Meet TRACE — The AI Dog Trainer Created by Ian Shivers
Hi, I'm TRACE — Training Rooted in Animal Care and Enrichment. Created by Ian Shivers, the founder of Bondi Behaviourist and Canine Caregivers. I'm trained on Ian's years of experience in dog behaviour, enrichment, and what it actually takes to raise a genuinely happy and healthy dog. To get started, what's your dog's name, age and breed — and how can I help?
Get your dog training and behaviour questions answered and create personalised training plans with TRACE
GET YOUR FIRST TEN QUESTIONS FOR FREE
TRACE — Training Rooted in Animal Care and Enrichment. Created by Ian Shivers, the founder of Bondi Behaviourist and Canine Caregivers. I'm trained on Ian's years of experience in dog behaviour, enrichment, and what it actually takes to raise a genuinely happy and healthy dog. To get started, what's your dog's name, age and breed — and how can I help?
My mission is to create genuinely well dogs and the people who love them.
Not obedient dogs. Not managed dogs. Dogs that feel safe, settled, and understood — because their needs are met, not because their communication has been suppressed.
Every behaviour has a cause. And that cause almost always traces back to one of six pillars of emotional health — how the dog sleeps well, moves, eats well, is enriched, has their personal social needs met, and is communicated with with clarity, care and consistency. When one of those pillars is in deficit, the dog tells you. Not with words. With behaviour.
Behaviour is not defiance. It is information. And every dog deserves an owner who can read it.
I do this work so that the dog pulling on the lead, destroying the house, or lunging at the world gets seen for what it actually is — a dog whose environment, history, and nervous system produced that behaviour. Not a bad dog. A dog that hasn't been understood yet.
When people understand their dogs, things change. Not just the behaviour. The relationship. The life.
TRACE has been trained to answer questions on the following:
Puppy training
Obedience training
Canine enrichment
Leash walking training
Dog socialisation
Dog reactivity & aggression training
Recall and off leash training
Destructive behaviours like digging and chewing
Anxious and fearful dogs
Introducing puppies and rescue dogs to the home
Adolescent dog development
Guest and visitor management
Toilet Training
Sign Up And Get Much More Than An AI Dog Training Tool
Bondi Behaviourist has helped thousands of dogs and their owners live happier, healthier lives.
TRACE will allow so many more to be helped that could not before.
Unlimited Questions and Answers
There is no limit on how many questions and how deep you dive once you sign up. No hidden costs, no extra charges.
Conversations Are Monitored
Each conversation can be viewed in the background and any answers the AI gives that an actual dog trainer does not agree with are flagged and you are notified personally.
Talk to a Human Too
The first 100 members to sign up to TRACE on an annual subscription get complimentary access to Canine Caregivers for. In which you can reach out to Ian directly, access the community and watch the webinars.
Discounted Follow-Up Sessions
Active members receive reduced rates on follow up training sessions and classes with Bondi Behaviourist.
What TRACE Can Help With
TRACE is designed for dog owners who want to understand their dog better and create lasting positive change. Whether you're dealing with specific challenges or simply want to strengthen your bond, this membership is for you.
Aggression & Reactivity
Puppy Training
Rescue Dogs
Off Leash Recall
Issues in the Home
Children & Dogs
Fear & Anxiety
Socialisation
Leash Walking
Resource Guarding
Children & Dogs
Fear & Anxiety
Socialisation
Leash Walking
Resource Guarding
Pricing
Monthly Membership
$20 / 28 Days (AUD)
Instant 24/7 access to TRACE with unlimited messages and questions. Free any time cancellation.
24/7 Access
Unlimited messages/questions
Your dog training and behaviour questions answered
Create training plans tailored to you and your dogs unique needs
Annual Membership
$200 / year (AUD)
Get 2 months free membership when you sign up for the year plus the first 100 members get complimentary access to Canine Caregivers included. Free any time cancellation.
Everything from the monthly subscription included
2 Months Free
First 100 people to sign up to annual subscription get Canine Caregivers membership included
Lifetime Membership
$499 one off fee (AUD)
Get lifetime access with a one off payment plus lifetime access to Canine Caregivers included.
Everything is included, including lifteime access to Canine Caregivers for life with a one time payment.
Meet the Founder - Ian Shivers
Ian Shivers is the co-founder of Canine Caregivers and owner of Bondi Behaviourist in Sydney and now, TRACE. In Sydney is where he has worked works directly with people and their dogs on training and behavioural concerns since 2013,
His approach centres on the idea that behaviour is shaped by a dog’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, and that successful relationships are built on trust, safety and support. He has completed formal studies in behaviour analysis and applied ethology and continues to grow his knowledge through ongoing education and collaboration with trainers and veterinary behaviour professionals worldwide.
Owner of Bondi behaviourist and Co-founder of Canine Caregivers
Diploma in Dog Behaviour (British College of Canine Studies)
Professional Member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
Certified in Behaviour Analysis under Dr. Susan Friedman
L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology & Family Dog Mediation® Professional
Working with dogs since 2007 in England and Australia
Works with trainers and veterinary behaviourists internationally
Believes in lifelong learning and professional development
Frequently Asked Questions on Online Dog Training Membership
What is an AI dog trainer and how does it work?
An AI dog trainer is a virtual assistant trained on real behaviour expertise to answer your dog training questions instantly. TRACE is built on Ian Shivers' years of hands-on experience with over 4,000 dogs, giving you science-backed, personalised guidance any time, day or night.
Can AI actually help with dog behaviour problems?
Yes — when it's trained on real expertise, not generic data. TRACE draws on the same frameworks Ian uses in 1:1 sessions, including the pillars of emotional health, to help you understand the root cause of behaviours like reactivity, anxiety, and destructive chewing, not just manage the symptoms.
Is there a free AI dog training tool?
Yes. TRACE offers 10 free questions with no credit card required, so you can try it before committing. After that, unlimited access is available through a simple monthly or annual membership.
How much does an AI dog trainer cost?
TRACE membership starts at $20 every 28 days, or $200 a year with two months free. Both plans include unlimited questions, tailored training plans, and monitored conversations for accuracy — with no contracts and free cancellation any time.
Is TRACE a replacement for a real dog trainer?
No. TRACE is a tool to help you understand your dog between sessions, or before you need one. For hands-on training and behaviour issues, especially aggression or serious reactivity, working with Ian directly is still the right path.
How is TRACE different to just asking Claude or ChatGPT?
TRACE isn't generic AI. It's trained specifically on Ian's own methods, frameworks and years of real case work — not general internet advice. Every answer is grounded in the same approach Ian uses with his 1:1 clients.
Does a real person check what TRACE says?
Yes. Conversations are monitored in the background. If TRACE gives an answer Ian wouldn't stand behind, it's flagged and corrected — so the advice keeps improving.
What can't TRACE help with?
TRACE won't give medication or medical advice, discuss euthanasia, or interpret dog-specific legislation — these always need a vet, a solicitor, or the right professional. TRACE will point you in the right direction rather than guess.
Do I need to know my dog's full history to use it?
No. Start with the basics — name, age, breed — and TRACE will ask what it needs to know as the conversation goes. The more detail you share, the more specific the answers get.
What happens after my 10 free questions?
You'll get a prompt to sign up for unlimited access. There's no cap on questions once you're a member, and no hidden charges and you can always cancel at any time.
Can TRACE create a training plan for my dog?
Yes. As a member, TRACE can put together a plan tailored to your dog's specific needs, based on the same six pillars framework Ian uses in his own practice.
