The Dog You Have NZ

The Dog You Have NZ Advocating for canines and supporting owners. Let's get smarter, not rougher!

About The Dog You Have
The pets we choose to share our lives with can sometimes be a dream come true and sometimes it doesn’t quite go according to plan...My name is Lisa and currently I have a Certificate in Companion Animal Care from Otago, a Diploma in Rescue Dog Rehabilitation and Cognition through Canine Principles, have run puppy preschool classes since April 2018, have experience in animal

welfare and veterinary environments, ran walking groups, completed a six month mentorship programme with Lewis Nicholls and Hannah Sadgrove, hands on experience with dogs in boarding, one on one, shelter and foster situations, hundreds of hours of research/theory plus ongoing studies with The School Of Canine Science and many more.

​I’ve been there through the good, the bad and the ugly and will continue to learn, always.

I'm working from the home office with supervisors all round and it's so boring for them they're asleep... Wish they did ...
04/03/2025

I'm working from the home office with supervisors all round and it's so boring for them they're asleep... Wish they did this a little earlier while on the live conference call 😂

Marley had a fantastic walk early this morning before it got too hot out, we explored, sniffed, meandered, rock-hopped a...
02/03/2025

Marley had a fantastic walk early this morning before it got too hot out, we explored, sniffed, meandered, rock-hopped and stared at people/dogs in the distance.

The t-shirt helps both of us!

Yogi can't make it to graduation, so this is his special CONGRATULATIONS!After a scare when younger, his confidence has ...
01/03/2025

Yogi can't make it to graduation, so this is his special CONGRATULATIONS!

After a scare when younger, his confidence has grown massively over the past few weeks and his lovely humans are supporting him each step of the way. GO YOGI!

Almost four months between these photos!Hmm happens with my clothes too 😂
28/02/2025

Almost four months between these photos!

Hmm happens with my clothes too 😂

Same bed, is it the same dog tho..????
26/02/2025

Same bed, is it the same dog tho..????

Today is world spay day - who knew that was a thing?! Anyways, Gypsy was desexed earlier this month and woke up the fol...
25/02/2025

Today is world spay day - who knew that was a thing?! Anyways, Gypsy was desexed earlier this month and woke up the following day as if nothing had happened 😲

We went with a laparascopic spay which is a "keyhole surgery" = the last photo shows just two small incisions.

We are very lucky to have this as an option and grateful to everyone involved (including the people who helped keep me calm while I was waiting to pick her up!!!!!)

A snapshot of another Sunday adventure. We like to check out new spaces to keep things interesting for the humans too.M...
23/02/2025

A snapshot of another Sunday adventure. We like to check out new spaces to keep things interesting for the humans too.

Marley is 10.5 years, Gypsy is nearly 7months, Wilson is 13.5years; joint outings are chosen so they can all enjoy
(that's Gypsy's happy face, promise!)

Well if that's comfy, good for you.(She's asleep)
21/02/2025

Well if that's comfy, good for you.
(She's asleep)

Marley just wasn't his usual self, so a catch up with Jen was on the cards. He felt heaps better the very next day! ...
21/02/2025

Marley just wasn't his usual self, so a catch up with Jen was on the cards. He felt heaps better the very next day! We could tell by how he moved, the sparkle in his eye, the boing on to the bed and his much more relaxed body language. He didn't need extra pain relief even!

There are some things that can't be fixed with training, we should think of their health first and foremost.

Here's a cool event for you and your dog/s, share to get the message out there!
21/02/2025

Here's a cool event for you and your dog/s, share to get the message out there!

We are all GO for another great event.

" It's Chester's favourite day!!! " 🐶

Mark your calendar for a fun 🎉 day with your fur-baby and friends👨‍👩‍👦

REGISTER dogs in clinic or on Eventfinda.
🤩 Be first to sign up to win a prize🎁.

Witching hours in the evenings vary from tame to feral...Regardless of the type; she's tired, she's growing, she's abou...
19/02/2025

Witching hours in the evenings vary from tame to feral...

Regardless of the type; she's tired, she's growing, she's about to hit adolescence, she's not trying to give us a hard time she is HAVING a hard time and doing the best she can under the circumstances.

That face tho

Next on the training (and life) plan is getting used to a bike trailer!Gypsy "helped" build it while sniffing all over.T...
18/02/2025

Next on the training (and life) plan is getting used to a bike trailer!

Gypsy "helped" build it while sniffing all over.

Then we practiced getting in and out.

Then a bit of duration at her pace = she could get out any time she wanted, nothing bad would happen if she needed a break, but if she stayed she was paid well.

She never ceases to amaze me with her level of trust, willingness and how quick she picks things up.

We'll be out and about in no time!

Gypsy had her first visit to the Taylor River today. We didn't walk far as the whole experience was a lot for her to ta...
15/02/2025

Gypsy had her first visit to the Taylor River today. We didn't walk far as the whole experience was a lot for her to take in. There was mostly sniffing and staring while she tried to figure things out but we did do some silly play with bursts of training.
She got to meet three new dog friends up close and watch a heap more go past. HUGE thank you to all the considerate folk and canines who helped make her first visit a positive one!

This motley crew will NOT be going for a walk today for a few reasons. 1) It's too hot out, 2) Marley is sore and has de...
15/02/2025

This motley crew will NOT be going for a walk today for a few reasons.
1) It's too hot out,
2) Marley is sore and has developed a fear of the bird scarers since getting a big fright last year,
3) Wilson really struggles in any heat as well as slowing down a lot lately,
4) Gypsy went to class as a filler-inner this morning so she's way too tired.

If they perk up later we have options;
Hide n seek, chasing, tug, wrestle, toys to play with.
Training, separately or together.
Going for a drive.
Cuddle or massage.
Enrichment feeding from puzzles to lolly scrambles to chewing on frozen things.
Random sounds and videos via YouTube.
Grooming.
Bath time.

Wilson wishes you all a happy Valentine's day x
14/02/2025

Wilson wishes you all a happy Valentine's day x

They don't all fit in the doorway together quite so easily anymore so here's a family photo update with a new background...
13/02/2025

They don't all fit in the doorway together quite so easily anymore so here's a family photo update with a new background!

The final round of preschool and puppy classes start this weekend so four more weeks, then it's break time. I'm wrapping up current cases and not taking on any new ones as that wouldn't be fair on the dogs or their guardians.

At this stage the plan is to keep the socials going though!

There is a 13 year age gap between these two individuals. They are very different characters who didn't ask to be put t...
11/02/2025

There is a 13 year age gap between these two individuals. They are very different characters who didn't ask to be put together. It's on us to ensure their needs are met so we can have a harmonious household (most of the time, witching hour aside when it's every being for itself....jk obv)

One on one time with Marley! He loves to cruise, sniff and explore so giving him the chance at his own pace means he'll...
08/02/2025

One on one time with Marley! He loves to cruise, sniff and explore so giving him the chance at his own pace means he'll be more content :)

Address

Blenheim
7201

Telephone

+64223137347

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Dog You Have NZ posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Dog You Have NZ:

Videos

Gypsy's first solo swim, she's got the hang of it now but we'll still pick the swimming holes carefully, she's only little! (in our eyes)

I am not a swimmer, but Gypsy needed it so here we go...her first ever proper swim! First unassisted swim will be the next video...

Providing appropriate outlets for things they love to do doesn't need to cost much. This is a rope from kmart and two cable ties from the garden shed. She's happy and leaving everyone else alone =WIN!

Pool filling antics. Every. Single. Time.

It is HOT. Choose your activities wisely

A short story and reminder to slow down; Human: I had planned a walk, then jobs while out and about to make the outing more efficient. Dog: Marley wanted a swim instead. Then I fell in the river. So no rush to go anywhere now. Look how happy and relaxed he is though!

The first victim of new puppy = elephant !

Playing with your dog does not need to be limited to fetch or tug. Watch Marley figure out how to get panda out of the box... This isn't his first rodeo so he's pretty quick!

The speed on this video has been increased. Marley likes to party, but he also likes to mosey. Figure out and give them the chance to do what they enjoy! (Or an equivalent appropriate outlet)

Possum tails! Some dogs love to hold them and carry them, some love to kill-shake, some de-fluff, some nibble, some eat bits, and some do this like Chester! (Thank you to his human for sending the video!)

Today's win- a dog jumped in to the car all by himself!!!!!!! It's never a competition. Success is different for every individual and celebrating those respective wins are one of the many reasons I do this. Here's the last video I took of Izzy before things all changed, just over a month ago. Just like every dog, she was the best x

Shortcuts

Share

Category

The Dog You Have

Our pets can sometimes be a dream come true and sometimes it doesn’t quite go according to plan... The Dog You Have is a page where you can share in the journey of learning how to have a more enjoyable life with the creatures in the household.

My name is Lisa and when I was younger I remember asking for a dog. It never happened and to be honest I was a little scared of them. All of that changed when along came a 9 week old ball of poodle fluff - Wilson! A few years later while volunteering at the SPCA Marley joined the gang…not long after that a crazy little Izzy and then the two whitewalkers (cats). Gosh if I knew then what I know now how things would be different!

I’ve now got a Certificate in Companion Animal Care from Otago, a Diploma in Rescue Dog Rehabilitation and Cognition through Canine Principles, run puppy preschool classes, have a background in animal welfare and veterinary environments, have completed a six month mentorship programme with Lewis Nicholls and Hannah Sadgrove, as well as hands on experience with dogs in boarding, one on one, shelter and foster situations, HUNDREDS (thousands) of hours of research/theory, a walking group, plus ongoing studies with The School Of Canine Science.

I’ve been there (and continue to learn) with my own lot. If you need help, I aim to support, educate and motivate you to become the best mentor possible for your companions. Whether you’ve had dogs before or it’s all new, I’ll work with you.