much can be understood through thoughtful observation and respectful interaction.
I realised that I did not need to choose between working with people and working with animals. I wanted to combine both interests professionally: understanding animal behaviour while helping people communicate more effectively with the animals in their care.
Academic and research expertise
My academic training has given me a detailed understanding of the biological, psychological and environmental influences on behaviour. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Macquarie University, majoring in Brain, Behaviour & Evolution, and achieved an above 4.0 GPA. In 2012, I received the NSW Prize in Biological Sciences.
My undergraduate studies included subjects such as Animal Communication, Behavioural Ecology, Animal Structure & Function, and Learning & Perception. These areas continue to inform the way I observe behaviour, consider context and understand how learning develops.
I completed my Master of Research in Biological Sciences in 2016, specialising in Animal Behaviour & Communication. My thesis examined juvenile song learning in regent honeyeaters at Taronga Zoo, giving me first-hand experience with focused behavioural research and the careful study of animal communication.
Hands-on experience with zoo, wildlife and farm animals
My practical experience spans animal care, observation and training across a wide range of species. I hold a Certificate III in Captive Animals and have worked in paid zookeeping roles at Sydney Wildlife Zoo and Taronga Zoo.
I was lucky enough to work with a wide range of zoo animals including Australian mammals and birds, such as koalas, wombats, kangaroos, platypuses and cassowaries.
In both paid & volunteer roles I also worked for several years with a variety of exotic animals, including marine mammals, reptiles, lemurs, capybaras, tigers and bears.
I also regularly rode horses and volunteered my time caring for a range of farm animals from childhood up until my mid 20's.
This breadth of experience has taught me to respect the individuality of every animal, especially in terms of how they evolved, learn and experience the world. It has also strengthened my ability to read body language, recognise subtle changes in behaviour and adjust my approach to support safety, trust and learning.
Helping dogs and their people
I moved to Byron Bay in 2018 and began working at 100% Pets (now PetCare), alongside dog walking, pet sitting and training. These roles gave me a close understanding of the everyday situations dog owners navigate and the importance of practical advice that works beyond a training session.
When Panda, my border collie puppy, joined me in 2020, I became even more immersed in the learning journey that happens between a dog and their person. In 2021, I enrolled in Delta Institute’s ACM40321 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training, completing it in 2024.
The course is nationally accredited and research-informed. I chose it because its positive reinforcement and force-free approach aligned with the methods I had already used while training zoo animals and supporting animal welfare.
My goal is to help owners understand what their dogs are communicating, build useful skills and make steady progress without fear, intimidation or unnecessary pressure.
Good training is a partnership. When people have clear, practical guidance and dogs are supported through positive, welfare-focused learning, both can become more confident.
Why Choose Happy Dogs?
My combination of scientific education, wide-ranging animal experience and psychology-based coaching gives me a unique perspective on helping dogs and their people. I can draw on research, practical animal care and an understanding of how people learn to create guidance that is both credible and achievable.
The name Happy Dogs reflects what I want for every dog and every relationship: positivity, good welfare, motivation to learn and practical progress that can be felt in everyday life.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.