MMAT

MMAT We teach humans to understand them. Also known as PawsUnite K9 Academy 🐾

🐶 One-on-One • Group • Online
❤️ Real Dogs • Real Life • Real Results

Science- & Relationship-Based Dog Training & Behaviour Modification & Replacement 🐾

We train animals.

06/10/2026

WHEN THE CAT TAKES OVER DOG TRAINING! 🐶🐈

Ares is a rescue Pit Bull, and in the beginning, Tigger his 18/19 year-old feline housemate was Ares's biggest trigger.

For Ares to be adopted and stay, they needed to learn to live together. Slowly, patiently and positively, Tigger decided to join the training… and they became best friends! ❤️

The problem? Tigger now insists on being FIRST to greet me when I arrive! 😂

But when we needed to train Ares further from home, we couldn't leave Tigger behind it wasn't safe for him.

So… out came my backpack, a little blanket and Tigger the Training Supervisor! 🎒🐱

We took it slowly, allowing Tigger time to become comfortable with the experience. And he loved it!
So much so that when I stopped Ares for a “Break” during training, Tigger basically said:
“Excuse me… WHO said we were stopping?!”

I can only laugh at this adorable old gentleman who now believes he controls our training AND our walks!

❤️ The lesson: Behaviour modification and replacement isn't always about training the dog alone. Sometimes the best solution is to adapt the environment, work at the animal's pace, and make sure everyone can participate safely.
Ares got his training.
Tigger got his adventure.
And apparently… Tigger got the final say! 😂🐾

Athena Gillmer Sonja Biermann

30/09/2026

🐾 TESTING ELLIE-MAE'S CUES IN REAL LIFE
The real test isn't your lounge… it's the real world.

Training isn't complete just because a dog responds in a quiet environment. Dogs need to learn to use their cues around different places, people, sounds and distractions, building difficulty gradually.

Here's what Ellie-Mae is demonstrating:

🛡️ Back Protection Sit: A trained position that keeps Ellie-Mae closely connected to Marizanne and helps develop focus, positioning and handler awareness.

🐕 Heel: Walking calmly beside her handler on a loose leash.

⭕ Inside Circle: Moving around her handler to regain connection and redirect her attention back to her human.

🔄 Advanced About Turn: A controlled change of direction, useful for moving away from distractions or uncomfortable situations.

🛑 Stop! Emergency Stop: Teaching a dog to stop promptly can be an important real-life safety skill.

🦵 Leg Sit: Sitting neatly beside the handler's left leg, developing positioning, control and focus.

🛡️ Protection Block: NEW! Ellie-Mae positions herself in front of her handler in a sit, down or stand, creating a trained physical boundary and maintaining connection with her human.

❤️ The goal isn't aggression. It's communication, control, confidence and safe decision-making.

Train for real life, not just the training field.

Always build distractions gradually and work within your dog's ability to succeed.

Marizanne Kemp MMAT Sonja Biermann

09/09/2026

Sometimes the best training doesn't look like training at all.

With the correct approach training is fun for everyone involved. 🐾

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Sonja Biermann Marizanne Kemp MMAT

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Port Elizabeth

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Monday 08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 18:00
Thursday 08:00 - 18:00
Friday 08:00 - 18:00
Saturday 08:00 - 18:00
Sunday 11:00 - 15:00

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