Tony the Dog Trainer

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.

04/10/2026

We welcomed Robbie and Annie to the walking packs last week. They are both Gordon Setters, which you don't often see. They will be walked alongside the other dogs, with Laura's help, before being put in with the larger pack. This is part of how I introduce dogs to pack walking.

26/09/2026

One cool thing that AI produced. A picture of my dog, Tess, which I kind of like.

26/09/2026

Early walk this morning with a small crew at Taitua Arboretum. From left, Tess, Benji and Tui were happy to hit the trails.

23/09/2026

It's time for a Social Walk - on Saturday, 26 September 2026, at 9 am.
The venue will be Taitua Arboretum, 55 Taitua Road, Templeview. (Dogs will be around other dogs, all on-lead and in a controlled manner. We meet in the Taitua Arboretum carpark. (Please see the rules of the walk below).
- Dogs must stay on the lead at all time
- No dog-to-dog greetings without the owner’s consent, please. Not all the dogs will welcome random dogs in their space.
- Pick up all p**p (goes without saying, but there, now it’s said).
- Respect pedestrians and other dog walkers on the path. Make way for people as appropriate, so we’re not road-hogs.
Remember to act as good ambassadors of the dog-owning community at all times (not everyone likes dogs - weird huh?)
Cancellation due to weather will be notified on Facebook.
Please Register here:

RSVP for the Social Walk at Taitua Arboretum on Saturday, 25 July at 9 am

19/09/2026

It's good to have friends. Beau, on the right, is anxious and uncomfortable with many dogs, but he has a real friendship with Tahi, on the left.
I walk them on the same side together, and Beau likes to tuck in the inside of Tahi where he feels secure, as we walk past other dogs.