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Positive, relationship-centred dog training, behaviour support and practical puppy guidance.

26/10/2026

🐾 **Meet Baxter's New Apprentice!**

Apparently, Baxter has a new apprentice — Clary! 🐶

Clary is young, enthusiastic and very keen to learn. Baxter, on the other hand, has years of experience and might have a few things to say about training a youngster!

We'll be following their adventures and sharing some puppy-training tips along the way.

Welcome to Dogs Zone, Clary! 💚🐾

24/10/2026

🐾 Is your puppy ignoring you — or do they simply not understand yet?

When teaching a puppy something new, it's easy to expect them to understand straight away.

Watch Clary learning DOWN.

At first, he has no idea what I'm asking. So I help him with a food lure, gradually remove that help, and then give him time to work things out for himself.

The important part? Don't keep repeating the cue. Give your puppy time to think!

Training isn't just about teaching your puppy what to do. It's about giving them the opportunity to learn and think for themselves.

🐾 Small steps. Clear communication. Calm connection.

21/10/2026

☀️ Baxter's Guide to the Perfect Holiday! 😎🐾

Hello, Baxter here!

Just thought I'd share a few important tips for a successful holiday.

🐾 Rule No. 1: Find yourself a nice sunny spot.

🐾 Rule No. 2: Always wear a stylish hat.

🐾 Rule No. 3: Sunglasses are essential. A dog has an image to maintain, you know!

🐾 Rule No. 4: Sit back, relax and let the humans do all the work.

Honestly, I don't know how they manage without me! 😂

Love, Baxter 🐾❤️

P.S. Any other holiday-loving dogs out there? Show me your best holiday photo!

20/10/2026

🐾 Teaching Your Puppy to LEAVE IT — Let Them Think!

This is only Clary's second training session, and he's already making lovely progress!

We started with a closed, still hand, gradually progressing to an open hand, then moving the exercise to the floor.

One important little detail — I alternate which hand delivers the reward so Clary learns to listen and make choices rather than simply anticipating where the treat will come from.

I also use “Take it” to let him know when he's allowed to have the treat.

💚 Remember, every puppy learns at their own pace.

Keep sessions short, take breaks, and give your puppy time to process what they're learning. There's no need to rush!

Good training isn't about how quickly your puppy learns. It's about building understanding and confidence together.

🐶 Want to learn more about training your puppy?

My online course, From Puppy Overwhelm to Calm Connection, guides you step by step through practical everyday puppy training — in just a few minutes each day.

💚 Only NZ$67 with 12 months' access!

🐾 Facebook: Find out more and enrol here: https://leone-s-site-d623.thinkific.com/products/courses/new-course

🐾 Dogs Zone

18/10/2026

☕🐶 From Practice to Real Life!

Taking our mat training to the café!

The goal isn't a perfectly behaved puppy — it's helping them feel comfortable, confident and able to settle in different environments.

💚 Start somewhere quiet, build gradually and always set your puppy up for success.

Small steps today build confident companions tomorrow.

🐾 Dogs Zone

18/10/2026

🐾 From the Training Mat to the Café! ☕🐶

A little mat training refresher before heading off to the café for some real-world practice!

Teaching your puppy to settle doesn't start in a busy café. It starts at home, where there are fewer distractions.

💚 Start easy — practise settling on the mat in a quiet environment.

🐾 Build gradually — introduce new places and distractions at a level your puppy can manage.

☕ Take it into the real world — bring a familiar mat along, reward calm behaviour and keep those first café visits short and positive.

Remember, we're not expecting perfection. We're helping our puppies learn that they can relax wherever life takes them.

Small steps build confident, calm companions. 💚

🐾 Dogs Zone

13/10/2026

🐾 3 Simple Ways to Build Your Puppy's Confidence! 🐶💚

A confident puppy isn't one who is never frightened — it's one who learns that the world can be explored safely.

🐶 1. Let your puppy make choices Allow them to investigate new things at their own pace. Don't force interactions. Curiosity grows when puppies feel safe.

🐾 2. Reward curiosity A new surface, an unfamiliar object or a different sound? Reward your puppy for choosing to investigate, even if it's just a little look!

💚 3. Be their safe place If something is too much, calmly create distance or leave. Your puppy needs to know they can rely on you when things feel overwhelming.

✨ Confidence isn't built by pushing puppies through scary experiences. It's built through trust, choice and positive experiences.

🐾 Dogs Zone

13/10/2026

🐾 3 Simple Ways to Build Your Puppy's Confidence! 🐶💚

A confident puppy isn't one who is never frightened — it's one who learns that the world can be explored safely.

🐶 1. Let your puppy make choices
Allow them to investigate new things at their own pace. Don't force interactions. Curiosity grows when puppies feel safe.

🐾 2. Reward curiosity
A new surface, an unfamiliar object or a different sound? Reward your puppy for choosing to investigate, even if it's just a little look!

💚 3. Be their safe place
If something is too much, calmly create distance or leave. Your puppy needs to know they can rely on you when things feel overwhelming.

✨ Confidence isn't built by pushing puppies through scary experiences. It's built through trust, choice and positive experiences.

🐾 Dogs Zone

12/10/2026

🐾 Fresh from the groomer… and straight into the river! 😂

Baxter loves the river, and after his grooming appointment, a little paddle to cool off was just what he wanted! 💚

🐶 A few tips to help your puppy enjoy grooming:

✂️ Start young. Gently introduce your puppy to having their paws, ears and body touched. Keep sessions short and reward cooperation.

🐾 Make the brush a friend. Let your puppy investigate the brush, then gradually introduce a few gentle strokes, rewarding along the way.

💚 Get them used to the sounds. Introduce clippers and dryers gradually, starting quietly and at a distance, always watching your puppy's response.

Remember, grooming should be something your puppy feels comfortable with, not something they simply have to tolerate.

And as for Baxter? Looking freshly groomed clearly wasn't his priority! 😂

🐾 Dogs Zone — Every dog has a story.

12/10/2026

🐾 Fresh from the groomer… and straight into the river! 😂

Baxter loves the river, and after his grooming appointment, a little paddle to cool off was just what he wanted! 💚

🐶 A few tips to help your puppy enjoy grooming:

✂️ Start young. Gently introduce your puppy to having their paws, ears and body touched. Keep sessions short and reward cooperation.

🐾 Make the brush a friend. Let your puppy investigate the brush, then gradually introduce a few gentle strokes, rewarding along the way.

💚 Get them used to the sounds. Introduce clippers and dryers gradually, starting quietly and at a distance, always watching your puppy's response.

🐶Take them along to your groomer,they will usually be happy to gently introduce them to a few things they use

Remember, grooming should be something your puppy feels comfortable with, not something they simply have to tolerate.

And as for Baxter? Looking freshly groomed clearly wasn't his priority! 😂

🐾 Dogs Zone — Every dog has a story.

Address

Wanaka

Telephone

+6421636599

Website

http://www.dogszone.co.nz/

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