I am a member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) in both Australia and New Zealand.  I am also a member of AABP (Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals).  I am very proactive about keeping up-to-date with the latest research relating to dog training and behaviour as well as care and welfare issues.  I have the following qualifications:

·  Principles of Canine Behaviour, Massey University ;

·  National Certificate: Compliance and Regulatory Control (Animal Welfare), Unitec;

·  Certificate: Animal Welfare Investigations, Unitec.

I have attended numerous seminars related to dog training, behaviour, and care presented by overseas experts such as  Steve White, Suzanne Clothier, Kay Laurence, Turid Rugaas, Susan Garrett, Pat Hastings, Dr Jean Dodds, Sheila Harper, Anne Lill Kvam, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Susan Freidman, Dr Patricia McConnell, Mary Ray, Mia Skogster, and Kamal Fernandez.

I possess an extensive (and ever-expanding) reference library of books, DVDs, videos, and magazines related to dog training, behaviour and care.

I regularly instructed at the local obedience club for several years and still do so on an intermittent basis..  I have competed in obedience in the past but my primary interest now is to explore the subtleties of pet dog training, which is different from standard obedience training.   I now operate as a private trainer, travelling to people’s homes to help them with basic training and/or behaviour modification so they can live harmoniously with their companion dogs.

I gained valuable experience with a wide variety of breeds and crossbreeds during my two years working full-time at the local SPCA in the dual roles of Animal Welfare Inspector and Dog Compound Manager.  

Patricia McConnell: The Other End of the Leash

Jean Donaldson: The Culture Clash

Karen Pryor: Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training

R & L Coppinger: Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution

Pat Miller: Positive Perspectives: Love Your Dog, Train Your Dog

Suzanne Hetts: Pet Behavior Protocols: What to Say, What to Do, When to Refer

Karen Overall: Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals

Leslie McDevitt Control Unleashed - Creating a Focused and Confident Dog

Kay Laurence Clicker Dances with Dogs, Clicker Foundation Training: Level 1

My passions are pet dog training, understanding dog behaviour, clicker training, trick training, freestyle dancing with dogs, and Rally-O. 

My goal is to help people teach their dogs the skills they need in order to successfully live with humans.  I use gentle, motivational methods to achieve this goal in order to maintain and develop a strong, trusting relationship between dog and owner.  

I also assist with behaviour modification for a comprehensive range of behaviour problems. 

Extra services include dog walking and pet minding.