NZ Canine

12/06/2026

A little bit of place training while I crack on with some admin.

Teaching dogs how to switch off and relax is just as important as teaching them what to do. Especially when you own three dogs that would happily be doing absolutely anything else

If you’d like some help with your own dog, drop me a message and I’ll get back to you today

09/06/2026

For anyone who’s been following along for a while, you’ll know things have changed quite a bit recently.

I’ve spent some time looking at what I enjoy most, where I get the best results, and how I can best support both dogs and their owners. As a result, I’ve updated the services available through NZ Canine.

If you’ve been considering training, structured walks or support with your puppy, feel free to send me a message and we’ll have a chat about what would work best for you and your dog.

09/06/2026

Structured Pack Walks Coming to Bromsgrove

For the first time in a while, I will be opening a limited number of spaces for dogs to join our structured pack walks.

These are not your average dog walks.

As a training led business, our walks are designed to reinforce calm behaviour, social skills, lead manners and engagement, helping your dog come home settled rather than overstimulated.

Our walks focus on:

• Calm socialisation
• Lead manners and recall
• Structured pack behaviour
• Building confidence
• Consistency with your training at home

To ensure every dog gets the attention they deserve, walks are capped at just 4 dogs.

📍 Bromsgrove
⏰ 1 hour structured walk
💷 £18 per session
📅 Walks starting mid July

Spaces will be allocated based on suitability, so if you’d like your dog to join us, send me a message to join the waitlist.

08/05/2026

A client told me recently that another trainer had advised them to say “baa” whenever their puppy did something wrong.

I honestly thought they were joking.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love rewarding my dogs for doing the right thing. I use food, praise, toys, freedom, whatever they find the most rewarding in that moment.. But I also think dogs need to know when something isn’t acceptable.

And no that doesn’t mean shouting at them or hurting them. It just means being clear.

This dog was a dachshund, a breed literally bred to hunt and kill vermin underground. They’re clever, bold and very capable of making their own decisions.

So standing there going “baa” while the dog is barking at things, ignoring recall and generally doing whatever it wants… probably isn’t going to cut it.

The owners adored the dog but there were no boundaries and you could see how confused the relationship had become.

Dogs do best when things are clear and consistent. Reward the good, absolutely…But they also need guidance when they’re making bad choices.

I dread to think would our house would be like if I just said “BAA” every time my dogs did something I didn’t like.

07/05/2026

One thing I really value with my dogs is teaching them how to just stop for a minute.

Downstays aren’t just about obedience. They can really help with patience, impulse control and teaching dogs that they don’t always need to be rushing around at 100mph. Especially with busy dogs.

Nala and Zen both know what “down” and “break” mean. Axel doesn’t really yet, he was more just following what the girls were doing.

But actually, this moment wasn’t even planned training. Axel had laid down for a little rest, so I asked the girls to lay down too so he wasn’t instantly back up charging around again.

Sometimes those calmer moments are just as important as the exciting stuff. Not every second needs to be go go go.

05/05/2026

Marley spent 5 days with me a little while ago, after his owner had been struggling with him pulling on the lead.

In that time, we worked through so much together.

He’s not perfect yet and he doesn’t need to be, but the change in him already was huge. He started to understand what was being asked of him and, more importantly, he started choosing to slow down and tune in.

That’s where the real progress happens.

I’m so proud of how far he came in such a short space of time, and I can’t wait to see him continue to grow now those foundations are in place.

30/04/2026

The face of a puppy who is sleeping through the night, without any accidents in his crate.

Axel is only just over 12 weeks, but we’ve now had 3 nights in a row of him sleeping straight through the night. I’m not naive enough to think this will happen every night, but I know that he’s on the right path.

The day we brought Axel home, I remember saying to my partner that crate training him was going to be HARD WORK, and that’s not to say he didn’t struggle at the start, but we persevered, put in our headphones and within a day we stayed to see results.

We’ve made sure the crate is an incredibly positive place, we hand feed all our dogs so have been using his food to guide him in and out of the crate, rewarding every time he went in at first and then gradually increased this to sitting in the crate, to laying down in the crate. He’s been getting any chews inside the crate, and we’ve made sure it’s nice and cosy for him.

He can already manage up to 3 hours in the crate in the day, before we look to bring him out for the toilet… and to some people’s surprise, we’ve already left him home alone in the crate whilst we went out to the gym together.

His days are incredibly structured at the moment, and we’re ensuring he is getting the sleep a puppy needs.

believe crate training is essential for all dogs, but especially any working breeds.

If your dog struggles through the night, goes mad at other dogs or people on walks, pees when you leave them, destroys their stuff (or worse yours 🥴), gets the zoomies in the day, loses their mind when someone knocks at the door, barks out the window at every leaf that moves, follows you everywhere, won’t settle in the evenings, or just seems like they never pause…

then crate training isn’t just helpful, it’s a game changer.

If this sounds like your dog, drop me a message and let’s bring a bit of calm back into your home.

28/01/2026

I’ve had Steve with me most weekdays since August, and watching him grow has been one of those quietly special parts of my routine.

He arrived as a worried, unsure little pup and has slowly but surely grown into quite an extraordinarily cheeky, confident (and rather large) teenager. Seeing that change over the months has been incredible, and he’s slotted into the pack here so naturally, becoming a familiar and much-loved part of daily life.

Steve has been such a huge help during training sessions with other dogs, and we’ve been on discovering new walks and swimming spots, to exploring, playing, and of course plenty of cuddles along the way. He’s brought a lot of lightness and joy into the days here.

I always said I’d never have a boy dog… and then Steve came along and completely changed my mind. He’s still very much a baby, but I already know he’s going to grow into such a well-mannered, lovely chap. Cheeky, yes, but kind, soft, and an absolute pleasure to have around.

These are just a handful of my favourite photos from the past few months, little snapshots that show just how far he’s come.

Very soon, Steve will be moving on from his time with me and heading out on walks with the wonderful The Tails Of Diggity Dog Walking Services and I know he’s going to do brilliantly with them, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds for him.

Such a special boy, and I’m very proud of him 🤍

27/01/2026

We’re back 🤍

I’ve been a little quieter over the last few months while I navigated some personal changes behind the scenes. During that time, my focus stayed firmly on the dogs, making sure they were supported through changes in routine and environment, and that nothing felt rushed or unsettled for them.

That slower pace gave me the space to reflect not just on how I work, but on what I want this business to stand for.

You’ll notice our name has changed to NZ Canine. This wasn’t a rushed decision. I wanted the business to feel more aligned with the dogs at the heart of it, particularly my two girls, Nala and Zen, who have shaped the way I think about structure, balance, and calm leadership. Putting them at the centre felt important, because everything I do starts with the dog first.

That clarity has allowed me to return with an even calmer, more intentional approach that prioritises consistency, clear communication, and the dog’s emotional wellbeing alongside real-life results.

I’m now ready to start working with a small number of new clients again.

NZ Canine currently offers
• Structured walks
• Short, focused training programmes
• Sit and train services

If you’re looking for support that’s thoughtful, realistic, and rooted in understanding the dog in front of you, now is a good time to reach out.

Message me NZ for more information.

Sarah 🤍
NZ Canine

26/10/2025