Confident Canines NZ

19/03/2025

An unpopular opinion of consent in dogs?

I agree with the concept of consent in dog training and husbandry, but I struggle with the term itself. My frame of reference comes from healthcare, where informed consent means providing individuals with enough information to make an informed decision about their care. By that definition, non-human animals can’t truly consent—but they can choose to cooperate with us.

Dogs can be active participants in their own healthcare and husbandry. We don’t need to force them to undergo procedures. Instead, we can show them they have a choice. They can change their mind. They can say no.

My dogs take regular medication, but they aren’t restrained. Myers willingly opens her mouth for me to place a pill at the back of her tongue and is eager for her regular injections. Krueger, while less keen, still chooses to have his. At any point, they could walk away—but they don’t. We work on trust, expectations, and kindness. No force. No fear. Just understanding.

Even Craven, who had his own challenges, learned to medicate himself by eating a treat from his automatic feeder.

So, while I may not call it consent in the way I understand it professionally, I still believe in the principle: giving dogs a voice in their own care.

What do you think? Do you use choice-based methods with your dog?

18/03/2025

Every day, our knowledge expands—whether actively through study or passively through experience.

Science evolves as our understanding of the universe deepens, research methods advance, and our ability to interpret information improves.

Never stop learning.
Never stop questioning.
Never stop seeking a deeper understanding.

17/03/2025

There’s often confusion around socialisation and socialising—and they’re not the same thing.

You might hear well-meaning advice suggesting that a dog’s “problem” behaviour just means they need more socialisation. Puppy owners often talk about the need to socialise their puppy. But what do these terms actually mean?

Socialisation is the learning process a puppy undergoes to adapt to life within their family. It occurs during the critical period—roughly from 3 to 12 - 16 weeks of age—when puppies are most receptive to new experiences. Positive exposure during this time helps them develop the skills needed to become confident, happy, and well-adjusted dogs.

Socialising, on the other hand, refers to spending time with others in a social setting—such as a playdate or a visit to a dog park. For a dog to socialise successfully, they need appropriate socialisation as a puppy and the right level of sociability. Doggy daycare and dog parks primarily provide socialising, not socialisation.

Sociability is a dog’s natural interest in and comfort with social interactions. It exists on a spectrum—very few dogs are friendly with every dog they meet, and sociability changes as they mature. Social maturity occurs between 12–36 months, depending on breed.

While we often place a high value on socialising, it’s not as essential as many believe. In fact, too much socialising—especially in the wrong settings—can cause stress, anxiety, or discomfort, depending on your dog’s sociability. Social interaction within your family unit is important, but your dog doesn’t need a large circle of canine friends.

16/03/2025

What influences Dog Behaviour?

Behaviour is complex, but at its core, it is a response to a stimulus or situation. In dogs, behaviour is shaped by a wide range of factors—genetics, environment, learning, and physiological processes all play a role.

Some behaviours can be inherited. A mother’s health, stress levels, and behaviour during pregnancy influence her puppies before they are even born. Even their position in the uterus can affect development. Once born, early experiences—such as litter size, maternal care, human handling, and exposure to different environments—continue to shape behaviour.

Throughout life, every experience leaves an imprint. Both positive and negative experiences influence behaviour, sometimes subtly, sometimes profoundly. Trauma—whether physical or psychological—can create lasting changes, though its impact varies between individuals.

Hormones also play a significant role in behaviour. While they are often associated with challenges, they can just as easily support positive changes.

Importantly, behaviour is not fixed—we can shape it. If a dog rarely sits naturally but is consistently rewarded for sitting, they will start to sit more often. Socialisation in early life has a lasting impact, and the way we interact with dogs throughout their lives continues to influence them, for better or worse. Reinforcement—whether through treats, play, or affection—drives behaviour. While unpleasant experiences can also shape behaviour, ethical training prioritises positive methods that build trust and confidence.

Another factor in behaviour is epigenetics—the way environmental influences can modify gene expression without altering DNA itself. Factors such as stress, nutrition, and early experiences can switch certain genes on or off, affecting behaviour not just in an individual but potentially in future generations.

Ultimately, every dog is unique. Their behaviour is shaped by a combination of genetics, learning, environment, and life experiences. When working to modify behaviour, we must consider the past, present, and future. There is no one-size-fits-all approach—dogs are not identical copies of each other; they are individuals, constantly evolving and adapting to the world around them.

16/03/2025

Over the next few weeks, we have a lot going on!

In less than two weeks, we have the 2nd CCSI event, and then the week after that is the Confident Canines First Aid Course.

We have the support of some awesome brands for both of these events.

PAW by Blackmores is providing items for the goodie bags at both events and some awesome products for a prize or two.

At Confident Canines, we only work with what we consider to be the best brands.

Still time to sign up for the Confident Canines First Aid Course

15/03/2025

Let Dogs Be Dogs

This is something I feel strongly about. Too often, dogs are expected to be perfect—always well-behaved, constantly training, or striving to be top-level sport dogs.

But dogs need time off. They need to just be dogs. They can’t always be switched on or perfectly behaved. They need time to relax and engage in natural behaviours.

Imagine if you were always working, never getting a break to unwind or do what you love. It would be exhausting, right? Dogs feel that too.

There’s a time for training and achievement, but there also needs to be time to just be. Let them run, bark, sniff, dig, and chew—not because they have to, but because they love to.

Give them the freedom to be dogs.

12/03/2025

100% Sardine most of the time.
Sometimes, Myers enjoys a bit of Peace Sign.

When Craven was still with us, he was a Pillow Thief in summer and The Pupper Shlump in winter.

No matter the sleeping positions, Krueger always has his side—and no one else ever gets to sleep there.

What about you and your dogs? What positions do you sleep in?

10/03/2025

I once posted about how proud I was to have brushed Craven for the first time in months—not a full brush, just his chest and back.

A year later, I could no longer do that. I couldn’t approach him with anything in my hands. But I could pat every inch of his body with a flat hand. I could run my hand over his extensive scars. I could check his mouth, eyes, and ears. I couldn’t hold his feet, but I could hold his tail.

To some, it might have seemed like a step backwards. But to me, it was still progress. Progress isn’t linear, and it isn’t dictated by speed. It moves in different directions, sometimes in ways we don’t expect. I believed I would be able to brush him again one day, but the progress we made in other areas—our trust, our connection—mattered even more than brushing. Even though Craven is no longer with me, I still celebrate the wins we achieved together.

No dog follows a formulaic behaviour modification plan. They are sentient beings, shaped by their own feelings, trauma, and experiences. True progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.

If you’re struggling with your dog, remember—any step forward, even if it doesn’t look the way you expected, is still progress. You are not failing. Your dog is not incapable of change. And you don’t need to measure your journey against anyone else’s.

Progress isn’t about how fast you move, but about the trust and understanding you build along the way.

Bad days happen—to both you and your dog. What matters is that you keep moving forward, in whatever way you can.

09/03/2025

Choose Kindness

Kindness matters—whether in how we treat dogs or how we treat each other.

The world has enough negativity. Judgement and hostility don’t help anyone, and they certainly don’t create change. If we want to see a better world, we have to start with ourselves. Small acts of kindness, every single day, can make a difference.

Being open to discussion is key. We don’t all have to agree, but attacking someone for having a different perspective doesn’t move the conversation forward. Instead, explain your viewpoint, ask questions, and seek understanding. Provide evidence, show research, and respect that people process information differently.

Avoid insults. Don’t call people stupid, ignorant, or worse just because you disagree. Everyone sees the world through their own experiences, and that shapes their understanding. What is true for you may not be true for someone else—but that doesn’t mean either of you are wrong. It simply means you see things differently.

My experiences have shaped how I see dogs, training, and behaviour. I believe dogs are sentient beings, capable of emotions, and deserving of lives filled with happiness and respect. I choose to train with kindness, understanding both the dog and the person. I am force-free, reward-based, and committed to reducing fear and stress.

If you disagree with me, I will listen. But I won’t change my philosophy unless you explain why your approach is better and I genuinely believe it is. I wouldn’t expect anyone to change their beliefs just because I say so, and I extend that same respect to others.

When I interact with people, I try to understand where they’re coming from. I know my way isn’t the only way, and I will always choose kindness—toward others, toward dogs, and toward myself.

So choose kindness. Choose understanding. Choose respect.

And love your dog for me.

08/03/2025

Dogs truly are the best.

Pure honesty and unconditional love.

08/03/2025

I believe many dog guardians don’t realise that aversive tools—like slip leads, choke chains, prong collars, and shock collars—can have a negative impact on their dogs. I believe this is because many canine professionals have told them these tools are just "small corrections" that aren’t painful or harmful.

But sometimes, we don’t know what we don’t know. This isn’t an immediate failing of the guardian—most people want the best for their dogs and trust the advice they’re given.

I believe aversives work by causing discomfort or fear, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and even behavioural fallout. I also believe that science supports this, showing us that punishment-based methods can have long-term negative effects on behaviour and welfare. Once we know better, we can do better. Dogs learn best when they feel safe and supported, and I believe positive, science-based methods build trust and cooperation without the need for punishment.

05/03/2025

Still time to enter our Sewa Dog Boost giveaway.

Only 2 more days before it closes!

🐶 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🐶 – Win a pack of SEWA DOG BOOST!

We’re giving away a 90g pack of SEWA DOG BOOST (valued at $42)—a premium, 100% natural food supplement that doubles as a delicious treat! 🌿

✨ Why SEWA DOG BOOST?
✔ Supports skin & coat health 🐕✨
✔ Promotes joint health & mobility 🦴
✔ Boosts overall vitality & well-being 🌱

How to Enter:
1️⃣ Like Confident Canines Active Outlet & Confident Canines NZ on Facebook
2️⃣ Share a photo of your dog in the comments and tell us why they’d love SEWA DOG BOOST! 📸🐾

📅 Entries close 7th March at 5PM (NZ time). Winner announced on 8th March!

📍 NZ only. One entry per person per page – you can enter once on each Confident Canines account (Confident Canines NZ and Confident Canines Active Outlet on Facebook) and on Instagram.

Share the love by sharing this post.

Good Luck 🍀🤞

04/03/2025

Get your Dog Coach orders in now!!

If you want any of the new season drop or any of the previous drops let me know. As long as it is in stock on the website.

Be quick!! Like today.

03/03/2025

Myers and Craven were always partners in crime—silence usually meant trouble. Myers still gets up to mischief when she isn’t by my side.

Krueger, on the other hand, has a sixth sense for staying out of trouble. He makes sure to stick with me whenever hijinks are happening, just so he doesn’t get tarred with the same brush as the ratbags. Smart boy!