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Teach your dog to leave cane toads alone
Cane toad recognition and avoidance training for Gold Coast dogs. Run by GC Dog Training under Animal Ethics Committee approval.
AEC approval CA 2025/11/2024 · Parkwood, Gold Coast
Why it matters
One lick or bite of a cane toad can make a dog seriously ill. The toxin is absorbed quickly through the mouth. Signs usually show within 30 to 60 minutes: heavy drooling, red gums, pawing at the mouth, tremors and, in severe cases, seizures. There is no specific antidote, and severe cases can be fatal.
Toads are most active in the warmer months, which is when Gold Coast dogs are most at risk. Puppies and terriers are especially vulnerable.
Watching the backyard every night isn't realistic. Teaching your dog to recognise a toad and choose to leave it IS.
IF IT’S HAPPENING NOW
Your dog has just mouthed a toad
Wipe the inside of the mouth with a damp cloth. Don't hose the mouth out.
Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet straight away. Find your nearest emergency vet here.
Go directly to the vet if your dog is seizing, collapsing or drooling heavily.
Health information source: Greencross Vets.
About the program
The GC Dog Training Cane Toad Recognition and Avoidance Program is a structured program that teaches dogs to recognise cane toads and move away from them. It is approved by the DPI Community Access Animal Ethics Committee (AEC reference CA 2025/11/2024). Every session is planned, recorded and monitored for the welfare of both your dog and the toads.
Where
Our training area in Parkwood. Unlike our usual in-home sessions, this program runs on site, where toads can be presented safely and under control.
Who
Matt Coogan, founder of GC Dog Training. A professional animal trainer at Sea World since 2006, with post-graduate qualifications in zoology. Running GC Dog Training since 2017.
How we train
Every dog starts with reward-based recognition and avoidance work. For dogs who need more to stay safe, the approved program includes a structured escalation step using a remote training collar at the lowest level that works. We talk this through first, and nothing is used without your agreement.
E-collars are a last resort. They’re only considered within this program, for an individual dog, when reward-based training isn’t enough or isn’t appropriate, and only after a structured escalation process and your agreement. They’re never used in any other GC Dog Training service
Programs
We’ll recommend a program on your free phone consult. If your dog needs more training along the way, you can move up a level at any stage, and you only pay the difference.
Standard
$795
For dogs with no history of toad contact. Reward-based only.
4 sessions + follow-up visit
Plus
$995
For dogs with no history of toad contact who need the escalation step to stay safe.
6 sessions + follow-up visit
Comprehensive
$1,495
For dogs who have already licked, mouthed or chased toads, including dogs who’ve been poisoned before.
6–8 sessions + follow-up visit
How it works
Free phone consult
Book a call or send the form. Matt explains the program and asks about your dog’s health, behaviour and toad history.
Suitability check
We work out on the call whether the program suits your dog, then confirm it in person at your first visit.
Booking and paperwork
A $200 deposit secures your booking. We'll also need proof of council registration and current vaccinations, plus a signed consent form.
Sessions in Parkwood
Familiarisation first, then controlled work with cane toads, with your dog's responses recorded at every step.
After the program
Every program ends with a follow-up visit to check your dog’s avoidance is holding. We then check in with you at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months, and recommend a yearly refresher ($165) before toad season.
Is my dog suitable?
Most healthy dogs can take part. We’ll confirm during the free phone consult.
If your dog has a known or current health issue, such as seizures, heart or breathing problems, neurological conditions, chronic pain or regular medication.
Vet clearance required
For young, healthy dogs. A quick check-in with your vet is a good idea, and easy to do when you get your proof of vaccination. Vets are welcome to contact Matt directly on 0424 438 500 with any questions.
Vet clearance optional
For dogs with severe anxiety, panic or trouble recovering from stress. Your dog's welfare comes first, and we'll tell you honestly if the program isn't the right fit. We confirm suitability in person at your first visit, because some things only show when we meet your dog.
A different path may suit
Questions owners ask
Can’t see your question? Book a free phone consult and ask Matt.
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Yes. Toads are presented under controlled conditions, and Matt watches your dog's welfare throughout. Sessions stop if your dog shows signs of distress.
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No. The program's toads are cared for under the AEC approval, and their welfare is monitored alongside the dogs'.
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Yes. The Comprehensive program is designed for dogs who have already licked, mouthed or chased toads.
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Only if your dog needs it to stay safe, and only with your agreement. Every dog starts with reward-based training.
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Nothing. It's free, with no obligation to book.
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Standard is 4 sessions, Plus is 6, and Comprehensive is 6–8 depending on your dog. Every program also includes a follow-up visit. We set aside an hour for each session, though some finish sooner. The follow-up visit takes under 30 minutes.
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Nothing. Matt handles your dog for the whole session, and you're there to watch. Up to two people can come to each visit. More than that can confuse your dog and take focus away from the session objectives. Children are welcome, provided they can sit calmly and quietly for the duration of the session. Between sessions, please don't let your dog near a toad to test its training, as an uncontrolled encounter can set progress back and put your dog at risk.
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Yes. Your dog needs to have finished its early socialisation period, so in general dogs must be over 16 weeks old.
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No training can promise that, so keep an eye on your dog around toads after the program. We recommend a yearly refresher visit ($165) before toad season. If you think your dog has had contact with a toad, book a reassessment ($185).
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Some things only show when we meet your dog in person. If we find at your first visit that the program isn't right for your dog, we'll explain why and suggest other options. Your $200 deposit covers that visit, your onboarding and the program's animal ethics paperwork, and you won't pay the balance.
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Cancel at least 7 days before your first visit and we'll refund your deposit, minus a $50 admin fee. Cancellations with less notice keep the deposit, but we're happy to reschedule.
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Life happens, and we can usually move a session. The program builds from one visit to the next, so changes can influence your dog's progress. Please keep to your schedule where you can, and give us at least 48 hours' notice if you need to change a session time. Late changes or no-shows may incur a fee of up to $165. The toad sessions are planned around your dog and our toads, so please treat them as fixed wherever possible.
Prefer to write? Tell us about your dog
Answer a few questions and Matt will get back to you about whether the program suits your dog.
Matt will usually reply within 48 hours.