Confident Canines NZ

25/02/2025

An aversive is anything a dog finds unpleasant and would work to avoid. In training, aversives are used to discourage unwanted behaviour, but they can range from mild to severe. Examples include physical corrections (like leash jerks), loud noises, or tools such as prong or shock collars.

While aversives may suppress behaviour, they can also cause stress, fear, or confusion, potentially damaging the bond between dog and handler. Instead, force-free training focuses on rewarding desired behaviours, making learning clearer and more enjoyable for dogs.

Have you noticed what your dog finds aversive? It’s often different for each individual!

25/02/2025

Are you looking to build a strong and positive relationship with your puppy? Our Positive Puppy Class is designed to help you understand your dog better while using force-free training to build confidence and resilience.

Details:
📅 Start Date: 7th March
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Newlands
💰 Cost: $160

In this fun and educational course, we’ll cover common puppy challenges, training techniques, and general puppy care. With small class sizes, we ensure personalised advice for you and your puppy.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/8LCmQ2jpDa

Spots are limited, so secure yours today! Feel free to reply if you have any questions.

Looking forward to seeing you and your puppy in class!

24/02/2025

This is a refreshed post from a few years ago.

My dogs are my life, and I couldn’t imagine even considering rehoming them. When I chose to have dogs, I accepted that my life would revolve around them—but that doesn’t mean I can’t live my life too.

There are situations where rehoming a dog is the right decision, but getting a dog should never come with the mindset of “If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just rehome them.” A dog is a lifelong commitment, and it’s our responsibility to meet their needs, not just when it’s easy, but for their entire life.

Before bringing a dog into your home, ask yourself:

🐶 Can I afford a dog?

The cost of purchasing or adopting

Routine and preventative healthcare

A quality diet

Training, gear, toys, and enrichment

Emergency vet care and potential behavioural support

🏡 Can I provide a stable home for the next 15 years?

Life circumstances change, but a dog should remain a priority through it all.

⏳ Do I have the time to care for a dog?

Feeding, grooming, training, companionship, exercise, and mental enrichment all take time.

🐕 What breed suits my lifestyle?

It’s not just about the breed you love; it’s about the breed that fits your life.

If you dream of a high-energy breed like a Border Collie but don’t have time for daily training and exercise, you may need to reconsider.

Dogs are sentient beings with their own emotions, needs, and personalities. They rely on us for everything, and it’s our duty to give them the best life possible.

A dog is not just a pet—they’re family. If you can’t commit to that, it’s okay to wait until you can.

24/02/2025

Hands up if you buy a course, do all the coursework… and then just stop before the final hurdle? 🙋‍♀️

Well, that used to be me—but not anymore! I’ve finally worked through and finished all these courses:

📚 Puppy Lab

🐶 Scent for Six

⛑ First Aid Accredited Certificate (because apparently, being a vet nurse, first aid instructor, and resuscitation educator still wasn’t enough!)

🐕‍🦺 Canine Reactive Behaviour Accredited Advanced Certificate

👃 Scentwork Enrichment Accredited Certificate

🥩 Approved Canine Nutrition & Wellness Expert Certification

😨 Canine Fear CPD Certificate

👶🐾 Dogs and Children

🔎 Scentwork for Fun

🌍 Ethology and Enrichment

2025 is my year for getting them all finished—no more almost-there courses! Who else has a course (or ten) waiting for that last little step? Let’s do this! 🎉💪

23/02/2025

The issue with instant gratification in dog training.

In a world where everything is available at the touch of a button, it’s easy to expect the same instant results when training our dogs. We want them to stop barking immediately, walk calmly on a lead right now, or stop jumping up straight away. When things don’t change as quickly as we’d like, frustration can set in.

This need for instant results is one of the reasons aversive methods—such as prong collars, shock collars, and physical corrections—are still used. They often appear to work fast, suppressing unwanted behaviours almost immediately. But at what cost?

Force-free training focuses on teaching dogs what to do rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Aversive methods rely on fear and discomfort, which can suppress behaviour in the moment but often lead to stress, anxiety, and even more complex behavioural issues in the long run.

The good news? You don’t need to wait forever to see results. With consistency, force-free methods can create real changes quickly. You’ll start noticing a more confident, engaged, and responsive dog—one who learns because they want to, not because they’re afraid.

So, the next time you find yourself wishing for a quick fix, take a step back. Force-free training isn’t about instant results—it’s about long-term success, mutual trust, and a happy, confident dog.

Would you rather have a dog who listens because they want to or one who obeys because they’re afraid not to?

22/02/2025

🐶 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 🍀🤞

22/02/2025

I was honoured to be part of the Your Puppy Blueprint discussion panel alongside five other canine professionals from around the world! We covered a wide range of puppy-related topics, sharing insights and experiences to help set puppies up for success.

If you’re interested in expert perspectives on raising and training puppies, check out the full discussion here: https://youtu.be/owSqwPOnwQg. Plus, there are loads of freebies and links to further information in the video description!

Want a happy, well trained puppy? This roundtable discussion will give you lots of tips for raising a puppy properly!►🙋‍♀️COMPLETE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS: ...

21/02/2025

Confident Canines Active Outlet – Bigger, Better, and Back on Track

Losing Craven last year was devastating. The grief that followed—and that I’m still working through—affected every part of my life, including my business. The Confident Canines Active Outlet was something I had poured my energy into, but in the aftermath of his loss, it wasn’t my priority the way it once was.

But now, it’s time for that to change.

The Active Outlet has always been about top-quality products for active dogs—whether for scent work, sled dog sports, enrichment, everyday essentials, or supplements. I source the best gear from around the world, ensuring fair and ethical pricing while staying true to my professional values.

Every product I stock is one I believe in—either my own dogs have tested it, or I would use it if it were appropriate for them. I don’t compromise on quality, and I don’t sell anything that goes against my ethics or professional standards.

Now, I need your help. If you’ve supported me before, or if you believe in what I do, please help me rebuild and move forward.
✔️ Like, comment, and share my posts.
✔️ Recommend Confident Canines Active Outlet to others.
✔️ Like the Confident Canines Active Outlet page if you haven’t already.
✔️ Support a small business that truly cares about dogs and the gear they use.

Grief changed things for me, but I’m ready to grow again—to make Confident Canines Active Outlet the go-to place for active dogs. Let’s do this together.

21/02/2025

Krueger – My Constant Companion

Through everything, Krueger is always there. My rock, my comfort, my unwavering presence. Whether it’s an adventure or a quiet moment like this, he’s by my side. Some bonds are just unshakable.



Nightmare On Pointer Street

20/02/2025

Fear should never be part of your relationship with your dog.

As Albert Camus said, “Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.” Respect built on fear isn’t true respect—it’s just fear of consequences. And no dog deserves to live that way.

Training isn’t about intimidation or force. It’s about communication, trust, and teamwork. Your dog should choose to work with you, not comply out of fear.

At Confident Canines NZ, we believe a strong relationship comes first. From that relationship comes mutual respect, and from respect comes a dog who wants to work with you—not one who feels they have no choice.

What does respect mean to you when it comes to your dog?

19/02/2025

Yesterday, I was looking through my memories and came across a post from 2023. I had written about the heartbreaking losses caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and the importance of cherishing every moment with our dogs. In that post, I shared a photo of Craven lying beside me as I read those stories—never knowing that just over a year later, I would lose him in such a traumatic way. He was not meant to die. He should still be here.

Now, as his 4th birthday approaches, followed by the anniversary of his passing, I find myself feeling so many things—sadness, guilt, anger at those responsible for taking time from us. Grief is a strange beast. Some days, it lingers quietly; other days, it crashes over me like a wave. These anniversaries are looming, and with them comes a heaviness that’s hard to put into words.

But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that time is never guaranteed. Cherish your dogs. Enjoy the little moments, because they don’t last forever. Hug your dogs for me. (Cats, birds, horses, all the animals.)


Nightmare On Pointer Street

19/02/2025

Positive Puppy Class

Starting 7th March at 6pm in Newands.

$160 for a for week course covering confidence building, resiliency, basic training, husbandry, and problem solving.

Spaces are limited.

Register at the link below.....

https://forms.office.com/r/8LCmQ2jpDa

18/02/2025

Frustration. We’ve all felt it—that burning sense of overwhelm when things don’t go as expected. I’ve had moments where frustration completely consumed me, to the point where I could have cried. It wasn’t just irritation; it was deep, boiling frustration that left me feeling annoyed, angry, and helpless.

One of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had was being expected to do something without enough information to succeed. I felt completely out of control. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t getting anywhere, and my frustration kept building. Looking back, I wonder—did I not experience enough frustration as a child to learn how to cope? Or do I just get overwhelmed by frustration more easily?

This got me thinking about . We often expect dogs to learn without giving them enough clear information. Take , for example. Many dogs love to dig—it’s natural, instinctive, and rewarding. But when we come home to find the garden destroyed, frustration kicks in. We might scold, sigh, or throw our hands up in despair. But from the dog’s perspective, were they ever given the right information to succeed? Did we guide them toward what we do want them to do, or just expect them to stop without understanding why?

A little frustration is okay—it’s part of learning. It can push us (and our dogs) to problem-solve and adapt. But too much frustration can be overwhelming, creating big emotions that cloud our judgment and make it harder to move forward.

So next time frustration creeps in, whether with a dog or in life, I try to ask myself:
✔️ Do I have enough information to succeed?
✔️ Am I expecting too much too soon?
✔️ Can I adjust my approach rather than just feeling stuck?

Because at the end of the day, frustration is part of learning—for us and for our dogs. The key is finding the balance: enough to challenge us, but not so much that we shut down.

18/02/2025

What classes do you want?

I am looking at starting classes on Friday the 14th of March.

Options:
Baby Puppy
Positive Puppy
Tricks for Life
Intro to scent
Come!

Don't forget we have Scent Club for those who have imprint at least one of thefollowibg odours - Clove Bud, Cedarwood Atlas, Lemongrass, or Sweet Birch.

Plus we have a First Aid Course on Saturday 5th of April.

Loads of learning opportunities for you and your dog!

Let me know what you are keen on..

17/02/2025

When supporting dogs with behavioural challenges, management and behaviour modification are usually the first steps. However, for some dogs—especially those experiencing severe stress, fear, or anxiety—medication can be an important tool. Despite this, there are many myths surrounding its use, leading some owners to feel hesitant or even guilty about considering it.

Myths About Medication in Behaviour Modification

🔹 “Medication is a ‘lazy’ fix.”
Medication isn’t a shortcut or a replacement for behaviour modification. It’s a support tool that helps dogs become more receptive to learning and adapting to their environment.

🔹 “It will change my dog’s personality.”
The goal of medication is not to sedate or dull a dog’s personality but to reduce excessive fear or anxiety. A properly medicated dog should remain themselves—just less distressed.

🔹 “Only aggressive dogs need medication.”
Medication is not just for aggression. It is commonly used for generalised anxiety, phobias (such as noise sensitivity), compulsive behaviours, and trauma-related issues.

🔹 “Once a dog starts medication, they’ll be on it forever.”
Many dogs only need medication temporarily while behaviour modification is underway. Others may require long-term support, but this is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The Purpose of Medication in Behaviour Modification

Medication is used to help dogs with behavioural problems, meaning issues that negatively impact their well-being—such as anxiety, fear, or compulsive behaviours. It is not used for problem behaviours—those that are simply inconvenient or undesirable to humans.

For example, medication may be considered for a dog suffering from extreme noise phobia, but not for a dog that simply doesn’t settle when expected. It can:

✔ Reduce overall anxiety levels so a dog can engage in behaviour modification.
✔ Help break cycles of fear-based reactivity.
✔ Improve quality of life for dogs experiencing severe distress.
✔ Prevent self-harm or damage caused by compulsive behaviours.

Pros & Cons of Using Medication for Behavioural Issues

Pros:

✅ Reduces stress-related suffering – Some dogs experience chronic anxiety that significantly impacts their well-being. Medication can help them feel more comfortable.
✅ Enhances behaviour modification success – A calmer dog is more able to process and retain new coping strategies.
✅ Can prevent worsening of behaviours – Fear and anxiety can escalate over time if not managed appropriately.
✅ Improves the dog-owner relationship – Owners often feel relief when their dog is happier and more responsive.

Cons:

⚠ Not a standalone solution – Medication must be combined with behaviour modification for long-term success.
⚠ Adjustment period – Some medications take weeks to show full effects, and dosages may need adjusting.
⚠ Potential side effects – As with any medication, there can be side effects, though many are temporary or manageable.
⚠ Not suitable for every case – A qualified veterinary behaviourist should determine if medication is appropriate.

Medication isn’t about "drugging" a dog or taking shortcuts—it’s about helping them feel safe enough to learn and thrive. If a dog’s stress, fear, or anxiety is affecting their quality of life, speaking to a qualified veterinary behaviourist about all available options, including medication, can be a valuable step forward.

Have you ever considered or used medication as part of a behaviour modification plan for your dog? What was your experience? Let’s have a conversation!

16/02/2025

Whether you're training, competing, or running a business, the key to success is staying focused on your own journey. The noise—whether it comes from critics, distractions, or negativity—will always be there. But it doesn’t have to define you.

In the dog world, whether you're working on a new skill or stepping into the competition ring, your attention should be on your dog, your progress, and your goals. The same applies in business—there will always be those who try to bring others down instead of building them up. Don’t let their voices drown out your purpose.

Ignore the noise.
Trust your path.
Focus on yourself and your dogs.
Support others.
Lift people up.
Lead with kindness.

15/02/2025

Confident Canines First Aid Course – April 2025!

The first Confident Canines Canine First Aid Course for 2025 is locked in! 🐾

📅 Saturday, 5th April
🕘 9:00 AM start
📍 Porirua

Do you know what to do if your dog stops breathing? How to check for signs of illness or injury? Or how to handle an emergency before you get to the vet?

This course covers essential first aid skills for dog owners and professionals, including:
✅ Performing a basic physical exam
✅ CPR for dogs – life-saving skills you hope you never need but should always know
✅ Handling emergencies like wounds, poisoning, and more

Taught by a qualified vet nurse, healthcare professional, and resuscitation educator (that’s me!), this hands-on course will give you the confidence to act when it matters most.

Whether you're a pet guardian, trainer, walker, or groomer, this course is designed for you!

Spaces are limited – register now!
🔗 https://forms.office.com/r/F1ZJsWQ5q7