Cosy Critters Dog Training & Behaviour

23/01/2025

Weekend Warriors are back!

One of my favourite ways to start a Sunday. A group walk with like minded dog guardians.

An opportunity to practice your loose leash walking around other dogs. And your dogs focus on you around real world distractions with the support of each other.

As always these walks are run on a koha basis.

This Sunday 26th January at 9am
Wainui Regional Park

Come join for a bush walk.

If you can make it, RSVP to [email protected]

21/01/2025

Are you ready to teach your dog to be the best companion, that still listens and responds even around distractions?

Real world, real dogs class is for you.

You’ve probably already got some good basics and training that works well at home and when there’s no distractions.

Now let’s elevate your training so it also works around distractions too.

Class starts this Saturday. 25th January at 9am and runs for four Saturdays.

Drop me a message to confirm your space.

15/01/2025

Calling all puppies!

Our next puppy class begins Friday 24th January in Kilbirnie.

We have a few spaces open, so if you picked up a puppy over the Christmas break and are wanting to teach them the best foundations, so they become the perfect companion, then get in touch!

Drop an email over to
[email protected]
to confirm your space.

06/01/2025

Happy birthday Cooker! 🍪

The dog that started it all. 🐶

My bestie. My colleague. My life coach. 🐾

Like many dog trainers, there’s a difficult dog that starts you on the path to dog training. For me, that dog is Cookie. 🐕

Before her, I was clueless! I felt lost trying to train this little being that couldn’t understand me. I felt confused when things that were meant to work, well didn’t work! 🦮

Thus began my journey to immerse myself and educate myself in all things dog and try to make sense of it all. 🤔

And fast forward a bit, we started connecting more on our walks. We started understanding each other. Things started making sense and falling into place. ☺️

And that feeling, is exactly why I became a dog trainer. Because I want to give you that feeling. I want you to start having those lightbulb moments where it makes sense and you understand your dog and they understand you. I want you to have the best adventures with your dog. I want you to feel so connected with your dog. I want you to enjoy your walks and training. 🥹

So thanks Cookie! Thanks for catapulting me into this lifestyle and being my guide in this life and I’m sure in many other lives. 🍪

27/12/2024

Happy holidays.

We are taking a bit of a break for once and planning the direction of the business for the coming year.

I am excited to expand and grow and work with you next year.

What do you look for in a dog trainer? What services do you wish were available? As a dog owner, what do you need to support you on your journey? If you could let me know in the comments below (or private message if you prefer) this will help me tailor my business to what you actually need and want.

Hope you are all having a great holiday season. Those of you still working hard, thank you for your service. Nurses, doctors, retail, hospitality, vet care, supermarket staff, thank you.

21/11/2024

Weekend Warrior Group Walk! 🐕

Sunday 24th November, 9am
Wellington Watetfront 🌊

An on leash group walk where you can work on loose leash walking around distractions, neutrality around other dogs, engaging with you around distractions. 🐕‍🦺

We start these walks in an open space and coach you through some loose leash and engagement exercises. Before we then head off on a walk together. 🐾

All dogs welcome, including reactive dogs. We will all give each other whatever space you need to be successful. 🦮

These walks are run on a koha basis. All koha will be going towards Cookie’s vet bills. All things going well, I’ll be bringing Cookie on this walk as well, so you can say hi to the special little lady. She’s blowing me away with how resilient she is. 🍪

RSVP to [email protected]

09/11/2024

Another year around the sun with dogs!

A few weeks ago I thought we were going to be minus one dog.

The best birthday gift ever is that Cookie is here, still fighting and still teaching me.

So thank YOU, for your support in my business, as friends, as fellow dog guardians. Thank you for trusting me on your journey with you and your dogs. And thank you for all your donations into the Give A Little for Cookie (link in bio) that have allowed me to share my birthday with my best friend and my guide in life.

31/10/2024

Weekend Warrior Group Walk! 🐕

Thanks for your patience team! Sorry we missed a walk with Cookie’s recovery journey. ❤️‍🩹

But let’s get back to it! 🙌🏼

Sunday 3rd November, 9am
Moa Point Coastal Walkway 🌊

An on leash group walk where you can work on loose leash walking around distractions, neutrality around other dogs, engaging with you around distractions. 🐕‍🦺

We start these walks in an open space and coach you through some loose leash and engagement exercises. Before we then head off on a walk together. 🐾

All dogs welcome, including reactive dogs. We will all give each other whatever space you need to be successful. 🦮

These walks are run on a koha basis. All koha will be going towards Cookie’s vet bills. 🍪

RSVP to [email protected]

21/10/2024

Thank you all for your patience as we fight hard for and with Cookie.

Dan and I are overwhelmed with the love and care and support. We are so grateful for all the kind words, donations, care packages, meals, help with cleaning and company.

Cookie girl is still fighting hard and her personality is certainly there. We just don’t know if her remaining gut will ever function well enough for her to absorb all nutrients she needs and gain weight and retain fluids.

We are off to the specialist tomorrow and if anyone can help, it will be them. So hopefully we will have more answers then.

At this point, puppy class will go ahead as normal on Friday with a new group of pups. And I will start replying to emails this week.

The link to Cookie’s give a little is here and updates on how the specialist goes will be popped up on there too.

Again, thank you so much for the love, care and support. It really means a lot and is helping us stay strong in this fight with little Cook.

Cookie needs your help

18/10/2024

I don’t really know what to say and asking for help is so hard. But if you’ve ever met our girl Cookie you will know just how special she is. Just how much of a beautiful soul she is. And just how much she has shaped my dog training business and my life with dogs.

Cookie is fighting hard to recover from an incredibly hard surgery.

She is insured but we have reached the limit of what they will cover and the vet bills keep coming.

Our lovely friend Rachel has set up a give a little page for us and she’s been such an incredible support through this.

I know times are tough and everyone is struggling right now, but if you can support us and Cookie in any way, even just sharing the link with others or skipping your coffee at the cafe this week to donate, Dan and I would be beyond grateful.

Thank you to everyone that has donated so far, everyone that has sent messages (even if I haven’t replied please know I am so touched.) I am overwhelmed with your generosity and kindness.

Cookie needs your help

17/10/2024

My best friend and life guide. My little chef. My right hand lady. My gal that helps me with all your dogs.

She’s really struggling right now, I need all your positive vibes to get her stronger.

Please bear with me, I need some time to process all this and put all my energy into getting her through this.

I won’t be replying to non urgent emails right now.

If you would like to support us through this, consider signing up to the membership for a month (or more). Or finally grabbing the Reliable Recall online course you’ve been thinking about. The link for these is in my bio.

A huge thank you to my clients being so patient with me this week and everyone who has been there to help ferry Cook around and help with Dax and Mim.

Never take for granted how precious your pups are!

26/09/2024

📣 Group walk - Wellington 📣

Weekend Warriors are heading to Evans Bay Parade this Sunday 29th September.

Remember it’s Daylight Savings as well.

An opportunity to meet with like minded dog guardians, practice your loose leash walking and neutrality around other dogs and life distractions.

We start these walks in an open space, guiding you through some engagement and loose leash exercises. Before then heading off as a group.

There is no pressure to stay bunched up together, take the space you need with your dog.

All dogs are welcome, reactive, young, excitable, everyone! So please be sure to give each other space when needed.

There are plenty of spots along the way to practice sit stays or down stays and jumping up benches, walls and rocks.

Typical distractions for this walk are runners and cyclists, sometimes windy conditions, sea birds, people and dogs.

These walks are run on a koha basis in my quest to make dog training as accessible to as many as possible.

RSVP to [email protected]

See you there!!!

12/09/2024

Weekend Warriors - Wellington

A neutral group walk. A space to practice your dogs skills around others around like minded owners. Whether your dog is super friendly or super reactive, all are welcome!

We are going for a walk up at the Brooklyn Turbine this Sunday, 15th September.

Our walks start in a bigger open space with some engagement and loose leash exercises. Taking whatever distance and space you need to help your dog settle in to the environment. From here we will go for a wander together and see where we end up!

There is no pressure to stay super bunched up and close to each other. We will stop at various points for anyone to catch up.

RSVP to [email protected]

Want to host your own Weekend Warriors walk in your own city/town/village? Drop me a DM and I’ll support you in getting that started!

30/08/2024

📣Weekend Warriors tomorrow!!! 📣

It’s short notice team, the week ran away from me! But group walk tomorrow at Wainui Recreation Reserve!

As always all are welcome for our on leash group walk.

Come get to know each other, practice your dogs loose leash walking and neutrality.

These walks are run on a koha basis and all are welcome, including reactive dogs, we are all there to help support you.

RSVP to [email protected]

13/08/2024

📣 Calling all Wellington puppies! 📣

Enrolment for our next puppy class is open!

Class starts Friday 30th August at 6pm in Kilbirnie.

You will learn the best foundations for your puppy.

Things such as:
- how your puppy learns
- confidence building
- settling so you can go to the pub together
- recall so you can enjoy adventures together
- loose leash walking so you can prevent being dragged around on your walks
- understanding your puppies body language
And so much more!

Class is around 40 minutes of practical hands on learning, followed by 10-15 minutes for Q+A.

Drop me a DM and I will send you the enrolment form.

Let’s set you and your puppy up with the best start possible.

08/08/2024

Weekend Warriors - Wellington

A neutral group walk. A space to practice your dogs skills around others around like minded owners. Whether your dog is super friendly or super reactive, all are welcome!

We are going for a coastal walk around Red Rocks this Sunday.

Our walks start in a bigger open space with some engagement and loose leash exercises. Taking whatever distance and space you need to help your dog settle in to the environment. From here we will go for a wander together and see where we end up!

There is no pressure to stay super bunched up and close to each other. We will stop at various points for anyone to catch up.

RSVP to [email protected]

Want to host your own Weekend Warriors walk in your own city/town/village? Drop me a DM and I’ll support you in getting that started!

31/07/2024

It’s probably about time for a reintroduction post right?

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Abi. 👋

The reason I’m here and do what I do is all thanks to Cookie, my gal on the right of me. And she literally is my right hand lady. 🍪

With ideas of getting an older, already trained dog, we ended up with a 6 month old wild child of a Cookie. 🔥

Everything I thought I knew got turned upside down and I had to really learn her and alternative techniques. 🤯

Everything the internet suggested, didn’t work with Cookie.

Throw out the rule book, we had to learn together to make our own rules to work together. 📖

From reactive, unfocused, distracted by everything and couldn’t give a toss about me. To now the dog that helps me the most with my clients dogs and is just an actual dream of a dog. She’s a gem! A truly special dog. 💎

We will have to save the Daiquiri story for another day, that’s my pup on the left of me. 🍸

Feeling so lost and alone in raising a dog and trying my best but also feeling confused, led me down the path of learning everything under the sun about dog training. Now it was becoming clearer. Cookie and I were becoming connected. We were actually making progress. 🙌🏼

And so here began my journey to dog training. It’s for you! I don’t want you to feel lost and alone like I did. I will be the safe space for you to learn how to bring out the best version of you and your dog. 🐕

And if your dog says screw the rule book like Cookie did, we will problem solve it together.

I’ve got you!

Introduce yourself and your dog in the comments below. 👇🏼

24/07/2024

Weekend Warriors - Wellington

You didn’t think I’d forgotten about the Welly crew did you?

Whilst Auckland have their group walk on Saturday, down here in Welly we will have ours on Sunday.

A neutral group walk. A space to practice your dogs skills around others around like minded owners. Whether your dog is super friendly or super reactive, all are welcome!

It’s been a while since we tackled the busy Wellington Waterfront, so I figured it was about time we headed back there.

Our walks start in a bigger open space with some engagement and loose leash exercises. Taking whatever distance and space you need to help your dog settle in to the environment. From here we will go for a wander together and see where we end up!

There is no pressure to stay super bunched up and close to each other. We will stop at various points for anyone to catch up.

So Welly crew, RSVP to [email protected]

And Auckland crew, there is still space for you at the Cornwall Park walk on Saturday. Email me through your RSVP.

Want to host your own Weekend Warriors walk in your own city/town/village? Drop me a DM and I’ll support you in getting that started!