Tony the Dog Trainer

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Tony the Dog Trainer

I help people and their dogs live better lives together.
(13)

My focus is on building strong relationships between pet dogs and their owners by offering private training, group classes and urban pack-walking in Hamilton, New Zealand.

17/09/2024

Heading back home to NZ after a 3 day seminar in Australia with Michael Ellis, arguably one of, if not the best trainer of dog trainers in the world. It's very cool to learn from the best and mix with dog trainers from across the ditch.

12/09/2024

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 22 September 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149.
For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz
Book now as spaces are limited!

01/09/2024

These guys are the participants in the current Teen class. Meet Phoenix (Australian Shepherd), Spud (Border Collie). Merra (Spoodle), Zoe (Lab mix) and Bille (Scottish Terrier).
They're having fun with lots of obedience, recall and loose leash walking training.

29/08/2024

Shiloh had the good fortune to go from a rescue to a foster home, to being adopted by her foster family. He is a sociable, pleasant-natured boy with humans, but the new owners reached out for help as he struggled with reactivity around other dogs. Over-arousal and frustration would get the better of him and make him difficult to handle.
The new owners received input in effective leash skills, identifying Shiloh's triggers and behaviours, recall, attention and focus games, and we put it all into practice around other dogs. Once Shiloh had learned some alternative behaviours, understood the leash better, and found value in low-arousal around other dogs he calmed down greatly.

28/08/2024

Aida is a real sweetheart (you can tell from her photo!). I'm working with her owners at present to help improve her recall and to help her to learn not to hoover up every tasty and gruesome thing she finds on walks.

27/08/2024

Arlo is a 4-year-old excitable boy who has come from a previous home where he had few - if any - boundaries and training. His new owner is doing everything right by wanting him to live a life where he's going to be a suitable companion and not a menace to cats, other dogs and people. I'm working with them to improve Arlo's general obedience and recall and stop his dangerous jumping. Really great progress is being made and I'm beginning some structured walking training as well.

27/08/2024

The next 4 week series of Puppy classes starts Thursday, 19 Sept, 6-7 pm in central Hamilton. Led by a professional dog trainer, with 4 years of experience running group classes. Register at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz NOW as spaces are limited.

26/08/2024

Last weekend I attended a seminar in Auckland with Dr Michelle Rassool, Veterinary Behaviourist and Dog Trainer. It was a great opportunity to renew my Canine First Aid certification, and also to hear a very engaging speaker on how Vets and Dog Trainers can work as a team, and how to design effective behavioural modification training plans. There was plenty of hands-on training in the first aid module, and in the second photo, I'm putting an emergency muzzle on a dog model (not a real one, although we did practice various techniques on real dogs as well!).

18/08/2024

When your dog rearranges the cushions just right to suit herself...

18/08/2024

Update on Mozzie! I received this review from Mozzie's owner recently: "Tony helped us with 3 private training sessions for our 7-month old border collie x lab who was super reactive to other dogs. He’s a completely different dog now around other animals. The private sessions helped our dog feel less timid or anxious around other dogs and it also improved the connection between us and our dog. Highly recommend and we will be partaking in Tony’s walks and special classes going forward."

I've started some owner coaching for Mozzie, this handsome (and very energetic) boy. He quickly gets overwhelmed when he sees other dogs so we're building engagement with the handlers and clear strategies for Mozzie to follow when those overwhelming feelings start creeping up. It's early days but he is a very quick and motivated learner.

11/08/2024

Kenai and Maia are graduating from Walk and Trains to regular walks this week. It's sometimes challenging to teach individual adult dogs how to walk nicely, let alone when it's two boisterous German Shepherds. I've been working a lot on engagement with me, clear rules and boundaries, and polite manners. Despite their size and energy, both these guys respond well to encouragement and really just want to please.

05/08/2024

Monday dogs on a crispy morning. We're all soaking up the sun. From left to right: Charlie, Benji, Guinness, Millie (in the jacket), and Tui.

01/08/2024

The next series of Puppy Classes for 8-16 week old pups starts on Thursday, 8 August, 6-7 pm. Classes run in Hamilton for 4 weeks on consecutive Thursdays. Cost is $149.
Run by a professional dog trainer this course will set you and your puppy up for success!
Limited spaces are available so register NOW at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

01/08/2024

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 11 August 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149.
For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz
Book now as spaces are limited!

24/07/2024

Arlo (Golden Retriever on the left) is having a break from joining with my walking dogs while his owners are having a break. Pictured here with Max, Arlo is a gentle, easy-going dog who is happy to accept a variety of other dog personalities with him on walks.
By the way, this photo was taken on a seriously miserable day with constant downpours. I just managed to get this shot as the rain stopped.

24/07/2024

Some puppies were born to be followers of fashion. This is Amaya in the last Puppy Classes, featuring a multi-coloured hoodie, a pink and lavender jacket, and a knitted jersey with a matching skirt.

23/07/2024

15 dogs and their owners joined in on the July Social Walk. It's all about getting dogs and their owners out and having fun with their dogs and each other.

22/07/2024

The July Puppy Class wrapped up with its final session recently. Here's the class photo of the participants, left to right: Samwise, Maya, Phoenix, Zebbie, Amaya and Luca.
The next Puppy Class series starts on 1 August. More details at: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

21/07/2024

Even when you're a 70 kg plus St Bernard, people and other dogs can bring a lot of anxiety. Maya is a big girl with big emotions around strangers and dogs. She's pictured here with her home-buddy Max, who she gets along well with.
I'm working with Maya and her owner to help her reduce her aggressive and loud responses to strangers and dogs. She tries to be intimidating, but it's just her way of trying to feel safe. Underneath the bluster she is a very sweet girl.

20/07/2024

The July Teen Class for dogs aged over 6 months is in full swing. Here are the participants continuing their canine education: Mabel (Cavashon), Daisy (Cavoodle), Skye (Huntaway mix) and Sunny (Golden Retriever).\
The next Teen Class starts on 11 August. For more details see: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

16/07/2024

Some photos from last Sunday's Social Walk. 15 dogs and their owners had a great time on a sunny morning around Hamilton Lake. Nobody was worried about having perfect heelwork, it was more a chance for the dogs to socialise with other dogs and for their owners to get outside and do something fun. Look out for the next walk in August!

16/07/2024

The next Super Puppy Programme for pups 8-16 weeks old begins on 1 August 2024. Classes are held in a Hall in Fairfield, Hamilton, on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-7 pm. Cost is $149.
Limited spaces are available.
Register NOW at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

I've started some owner coaching for Mozzie, this handsome (and very energetic) boy. He quickly gets overwhelmed when he...

16/07/2024

13/07/2024

This is a (hopefully temporary) farewell to Buddy, who is taking a break from walking. He's been a member of the "all-black" crew (you can just see Tui, another black dog, to the right). All the best Buddy!

12/07/2024

I've started working with Kenai and Maia for general obedience, crate training and loose leash walking. I love German Shepherds for their eagerness to work and their desire to want to please. However, they are not "easy" pet dogs and without clear structure, firmly-held boundaries and plenty of mental stimulation they will cause havoc.
Also, given their strong breed disposition to guard, and a heightened vigilance to their surroundings, it is common for GSD owners to struggle with reactivity problems.
Stay tuned for progress reports on these guys!

12/07/2024

Just finished a private training series with Bear. He caused his owners some anxious moments when he escaped the section, played "dodgem" with the cars speeding by and didn't come back when called. We worked on improving his recall through a series of steps and he's much improved. His speed and enthusiasm for recall now would put a lot of working dogs to shame!

29/06/2024

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 7 July 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149.
For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz
Book now as spaces are limited!

29/06/2024

Welcome to the new Puppy Class intake. We have Amaya (mini French Bulldog), Phoenix (Australian Shepherd), Samwise (Golden Retriever), Luca (Golden Retriever), Maya (toy Poodle), and Zebbie (mix). Lots of learning ahead for these guys,

27/06/2024

A new Super Puppy Programme series starts tonight! What are the 3 main goals that I want the participants to gain from their experience?

15/06/2024

The next Super Puppy Programme for pups 8-16 weeks old begins on 27 June 2024. Classes are held in a Hall in Fairfield, Hamilton, on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-7 pm. Cost is $149.
Limited spaces are available.
Register NOW at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

Address

Hamilton

Telephone

+642102771111

Website

http://www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz/

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Videos

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 22 September 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149. For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz Book now as spaces are limited!

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 11 August 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149. For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz Book now as spaces are limited!

July Social Walk

15 dogs and their owners joined in on the July Social Walk. It's all about getting dogs and their owners out and having fun with their dogs and each other.

The next Super Puppy Programme for pups 8-16 weeks old begins on 1 August 2024. Classes are held in a Hall in Fairfield, Hamilton, on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-7 pm. Cost is $149. Limited spaces are available. Register NOW at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

The next teen class for dogs aged from 6 months starts on 7 July 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. The course includes relationship building, good manners, recall and loose leash walking. Cost is $149. For more info and to register please go to: www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz Book now as spaces are limited!

A new Super Puppy Programme series starts tonight! What are the 3 main goals that I want the participants to gain from their experience?

The next teen class for dogs aged between 6-18 months starts on 7 July 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. Cost is $149. More info and registration is online at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz Book now!

The next Super Puppy Programme for pups 8-16 weeks old begins on 27 June 2024. Classes are held in a Hall in Fairfield, Hamilton, on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-7 pm. Cost is $149. Limited spaces are available. Register NOW at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

Social Pack Walk

19 dogs and their humans took part in our Social Pack Walk last Sunday! I had thought if I got 6 dogs it would have been worthwhile, so that number was unexpected! It was great to see so many people from past and present courses and training turn out for a relaxed time together. The group got a lot of admiring comments on the way and showed courtesy to the other path users. I will arrange another date soon.

Super Teenager Programme - dogs of May 2024 class.

Here are the new fresh faces for the May Teen dog training classes. We welcome Bear (Labrador), Gigi (Fox Terrier cross), Brandy (mix), Buddy (Heading cross) and Bruce (Greyhound cross).

Something is happening...

Something fun is planned for 9 June. An email has gone out to the subscriber list to update people.

Stop Pulling on the Leash!

Dogs get a lot of rightful blame for pulling on the lead. What we don't always recognise however, is how much the human on the other end can contribute to this problem. The first step is to keep the leash slack whenever we can and be aware of our own actions.

3 things a good dog trainer can add to your relationship with your dog are: 1) Clarity. There has never been a dog born understanding human language. Clarity of cue words, body language and knowing how to teach these things to a dog is essential to avoid the blurry mess that we as verbal creatures so easily fall into: "Sit, no, I said sit, what are you doing? Sit, sit, sit, ooh nearly!" Knowing how to communicate well with our dogs is not natural to us. A good trainer will know how to improve clarity and thus get better and quicker results with your dog. 2) Consistency. It's easy to begin a training goal or desire a behavioural change in our dogs with energy and enthusiasm. But as we get busy, our motivation wanes and we sometimes stick to our goals and sometimes it's all just too hard or inconvenient. A good trainer will help keep you accountable to training goals and plans, while appreciating that it needs to be reasonable for you, given the time you have. 3) Kindness. I use this term to describe a style of training that can see things from the dog's perspective. It's easy to rush to correct and suppress a behaviour that you don't like. But does your dog know what is being asked, and truly understand it? A good trainer will appreciate where the dog is in the learning process and not just assume that they're being "disobedient". Any corrections are thoughtful and considered, not knee-jerk reactions to feeling disrespected as the boss. A good trainer will have empathy for your dog.

I've recently been working with Remi, Tilly and Max. They have some similar issues with reactivity but each dog is very different in personality, sensitivity and adaptability. Each requires a tailored approach to best reflect their needs. #reactivedog #trainthedoginfrontofyou

Walking training with Kingi. This is the difference between our 2nd and 3rd sessions. #bichonfrise

The next Super Puppy Programme for pups 8-16 weeks old begins on 23 May 2024. Classes are held in a Hall in Fairfield, Hamilton, on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-7 pm. Cost is $149. Limited spaces are available. Register NOW at https://tonythedogtrainer.mvsite.app

The next teen class for dogs aged between 6 - 18 months starts on 19 May 2024 and runs for 4 weeks, Sundays 5-6 pm in a hall in central Hamilton. Cost is $149. More info and registration is online at https://tonythedogtrainer.mvsite.app Book now - There is only one space left on this course.

Kingi learning a structured walk. He is easily distracted and loves to pull. I'm using the leash to communicate not restrain, to give information, along with verbal cues.