Houndzone Canine Services

12/11/2024

How do you start your walks? 🐾 We start ours like this 👀

02/11/2024

I’m so sad to share with you, that Roxy passed away yesterday 💔

As one of Houndzones founding dogs (OGs), Roxy has been with us for almost 8 years. Her passing feels like a hole large enough, to make the balance of the world shift. It’s amazing what an impact these small but perfect creatures have on us. But it’s true ✨ Helen, Richard, Paul (Olives Dad) Dave and I, all hope that Olive and Roxy are together again, over the rainbow bridge, and have found the other Houndzone kids too, Ludo, Heidi, Maddy, Jessie, Bailey, Kenzie, Hope, and Tama 🌈🕊️

Our last walk together on 22/10, I took a photo of my foot prints and her pram wheels in the sand. They reminded me of how time marches onwards, and although our aging has changed our journeys in subtle but important ways, our experiences of the world are still worthy, precious and unique. Just like we are 🐾

Roxy was such an independent and confident dog, and as she aged I had to help her more. I am absolutely sure she thought I was worrying for nothing, and that she was “just fine thank you”! She knew what she wanted and would let you know about it! Polite barks happened if we stopped for too long, took too long to take her photo, didn’t deliver enough snacks, when we arrived at walk spots, and when she arrived back home…Heralding her needs, enjoyment of life, and presence wherever she went 👑 She was truly a delight and never failed to make me smile!

She met and walked with so very many dogs. She was an experienced communicator who was never OTT, just appropriate and clear of her boundaries 💁‍♀️ She would allow the occasional kiss from dogs (Loki I’m looking at you) and was comfortable sitting close to her trusted fellow HZ pals, and I know she enjoyed their presence.

Her favourite things were superior chunky dog roll, sniffing, and being off lead and free running! I don’t think she ever didn’t come when I called. During the warm weather she was first in the water 💦 to douse just her undercarriage, like the true lady that she was!

Her pet parents were so dedicated, and Roxy wanted for nothing, just how all dogs should live, and sadly many do not. Her Houndzone walks, which she rarely missed one in almost 8 years, were an extra treat just for her, as she had so many adventures with her caregivers, and she went everywhere with them. Her HZ walks were just the cherry on the top of an already blessed life ❤️‍🔥

The back seat of the van won’t be the same without her there. My arms will feel empty with no one to carry on the stairs, up steep hills, or through the tallest grass. Houndzone will not be the same without her 😔

As much as we will miss you. As much as we want to see you one last time. We know that you were tired and ready for your long rest. You will never be forgotten Roxy 🌈🕊️ May 2006 - 1 Nov 2024

31/10/2024

Almost forgot about Halloween! 👻 Here’s the Houndzone kids today, out trick or treating (definitely treating) 🍭

26/10/2024

I have just TWO spaces left in my private training programs for 2024. Does your dog have:

🌀 Chaotic frantic behaviour
🗣️ Barking lunging growling
👩‍⚕️ Trouble at the vet clinic
✂️ Issues with grooming & nails
😨 Fear of guests or strangers

If so, please email to book in for a FREE 15min enquiry call. Let’s chat about how I can assist you, and your dog 🐾

Certified Dog Trainer VSA-CDT
Professional ethical & effective services

25/10/2024

What a way to end the week! Had to pick myself up off the floor after reading this review, and go get a tissue! 🥹 Thank you Carol!

“Tanya is absolutely amazing. I really appreciate that she takes the time to understand what it is that I need to understand, before just jumping in and working on the problem, I thought was the biggest issue. When in fact she figured out a path that Isla (kelpie) and I had to follow to set us up for success in solving this problem…what is Isla telling me? I highly recommend Houndzone. Tanya really knows her stuff, and really loves and cares for the dogs that are lucky enough to be in her pack. No force training” ~ Carol McAtear

21/10/2024

Please! LOOK AT THE DOG! 👀

LOOK AT THE DOG!

Why can't people see it? Isn't it obvious?

I am often baffled at how people, including dog training professionals, are liking content on social media that shows a dog being **successfully trained**, whilst quite clearly appearing very stressed. What’s more concerning is that a professional is proud enough of the results to showcase it.

The behaviours I am often observing are; tighty closed mouth, ears pulled back, slow (careful) behaviour, tail tucked, avoiding eye contact, dull eyes, slow blink rate, lowered head, hunched posture, and an absence of behaviour associated with positive anticipation of reward.

Indeed, undesired behaviour can be stressful and dangerous for others to be around. It can be stressful, dangerous and restricting for the dog exhibiting the behaviour and for their owner. If a dog is no longer exhibiting the behaviour, then yes- you've hopefully made things safer for others and better for the owner. But how does the dog (learner) FEEL now?

The cessation of a problem behaviour does not by default improve dog welfare.

How the dog FEELS about no longer engaging in the undesired behaviour will tell us whether their overall (emotional) welfare state has improved.

LOOK AT THE DOG.

Does the dog look RELAXED?

Does the dog look HAPPY?

It's entirely possible to make the training experience and outcome a positive one for all, regardless of the problem behaviour.

** I say 'successfully trained' because, let's face it.......are we seeing evidence of these 'fixed dangerous dogs' being handled by the owner in the problem context? Are we seeing videos of these dogs months down the line?

One video doesn't tell us much. But what it can tell us how the dog FEELS about the training and whether that professional is improving dog welfare, as they so often claim to be

Photo by Matt Elliott Pet Photography

15/10/2024

We love to help out great causes! 🐾 Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue is such an amazing organisation, and we would love it if you can add a donation via Kiwi Canine for the dogs, like we did! (Link in comments)👇
It was so easy to do too. We chose: a fun item, a helpful item, and a big bag of training rewards, of course!!! Gotta cover all the bases! 🐾❤️🐾

Another donation off to Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue, from the fabulous Tanya from Houndzone Canine Services! 😍😍😍

03/10/2024

Today is my 10th Anniversary of working with Dogs! 🐾❤️🐾 It’s been a true journey of learning, filled with just so many wonderfully special dogs! I feel very lucky ✨ Here’s a video from the office today! 🌲🌳🌲 (Ps: Houndzone will be 8 in December!!!)

29/09/2024

I live, fart, breathe, and wholeheartedly believe in this sentiment. For ourselves, AND, our dogs 💥💨❤️‍🔥

13/09/2024

Oooo FANCY 🤩

12/09/2024

Love LOVE these pics of Inky today. What do you think she’s doing…and why 🤔 and what do you think I did next, and why?
Clue: I’m walking, but not saying anything at all. So this behaviour is a…..? 💭

12/09/2024

Funny looking cows 🐄 Quietly scrunching their grass among the buttercups 🌼

10/09/2024

Close, Closer, Closest 👅 ✨

07/09/2024

A powerful message from Dr Jess Beer from Kiwi Vet Behaviour ❤️‍🔥 who is a driving force for humane training methods in NZ, that don’t include, pain, force, fear or intimidation. We are here for you if you are struggling with your dogs behaviour, or needing help navigating how to train your dog effectively, and kindly 🐾

06/09/2024

This is what we feel walks should look like. Yes, paths are helpful, but not very interesting! 😊 NB: this is a strictly enforced on-lead area in a regional park, due to stock 🐄🐑 But long lines used wisely/correctly can offer more freedom, safely 🐾

30/08/2024