The Complete Canine

11/07/2025

This will always be my favourite dad joke 🤣.
It's also the only one I can ever remember if someone asks you to do a joke on the spot.

Anyone have a good joke drop them in the comments, lets have a laugh!

09/07/2025

Balanced training gets a bad rap sometimes, with people quick to label it “abusive” or “mean” before really understanding what it is. Let’s clear the air: balanced training isn’t about yelling, hurting, or scaring your dog — it’s about using a mix of rewards and corrections to communicate clearly. Dogs need boundaries, just like kids do, and balanced training gives them that structure in a fair, respectful way. It’s about teaching your dog what you want and what you don’t want, so everyone’s on the same page.

One myth is that balanced training is all punishment and fear. The reality is balanced training focuses heavily on positive reinforcement — rewarding the good stuff — but it also recognizes that corrections, when done right, are necessary to stop dangerous or unwanted behaviors. It’s like driving a car: you use the accelerator to go forward but also need brakes to stop safely. Ignoring corrections altogether leaves dogs confused and sometimes unsafe.

Remember - it's called BALANCED training because we use a balanced approach of the quadrant of operant conditioning. Positive only only uses (according to them) the positive reinforcement quadrant (even though they also use negative reinforcement and negative punishment).

If we would only use positive punishment - that is called Compulsion training or Aversion training. That is NOT what balanced training is.

Another big misconception is that balanced training damages the dog’s trust. Actually, when you use clear, consistent communication that includes both rewards and corrections, you build trust. Your dog knows what to expect and feels secure because boundaries are clear. It’s not about harsh punishment — it’s about being a confident leader who your dog respects and looks to for guidance.

So if you’ve been scared off by the “balanced training = abuse” narrative, take a step back and look at the facts. Balanced training, done properly, is one of the most effective ways to help your dog learn, stay safe, and build a strong bond with you. It’s about balance — not extremes — and it works.

If it didn't, why is there so, so many videos, stories and anecdotes of super happy, confident fulfilled, non traumatised, non shut down, non scared dogs online that are trained by balanced methods?

07/07/2025

Is your teenage dog going through their “too cool to listen” phase?

Between 5 and 18 months old, your pup might look grown-up… but they’re really just a furry teenager testing boundaries.
• Does your dog know basic commands, but ignore you the second there’s a distraction?
• Has their behaviour gotten worse as they’ve gotten older?
• Do they forget you exist when another dog is nearby?

Our 5-Week Teenage Dog Obedience Course is designed just for this age — when they need structure, consistency, and guidance the most.

In this course, we’ll help you:
• Teach your dog how to stay calm when meeting people and other dogs
• Build focus that doesn’t rely on food every time
• Extend your dog’s ability to listen and hold a behaviour (yes, even at a busy café or when guests visit!)
• Improve loose-lead walking so you’re not dragged down the street

This class is ideal for dogs aged 5 to 18 months who have some training but need help in the real world.

Spots are limited so grab your spot before it fills up!

Starts July 15th - Silverdale
6 pm.

https://www.thecompletecanine.co.nz/book-online

07/07/2025

Today Zelda turns 7 🥰🥰🎉

She is our forever puppy, always full of beans. She’s youre hype dog. Always up for anything - play, training, scent work, sleeping on the bed for 12 hours straight.

Zelda is loud and funny. She’s a character and so intensely unique. She’s an attention seeker but only in her own business hours. She’s a snuggle bug, but only when she feels like it. She is fearless, except if its a statue. If she were a person she’d be a stand up comedian.

Here is to many more crazy years together. ❤️

06/07/2025

1. Letting your dog pull and expecting it to stop on its own.
When you let your dog pull, you’re basically teaching them that pulling gets them where they want to go. Instead, stop walking the moment the leash tightens. Only move forward when the leash is loose. This clear “no pull, yes walk” message helps your dog understand what you expect.

2. Using equipment without proper training or leadership.
Fancy harnesses or choke chains don’t fix pulling by themselves. What matters is how you use them. A front-clip harness or head halter can help redirect your dog’s energy, but you need to be calm, consistent, and ready to guide your dog. The tool is just that — a tool. Your timing and leadership make the real difference.

3. Rushing the process or expecting instant results.
Pulling is a habit, and habits take time to change. Keep walks short and manageable at first, rewarding your dog for walking nicely. Gradually increase distractions and distance as your dog gets better. Staying patient and consistent helps both you and your dog avoid frustration.

4. Ignoring your own body language and timing.
Dogs read your energy like a book. If you’re tense, distracted, or inconsistent, your dog gets mixed signals. Make sure your body and voice tell the same story. Stop moving when your dog pulls, and only continue walking when the leash is slack. This clear communication is key to success.

5. Not celebrating small wins.
It’s easy to focus only on stopping pulling, but don’t forget to celebrate when your dog walks nicely. Don't start taking the right behaviours for granted and forget to reward them!

04/07/2025

Anyone else like this? 😂

04/07/2025

Today was the first time I ran puppy day school.
A new program im starting for existing puppy clients for socialisation and training.
I work mainly on ensuring pups are polite communicators whilst using my own dogs, especially Zelda, and teaching them to settle.

I actually have a perfect video of a gentle correction from Zelda teaching Fritzi that was inappropriate and it was effective as heck.

They come along on the day and a lot of the time they are there but not participating for example during a client session. This way they learn to do “nothing”, a skill way too many people don’t spent time building. To just be present without being worked with.

Besides that we also covered some leash skills, using a house leash and mini recalls of distractions and waiting to come out of the crate.

Today I had 12 week old Badger (jack russel) and Fritzi (gsd).

03/07/2025

Affection and leadership aren’t in competition—they work hand in hand to create a confident, well-adjusted dog. The problem is, many owners tip the balance too far toward affection, thinking that love alone will create a well-behaved companion. Endless pats, treats, snuggles, and soft talk might feel good to us, but to a dog without clear rules, it can feel like chaos. Without leadership, dogs often feel they have to step up and make decisions, and that’s where the trouble starts: pulling on leash, barking at triggers, ignoring commands, or getting anxious because no one’s showing them how to navigate the world. Affection without leadership is like giving a kid cake for breakfast every day—it might make them happy in the moment, but it doesn’t set them up for success.

Leadership provides the structure your dog craves. It’s not about being harsh or bossy—it’s about setting boundaries, offering guidance, and holding your dog accountable in a fair and consistent way. When your dog knows what’s expected, they don’t have to guess or stress about every situation. They can trust you to handle things and can relax into their role as your companion, not your co-pilot. A dog that has strong leadership at home walks through the world with more confidence because they’re not constantly trying to problem-solve on their own.

And here’s the best part: when you’ve established leadership, your affection actually means *more*. Your dog doesn’t see it as confusing mixed signals—they see it as well-earned praise and connection. The hugs, the belly rubs, the playtime—they all come as part of a balanced relationship where your dog knows their place and feels secure in it. This balance of love and structure strengthens your bond and makes your dog want to work with you, not just for the reward, but because they trust and respect you.

Think of it like a great coach. The best coaches aren’t just drill sergeants or cheerleaders—they’re both. They guide, correct, support, and celebrate. That’s the sweet spot you want to hit with your dog. Leadership gives your dog clarity. Affection gives your dog connection. Together, they create a relationship where your dog can truly thrive.

02/07/2025

Need to work on Engagement with your dog? Here is 6 different ways to practise that 🥰

Discover 6 powerful engagement games that make your dog focus on YOU, not just the toy. Build unbreakable attention and have more fun on every walk!Training ...

01/07/2025

Corrections aren’t the villain some people make them out to be—they’re simply part of clear communication. A fair, well-timed correction tells your dog, “That’s not it—try something else.”

It’s not about being mean or harsh; it’s about giving your dog information they can actually use. Imagine trying to learn to drive, but the instructor only praised you when you got it right and never mentioned when you were about to blow through a stop sign. You’d be in trouble pretty fast or how about like you wouldn’t let a child keep sticking their fingers in a power socket while gently offering them a cookie for stopping, dogs need to hear no sometimes too.

The key is that corrections shouldn’t come from a place of frustration or anger. They should be clear, well-timed, and followed by a chance for your dog to make a better choice and get rewarded for it. Dogs, like people, need both encouragement and guidance when they’re on the wrong track—otherwise they’ll keep making the same mistake without even realizing it.

Think of corrections like guardrails on a mountain road. They’re not there to hurt you; they’re there to stop you from going over the edge when you veer off course. A gentle correction redirects your dog, helps them reset, and opens the door for you to reward them when they make a better choice. When corrections are part of balanced, fair communication, your dog learns faster, feels more secure, and actually builds more trust in you—not less.

01/07/2025

Tonight was the kick off for the beginners Scent Work class and all the dogs did so well! Cant wait to see how theyll develop their skills in the next 5 weeks!

Manny - Spoodle
Ruby - Labrador
Luna - Wheaten Terrier

29/06/2025

Boundaries aren’t about being a killjoy or turning your dog’s life into boot camp—they’re about giving your dog the kind of clarity that makes them feel safe and secure. When a dog knows where the lines are, they can relax because they’re not constantly guessing what’s allowed and what’s not. Imagine being dropped into a new job with no training and no one telling you the rules—you’d probably feel pretty anxious, right? It’s the same for dogs. Boundaries create predictability, and predictability builds confidence. Your dog starts to trust you to guide them through the world instead of feeling like they have to figure it all out on their own.

The beauty of boundaries is that they actually create freedom—not take it away. A dog that understands and respects limits is a dog you can trust in more situations. They earn more off-leash time, more social opportunities, and more privileges because you know they’ll handle it well. And that, in turn, boosts their confidence even more.

Boundaries are like giving your dog a solid map of the world—you’re not fencing them in; you’re showing them where the safe paths are so they can explore with certainty instead of chaos.

An initial NO is the pathway to yes.