Bark Dog Training

10/11/2024

Do you have fitness goals for your dog? I’m looking for a family who would like me to develop a customised canine fitness plan for your dog. Your dog can be any age, and it would be helpful if you have a goal in mind- for example, if you have a puppy your goals might be body awareness and learning to do basic positions with correct form. If your dog is an adolescent, you might want to develop strength, speed, and proprioception in preparation for sports such as agility. If your dog is overweight, you might want to build strength and flexibility during a weight loss programme. Or, if you have a senior dog, your goal might be to maintain strength and mobility as your dog ages so they can continue to enjoy activities they love to do. Your dog must be healthy and pain free; I am not qualified to work with dogs who are physically compromised.
I would be using my work with your dog for the course that I’m completing, so you would need to be happy for me to take photos and videos of your dog and post them in class forums and on social media.
This project will be in three parts- I would take an initial assessment of your dog this week, followed by an in person fitness training session two weeks after that. Then, a couple of weeks later I would provide you with a customised 4-6 week conditioning plan for you to work through with your dog (with the option of engaging me to continue to work with you and your dog to complete the programme).
I am a positive reinforcement trainer so we would be using part of your dog’s daily food allowance for reinforcement during training sessions. Your dog will need to be happy to work for food/treats, happy to be touched/handled, and friendly with people.
If you would like to see an example of some of the exercises I may be doing with your dog, there are a lot of great free beginner level videos on USA based trainer Anna Lee Sanders‘ excellent website

Video Library of 100+ video tutorials, and specialized canine conditioning programs written for dogs in a variety of populations. Memberships available.

30/09/2024

There are still spots available in Emily’s See Spot Learn by Emily Dustan excellent young puppies class! Starts Saturday 5 October.

🐾🤩Join us in the next round of our amazing puppy classes starting Saturday the 5th of October @ 10:30 am 🐾🤩

Learn all the foundations you need to give your puppy the best start in life! We cover everything from environmental management and basic training skills to nutrition advice and healthcare essentials. Ask all your burning questions – we cover it all!

🐾Classes are designed specifically for developing puppies and run by an Accredited Canine Behaviourist & Certified Force-Free Dog Training Professional.

💻 Reserve your spot today here⬇️
https://www.seespotlearn.co.nz/webinar-registration/

or email
💌 [email protected]

Spaces are limited, so act fast!

23/09/2024

"Not your typical bar night, Kiwi Vet Behaviour brings you to a safe space to celebrate le***an dog pawrents and people looking for that perfect human match to join them for long beach walks with their four-legged friends."

Send a message to learn more

15/09/2024

This looks like an amazing workshop series! And Liz is a wonderful trainer- I highly recommend! Looks like some really great skills will be taught.

OVER-GREETERS WORKSHOPS
1. Paws & Focus: Calm Walks, Happy Dogs
Focus: Teaching your dog to stay calm and focused during walks.
Skills Covered:
Loose lead walking
Building engagement with you in distracting environments
Teaching calmness around other dogs and people
Outcome: A calm and happy dog that enjoys focused walks without pulling.

2. Leash Masters: Handling Distractions Like a Pro
Focus: Managing distractions like other dogs, people, and wildlife.
Skills Covered:
Teaching "leave it" and "look at me" cues
Increasing engagement when distractions arise
Developing impulse control for greeting or reacting to stimuli
Outcome: A dog that stays focused and well-behaved, no matter the distraction.

3. Focus First: Walks Without the Chaos
Focus: Building strong focus on you during walks.
Skills Covered:
Strengthening recall and name recognition
Enhancing attention even with competing stimuli
Using games and play to keep your dog engaged with you
Outcome: A dog that looks to you first and maintains focus, even in busy environments.

4. Walk This Way: Polite Paws in Public
Focus: Polite walking in public spaces, managing greetings and interactions.
Skills Covered:
Teaching polite greetings for people and dogs
Managing excitement when encountering new environments
Building positive interactions without jumping or pulling
Outcome: A dog that greets politely and walks calmly in public, without overwhelming excitement.

5. Lead the Way: Calm & Controlled Greetings
Focus: Teaching calm greetings and avoiding overexcitement.
Skills Covered:
Teaching controlled approaches to people and dogs
Reducing jumping and pulling when meeting others
Introducing calm behaviors before greeting
Outcome: A dog that stays calm and controlled during greetings, making outings smoother and stress-free.

6. Manners Matter: Focus & Fun on Walks
Focus: Building great manners and having fun while walking.
Skills Covered:
Teaching polite behavior at doors and crosswalks
Using fun activities to build engagement and manners
Rewarding calm behavior during walks
Outcome: A well-mannered dog that enjoys fun and focused walks with you.

7. Stay Calm & Walk On: Dog Distraction Solutions
Focus: Helping your dog stay calm and focused around distractions.
Skills Covered:
Learning to disengage from distractions
Reinforcing calm behavior in busy areas
Strengthening cues for calm walking
Outcome: A dog that walks calmly and confidently past distractions without reacting.

8. Walk & Focus: Mastering Dog Etiquette
Focus: Creating a balanced walk with good etiquette and focus.
Skills Covered:
Building overall etiquette on walks (not pulling, ignoring distractions)
Increasing calm responses to people and dogs
Mastering leash manners and general focus
Outcome: A well-mannered dog that follows good etiquette on walks, making every outing more enjoyable.

Each workshop is $75.00 per handler/dog team
No reactivity or aggressive dogs.
Dog/People friendly only

Starting 29th September 2024 at 9.30am with Workshop 1

12/09/2024

"Its safe to say Separation Distress is one of the most debilitating conditions for both pets and their guardians.....but rest assured there is help available..
Take advantage of this one of a kind workshop, led by Behaviour Vet Dr Emma and Separation Anxiety Certified Trainer Ange to give you all the solutions to a happier life for everyone.."

Send a message to learn more

01/09/2024

26/08/2024

"Training is all about building desirable habits, and the best training is proactive rather than reactive. It would be smart to channel your dog's desire to chase onto a flirt pole or other toy play instead."
Wise words from Corinne of Dog Matters NZ

26/08/2024

Want to learn some great tricks with your dog? Spaces still available for the workshop this weekend at Kiwi Vet Behaviour, and taught by Manako of K9 Trickstars.

Do you want to teach your dog powerful skills to keep them focused on you, and have fun with them at the same time?

There's still space in our monthly Tricks for Focus and Control workshop, hosted by K9 Trickstas - Dog Training and Behaviour Modification.

In this class, you'll learn how to teach your dog to target various objects using their nose and paws. Real life application of these skills includes the prevention of jumping, walking on a loose leash, greeting people politely, muzzle training, cooperative care, posing for photos, and more!

Register NOW at: https://www.kiwivetbehaviour.co.nz/tricksforfocusandcontrol
Date: Saturday 31st August
Time: 3pm-4:30pm
Cost: $60
Address: 584 Great South Road, Ellerslie

23/08/2024

As ever so many pets need homes right now... so we want to support a specific individual who needs her forever family!! Dumped in a carpark and luckily found by a super vet nurse this wee girl is kid, dog, cat and chicken savvy.
Mellow but fun

We'd love to find her her perfect people!
Reach out if you think you are ready for this much gorgeousness...[email protected]

22/08/2024

Life skills classes with See Spot Learn by Emily Dustan start this Saturday!!

🎓 Life Skills Training for Adolescent Dogs! 🐾

Is your pup entering the "teenage phase" and ready for the next level of training? Our Life Skills course is specifically designed to guide you through your pup's development through adolescence, ensuring they grow into confident adults.

Starting Saturday, 24th August, at 10:30 am

🤩Our fun, positive reinforcement methods make learning enjoyable and effective for both you and your pup. The course is run by an accredited behaviourist and certified force-free dog trainer.

Don’t miss out—spaces are limited, so secure your spot today and continue your pup’s journey to becoming a well-rounded adult!

💌[email protected]

💻www.seespotlearn.co.nz

19/08/2024

Great workshops coming up at Kiwi Vet Behaviour! Topics include separation anxiety, reactive dogs, pain and behaviour, and babies, toddlers, and dogs.

19/08/2024

Training using positive reinforcement is the most effective and humane approach for dogs and puppies. Training dogs is amazing- these thinking, feeling, and often sensitive creatures have an amazing ability to learn.

If a dog trainer has an e-collar in their ‘tool box’, do not employ them. Even if they aren’t using it on your dog, do not employ them. If they have photos of dogs wearing an e-collar or offer it as part of their training programme, do not employ them 😠

I rely on people much smarter than me to read and analyse the studies. I do not rely on anecdotal evidence 🤔

Teachers, dentists, doctors, lawyers, builders, everyone has qualifications and governing bodies that uphold standards. In New Zealand, professional dog trainers belong to the APDTNZ (Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand) ✅

You might be happy getting your mate to cut your hair or even cut it yourself (I do!), but where your dogs welfare is concerned please employ someone with credentials, experience and ethics 😊

This post was prompted by a trainer promoting their services in my area, offering e-collar training from $1750 😫 People might think that because it costs a lot, it must be good; it’s not 😔

17/07/2024

Classes starting on Monday 14 October at 6:30pm for puppies 4-6 months old! Held at Hub West in Henderson.

10/07/2024

Great monthly workshops coming up at Kiwi Vet Behaviour starting with Nail Care for Dogs on 27/28 July!

Struggling with your pet’s behaviour issues but lost in a sea of misinformation? Time to find a qu

14/05/2024

Kiwi Vet Behaviour has 6 week classes starting soon for puppies, tweens, adolescents, and the very useful "Helping Pets with Vets" class!

Struggling with your pet’s behaviour issues but lost in a sea of misinformation? Time to find a qu

11/04/2024

New puppy classes starting 27 May! Email [email protected] for more information and to sign up!

Puppy preschool: For puppies 8-20 weeks old
Positive training for puppies: For puppies 4-10 months old

01/04/2024

Kiwi Vet Behaviour is hosting a comprehensive Pet Wellness Day coming up on Sunday 5 May. Learn about links between pain and behaviour, skin health, canine massage and complementary therapies, and more! Check out the Kiwi Vet Behaviour page for more details on speakers and a link for tickets.

We're excited to announce our Pet Wellness Day on Sunday 5th May from 12pm-4:30pm. We will be collaborating with our friends from The Skin Vet, Greyt Touch - Canine Massage Therapy and Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa to spread awareness and education on arthritis awareness month and dog anxiety awareness week.

Follow our event page Pet Wellness Day to find out more about the fantastic line-up of speakers we will be bringing you on the day. This event is open to veterinary professionals and pet guardians. Please note, due to the nature of this event, it will be for humans only.

Tickets are limited so get in quick!

For more information email: [email protected]
Costs: $99
Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/pet-wellness-day
Address: Kiwi Vet Behaviour, 584 Great South Road, Ellerslie

18/10/2023

Why Gundog Training Benefits Your Gundog Breed

You might have heard about our popular Pet Gundog Foundation course and wondered if it's suitable for your Spaniel, Retriever, or even your Labradoodle. Rest assured, our course welcomes dogs of all breeds, and every pup, regardless of its lineage, can enjoy the training benefits. Gundog training focuses on advanced obedience skills in outdoor settings, off-leash, and amidst distractions. It's not limited to specific breeds or working dogs; there's something valuable for every dog, from Poodles and beagles to GSD, and beyond!

Let's dive into what our course covers and how it can enrich both you and your dog's life.

1. Target/Placeboard Training

Target training involves using environmental cues to guide your dog to the desired location. For instance, teaching your dog to "go to your bed" means they're targeting their bed with their feet. When they learn the "touch" exercise, they're targeting your hand with their nose. Targeting is an effective way to teach dogs at a distance, helping them understand where to go while you instruct them. In some exercises, we phase out the target once the behaviour is learned, allowing dogs to perform it freely. Placeboards raised textured platforms, are excellent for target training. They provide clarity for both you and your dog, making learning faster.

2. Heelwork (On- & Off-Lead)

Emphasizing both on- and off-leash heelwork enhances your dog's leash manners and off-leash behaviour significantly. Gundogs must remain engaged, focused, and controlled, even in the face of excitement and distractions like other dogs and wildlife. This training boosts your dog's confidence when off-leash.

3. Retrieves

Many dogs love retrieving items to varying degrees. Teaching a formal retrieve channels this natural behaviour, engaging their minds and noses, building impulse control, and keeping them focused even at a distance. Retrieving also helps dogs learn a solid "drop," encouraging them to willingly relinquish items.

4. Recall

A reliable recall is a top priority for most dog owners. It's crucial to allow dogs to explore off-leash safely. The impulse control, distance work, and more taught in gundog training elevate your dog's recall to a new level.

5. Directional Cues

Teaching your dog to respond to directional cues enhances their engagement at a distance, making it a practical skill for off-leash adventures. This cognitive exercise builds listening skills and focus, making it useful for various dog sports and activities.

When we consider all the components of gundog training, including on- and off-leash heeling, impulse control, engagement at a distance, and recalls, it's evident that there's much to gain for any dog owner. Witnessing the progress you and your dog make through this training is a gratifying experience that boosts your confidence and pride in your canine companion.

Our next Pet Gundog Foundation course starts 5th November, this is our last class for the year and is a 7-week course, spaces are limited, you can book on our website https://www.k9services.co.nz/gundog-classes