Tim Radcliffe Dog Training

18/08/2026

Before and after with Bear.
The first video shows where Bear and his family started when walks were difficult and stressful. Fast-forward to today, and the difference is wonderful to see. From challenging walks to relaxed off-lead adventures, Bear has made fantastic progress. He is now walking mostly to heel, enjoying a swim in the lake and returning when called.
A brilliant result for Bear and his family and a lovely reminder that with the right guidance, patience and consistency, real change is possible. Well done, Bear!
If you would like help making walks more enjoyable with your dog, get in touch.

05/08/2026

Really appreciate the feedback from these legends so pleased that they are giving their beautiful doggos the best life. Onwards and upwards.

02/08/2026

Not a dog post today but a very proud family one.
I spent time this week in Wellington and at the Royal New Zealand Police College celebrating the graduation of my youngest son who has officially joined the ranks of the NZ Police. Having all the family together for this milestone was incredibly special.
Many of you know my journey started in the police force, where I became a Police Dog Handler then went on to build a career in the wider dog world and ultimately my own dog training business. So watching my youngest son step into that same uniform carries a meaning that’s hard to put into words.
In dog training we talk a lot about consistency, dedication and putting in the hard yards behind the scenes. Seeing those exact qualities in my own kids and watching one of them follow in my footsteps into the police force is a pretty amazing feeling.
A massive congratulations also to all the new graduates. 💙

27/07/2026

This is where training gets tested. Busier environments, more distractions, and two dogs to manage at once. Little Fred finds the new surroundings a bit overwhelming, and that is okay, it is all part of the process.
What we are working on here is generalising everything we have built: the collar pressure response, the focus cue, and the reinforcer placement. When the environment gets harder, the training has to be flexible. We slow down, manage the space, and keep it positive.

26/07/2026

Sniffing, pulling, getting tangled. This is the reality of starting loose leash work with two dogs, and that is completely normal. In this first session with Miley and Fred, we are laying the groundwork: introducing the concept of reconditioning collar pressure, using a focus cue to bring their attention back, and rewarding every good choice they make.
No quick fixes here. Just clear communication, patience, and building the foundations one step at a time.
Follow along this week to see the great progress Miley and Fred make.

12/07/2026

I’m not anti food. I use it every day but if the only thing your dog has learned is do this and get paid what happens when the payment is not enough? Rewards tell your dog what to do…rules tell them what’s off limits. You need both. Swipe through and let me know your thoughts.

09/07/2026

One giant brown creature named Elsa who keeps lying down to look at me. I have assessed the situation and decided: she is mine now. Also, her water bowl is enormous and I intend to claim it. My name is Oakley. I fear nothing. 🐾

08/07/2026

The giants are still trying to figure out if I’m a dog or a rogue chicken nugget. 🍗🐶 Just playing it cool until the interrogation is over.

06/07/2026

Oakley taking his job as Chief Morale Officer very seriously today 😄 Thanks for the invite — rainy Mondays are way better with a puppy on hand!

What better way to start a rainy Monday morning in the office with a visit from puppy Oakley. Office morale is now at an all time high thanks to a puppy visit from Tim Radcliffe Dog Training.

🐾 #

05/07/2026

Meet Pippa! This sharp 14-week-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever/ Labrador Retriever/ GSP cross came to me for an extended 4-week Board & Train, heading home at 18 weeks with a rock-solid foundation to build her working future on. Pippa is a dog who will have a job to do, so getting these foundations right from the start wasn’t optional, it was essential.
Over the month we focused on building a clear communication system through verbal marker training, giving her precise feedback on when she’s made the right choice. From there, we layered in functional obedience, the kind of training that actually translates into real life, not just a sterile training environment.
Here’s what we covered:
Engagement - making the choice to check in with her handler the most rewarding option available.
Loose Leash Walking - building the habit of moving with us calmly without tension on the lead.
Crate Conditioning - creating a safe, calm space for genuine decompression.
Socialisation - neutral exposure to the world without over-arousal.
Impulse Control and recall - teaching her to think before she acts, every single time.
Functional Obedience - reliable responses that hold up in the real world, not just in a training session.
Swipe through to see some of the highlights from her training journey. Watching a pup like this absorb information and grow in confidence over four weeks is exactly why we do what I do.
If you’ve got a young working-line pup destined for a job, those early weeks are your biggest opportunity. Don’t waste them.