15/09/2025
DOGS 4 LIFE IS 10 YEARS OLD.
We have officially turned 10 years old this week. I can’t quite believe that we have reached this milestone. The last 10 years has been a whirlwind and during that time alot has happened.
It all started when a little puppy named Lars came into my life. Although my boy is no longer with us, he was a huge part of the Dogs 4 Life history.
Together we got to work and started attending our consultations. During the last 10 years we have worked with dogs of all shapes and sizes from puppies to seniors. I have included photos of some of these beautiful dogs. The first photo I ever posted was of myself and R***r - my Police Dog which is included.
Some of the cases that stick out include: the dog that would regularly swim hundreds of metres offshore in the ocean and would not come back to his owner, the dog who would hump his owner every time the phone rang and the dog that was so aggressive I could not be in the same room with it unless it was muzzled and on a lead.
During the last 10 years I have trained and worked with well over 1000 dogs all over New Zealand and have even undertaken online consults for Dogs in Australia and America. I have run seminars for Dog Groups all over New Zealand and have worked with the NZ Police Dog Section, NZ Customs Drug Detector Dogs, Hearing Dogs NZ, New Plymouth Vet Group and countless other organisations.
I also have my own lead and collar series which I personally make and I’m currently supplying them to the NZ Police Dog Section amongst other clients.
I am always upskilling and have worked with some of the best trainers in Australasia including Mark Vette. I have studied dog behaviour and was lucky enough to be accepted into Dr. Susan Friedman of Utah State Univerity’s world renowned Behaviour Works course. I will never stop upskilling.
I have made mistakes along the way, particularly early on as I was learning to run a business. Running a business and being self employed is challenging at times and whenever I have made mistakes I have made sure I have learned from them as they weigh heavily on me and I am very hard on myself.
As time has progressed and my systems have become more streamlined, mistakes occur less and less but I never stop learning.
I am very proud of my Behaviour Modification package and my Puppy Programme.
I simply love working with dogs - it is my life’s calling.
One of the most rewarding facets of my work is the times when I am able to get dogs reacquainted back into family life. I always keep in mind that the dog is a pack animal. A lot of my clients who are having major issues with their dog being unruly inside or on the lead have had to resort to often just leaving the dog outside on its own. They can’t walk the dog and can’t trust the dog to behave indoors so they simply leave them outside. Dogs do not thrive when they are left alone. With the right training and promoting of a calm state when necessary I have been able to get a lot of these dogs back out on the lead for walks and inside with the family. Once they are back into pack life, you can see that the dogs are so much happier and this is so rewarding for me.
Dogs 4 Life isn’t just about me though.
It is about you - the dog owner who has entrusted me to come into your home and work with your family and your dog.
It is about you - the person who supports me with your lovely comments online.
It is about you - the person who stops me on the street to chat about your dog.
It is about you - the business who has promoted me or assisted me with my work.
I see you all and I want to take this opportunity to give you a huge THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
During the last 10 years, I have met some wonderful people and worked with some stunning dogs.
I look forward to serving you all and your dogs with Honesty, Integrity and Loyalty during the next 10 years.
Nick
Dogs 4 Life
‘Because a Dog is 4 Life’
