Ryan Keys was born into a family of horse and dog trainers, so his connection with animals started early—long before he could walk, he was already surrounded by border collies, horses, and cattle. Growing up immersed in that environment gave Ryan a deep, intuitive understanding of animals and their behaviour. He learned not just to observe them, but to feel and vibe with them in a way that shaped his unique approach to training.

Originally studying psychology, Ryan quickly realised that while he was fascinated by behaviour, his heart was really with dogs. He worked in many different jobs, but as his passion grew left his job the moment he landed an interview at a local dog daycare and kennel—and never looked back. A few months into that role, he began attending his nose work club with his dog Ned. It was during those sessions that his natural passion and ability stood out, and he was offered a position with Animal Welfare League Queensland.

During his time there, he worked across five different shelters before eventually becoming the supervisor at the Bracken Ridge shelter. Ryan is known for his calm, grounded presence—especially in high-stress situations involving highly aggressive dogs. His ability to influence mindset and behaviour—not just in dogs, but in the people working with them—set him apart early on.

After leaving the shelter world, Ryan set out to learn from other trainers and further refine his own approach. Through shadowing and observation, he developed new ideas and philosophies, often focusing on areas where he believed dog training could be done better. Today, Ryan emphasises a mindset-first, holistic approach to training—addressing not just obedience, but the emotional and environmental factors that truly shape behaviour.