About us
It all began with a simple idea fueled by a deep passion. As a small business, we pride ourselves on personal attention and dedication to every detail. Our approach is rooted in quality and integrity, ensuring that everything we do reflects our commitment to excellence.
Advanced Canine Academy (ACA) - Brought to you by Michelle & John Daniel
Welcome to Advanced Canine Academy – a new brand of dog training for everyone with a furry friend!
Michelle and John are seasoned professionals in the world of dog training, bringing over 40+ years of combined experience to the field. As balanced trainers, they understand that every dog is unique and requires a tailored approach that suits both the handler’s abilities and the dog’s personality.
At ACA, we offer a range of training programs designed to help you and your dog achieve what you might have thought was impossible. We know there are no quick fixes — every dog learns at their own pace — and our goal is to bring out the very best in your companion.
What we offer!
- Pet dog training
- Leash reactivity and anti-social behaviour
- Competitive obedience — For any Dogsport requiring motivation obedience from puppy development to high-level competition training
- Tracking Training - this covers IGP Tracking, ANKC Tracking
- Online Consultation
…we’ve got you covered!
Every dog needs mental stimulation to thrive. Without it, behaviour issues often arise. Our training programs focus on building a well-balanced, happy, and confident dog who’s a joy to live with — both at home and out in the world.
So come join us and unleash your dogs full potential!
Our Team
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About Michelle Daniel
Michelle Daniel has over 20 years of experience in training IGP and ANKC competition dogs, with extensive expertise in the behaviour and development of working breed dogs.
As an active and accomplished competitor in the sport of IGP, Michelle has achieved outstanding success over her long career, winning numerous trials with various dogs. Her dedication and deep understanding of canine behaviour have earned her respect within the working dog community across Australia.
Through her extensive experience, Michelle has developed highly effective competition training techniques tailored for working dog enthusiasts. Her proven training methodology has helped countless handlers excel across multiple dog sports.
Michelle is widely recognised for her engaging and educational Dogsport seminars, held throughout Australia. These seminars not only focus on competition obedience but also provide valuable insights into resolving behavioural issues in problem dogs.
In addition to her personal achievements, Michelle is the Training Director of Norwest Dogsport Club and has previously held the same position in two other IGP clubs. Over the past two decades, she has guided and mentored hundreds of competitors, helping them prepare successfully for trial day with confidence and clarity.
Michelle also has extensive experience in breeding and whelping working-line German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds. Her previous professional role involved developing young dogs for law enforcement agencies, specialising in tracking, obedience, and protection work
About John Daniel
John Daniel brings extensive experience across law enforcement, security, dogsports, and private dog training sectors. He has specialised in law enforcement dogs, providing instruction in explosive and narcotic detection, tracking, obedience, and protection work with the Queensland Police Dog Unit.
John’s diverse professional background has earned him significant recognition in the working dog community. He possesses expert knowledge of canine behaviour and a keen ability to tailor training methods to suit individual dogs’ needs and development.
He has also been involved in developing puppies and young dogs for law enforcement roles, with a talent for assessing puppies for various job requirements. This expertise extends into the pet dog industry, where John provides guidance on training methodologies for all breeds. He is highly experienced in managing behavioural issues, consistently finding solutions that benefit both dog and owner.
About Lorie Vaughan Booking Manager
Hey my name is Lorie
I was raised in a family with German Shepherds, which gave me a lifelong foundation in understanding working dog breeds. At 33, I purchased my first Rottweiler, later breeding, showing, and competing in obedience. After my last Rottweiler passed, I returned to German Shepherds and am currently training and trialling in IGP, with a focus on obedience, tracking, and protection.
Professionally, I own and operate a grooming salon and serve as Booking Manager with Advanced Canine Academy. This combination gives me practical, hands-on experience across canine care, behaviour, and high-level sport training. I bring a disciplined, breed-specific understanding to both my business operations and client interactions, with a strong emphasis on clear communication, structure, and results.
Key strengths:
Breed expertise: Decades of lived experience with GSDs and Rottweilers
Sport & training: Active in IGP across all three phases
Business operations: Salon owner + Booking Manager, balancing client service with technical dog work
Professional focus: Applying working-dog principles to help owners achieve reliable, real-world results while maintaining welfare and breed integrity.
