Tim Radcliffe Dog Training

24/11/2025

Always a great start to the week with the Monday Wolf Pack! Loftie, Nero, Elsa and Gus!
It’s awesome working with a group of dogs who get along so well and interact positively with each other. Having a stable, well balanced pack gives me the perfect foundation to introduce new dogs in a calm, stress free environment.
Because I know these dogs well and have strong rapport and control, I can provide clear leadership and support for any newcomer who may be feeling a bit anxious, reactive or unsure during introductions.
And today’s newcomer? The mighty Louis a fantastic little Dachshund who absolutely smashed his introduction and put on a great display.

18/11/2025

It’s not delivering cookie cutter training. Experience and tapping into the knowledge gained and “tools in the toolbox” is the key to unravelling the knot to simplify and trust the process!! 🐶🤙🏻🥳

TRAINERS CRITIQUING TRAINERS

There’s a saying in the dog training world:

“The only thing two trainers will agree on is that the third one is wrong.”

Knowledge and skill are essential in this industry... non-negotiable. But experience tells a slightly different story.

When we first train a dog to a high level or have success with a method, many new trainers get carried away, convinced that this approach holds more value than it really does. Dogs are living beings, and every one of them is different. What works beautifully for one may completely fail on the next.

That success doesn’t make us a “great trainer.” It just makes us the right trainer for that moment, with that dog. True experience is realising that sometimes the “wrong” approach might actually be the answer. Sometimes we have to go backwards to go forwards. Sometimes we need to start with something that looks irrelevant before we can address the issue we set out to fix. To the outside eye, it can look like we’ve gone down the wrong path.

Yes, there’s bad training out there. No doubt. But there are also trainers with the ability to think outside the rule book, to find inroads others can’t see, and to turn impossible hurdles into breakthroughs.

In this industry, wrong can be right.

09/11/2025

I’m proud to share an incredible success story that highlights the power of early foundation training!
Meet Frankie a very special pup bred at Flagstaff Labradors and Golden Retrievers who spent her crucial early months with me. I owned and trained her from 8 weeks to 20 weeks, focusing on building a rock-solid foundation of confidence, environmental exposure, socialisation and drive development. This period is absolutely vital for shaping a future working dog.
My program focused on:
• Novelty Exposure: Introducing her to a wide variety of sights, sounds and surfaces.
• Positive Reinforcement: Building high-value toy and food drive for future scent work.
• Crate & House Training: Establishing excellent manners and routine.
• Confidence Building: Encouraging her to explore and problem solve independently.
• Obedience: Implementing basic obedience, loading markers and focussing on engagement.
At 20 weeks Frankie went to the Aviation Security Service Explosive Detector Dogs as a trainee. Her excellent foundations meant she was perfectly primed to excel in their specialised training program.
And today I’m thrilled to see that she is officially OPERATIONAL! She is now working hard, keeping our skies safe.
This is a testament to the importance of quality, structured early training. Whether your goal is a family pet, a therapy dog or a high-level working dog the first few months are the most critical.
Are you looking to give your puppy the best start possible? My foundation programs are designed to unlock your dog's full potential, just like Frankie!
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08/11/2025

Have had some pleasing wins lately with Ky the GSD. One of the most dog reactive dogs I’ve had the pleasure to work with on a consistent basis. Couldn’t get her near any dogs for a long time but well structured functional regular training prevailed. Although there is still a way to go she has a nice little pack of doggos namely Elsa, DJ and Fitz to train with moving towards her living her best life.

28/10/2025

Got to hang out with one my OGs Dom yesterday while his human mum got treated to a fancy birthday lunch with the fam. Happy belated birthday 🥳🎂

07/10/2025

Apologies!! Currently “out of the office” Hanging out in Honolulu before heading to Kona where my daughter is competing in the World Ironman Champs. Back to the doggos the week of the 20th!!

03/10/2025

Still cant believe I got to meet Michael Ellis today in Auckland at day one of a three day seminar he is running through . I’ve looked up to him and his training methodology for a long time. Feeling energised and excited for the next two days of the seminar. Lots of learnings to be had and to further my knowledge and application within my business and interactions with the doggos and owners who I love to help.

28/09/2025

Training early means fewer struggles later!! I’ve been working one to one home visits with a wave of puppies these past weeks and seeing their progress has been great. Ready to get your pup started in laying the foundations for a lifetime of good behaviour? Get in touch.

26/09/2025

If you’re heading to the 2025 National Dog Show this weekend make sure that you have a yarn to Rosie at the display. Awesome kennel system….I have one myself.

22/09/2025

Loved catching up with Tux today for a training session around random reactivity to bikes on his Hagley Park walks. Also a bit of maintenance work around generalising and proofing recall amongst distractions. Ole Tux is one of my favs just quietly and making the most of the human traffic around the lovely blossoms!!🙊🐶

18/09/2025

Big pawsitive news from the school yard today!!
Had the absolute joy of supporting a therapy dog placement for a brilliant school counsellor. What a difference one wagging tail can make, from calming nerves to sparking smiles, this four-legged legend is already working magic with the students. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do. Blending welfare, purpose and a touch of canine charm to create safer, happier spaces for everyone. Especially our younger humans.💛🐶

22/08/2025

Watch this space!!! Loved being on the judging panel for this one. There sure are plenty of amazing cool doggos out there!!!

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗡𝗭𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗗𝗢𝗚 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻?

After 6 weeks and over 300 entries, the search is over. Frog Recruitment, in partnership with Jetpark Hotels, Simparica Trio, and Addiction, proudly presents our 2025 Awards Ceremony.

Hosted by Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow, make sure you and your four-legged best friend join us as we announce the winners of our three awards: NZ Top Dog with a Job, NZ Top Office Dog, and NZ People’s Choice.

Don’t miss our 2025 Awards Ceremony on Thursday 28th August at 12.30PM.

Streaming live across Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, X, and Instagram.