Wagtastic NZ Dog Training

10/07/2024

This looks like a lot of fun and a great way to get some training in whilst having fun as a whānau.

09/07/2024

We’d love to see you Best for Pets for their funday. We’ll be around to catch up, answer questions and chat about training options. Julie and her team will be around to answer any questions you may have about raw feeding. Bring your pup along and maybe treat them to a long lasting chew, find some yummy dry-freezed treats for training or learn more about what Best for Pets offer. We’d be love to see you!!

08/07/2024

"Dogs don't understand don't, because don't is a concept. Dogs understand DO. They understand behaviours.

Create a beahviour that you DO want, so that your dog can be right and you're setting him up for reinforcement.

This makes for a much better relationship for you and your dog, and for anybody else who comes in contact with your dog."

- Susan Garett

01/07/2024

We can teach you the games you need to support your dog to disengage from distractions, engage with you so you both feel more confident in getting out and about.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today 💚

22/06/2024

I'm on an online dog training course for instructors and behaviourists this weekend and just learnt a new activity you can do with your dogs. I can't wait to try this with Indie to help with focus/engagement and calmness on walks: Steve Mann's Rucksack Walk

19/06/2024

We love to support local businesses and Julie at Best for Pets is an amazing resource to pet owners and we recommend her to clients on a regular basis. The gut and brain are connected. Feed your dog the best food you can to help their health and behaviour. Great to see Best for Pets is now offering great quality kibble as an additional option to raw.

Lets talk about what I have done...

There are many reasons for stocking Orijen. But the biggest one is it is 85-90% meat protein.

We still believe as a business that raw is the ultimate diet done correctly. However we are also big believers in being able to do the best you can with what you have and what you know. Therefore we believe we are stocking the best kibble on the market in New Zealand We constantly recommend people purchase this if they are looking for a good quality kibble, so it is silly for us not to have it in store.

CATS: We will always recommend giving your cats as much wet food as they will eat. Moisture is so important for cats. But we cannot complain about a food that offers cats a 90% meat option.

When purchasing Orijen from us you can choose to either have a 10% disc off every bag or you can buy 10 and get your 11th free.

If you purchase your rawfood for delivery and already purchase Orijen elsewhere we can send this out with your order. If you are in Canterbury and purchase treats for delivery we can also send this out via our frozen food couriers.

14/06/2024

11/06/2024

I have used Lucy Scott Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ for a virtual consultation for Indie’s back pain. She was amazing and we now have a great plan for pain meds moving forward in liaison with our local vet team (who are also amazing: Estuary Veterinary Clinic)

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐙!

We are dedicated to providing animal behaviour consultations both in-person and virtually. Our in-person consultations are available in the following areas:

🐾Horowhenua
🐾Manawatu
🐾Palmerston North
🐾Kapiti Coast
🐾Wellington
🐾Upper Hutt

For those outside these areas, we offer virtual consultations across New Zealand, ensuring that your pets receive the best care no matter where you are located.

At Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ, we specialize in understanding and addressing complex behaviour issues, helping you and your animal live harmoniously together.
Our services are available for dogs, cats, and horses.

For availability in your area, prices and to book in please go to : https://clientportal.powerdiary.com/clientportal/veterinarybehaviourservicesnz

08/06/2024

Words of wisdom to consider

What socialising your dog 🐶 is NOT 👇👇👇

24/05/2024

🐾Each dog is unique, and the specific problems and solutions may vary depending on the dog's coping abilities and emotional state.
💜Consult with a veterinarian or qualified dog behaviourist to develop a personalised plan for your dog's behavioural issues.

20/04/2024

Lovely example of a socialisation activity you can do with your puppy or young dog.

15/04/2024

Socialisation is often badly understood as we’re told we need to ‘socialise’ our puppies/dogs. Socialisation does NOT mean let them meet every dog, child or person. The aim of Socialisation is for your puppy/dog to have a neutral response to a wide variety of people, situations and experiences. So if you allow your dog to keep meeting other dogs and they or the other dog have an over-enthusiastic reaction each time they meet another dog, is it no wonder that when you then tell them they can’t meet a dog (for whatever reason) that your dog gets frustrated and starts to lunge, bark and pull on lead in an attempt to get to the other dog?
Teach your dog to have a neutral response to help them navigate this world with less big emotions so that you don’t end up with a ‘reactive’ dog. This can be done through management strategies, by using a Calm Marker, and lots of disengagement games. And what’s more, it’s much more fun and rewarding to train our dogs to do this than to feel you are being punished by their behaviour because you’re putting them in situations you haven’t taught them the skills for.

03/03/2024

A great opportunity here for free training resources. The 2 Bowl Game has many applications such working on confidence, independence, body awareness, and so much more. If you have a ‘velcro dog’, this helps to promote them moving away from you. If you are interested in doing agility in the future, the 2 Bowl Game provides a good foundation skills for this.

21/02/2024

This is such a joyous video and a great example of how trick training with our dogs builds partnership with the owner, optimism, joy, body awareness, coordination, cooperation and so much more. Both Hope and I love training tricks with our dogs. We have so much fun together. This video will give us new ideas of tricks to work on. Enjoy!

19/02/2024

04/02/2024

in Canterbury rivers & lakes

31/01/2024

A family local to St Martins, here in Christchurch, have raised a beautiful litter of pups who are looking for a good home. The family have set up some amazing socialisation activities for the pups which will have built their confidence with exploring and navigating the human world. Please share.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555543883746&mibextid=PlNXYD

Check out the development of these amazing puppies.

24/01/2024

Dogs are dogs, not humans. They don’t speak human. So often owners are annoyed at their dogs for being a dog: for digging, for barking, for chasing prey, for being stubborn (when actually they just don’t understand what you want of them or are trying to calm you down using dog language). Our courses help you to be a more informed owner so you can understand your dog and their behaviour, so you are clearer with your instructions so your dog understands what you want, and management suggestions to limit unwanted behaviours. Become a well-trained owner.

20/01/2024

On hot days like this (in Christchurch anyway) remember to help keep your dogs cool. Don't walk them in the heat of the day. Go early in the morning before it gets too hot and late in the evening to avoid burnt pads and heat stroke. Even the sand at the beach can burn their pads in this heat. So err on the side of caution.

Dogs don't need to swim to keep cool. Put some water in a paddling pool for your dog to lye in or to cool off their feet. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water available to drink. Indie and I have been playing Boundary Training games in the paddling pool on the back deck where it's nice and shady to help keep her cool. You can get your dog walking in and out of the paddling pool slowly to build confidence in water if they aren't too much of a fan.

Safe Swimming for Dogs - Canterbury have just released a list of swimming sites that are safe and not safe to swim/exercise your dogs. They try to keep this updated so worth following their page to keep your dog as safe as possible.

Photo of a friend's dog Zena in her favourite place when it gets too hot.

06/01/2024

New Year's Chaos To Calm course starts Monday 29th January at 7.15pm. This course delves into the reasons why dogs act the way they do around other dogs that causes barking, lunging, pulling on lead, etc. It teaches you strategies on how to get your dog to respond to you and learn that the world around them in none of their business, all through playing fun and interactive games. Over the 6 weeks we teach you how to grow calmness & self-control in your dog, how to build the skills of disengagement when they are excited, scared or frustrated. Whether you have a dog that is pulling on lead, barking on walks, playing keep away instead of recalling, or jumping all over your visitors, this is the course for you! Numbers are limited to 4 dogs per course, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

06/01/2024

New Year's Puppy FUNdamentals course starts Monday 29th January, 6pm. Small numbers in class to make sure you get the attention you deserve. The first couple of weeks are about building your puppy's confidence, then we dive into the games and skills you need to build your puppy's self control, recall and lead walking skills. Each week we have a topic for common puppy issues like toileting, etc. Book in and then come along and learn how to have a wagtastically fun time with your pup whilst you build the skills they need to be cool, calm and collected in the human world.

04/01/2024

If your dog could set some New Year's Resolutions, what do you think they would be?

We think many of them would revolve around you - their human.

YOU are your dog's world so spending time with you is what makes them happy. It also keeps them distracted from any pain they might be in.

Boredom is really bad for the perception of pain. People living with chronic pain conditions like arthritis are encouraged to get a hobby to prevent boredom, keep their mind off their pain state and stimulate the release of happy hormones which can temporarily dampen pain signals.

So make sure to set aside some quality time for them each day - this could be a walk, playing some games, learning a trick, or even just some one-on-one cuddle time.

Or if you know you've got a busy schedule, look at enrichment toys such as puzzle feeders which can help keep your dog occupied while you take on the day ahead!

Wishing you and your fur family a wonderful 2024!

09/12/2023

This video clearly shows a distressed dog doing its best to calm itself down whilst its very numerous stress signals are being ignored by the adult in this video.
Learn about stress signals, teach your kids about them, out of respect to your dog and to reduce the risk of yourselves and children/grandchildren being bitten.
So often we put dogs in situations they feel uncomfortable in. Often for our own benefit.
Maybe you’ll have children visiting over the holiday season. Watching this video could prevent a hospital visit over the Christmas period.

07/12/2023

📸 Watch this video on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/FTk6QxdyziGSk6XE/?mibextid=KsPBc6

17/11/2023

We love the knowledge that Julie at Best For Pets has. Raw food is much better for our dogs: better for their digestive system, better for their teeth, better for weight management, and yes the team can support you to find the right options if your dog has allergies.

These are heading off to Marshall and Pringle vets Kaiapoi and the lovely team there. This will make working with allergy clients so much easier. Especially if the vets are working with us. If you live out that way and want a raw supportive team go and see Donna and Gemma at the Kaiapoi Marshall and Pringle.

14/11/2023

To introduce a puppy to our human world, take every experience at her pace and keep it safe and positive. Learn more about puppy socialization.

12/11/2023

Some great advice here from ThinkDog.

02/11/2023

Helpful tips to get you ready for fireworks

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴... and while it is too late right now to desensitize our cats and dogs to the noises, here are a few safety tips for getting you through this time of year!

1. Stick to their normal routine. Make sure dogs have been walked and cats have their usual play time.

2. Bring them inside. Close cat/dog doors and if taking your dog out to toilet, do so early, and on lead. DO NOT take them out to watch...

3. Set up a hidey-hole/den and sound proof it if possible.

4. Close the curtains and turn on some background noise. It will reduce the suddenness and drown it out.

5. Some animals like thundershirts, so if yours is used to one, pop it on early. Don't try it for the first time tonight though! Calming caps or ear covers may also help.

6. Give them something delicious to eat or keep them occupied with food puzzles (e.g. a kong with meat in it)

7. Stay with them, and yes you can reassure them! If they want to be stroked, do so. If not, just stay nearby. Stay calm.

8. Feed high value food (if they can eat...) while it's happening. e.g. a peice of schmacko or a temptation for each bang.

9. Use Adaptil or Feliway (Calming pheremones) - The diffuser or sprays.

If your dog or cat really struggles, there ARE things we can do to help. Medications can help this year, and we can look at behaviour modification (desensitising) techniques for next season.
Noise sensitivity is something I can help you all with, so please- reach out and we can prepare for New Years or next fireworks season!

p.s. If you have horses- See our other post which covers management for them too!

29/10/2023

The Wagtastic NZ Dog Training team have been skilling up on scent work and this video nicely depicts how important our dog’s sense of Amelia is.

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-dogs-see-with-their-noses-alexandra-horowitzYou may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their no...