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Monday 9am - 3pm Tuesday 9am - 3pm Wednesday 9am - 3pm Thursday 9am - 3pm Friday 9am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 12pm

Paws Plus Ltd Canine Training & Behaviour

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Paws Plus Ltd Canine Training & Behaviour

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We offer qualified and professional dog training and behaviour modification using modern, science-ba

We offer qualified and professional dog training and behaviour modification using modern, science-based methods using positive reinforcement techniques. We are based in South Auckland, but can travel Auckland wide, and provide services including 1-on-1 training and coaching sessions, group classes and solo training walks.

05/11/2026

We have some big news to share! Our current clients are already aware of this, but there are some significant changes coming to Paws Plus.

I have been offered a full time position training detection dogs, and therefore Paws Plus will no longer be operating as we do now. This is very bittersweet - it’s exciting to be embracing new opportunities and adventures, but I will be very sad to be saying goodbye to my clients and the business I have spent the last 10 years pouring my heart into.

This is our last week operating as normal. We will no longer be accepting new clients, or doing regular training walks or pack walks. There is a chance we may offer workshops, classes and sports-focused coaching in the future, so keep an eye out for any announcements on this page.

I want to thank every single person who has supported us over the years - the clients, the colleagues and other industry professionals who have sent us referrals or recommended us. We appreciate all of it and could not have made it this far without you. If anyone has questions or would like recommendations for trainers in their area please feel free to reach out!

09/07/2026

Meet Willow! A classic staffy in every sense; social, rambunctious, impulsive, demanding and a whole lot of fun! She will be joining us for day-training and I can’t wait to get started with her. She has great motivation and drive, and quickly learns how to get what she wants, so once we show her that obedience and compliance is the way to get there, I think we’ll have some great success with her overall behaviour. Our focus won’t be on keeping her calm all the time, as she just isn’t that kind of dog! It’s about teaching her when it is the appropriate time and place to be excited and when it isn’t, providing adequate opportunities for drive expression and instilling an ability for control while in a high state of arousal.

18/05/2026

Last Wednesday we started the triangle exercise with Maxx, progressing to a straight line eventually. The corners of the triangle are the handler, a platform/target, and a reward. As we progress we start moving the proportions of the triangle so that the reward becomes closer and closer to the path between handler and target, until it is eventually a straight line like shown here.

This exercise teaches cue discrimination and impulse control. There are many patterns and possibilities within the session which keeps the dog listening and thinking. The reward on the ground becomes a distraction that the dog must learn to resist in order to earn access to it. This reduces the conflict that is often seen around external rewards away from the handler, as the dog learns that coming away from the reward results in access being granted, rather than it meaning access is being removed.

Possible behaviours that may be cued are;
- send to place target
- recall to handler
- “get it” (get the reward on the ground)
- “yes” (get the reward from the handler)

07/05/2026

Training with Max yesterday, expanding on concepts started last week; marker discrimination, impulse control and internal focus for external rewards.

28/04/2026

This may look simple enough but this was a big deal for Max. Attempting this sequence last week was a challenge. He could drop the ball, but as soon as the handler began to move away from it he would quickly sn**ch it back off the ground, or he'd move with the handler but remain facing the ball on the ground and bark at it out of frustration. The goal was to get him dropping the ball and then offering engagement with the handler as a default. This required teaching him a few different concepts through various exercises:

1. Marker discrimination: using different markers for a toy on the ground and a toy in the handler's posession.
2. Preventing failure: using the leash to prevent him from grabbing the ball off the ground, so that he doesn't get reinforcement from the incorrect response
3. Reconditioning the prong: using reinforcement and motivation, showing Max how to follow directional pressure on the prong and teaching leash pops as a cue for handler engagement.
4. Internal vs external rewards and patterned expectations: using a second toy with the handler and setting the ratio so that the reward is mostly coming from the handler in this pattern.

12/03/2026

Cheddar is a pretty serious aggression case and we are working on building her trust with me. During our first training walk last Friday, she saw a bench and ran straight over and jumped up enthusiastically. I decided to use this to my advantage, turning it into a training exercise that showed her that I was valuable; I can provide access to activities she enjoys. This was a big breakthrough moment, as she loosened up significantly and was willing to let me pat her and give her chest scratches.

29/12/2025

Want a well trained dog for 2026?

Is your dog missing out on summer adventures because it's too stressful to take them anywhere? Are you wishing for off leash walks on the beach but instead you're being dragged around on a leash and walking late at night to avoid the chaos that happens when you come across other dogs? Maybe you just wish you could have guests over for a BBQ without having to worry about your dog jumping on everyone and stealing the cheese and crackers off the table?

We are now taking enrollments for our training programs for 2026, with immediate starts available. Spaces are limited and fill up fast once advertised so get in touch now to book a consultation to secure your spot!

A well trained dog is a happy, fulfilled dog that gets to experience the world and the true joy of being a dog. Let us help you make that goal a reality. Send us a message at or get in touch through our website; www.pawsplus.co.nz

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas everyone ❤️🎄 We hope everyone is having a safe and happy day of celebration 🥰

21/10/2025

What does a puppy training session look like for a future sport dog?

Stitch is with us for a couple of days to get some exposure and experiences away from her home. While this is aimed at sports development, these kind of sessions are perfect for pets too as the purpose is to create good handler engagement, just don't allow or encourage the jumping up if that's not something you want.

Here's the basic ideas;
- The puppy starts the session, not you (active dog, reactive handler)
- hold them on a short leash at the start to prevent environmental reinforcement while you wait for offered engagement
- rewards are delivered rapidly to maintain energy and engagement
- pushiness, effort and jumping up are all encouraged
- handler is often moving backwards to draw the puppy in
- keep things short, fun and easy
- don't ask for too much control or formal obedience, this is about engagement, not getting perfect sit-stays and heeling
- end the session with a verbal cue, stopping when the puppy is still wanting more. Under 2 minutes is ideal

Address

Auckland

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Thursday	9am - 3pm
Friday	9am - 3pm
Saturday	10am - 12pm

Telephone

+64212968149

Website

http://www.pawsplus.co.nz/

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