Roma Dog Behaviour Academy

16/09/2025

Congratulations, Remi :)
Such a cutie!

15/09/2025

Hello!
We had a cancellation for the last days of September and first half of October, so we are offering a special rate for 5 or more days of petsitting.
If you've been meaning to go away but you didn't know who to leave your furry baby with, this is your chance!
Roma DBA is a 5 year old business in the area, with trained staff and managed by a dog trainer.
Your pet won't be in better hands :)

10/09/2025

10/09/2025

Reactivity isn’t a personality trait.
It’s a stress response.
And your dog’s not ignoring you, they’re over threshold and can’t think straight 💥

Let’s stop labelling reactive dogs as “badly behaved.”
Because reactivity isn’t a discipline issue.
That moment your dog lunges, barks, or shuts down?
They’re not giving you attitude, they’re panicking :(

A dog over the threshold can’t learn.
Can’t listen.
Can’t focus.
Because their brain is in survival mode, not training mode.

You can shout, repeat the command, yank the lead…
But it won’t sink in until the dog is calm enough to process.

Reactivity isn’t something you punish out of a dog.
It’s something you train through with the right structure, exposure, and guidance.
Add distance from the stimulus causing the reaction, bring them back to calmness and increase exposure slowly, avoiding the explosion.
Yes, even if you have to walk away from it 100 mts!
Bring treats and patience.
Contact a local dog trainer who can help you succeed and not force your dog to fail by causing him to interact with whatever is causing his stress response.

Should we do a special SocialDog Clinics session dedicated to reactive dogs?
What do you guys think? :)

10/09/2025

Letting your dog say hi on-leash might seem harmless… until it isn’t.
We totally understand the urge: dogs are social, and it feels natural to let them greet others.
But over time, repeated on-leash hellos can lead to unwanted behaviours that make walks less enjoyable.

Whether it’s entitlement, hyperarousal, frustration, fear, or defensiveness, just ONE on-leash greeting can spark reactivity that haunts every walk that follows.

We see it all the time:
🐾 Insecure dogs forced to greet and becoming defensive
🐾 Overexcited dogs dragging their owners just to say hi
🐾 Entitled dogs throwing tantrums when they’re held back
🐾 Fearful dogs lashing out in hopes that their display keeps others away

And when they can’t say hi fast enough?
You get whining, barking, lunging...even aggression!
Your peaceful walk? Gone. Embarrassment, or danger, takes its place.

If your dog is one of the rare, stable unicorns who can greet politely and move on with no fuss, amazing!
But for most dogs, on-leash greetings can create more stress than connection.

On-leash greetings aren’t neutral: they’re a gamble.
And it only takes one time to create a lifelong reactive dog.

Please don’t ruin your progress.
Skip the on-lead greetings.

Now, how to introduce 2 dogs correctly to increase the chances of both getting along? Have a look at our step-by-step guide below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH9pcgRhbHQ

10/09/2025

"Petting is a privilege, not a right."
We get it: your dog is adorable. That face, so cute… how can anyone resist smothering them with cuddles & kisses?

But here’s the thing: cuddling is a human way of showing affection, NOT a dog's.
In dog language, prolonged touch, leaning over, or tight embraces can feel annoying, invasive, or even threatening.

While we hug & kiss to show love, dogs often show affection in very different ways:
💜 sitting close
💜 following you around
💜 soft blinking eyes
💜 a relaxed body near yours

And we know: it’s hard to resist.
Especially when you dreamed of having a cuddly buddy to spoon with on the couch, bingeing your favourite shows.
Realising your dog doesn’t love touch the way you do can feel disappointing, even a bit lonely.

But your dog is still showing you love, just in their own way.

It's important to learn to read the signs of discomfort: lip licking, yawning, turning away, freezing, shifting away: these are their way of saying “please don’t.”

When you listen and respect those boundaries, you’re not missing out on love, you’re building it.

Tell us, are you lucky enough to have a "cuddly buddy"? Our dogs are not cuddly at all 😭 but we love them as they are!

10/09/2025

Not all dogs are meant to get along, and mismatching your dog with the wrong social partner can do more harm than good :(

Dogs thrive when they interact with others who share a similar energy level, play style, temperament, age, training, and other social factors.
When we repeatedly pair dogs who aren’t compatible, it can lead to frustration, discomfort, or even fear.

Over time, this may develop into anti-social behaviours like avoidance, barking, growling, biting, or reactivity: not because they’re “bad,” but because they’ve learned that social interactions just don’t feel good.

For example:
A 12-year-old senior dog who enjoys slow, sniffy walks and peace and quiet will likely feel stressed and overwhelmed if forced to socialise with a bouncy, high-energy puppy who’s desperate to play and all over their face.
This mismatch can easily lead to frustration or defensive behaviours, not because the older dog is “grumpy,” but because the interaction simply isn’t fair or enjoyable for them.

But the puppy suffers too. They’re learning that other dogs are nippy, growly, or even aggressive, and that can lead to fear and avoidance later in life.

The crazy part? When both of those dogs are matched with the right social partners, their experience is completely different. Extremely positive!

So ask yourself… Are you mismatching your dog with the wrong playmates?

What can you do?
✅ Match your dog with others who share similar energy, temperament, age, and social needs.
✅ Respect your dog’s boundaries, they don’t need to be friends with everyone.
✅ Advocate for your dog’s comfort in social situations. Leave if you see that your dog is not happy.

Good social experiences come from the right matches, not from forcing uncomfortable ones.

Remember: It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality.

09/09/2025

Dog ownership license and tougher penalties for bad owners 👌🏻 that’s the solution.

Council's plea to residents wanting a dog

07/09/2025

Many people believe that if a dog isn’t social, it’s ONLY the owner’s fault for not doing enough early socialisation. This leaves owners feeling lost, guilty, and like they’ve failed.

Yes, dogs do pick up on our energy. Tight leashes, nervousness, and reduced distance from the triggers can add stress and fuel reactivity.

But the truth is: early socialisation is important, yet it’s not a magic shield. Even if you did everything “right,” dogs can still become antisocial later in life.

Some common reasons include:

🐾 Lack of Early Socialisation or Traumatic Experiences
If your dog didn’t meet other dogs positively as a pup, or had bad experiences like being attacked, they may grow up fearful or defensive. A single bad encounter can leave lasting scars.

🐾 Genetics & Breed Tendencies
Some dogs are naturally more independent, territorial, or intolerant of others. Many breeds were designed to guard, protect, or work - and it’s simply not in their genes to be social butterflies.

🐾 Poor Communication Skills, Over-Arousal & Frustration
Dogs who haven’t practised “dog language” may misread signals and overreact, and excitement on the leash can spill into reactivity if your dog struggles to regulate energy.

🐾 Pain or Medical Issues
An injury, arthritis, or hormonal imbalance can make a dog less tolerant. That’s why any trainer should always recommend a vet check first.

🐾 Hormones & Maturity
Adolescence, being intact, or hormonal changes can affect tolerance. Dogs also tend to become naturally less social around age two.

🐾 Unmet Needs & Frustration
When a dog doesn’t get enough stimulation, structure, or guidance, anxiety can build and, this often shows up in how they interact with other dogs.

And there are many more factors!

If your dog is becoming antisocial, the best step is to work with a trainer who understands personality differences and can guide you through it.

✨ Early socialisation reduces risks, but it doesn’t erase genetics, experiences, or health factors. Every dog is unique. With the right support and understanding, your dog can still thrive.

💜 Want to give your dog safe, positive connections? Find their perfect playmate at socialdog.co.nz

02/09/2025

Got a dog with arthritis?
You may want to try this!
We went yesterday to Te Puke Vets to see if Roma qualified, but she is not that bad in pain and they need visible pain :(
But it sounds exciting!

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dogs-on-cannabis-world-first-clinical-trial-to-recruit-pets-for-cannabinoid-pain-relief/K2CNVAH3IRCO3B4COX65IJRJQM/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMjNERleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpNVlMCMC47tILGWk0Pj08nB00AEl4LEfAqwaPcCimfk3ao6chOsKomN9dRS_aem_NAULpKJkZM5P37XifBWAdQ

All dog breeds are eligible including those with osteoarthritis or showing signs of it.

28/08/2025

It’s been a year since Alma’s dissapearence.
And I got some news this week that completely broke my heart.
After posting everywhere about her again, someone came forward to tell me that they were informed by a family member, that a dog in Taranaki Lane killed Alma last year, and that they were “pretty sure” it was her but no one told me to protect the dog.
The information I got was brief but accurate, and the person stopped answering my messages when I started asking too many questions.
Exactly that... I’ve got so many questions, and a deep wound.
Exactly when, exactly where, how can they be sure? what happened to her after that?
I haven’t stopped crying for the past days.
My little darling girl.
I looked for you, so many mornings, afternoons and nights. So much money and time invested. So many sleepless nights, hopes up, and so many nightmares wondering what happened to you.
And turns out that apparently someone knew the answer all this time.
I guess I’ll never know all the info and I will have to learn to let you go and live with that.
So unfair, I’m just a cat mumma with a broken heart. I deserve to know the truth.
If you are reading this and you know what happened to her, please say something.
I am not mad, I understand why you wanted to protect your dog and Alma shouldn’t have been there, I don’t understand why she decided to cross the street when she never did.
Please, the anxiety and sadness is just horrible. Please come forward and explain to me what happened to her.
I really want closure... even though by now I am 99% sure of what happened to you.

Rest in peace sweet girl, cheeky baby, I’ll miss you forever, and I’ll always be hopeful that one day I’ll receive a magic call saying that you are alive.

28/08/2025

It's been a year since Alma's dissapearence.
And I got some news this week that completely broke my heart.
After posting everywhere about her again, someone came forward to tell me that they were informed by a family member, that a dog in Taranaki Lane killed Alma last year, and that they were "pretty sure" it was her but no one told me to protect the dog.
The information I got was brief but accurate, and the person stopped answering my messages when I started asking too many questions.
Exactly that... I've got so many questions, and a deep wound.
Exactly when, exactly where, how can they be sure? what happened to her after that?
I've been called for sightings before, and turns out it wasn't her... Was it really her this time???
I haven't stopped crying for the past days.
My little darling girl.
I looked for you, so many mornings, afternoons and nights. So much money and time invested. So many sleepless nights, hopes up, and so many nightmares wondering what happened to you.
And turns out that apparently someone knew the answer all this time.
I guess I'll never know all the info and I will have to learn to let you go and live with that.
So unfair, I'm just a cat mumma with a broken heart. I deserve to know the truth.
If you are reading this and you know what happened to her, please say something.
I am not mad, I understand why you wanted to protect your dog and Alma shouldn't have been there, I don't understand why she decided to cross the street when she never did.
Please, the anxiety and sadness is just horrible. Please come forward and explain to me what happened to her.
I really want closure... even though by now I am 99% sure of what happened to you.

Rest in peace sweet girl, cheeky baby, I'll miss you forever, and I'll always be hopeful that one day I'll receive a magic call saying that you are alive.