Tony the Dog Trainer

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Tony the Dog Trainer

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I help people and their dogs live better lives together.

My focus is on building strong relationships between pet dogs and their owners by offering private training, group classes and urban pack-walking in Hamilton, New Zealand.

30/10/2026

I recently finished a short training series with Mochi, a Border Collie/Retriever mix. He was a terrific puller on the walks, very over-aroused and unable to control his excitement outside the house. I'm happy to say that walks with his owner have now become pleasant experiences for both human and dog. Hard-out pulling is problematic in that it has a compounding negative effect. It's no fun for owners, so they're not keen to take the dogs out. This then makes the dog even more stir-crazy, and so on, in a negative spiral. As soon as this improves, the dogs feel better, the humans feel better, and it becomes a shared positive experience.

28/10/2026

The October Puppy Class has started, with new entrants: Titan (Bull Mastiff), Frankie (Golden Retriever), Nailer (Chihuahua cross), and Loulou (Westie/Poodle cross), Wei Wei (Border Collie). Sora (German/Japanes Spitz) dropped in for a refresher but next week it ill be her sister Yuki (photo to come).

27/10/2026

Barkfest is on at the Cambridge Lake Reserve (Lake Te Koo Utu) this Sunday from 10 am. I will have a stall there and be taking a masterclass in the show ring at 10.45 am. Drop in and say hello!

24/10/2026

Just the fact that Smudge loves the camera so much made me want to post this pic. Koha and Leia aren't so fussed with being models, but Smudge likes to pile on the charm.

23/10/2026

It's getting warmer, and the dogs are getting good at just sprawling around for a rest, and not helping out when I'm trying to take a group selfie.

18/10/2026

The next Puppy Class series for pups 8-16 weeks old starts on 22 October 2026, and runs for 4 evenings, 6-7 pm in Fairfield, Hamilton. This is group class training with a professional trainer. Learn effective socialisation for your pup with people and dogs, basic obedience and lots of fun activities. The cost is $179. Set your puppy up for success by registering now at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

13/10/2026

Pack-walking is not all work. Sometimes we do long downs or pat the dogs. Especially if it means Smudge gets to do the motorbike kickstarting routine. The other dogs are waiting patiently to get moving again.

10/10/2026

The September Puppy Essentials Course wrapped up last Thursday. It was a great class with some real pup characters. From left to right, Ayla, Lexi, Luna, Billy, Yuri and Shadow did their best to hold it together for the graduation photo. (Bernie couldn't make it).
The next series - for pups aged 8-16 weeks - starts on 22 October. More info and registration is at www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz

10/10/2026

Indy and Ruby are 2 little Schnauzers that have been double trouble for their owner. As usual there is one main instigator of the frenzied barking at dogs - and that's Ruby (on the right). As we have focused on her, Indy has naturally reduced her copycat behaviour also. In our last session, an off leash dog came running up to them while they were on leash. They didn't even care, and just ignored it.

05/10/2026

I'm working with Tiger over a few months. He can be very reactive to people with barking and putting on a big aggressive display, although really he is a great dog underneath all the insecurity. One of the training modes I like to do with dogs who are struggling in this way is to set environmental challenges for them to overcome and feel good about themselves. Previously, Tiger was very wary of any new spaces - his tail would tuck and he would shut down very easily. This is his 4th session now. I have had him climb boulders, jump in my van and push through bushes, and he is starting to embrace the challenges. This doesn't look like much, but it's a big deal for this dog.

Address

Hamilton

Telephone

+642102771111

Website

http://www.tonythedogtrainer.co.nz/

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