Dogs 4 Life

Dogs 4 Life Nick Wilson is a Canine Behaviourist and Trainer from New Plymouth. He is an ex Police Dog Handler. Nick provides on going follow up. Contact Nick for details.

Nick Wilson is a qualified Canine Behaviourist and Dog Trainer. He is an ex Police dog handler who specialises in addressing dog behaviour problems and teaching functional, modern day obedience principals.

– Contact Nick now on 027 595 6278 or email [email protected] for an obligation free inquiry. Nick has assisted hundreds of clients to overcome behaviour issues with their dogs such as:
Sep

aration anxiety
Excessive barking
Biting
Jumping
Digging
Pulling on the lead
Chewing
Toilet training
Hyperactivity and eating disorders
Obedience Training
Dog Aggression
Obedience Issues

He has worked with a large variety of breeds ranging from toy poodles to great danes. Dogs 4 Life offer the following services:

Behaviour Modification Consultation:
Dogs 4 Life visit the client at their home and assess the issues that they are experiencing with their dog. Strategies and techniques to overcome the issues are put in place with hands on dog work demonstrated to the owner. A detailed report outlining the strategies is forwarded to the client. Premium Dog Training Consultation:
As above however the Premium Dog Training Consultation is for more serious problems that can not be addressed during a 1 day consultation. Dogs 4 Life will take the dog for 2 hours a day for a 5 day period for behaviour modification/training sessions and socialisation. A detailed report is completed and forwarded to the client. At the end of the 5 day period a session is conducted where by the owner is coached on the training and techniques that the dog has been introduced to. On going follow up is provided. The Puppy Programme:
For puppies up to 6 months old. Dogs 4 Life will visit the client and puppy at their home address and introduce a routine to make the puppies transition into the new home as smooth as possible. This includes advice on toilet training, sleeping, training, exercise etc. and the client is coached on how best to interact with the puppy in order to meet it's needs during this crucial period. A detailed report is provided. This programme is also available for clients who have older puppies and who require assistance with a routine and/or training. Functional Modern Day One on One Obedience Sessions:
Specialising in solving modern day issues such as the recall, walking on the lead, all commands, tricks, searching etc. Coaching of clients in dog training techniques and principles to ensure you get the best out of your dog. In House Dog Minding:
Are you going away for a couple of nights and want to leave your dog at home in familiar surroundings? Dogs 4 Life will come to your house - feed, water and exercise your dog. Your dog will also have playtime and a pat while you are away. Whilst based in New Plymouth New Zealand Nick is available for Skype consultations regardless of your location. Dogs 4 Life - Specialists in one on one training and behaviour modification.

13/02/2025

…and we’re only just getting started!

10/02/2025

Meet Titan the stunning 10 month old American Bull Terrier who has just completed the Behaviour Package.
Titan lives in a busy location where there is alot of foot traffic during his walks. This would overwhelm him at times and he was becoming reactive.
We have worked on this and he has made fantastic progress.
Titan is a real character and it was very rewarding to see this beautiful boy progress so quickly.
Good boy Titan!
Great job Jamie and family.

03/02/2025

Check this little guy out!
Meet Fred the 11 week old Labrador pup who has just started the Puppy Programme.
Fred has an absolutely stunning temperament - his tail never stops wagging and being in his presence just makes you feel great.
Good boy Fred!
Great job Jordan

29/01/2025

WARNING:
CUTENESS OVERLOAD.

This big ball of fluffy cuteness is Moose the 12 week old St Bernard puppy who has just started my Puppy Programme.
Moose is simply adorable and has a wonderful temperament to add to his good looks.
What an absolute pleasure it is to be able to work with and mentor such a beautiful animal during his formative months.
Good boy Moose!
Great job Carol and family.

26/01/2025

How cute is little Ru the 14 week old Springer Spaniel pup who I have just started working with?
Ru is such a beautiful, happy little soul, his tail never stops wagging.
I’m looking forward to our next session little fella!
Good boy Ru!
Great job Devon and Matt.

05/01/2025

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a great break.
As of tomorrow I am back into it.

2025 is a milestone year for Dogs 4 Life as we are now 10 years old.

I will have some exciting announcements this year.

During the break I have been keeping an eye on some interesting new developments in relation to dog health.

These include:

Mushrooms - There is some very interesting research into mushrooms and how cancer hates mushrooms.

Pomegranate - a super fruit that has been found to have incredible heart benefits for dogs.

Given that heart failure and cancer are the 2 biggest killers of dogs I am keeping a close eye on these developments.

A dogs behaviour is so often a reflection of their health and environment.

In 10 years I have studied alot and worked with a huge amount of dogs.

I pride myself on my behaviour modification techniques, the more complex the issue, the more motivated I am to find a solution.

I love working with puppies and can promptly get them motivated, responsive, engaged and set up for life. Alot of clients are surprised at how quickly puppies respond to the techniques I use.

It’s going to be a big year and I am excited to get back into it.

I look forward to meeting alot of wonderful people and beautiful dogs in 2025.

Thanks,

Nick

21/12/2024

Merry Christmas everyone!
I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and a happy new year with your families and friends .

This year I have been fortunate enough to have met some truly wonderful people and some amazing dogs.

It has been a tough year though with my boy Lars being unwell for a long period and then ultimately having to say goodbye to him in September.
It's still very raw and Christmas just won't be the same this year without my boy by my side.
To anyone else out there who has lost a pet this year I offer you my sincere condolences.

Next year will be a huge year as it's my 10th year in business, Dogs 4 Life will be 10. I can't believe it! I have got a few cool things in mind to celebrate so will keep you posted.

After tomorrow I will be taking some time off until Monday the 6th January.

Lastly I want to say a huge THANK YOU to you all .. my wonderful clients and followers of this page. I really appreciate you all and your support, words cannot appreciate my gratitude so please just know - I see you!

Have a great break everyone, be kind to yourselves, love your dogs and keep them hydrated and cool... it's getting hot!

See you in 2025!

Nick

19/12/2024

In the middle of this picture is Snacks the 3 year old Shih Tzu cross who I am working with.
During Snacks’ session Gus on the left who is 14 years old came in to check on his progress.
As Gus had shown up Lacey on the couch who is 13 years old also decided to check in on how he was doing.
I got the feeling that they were both very proud of their younger pack member.
It was so nice to have these pack elders take time out of their day to swing by and say hi.
I know Snacks was absolutely stoked to be able to show off some of his new skills!

17/12/2024

Meet Koda the 16 month old who I have been working with.
Koda came from the pound when she was 6 months old. Her formative months were less than ideal but she is now in a fantastic home.
We worked on Koda’s excitement levels when people enter the house and her lead work amongst other things.
Koda took to the training like a duck to water and is progressing beautifully.
Koda has a lovely temperament and although nobody knows for sure what breed or mix of breeds she may be I have a feeling there is some Rhodesian Ridgeback there.
It was a real pleasure to work with this beautiful girl.
Good girl Koda!
Great job Zach, Jane and family.

12/12/2024

This is Billy the beautiful Dalmatian getting himself some hydration!

We were working Billy this morning and I found it very entertaining watching him taking on his fluids.

Good boy Billy!
Great job Andy and family.

10/12/2024

This puppy is so cute and she is also a real character.
Meet Roxy the 9 week old Schnoodle who I have been working with.
Roxy is a typical high energy pup who gets into mischief so we have worked on the basics and Roxy has progressed beautifully.
What a pleasure it was to work with this beautiful pup.
Good girl Roxy!
Great job Scott and Ngaere.

03/12/2024

Meet Pax the 3 month old Jack Russell Terrier who is completing the Puppy Programme.
Pax is quite possibly the cutest JRT in the land!
Pax has a big personality and likes to be where the action is which is typical of her breed.
JRT’s are alot of fun, but not for the faint of heart.
What a joy it is to work with this absolutely stunning puppy.
Good girl Pax!
Great job Erin.

01/12/2024

This is Jimmy and Teddy the 8 month old Lab/Pointer/Boxer cross littermates who I have been working with.
We worked on their recall, reactivity towards passers by and their lead work.
These boys are big dogs and walking them was not much fun.
We have got on top of that now and both dogs are walking beautifully on the lead which is a testament to my clients fortitude and hard work.
These 2 dogs really have progressed nicely and it was great to witness.
Jimmy and Teddy both have great temperaments and it was a joy to work with these big boys.
Good boys Jimmy and Teddy!
Great job Riki, Michelle and family.

21/11/2024

This is Mellow the 8 week old puppy who was rescued and ended up at the SPCA. Thankfully she has found a fantastic home.
Mellow is deaf.
We immediately started her training to get her off to the best possible start.
Mellow’s commands are all delivered with the use of hand signals.
We have divised a list of initial commands for Mellow and some of these include - yes, drink, eat, toilet, play, look, seek, finished and her name - Mellow. These commands are on top of the usual come, sit, stay etc.
The way to successfully communicate with a deaf puppy is through clear, concise hand signals. Everyone has to give the puppy the same consistent communication.
Praise at the appropriate time through her ‘yes’ signal to let her know she has got it right is also very important.
What an absolute privilege it is for me to help this wonderful family train their beautiful puppy.
Mellow is such a lovely , happy puppy. She doesn’t know that she has an impairment and she is thriving.
Good girl Mellow!
Great job the Smith’s.

17/11/2024

Meet Harley the beautiful 4 year old Border Collie.
Harley had minimal leash sense, would pull his owners and was reactive to other dogs on the lead.
We have worked on this and Harley has had an absolutely stunning turnaround.
His transformation is quite remarkable.
Harley is also quite the looker - he has one dark eye and one beautiful light blue eye.
It was really cool working with this boy and to see him progress so beautifully.
Good boy Harley!
Great job Evie

06/11/2024

My Lars.

A number of you have been asking about Lars.
I have posted about this on my personal profile and
wasn't going to post about him on my Dogs 4 Life page as it is not easy, however alot of you knew him and have been asking.
Lars passed away peacefully at home in my arms where he belonged on the 26th September.
Lars had been unwell since June and I could no longer let my boy struggle. To say it has been hard moving on without him is an understatement.
To be honest there are no words.
I have posted some favourite photos and a couple of videos of him so you can see how much of a special boy he was.
Lars picked me when he was 6 weeks old. He jumped up on my lap and stared into my eyes for at least a minute - long enough for his breeder to say "he loves you" and for me to take a photo (this is now my profile picture). From that moment on he was coming home with me.
On the 2nd October it was Lars 9th birthday (he missed his birthday by 6 days).
I feel so privileged that this beautiful little man picked me and that we had almost 9 incredible years together.
Lars wasn't just any dog - he was a Legend! Everyone knew him and he loved everyone.
We did everything together from press up's, to assisting to rehabilitate anxious dogs through our work, to being a multiple All Breeds Best in Show winner, to swimming, to becoming the New Zealand Dobermann of the year in 2022 - we did it all - together!
My boy was also stunning - there were times I turned around and looked at him and he looked like a statue - so regal and beautiful, he turned heads everywhere he went all of his life.
Lars had such drive and trainability, I could teach him to do anything, although I know he taught me more than I ever taught him.
Lars had such a zest for life, he was so strong and always so happy - he inspired me.

When I go to work and look in the back of the car and he is no longer there it is tough, but he will always be with me and in my heart.

I meet some beautiful dogs through my work and each and everyone of them is special.
Give your dogs a big pat and a cuddle tonight from me and Lars.

04/11/2024

How beautiful are Lyon the Golden Retriever and his little friend Poppy?
I have been working with Poppy in relation to her leash work and reactivity.
Lyon who I worked with when he was a pup joined us to keep an eye on proceedings.
The dogs live together.
What an absolute pleasure it was to see Lyon again and to work with Poppy who has progressed beautifully.
Good boy Lyon!
Good girl Poppy!
Great job Sarah and Sophie

31/10/2024

Happy Friday!
Today is a German Shepherd day!
I have been working with Duke the stunning long haired Shepherd this week.
I also recently came across this photo of my boy R***r during our Dog Section days.

Two beautiful Shepherds to admire.
This wonderful breed has a piece of my heart.

Address

New Plymouth
4310

Telephone

+64275956278

Website

http://www.dogs4life.co.nz/

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Videos

This is Billy the beautiful Dalmatian getting himself some hydration! We were working Billy this morning and I found it very entertaining watching him taking on his fluids. Good boy Billy! Great job Andy and family.

Having some fun recall time with this stunning German Shepherd puppy. Good boy Frankie! Don’t forget….. Puppy Socialisation classes starting soon!

Practise makes perfect! Double dog distance control. A repeat down stand is also great for toning and strengthening the dog’s core. The aim is to be able to down the dog no matter how far away they are from you. Lars is advanced in this area and as you can see he is helping to teach Ziva who is still young and learning. www.dogs4life.co.nz Behaviour Modification - Puppy Programme & Socialisation - Obedience 'Because a Dog is 4 Life'.

Nailing the double down at a distance. This is a walk in the park for Lars, however Ziva is just learning. I am very happy with her progress. Training 2 dogs at once certainly has it's challenges but we are enjoying it. Having your dog comply to your instructions when they are not in your proximity is a game changer! That is why I encourage training distance control for any of my clients who wish to teach it to their dogs.