Our Team
Right now, it’s just me—plus my two trusty sidekicks:
Karmala Bimber (AKA Bim)
Director of Chill & Clarity
Turbo
Head of High Drive & Intensity (and, in all honesty, arsehole-ness)
They’re more than demo dogs—they help test methods, model calm and focus, and bring balance to the crew (especially when the snacks come out).
Mission & Values
Our Mission
We train with purpose—for the high-energy dogs, the overthinking humans, and the crew that’s got your back.
WPDT exists to support dogs and their humans in finding balance through training, freedom through trust, and connection through a community that gets it.
Our Core Values
Balance
We honour the mental and physical well-being of the dogs we work with by using a balanced training philosophy that blends structure with play, calm with drive, and guidance with choice. Our approach helps dogs thrive in a way that supports who they are and who they’re becoming.
Freedom
Our training empowers owners with the confidence, skills, and clarity they need to enjoy real freedom—whether that’s hiking off-lead, heading to the pub with their dog, or just knowing their pup can handle life calmly and reliably.
Community
We’re building more than just better-behaved dogs—we’re building a supportive, like-minded crew of owners who celebrate each other’s wins, share the challenges, and grow together through every stage of the journey.
Our Vision
To create a culture where spicy dogs and their humans thrive through balanced training, real-world freedom, and a community that’s always got their back.
Helping You and Your Dog Live Your Best Life ~ Wherever the Trail Leads
At Whispering Peaks Dog Training, we’re here for the high-energy dogs, the overthinking humans, and the kind of life that doesn’t fit inside a box. Whether you’re chasing off-lead freedom, café hangs with your dog, or just some bloody peace and quiet—we’ve got you.
We specialise in working breeds, high-drive dogs, and the people who love them—especially those who’ve been told they’re “too much.” If you want real-world results rooted in relationship, trust, and understanding—welcome.
Hi, I’m Kirsty—dog nerd, nature lover, CFA volunteer, and someone who’s never quite fit the 9–5 mould.
I’ve always had a deep connection with animals, especially dogs. Growing up in Gippsland with a park ranger dad meant my days were full of bushwalks, wildlife, and learning to respect the land. I started training horses as a teen, which taught me the value of calm, pressure-and-release communication—skills that now shape how I work with dogs.
Later, I found my true calling in working breeds, rescue dogs, and the “spicy” types. Add ADHD to the mix, and you'll understand why I ditched rigid routines in favour of flexible, practical systems that actually work—for both dogs and humans.
Now, I help people find balance, calm, and confidence in their dog relationships… and live a life that actually feels good to be in.
Meet Kirsty – Founder & Head Trainer
The Story Behind the Name
“Whispering Peaks” is a nod to the mountains and valleys of Gippsland—the quiet strength of the land I grew up exploring. It also reflects the way I train: with patience, intention, and respect for what’s already inside the dog.
Less force. More feel. And always with a good pair of hiking boots nearby.
At WPDT, we train with structure and choice, drive and calm, and a whole lot of real-world practicality. It’s not about perfect obedience—it’s about creating a life where both dog and human can thrive.
We focus on:
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Meeting dogs where they’re at—mentally, emotionally, and genetically
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Using clear communication and boundaries to reduce stress and over-arousal
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Building the kind of trust that unlocks real freedom (on and off the leash)
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Teaching humans how to actually enjoy the process, not just survive it
Our Philosophy
My Dogs
Past & Present
Turbo
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The dog who’s keeping me on my toes (and making me laugh daily)
May 2024 - Present
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In May 2024, Turbo bulldozed his way into my life—tiny, wrinkly, and full of attitude.
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I wasn’t planning on adding another dog to the mix when a good friend took in a Blue Heeler mum and her five chunky male pups at just two weeks old to foster.
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I visited weekly to help out, cuddle pups, and sniff that addictive puppy smell. Then, at just three weeks old, one of those pups made a beeline for me. He chose me. And honestly? I was a goner.
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Turbo is a Heeler x American Staffy with a healthy dose of sass, grit, and drive. Exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
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I’d joked early on that I liked “the spicy one” because he had a bit of spunk—turns out, I wasn’t joking for long.
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As the litter grew, so did Turbo’s personality. He was bold, curious, a little bit cheeky, and way too clever for his own good. The kind of dog that keeps you humble.
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From day one, he’s reminded me how crucial it is to have structure, patience, consistency… and a strong coffee game.
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He’s a fast learner with a wicked sense of humour and a genuine passion for chaos, training, and pushing my buttons (lovingly, of course).
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Turbo is helping me sharpen my skills in shaping behaviours, building engagement, and finding the line between encouraging drive and maintaining sanity.
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He’s currently learning the ropes of becoming a demo dog for my clients—how to show off calmness, control, and all the skills that definitely don’t come naturally to him.
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It’s a work in progress, but he’s already teaching me heaps about over-arousal, frustration tolerance, and just how powerful play and relationship can be.
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Turbo has quickly become my go-to example for “what to do when your dog is a bit extra.” He’s helped me connect with clients who are in the thick of raising intense, high-energy dogs that don’t come with a chill setting.
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He’s far from finished. Honestly, he’s just getting started. But that’s what makes this journey so exciting. We’re figuring it all out—together, messily, and with a lot of laughs along the way.
Karmala Bimber
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The dog who’s teaching me more about working dogs than any textbook ever could
April 2023 - Present
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In April 2023, I realised I needed an older, experienced dog—one who could work alongside my clients' dogs and not cause chaos in the process.
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Ideally? A working dog. One who could teach me more about working livestock and help me teach my clients’ dogs a thing or two as well.
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Lo and behold, just a couple of weeks into looking, Karmala Bimber popped up, looking for a new home. Timing: impeccable.
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Bim is a registered working Kelpie who spent her first 6.5 years either raising puppies or rounding up Brahman cattle in Queensland like an absolute boss.
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It was mentioned that if she wasn’t going to keep working livestock, she might be suited for tracking—which just so happens to be right up my alley, too.
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She’s super sensitive, but also used to calling the shots—especially when it came to work. She wasn’t exactly used to being told “no.”
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We've slowly figured out how to work together in a calmer, more cooperative way (read: less chaos, more communication).
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Bim’s learning her side commands and how not to cross between me and the "livestock"—which is usually a herding ball, not actual livestock (yet).
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And I’m learning that a gentle “no” can be more effective than anything else—especially with sensitive dogs like her. I’m now using that approach with my clients’ dogs, too.
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She’s also figured out toys are fun (big win). Now we just need to convince her that playing with dogs is also fun… instead of just trying to work them.
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I’m not overly fussed if we don’t end up competing in herding trials—but I know we’ll both keep learning, whatever we end up doing together.
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Honestly? She’s the best kind of teacher—quiet, wise, and not afraid to tell me when I’m getting it wrong.
Noisy
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The one who named herself, taught me patience, and helped shape the trainer I am today
August 2013 - September 2022
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About two years after getting Pepsi, I decided to put her in pup to my then-boss’s pure Kelpie—great with cattle, but a bit on the soft side.
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Pepsi ended up with a whopping 10 pups. Five came out fluffy. One came out loud.
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There was this red and tan fluffball who started screaming at just two weeks old and immediately glued herself to Pepsi… and to me.
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By five weeks, the name “Noisy” had well and truly stuck—and so had the pup. There was no way she was going anywhere.
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Noisy was an absolute dream to train from the start—sharp, keen, and incredibly eager to please.
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But as she got older, she started showing signs of reactivity and fearfulness around people and other dogs, despite all my socialisation efforts.
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It took most of her life for me to truly understand what she needed and how to help her manage her fear.
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She ended up becoming one of my most trusted demo dogs after Pepsi retired. I knew I could count on her to remember her training and handle just about anything I threw at her.
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Noisy was a big part of my Cert III in Dog Behaviour & Training too. She was right there beside me (sometimes literally on a skateboard) as I completed it.
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Sadly, just two weeks after her 9th birthday in September 2022, she was diagnosed with a large tumour in her chest that was crushing her windpipe and oesophagus.
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On September 19th, I had the vets come to us. She passed peacefully at home—after giving the vets one last growl, obviously—with both Pepsi and me by her side.
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Noisy taught me so much about working with reactive dogs, building trust, and finding ways forward that don’t rely on force or fear.
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She was one of a kind. And while she’s no longer physically here, she’s still very much part of what I do and how I train. She will forever be my heart dog.
Pepsi
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My right-hand girl, and the one who reminded me what dogs are capable of with a second chance
November 2011 - May 2023
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Just one week after losing Jock and deep in the thick of grief, I came across an 18-month-old Black and Tan Kelpie x Collie named "Pepper."
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She was skin and bone, timid, and had been through hell—rescued off a dairy farm where she’d already had a litter and was already dealing with arthritis.
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I'd been obsessed with Kelpies ever since the first episode of McLeod’s Daughters, so there was no way I could say no to this “free to good home” girl.
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Her eyes were tired, her spirit was shut down, and she cowered just being asked to sit. She didn’t even know food could be a reward.
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This is where I learned one of my biggest training lessons: Praise and connection have to mean more than anything else.
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Within a year, Pepsi had completely transformed—confident, clever, and always ready to help out. She became the perfect dog trainer’s assistant.
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She worked with me for years, helping dogs and humans alike with her calm, gentle presence. She just got it.
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After she retired, Pep enjoyed the good life—snoring like a chainsaw, cashing in on every massage she could get, and developing some seriously selective hearing (worse than usual).
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She moved into full-time inside dog status after Noisy passed and thrived with her upgraded title of Spoiled Queen.
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On May 10th, 2023—just nine days after her 13th birthday and one week before the 8-month anniversary of Noisy’s passing—Pepsi took her final breath at home.
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She was my shadow through some of my darkest times, my teacher through the best of them, and the kind of dog who leaves a hole no other can fill.
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I’ll forever be grateful for the lessons she taught me, the lives she helped change, and the love she gave so freely—even after everything she’d been through.
Jock
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The scruffy little sidekick who chose me, made me laugh, and taught me about love and loss
April 2009 - November 2011
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Jock was a Jack Russell x Maltese with a scruffy face and a heart full of nerves. He was a timid little pup who made it clear from day one that I was his person.
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He followed me everywhere… unless his half-sister Jessie convinced him to go rabbit hunting. Then? Good luck getting him to come back.
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(Seriously, Jack Russells are escape artists—I lost count of how many hours I spent fixing that damn fence.)
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In 2011, I moved to King Island for a nannying job and brought 2-year-old Jock with me. That’s when everything changed for him.
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With more one-on-one time and new places to explore, Jock really came out of his shell. I took him everywhere.
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His recall was rock solid… except when he was chasing wallabies. Then it was every dog for themselves.
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He got braver with kids and other dogs, learned to love car rides (especially watching wallabies bounce across the road), and became totally obsessed with beach adventures.
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After three months on KI, Jock survived a tiger snake bite—because of course, he wasn’t about to go out that easily.
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But heartbreakingly, just three weeks later, he was bitten again. This time, he didn’t make it.
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Jock may have only had a short life, but it was full of love, adventure, and more rabbit holes than I could ever fill in.
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He was my first heart dog. The one who made me realise how deep that bond can be. And I’ll always be thankful he picked me.
The Human Behind the Leash
Still here? Here’s the stuff that makes me… well, me.
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🤦♀️ I was diagnosed with ADHD at 33, which explains a lot. There’s also a good chance I’m somewhere on the autism spectrum, too (the puzzle pieces are definitely starting to fit).
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🏔 I grew up with a Park Ranger dad, which meant my childhood was spent exploring National Parks, hiking, skiing, spotting wildlife (with a camera, not a net), and learning to respect the land. It’s probably why I’m a bit of a greenie at heart… and a little bit of a barefoot, dog-hugging hippy too.
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🐄 I have a background in agriculture and hold a Diploma in Ag—so, yep, I know my way around a paddock and a mob of cows.
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🚒 I’m passionate about giving back to my local community. I’m a proud CFA volunteer and sit on the Wollangarra council (our local not-for-profit outdoor education centre), which lets me stay connected to youth, the outdoors, and the values I grew up with.
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🪜 I cannot deal with spiders (especially huntsmans), snakes, or heights. Like… hard pass. Vertigo is not a vibe.
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📚 I’m a chronic learner—always knee-deep in a course, podcast, or dog behaviour rabbit hole. I'm constantly trying to improve myself, my business, and… well, anything else that looks like it could be better (thank you, hyperfocus).
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🐶 My ultimate happy place? Somewhere out in nature with my dogs, my camera, zero phone reception, and a solid snack—because I’m always hungry. Add a good coffee (because yes, I’m a coffee snob), and I’m set.
