ANY QUESTIONS?

Our training principles: Do No Harm, Cause No Pain, Create No Fear.

A holistic approach to behaviour change means we don't focus solely on training but look at different aspects of your dog and how they affect behaviour - health, activity, enrichment, environment and more.

Here are some other common terms used to describe our approach: Rewards-based, Positive Reinforcement, Force Free, Fear Free. Click on the Training Methods FAQs tab at the top for more information and to dispel some of the myths surrounding positive reinforcement training.

The term 'Balanced' trainer is sadly a misnomer. Unlike it's namesake it describes a training style that uses rewards / positive reinforcement techniques but also relies on punishment to get desired behaviours. Punishment can come in many forms and range from mild to downright abusive. Some dogs are resilient and cope with a mild approach, whilst other dogs may shutdown, increase aggression or form other behaviour issues. Either way, we don't advocate for this approach. It's unnecessary when real world trainers can train dogs and even zoo animals without using force or causing discomfort or pain.

There's so many amazing dog trainers and behaviour consultants out there using the principles I follow and helping dogs and their guardians live better lives.

As a member and current secretary of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDTNZ), I abide by their code of ethics which you can read here: https://www.apdtnz.org.nz/code-of-ethics.

Now! Puppies between approximately 3 - 16 weeks are naturally curious and learning. Early guidance sets everyone up for success with great habits.

It is not necessary and, if interactions in class are not carefully managed, it could do more harm than good.

The term Socialisation is being bandied about these days but it's not exactly what you might think. Firstly, it's not the same as socialising. Rather than focusing solely on interactions, it's about providing positive, varied and safe experiences to help our puppies learn to be calm, confident and resilient as they grow up in our human environment.

Exposure to a wide variety of stimuli across all their senses should elicit a positive or neutral response - we don't want over stimulation about everything!

Here's some suggestions: different people (age, gender, ethnicity, accessories, actions), vehicles (big, small, loud quiet, motorised, manual), handling (touching, inspecting, grooming, vet procedures) , other animals (pets, wildlife, farm, active, quiet), textures, smells, places, sounds. However, it's not a checklist that has to be ticked off. And avoid overwhelming your puppy by doing too much in one day.

The "socialisation window" is between approximately 3 and 16 weeks of age, when our puppies are naturally curious. After this their natural instincts kick in and they are more likely to be cautious of novelty.

You’re not alone! Many guardians feel this way with the bewildering array of advice out there. That’s why I’m here to provide clear, positive guidance to help you move forward confidently. Sometimes your using the right training method but some adjustments are needed to be effective. A new approach or technique may be better. There may be stressors or other factors affecting your dog's ability to learn which need to be addressed. Training and changing habits takes time. We all know how hard and the effort required to break old habits and start new ones. Expecting your dog to completely change theirs overnight or in a short space of time is unrealistic. You'll need some patience and consistency.

Initial behaviour consults are held at your home or online via video call*. Ongoing sessions will be either at your home, a suitable location or remotely*.

The issues your dog is presenting with and how much experience your dog has with training protocols will determine if and when your dog is ready to train in more difficult environments. We will assess and continue to monitor your dog during training sessions to progress as appropriate.

*If you're outside our service area, all sessions will be via video call.