Dog Behaviour and Training Services
Expert Dog Training and Behaviour Services in Auckland
Specialised Care for Your Dog’s Training, Behaviour & Well-Being
From complex behavioral challenges to puppy development, grooming, and fitness, we offer comprehensive support for dogs and their families at every stage of life.
All our services use modern, reward-based methods focused on your dog’s emotional well-being.
Our force-free dog training methods focuse entirely on modern science-backed techniques, helping you and your dog learn through encouragement and rewards rather than intimidation, fear or stress.
We’re fully qualified, independently accredited, and committed to reward-based training. Our focus is on your dog’s emotional well-being, not just their outward behaviour.
Behaviour Consultations
Emily Dustan is a qualified and independently accredited canine behaviourist with over 21 years of experience. She holds formal qualifications in canine behaviour, aggression, and nutrition, and uses science-based, humane methods to support dogs with fear, anxiety, reactivity, and aggression.
As an Accredited Behaviourist with the Animal Behaviour Consultants of South Africa (Canine0332020), Emily additionally holds a Diploma in Canine Aggression (DiPCA), and is a certified expert in Canine Health and Nutrition (CP60082).
Emily is also a full member of:
- Pet Professional Guild (PPG)
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand (APDTNZ)
- The International Institute of Canine Ethics (IICE)
Her work focuses on practical, evidence-based support for families who are struggling with their dog’s behaviour, as well as new puppy parents who are looking for expert guidance in navigating the challenges of puppyhood with confidence. Every consultation is tailored to setting everyone up for success, the dog’s needs and the household’s goals, with the aim of improving wellbeing, behaviour, and everyday life.
Find out more about our Dog Behaviour Consultations.
Puppy Training Classes
Our puppy classes are specially designed and led by Emily, with a focus on emotional development, life skills, and confidence, rather than just teaching them to sit or stay.
We teach:
- Confidence-building around new experiences
- Calm and safe social interactions
- Environmental management
- Prevention of problem behaviours
We’ll help you work through common puppy challenges, such as biting, chewing, toilet training, sleep routines, and preparing for alone time. These sessions support your puppy in becoming a confident adult while giving you the tools to guide them calmly and consistently.
Our goal is to make puppy training clear, achievable, and tailored to your daily life, so you and your new puppy can build a great life together from the very beginning.
Discover how our Puppy Training Classes support your puppy’s early learning development.
Dog Training Support
Private training sessions designed around your dog’s needs and your daily routine. We use modern, force-free methods that focus on teaching your dog what to do, rather than punishing what you don’t want.
Common Challenges We Help With
- Pulling on lead – walking calmly without constant tension on the lead.
- Reactivity on walks – barking, lunging, or growling at people, dogs, or vehicles.
- Recall and attention – getting your dog to come back or focus when distractions are around.
- Jumping up – greeting people or staying off furniture.
- Settling with visitors – staying calm when guests arrive or during household activity.
- Destructive behaviour – inappropriate chewing, digging, or household damage.
Who These Sessions Are For
One-on-one training works well if your dog needs individual attention, if group classes haven’t been the right fit, or if you want help with specific situations in your own environment.
We work with you to build practical skills that fit into your real life – not just behaviors that work in a training room.
How It Works
Sessions are tailored to your dog’s learning pace and focus on clear communication, positive reinforcement, and giving your dog the skills to make better choices. We’ll work together to create a plan that reduces stress for both of you and builds confidence over time.
Get in touch to book your first Dog Training Support session in Auckland.
Gentle, Force-Free Dog Grooming in Onehunga
Our grooming salon is based in Onehunga, Auckland. We groom all dogs, whether they’re confident, cautious, or still learning to feel safe during handling.
Grooming Services:
- Full grooms,
- Breed styling,
- Puppy introductions,
- Teeth cleaning
- Nail trims
A Different Kind of Dog Grooming Experience
We use modern, choice-based handling and positive reinforcement at every stage. Your dog can move freely during the session, and we adjust our approach based on what they’re comfortable with that day.
This makes grooming more manageable for:
- Puppies having their first grooming experiences.
- Dogs who are worried about handling, noise, or new. environments
- Dogs with a history of stress at the groomer or vet.
- Any dog whose owner wants a calm, cooperative grooming routine.
We work at your dog’s pace, take regular breaks, and never use force or restraint to “get through” a groom.
Learn more about our reward-based Dog Grooming Services in Onehunga.Whether your dog loves being pampered or finds grooming stressful, we provide patient, skilled grooming that respects how your dog feels throughout the process.
Dog Health and Wellness Programs
Canine Fitness Training and Enrichment in OnehungaÂ
Building strength, coordination, and confidence through structured exercise.
Structured movement and fitness training designed to keep healthy dogs physically active, mentally engaged, and confident in their bodies. Using specialised equipment and evidence-based exercises, we create tailored programs that support your dog’s wellbeing at any life stage.
Who These Programs Are For
Our fitness programs are designed for healthy dogs:
- Puppies – building coordination, body awareness, and confidence during critical development periods.
- Active dogs – improving fitness, impulse control, and physical skills.
- Senior dogs – maintaining strength, mobility, and mental engagement.
- High-energy dogs – productive physical and mental outlets.
- Anxious dogs – confidence-building through structured, low-pressure activities.
- Overweight dogs – safe, progressive exercise as part of a vet-supervised weight management plan.
What We Offer
Each program starts with an assessment of your dog’s current fitness level, movement patterns, and individual needs. From there, we create a plan that may include:
- Strength and balance exercises using platforms, balance discs, and peanuts.
- Coordination work with cavaletti poles and varied surfaces.
- Confidence-building through progressive physical challenges.
- Impulse control activities that require thoughtful movement.
- Low-impact exercises suitable for different fitness levels.
- Mental enrichment through problem-solving and body awareness tasks.
Sessions are adapted to your dog’s pace and comfort level. If I observe anything that suggests discomfort, restricted movement, or a potential physical issue, I’ll pause the program and recommend veterinary assessment before continuing.
Nutrition Education
As part of our holistic approach, I can provide general nutrition education based on current veterinary guidelines. This includes discussing your dog’s dietary needs in relation to their age, activity level, and fitness goals.
For dogs requiring weight management or those with specific health conditions, nutrition plans must come from your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist.
Important Limitations
These programs are for healthy dogs and focus on fitness training and enrichment, not medical treatment, rehabilitation, or therapy.
We cannot work with:
- Dogs recovering from injury or surgery.
- Dogs with untreated pain, lameness, or mobility issues.
- Dogs with diagnosed medical conditions affecting movement (without explicit veterinary approval and guidance).
We require veterinary clearance before starting for:
- Senior dogs (7+ years depending on breed)
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with any history of orthopedic issues, heart conditions, or chronic health concerns
- Any dog whose owner has concerns about their physical health.
Our programs are designed to complement veterinary care and work alongside your vet’s recommendations, never to replace medical advice or treatment.
Getting Started
All programs begin with an initial assessment where we discuss your dog’s history, current fitness level, and your goals. This helps us determine if the program is appropriate and what approach will work best.
Find out more about our Dog Health and Nutrition Consultation in Onehunga, Auckland.
How We Work at See Spot Learn
We’re committed to providing care that aligns with current science and upholds a strict ethical standard: Do no harm. Cause no pain. Create no fear.
Our team is genuinely passionate about dogs and stays up-to-date with the latest developments in training, behaviour, and grooming. This ensures that we provide services that are both effective and humane, consistently meeting high standards.
All See Spot Learn staff are expected to act with professionalism at all times—treating you, your dog, and each other with respect, honesty, and courtesy. We are transparent in how we work and follow established best practices across every part of the business.
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or have years of experience, we are a trusted team mate in creating a safe, positive, and supportive environment for you and your dog.
For more reading, see the link references below for further information on dog training methods: