About us
ABOUT ME
Hi, my name is Emily.
My life has always been about animals. I grew up in the animal industry and started assisting with puppy classes at 8 years old. I then started entering my own dogs into obedience and agility competitions in my teenage years.
After completing my internship and undertaking numerous academic studies I became a Certified Dog Trainer and Behaviour Practitioner; I then ran my own dog training and behaviour centre in South Africa for over 10 years.
After moving to New Zealand in 2019, I became an Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant and continued to pursue my passion working with animals.
I specialise in the early stages of puppy development, life skills/ preventative training, fear reactivity/ aggression, as well as resolving problematic behaviours like separation anxiety using science-based positive reinforcement methods.
Everything I do with animals revolves around a strong core belief of Do No Harm, Cause No Pain, Create No Fear!
My training methods are kind and gentle for your pets and for your family.
My Mission and Training Philosophy
For some dogs, the world can be a frightening and unpredictable place. Through compassionate training methods and tailored behaviour programmes, I can help you and your dog navigate the fears associated with various life events and situations, empowering you both to face the world with confidence!
My goal is to help you and your family understand your dog’s unique nature and build a relationship based on mutual trust. Every dog is different, and I bring a wealth of knowledge from my long and successful career.
I approach each situation with empathy and compassion, aiming to understand the challenges you face with your dog, your family, and your household needs. I develop clear communication strategies along with an achievable step-by-step programme, using a variety of rewards, all grounded in science-based, force-free training methods to shape and reinforce desired behaviours. There are no harsh techniques that rely on consequences, correction, or intimidation tactics.
My training techniques create a logical plan. Instead of focusing on what your dog may be doing “wrong” and trying to correct it, I teach you how to set your dog up for success and shape new behaviours. I emphasise reinforcing the behaviours you want while not reacting to those you don’t like, as well as managing and redirecting the behaviours you can’t ignore.
I will also teach you how to understand the role of the environment in your dog’s behaviour, helping you learn to manage it effectively. We use gradual exposure therapy, systematic desensitisation, and counter-conditioning to transform your dog’s negative associations into positive ones.
Specialising in:
- Dog behaviour & training
- Puppy development
- Puppy classes
- Fear-based behaviour issues
- Aggression problems
- Reactive behaviours
- Barking behaviours
- Separation anxiety
- Compulsive behaviours
- All ages, all breeds