NZ Canine

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.

27/04/2026

Someone’s been keeping me busy… meet the new boy on the block AXEL

Axel is a working line German Shepherd with Czech lines. When I asked ChatGPT to describe them it said:

“A Czech line working German Shepherd is bred for performance, not looks. High drive, highly intelligent, and naturally protective, they need clear structure, consistent training, and a job to do. In the right hands, they’re exceptional.”

Safe to say that sums him up perfectly.

He’s already showing incredible drive, but we’ve definitely got our work cut out. I’ve never owned a shepherd before, so this is a completely new world for me to learn, but I’m excited to see what he’s capable of.

Axel will have a job. He’ll be getting into protection sports, and outside of that, he’ll be trained to a high level to help me with other doggies!

This is going to be a journey… and I’m here for it

19/04/2026

Most people focus on what a dog trainer can do for their dog

But not enough people think about who they’re trusting to guide them through it...Because training isn’t just about fixing behaviours

It’s about building something that actually lasts in your day-to-day life, If you’re currently looking for the right support, take your time with it

The right fit will make everything feel clearer

If you’re feeling a bit stuck with your dog, you’re always welcome to message me and we’ll figure it out together

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

08/10/2025

🐾 Diesel 1 Year Old Cockapoo Looking for a New Home 🏡

Meet Diesel a 1-year-old Cockapoo with a big heart, a lot of love to give, and the kind of personality that lights up a room.

Diesel’s family have made the heartbreaking decision to find him a new home. Their young daughter has recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness, and as they adjust to this huge change, they simply no longer have the time or energy to meet Diesel’s needs in the way they’d like to.

This is not Diesel’s fault. He’s a wonderful, well rounded boy who has been loved deeply and cared for brilliantly. The decision to rehome him comes purely from a place of love and wanting the best for him.

✨ A bit about Diesel:
• 1 year old Cockapoo
• Fully vaccinated and microchipped
• Crate trained and clean in the house
• Walks nicely on a lead
• Has great recall
• Travels well in the car
• Good with children (currently lives with two under two, but should always be supervised)

Diesel is affectionate, bright, and eager to please. He’s at that lovely age where he’s full of energy but also keen to learn. He already has a great foundation and just needs a consistent home to help him keep progressing.

He’s still working on a few things mainly learning to be calm, be polite around other dogs (he’s never shown any nasty behaviours, only overexcitement) and learning to self-soothe when things get a bit too much. With continued structure, and support both will come on beautifully.

Training Support Included:

Diesel will come with 6 months of free training provided by On Point Dog Training, to help him settle into his new home and continue developing his manners and confidence.

His new owners will be expected to attend one session per month for the 6-month period. If this commitment isn’t maintained, or if Diesel can’t stay with his new family for any reason, he must be returned to his original home. He will never be passed on or resold.

💷 Adoption Fee: £750

This isn’t for profit. It simply reflects the professional training support included and ensures Diesel goes to a committed, stable home

🏡 What Diesel Needs:

• A home that can give him at least 90 minutes of exercise per day (this can be split into shorter walks or training sessions)
• An owner who’s committed to continuing his training and keeping his routine consistent
• A household that’s structured and calm, with clear rules, boundaries and guidance
• Someone who’s willing to involve him in their daily life and make him part of the family

Diesel will never be passed around! If at any point his new owners can no longer keep him, he will return to his original family, no questions asked.

This is a deeply loved dog who just needs a fresh start and the right environment to continue being the brilliant companion he already is.

If you feel you can offer Diesel the home, structure and love he deserves, please send me a message introducing yourself, your lifestyle, and the kind of home you could offer him