Bark Off NZ

03/03/2025

Bully Breed Walk 💪🐾

Another great walk with a few members of our bully breed walking crew.

It's been so much fun watching this group of owners and canines grow in confidence walking together.

It's important that owners of bully breeds know how to handle them and socialize them correctly.

Due to their rich history and the origins of a lot of these breeds, they often don't get the luxury of grace if they screw up the way other breeds would. It fills responsible owners with fear of leaving their properties and socializing their dogs, which often makes their dogs' social skills worse.💔❤️

These owners have done the work training and researching their breeds, and it shows! 👏

If you would like to join our bully breed walking group, please get in touch!

I would love to help you build confidence training, handling, and bonding with your bully buddy. 🧡

15/02/2025

We have ONE MORE SPOT in each class left!!!

February intake
Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.

We have the following classes available:
- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)

- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)
Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!

For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

13/02/2025

LAST CHANCE TO ENROL TODAY!!!
February intake

Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.

We have the following classes available:
- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)

- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)

Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!

For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

11/02/2025

We still have spaces left in our classes!
CLASS ENROLLMENTS NOW OPEN!
February intake

Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.

We have the following classes available:

- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)

- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)

Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!

For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

11/02/2025

29/01/2025

We still have spaces left in our classes!

CLASS ENROLLMENTS NOW OPEN!
February intake

Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.

We have the following classes available:
- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)
- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)

Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!

For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

29/01/2025

We still have space in our classes

CLASS ENROLLMENTS NOW OPEN!
February intake
Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.
We have the following classes available:
- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)
- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)
Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!
For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

23/01/2025

CLASS ENROLLMENTS NOW OPEN!

February intake

Force Free Positive Training with Gabrielle.
Qualified canine trainer and behaviour consultant.

We have the following classes available:

- Puppy classes ($150)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 10 weeks - 5months
Must have had first vaccination and intend to get all boosters
(proof must be provided)

- Adolescent class ($215)
6x weeks of 1 hour sessions, ages 6months - 2 years
Must be up to date with vaccinations (proof must be provided)

Class content:
- Socialization
- Desensitization & exposure in a controlled setting
- Cooperative care
- Tips & tricks to manage jumping up, nipping, hu***ng type behaviours
- Leash handling skills & loose lead walking
- Engagement exercises & games
- Positive reinforcement & marking/clicker training
- Focus & engagement with owner (with distractions)
and more!

For more information or if you'd like to enroll
please email Gabrielle at
[email protected]

15/01/2025

Introducing Ruby & Riley 🥰

I had the privilege of walking these two darlings over a few days while their mum was away.

Riley, I already knew well as he attended my adolescent course at the end of last year. Ruby was unknown to me, so I met with both dogs at home before taking them on an adventure (I always do this anyways). It's important to me that the dogs feel comfortable and know I'm a safe person.

Initially, Riley didn't want to get in the boot, so we worked together to make the boot an exciting place. Ruby jumped in first, so it helped Riley to see her so confident and comfortable. I decided to try the energy approach and ran around in circles with Riley on the lawn to get him excited. I then harnessed that energy and ran towards the car. He immediately leaped in. Success!!!

By our second walk, he was happy and excited to go on an adventure with me. He started to associate my car with a fun walk.

Ruby loved to zig zag walk, so it took the first walk for her and Riley to understand they each have a side and need to stick on it so I don't trip over. I would stop and gently guide them back to their sides. It took time, but we got there.

Although I am on leave, I had already committed to walking these guys before deciding to take leave. I wanted to honor that arrangement and really enjoyed the time spent outside in the sunshine. 🥰

I will be back in the office on the 28th January 🗓

06/01/2025

Some pics of our final classes of 2024!!!

What a year!
2024 felt like the year things really took off for our little business. Classes were bursting and full of enthusiastic dog owners, whether they were first-time owners or repeating offenders of canine craziness 🤣

I met so many fantastic people who genuinely care about their dogs and want to understand them more. Brilliant questions were asked with such curiosity that it made me so happy.

Im proud to say there were many training successes for both humans and canines alike. I learned some big lessons this year about organization, communication, budgeting, and admin. As well as continuing to study breeds and all the various dog groups. This learning has really helped when working with clients and setting up class groups for success.

There were a handful of dogs that threw me for a loop, and I went home excited to figure out a new training approach for particular issues. I am always learning and never stop researching. I am excited to continue my studies hopefully at the end of this year or next year.

A huge THANK YOU to Phoebe from the Hounds Hangout for allowing me to use such a fantastic space as my class venue 🥰 It is such a privilege I will not take for granted.

Thank you to all my fabulous clients, new human friends, and furry friends who have allowed me to come into your homes to work with and achieve goals together. The success stories only happen when owners are willing to put in the Mahi.

I am so excited to see what 2025 holds for Bark Off NZ 🤗

23/12/2024

Introducing Sooty 🖤🤍

Sooty's parents first got in touch with me about a year ago wanting some reassurance with training. They were already on the right track with most things.

Sooty's parents decided to add to their family by adopting two kittens. Sooty became obsessed and would not leave them alone and often would chase them.

After working on a solid, 'leave it' cue and coming up with some management strategies (such as baby gates, separate areas, etc), the relationships between the animals started to shift. There were a few minor setbacks, but her parents were fantastic and on to it, always taking the training right back to the start.

Over the last few months, I've gotten message updates, and it's been awesome to see the progress.

A few days ago, I received a stunning photo of Sooty laying on the couch next to one of the cats!!!

SUCCESS 🙌

Well done, team!
Hard work and patience were key with this training, and it paid off 🥰😍

15/11/2024

Todays walk concluded my week of hanging out with Maeve 🥰

We worked hard this week on improving her confidence around other dogs. I walked her with my dog Aurora. I hoped having a friend who is also from the working group and a herding breed would set them both up for success.

Sure enough, they walked side by side all week and even had some lovely on leash interactions.

We worked on a 'focus' cue. If Maeve saw another dog, I would guide her to the side of the path and ask her to sit. I would ask her to focus and reward her for choosing to engage with me rather than the other dog.

The key with this training is anticipation !
Catching your dog before they are over the threshold (staring, barking, lunging) and asking them to work for you.

Maeve did amazing! Clearly an intelligent girl. Picked it up within the first 10 minutes.

Isn't she beautiful! 😍

12/11/2024

Meet Maeve 🐾

I have the privilege of walking Maeve this week.
She is a sweet girl who is a little bit anxious around other dogs. When she sees another dog on lead, she will bark or growl. Her owners have been doing some training already by asking Maeve to sit and feeding her treats while other dogs walk past. It's a great first step in shifting her behaviour.

I have been keeping up with this training as well as adding a 'focus' cue and engagement exercises.

Maeve loves to work, so getting her to focus on making eye contact with me did not take long! She's very smart and driven. She responds really well to my high-pitched, reassuring vocal tones.

I look forward to our walks and helping build Marves' confidence around other dogs. 🤎🧡

11/11/2024

🎶 I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine 🎶 🌞

Is what your dog will be thinking when they see our new yellow treat pouch! 💛 😉

When you attend one of our puppy or adolescent courses, you will get a clicker and a treat pouch gifted to you!