About Us

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ABOUT ME

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I am a professional Dog Trainer with a very simple philosophy. I believe that training should be fun and easy to do, innovative, and growl-free. All dogs involved in the process experience the benefits, including the humans involved!

Passionate. Patient. Persistent. Dog-lover. These are just a few of the characteristics that clients describe me. I know each dog is different, and I’ll work with yours to give them the specific guidance they need. Whether you’re thinking about getting a dog, adding to your dog family, already own a dog with behavioral problems or just need some advice on getting your dog to focus, I am here to help.

I believe in creating mutual trust, respect and a loving bond between you and your dog by using force-free, science-based, and humane training methods. Focusing on your confidence, concerns, feelings that you have at your pace and your dog's ability.

Trainer

I came to New Zealand from the UK in 1996, I qualified in Canine Behaviour & Training and Animal Welfare then from there worked in Animal Welfare in Auckland City, Waitakere, and North Shore as a qualified Animal Welfare Inspector. What I saw as an Animal Welfare Inspector compelled me to set up Pawsitive Steps Dog Training to offer the people and their dogs of New Zealand a Science-based positive method of training. At the same time being the course coordinator of Canine Behaviour and Training at Unitec for 15 years until moving to Christchurch in 2020. In these capacities, I have helped hundreds of dogs and dog owners to have a better understanding and relationships.

Pawsitive Steps Dog Training is a fully certified business, and I regularly attend seminars, courses, consult with other trainers, vets, and specialists in my field to make sure that my methods and nutritional and medical advice are 100% up to date and correct. I take your pet’s health and wellbeing as seriously as humanly possible!

Owning a dog is an amazing and rewarding experience, but also a responsibility, not a luxury. Training your dog properly will lead you to a greater understanding of your dog, and I firmly believe in the owner-pet relationship being one of mutual understanding and respect. I immerse you fully in the training process, and with this holistic approach, I find that owners end up learning as much, if not more, than their dog.

Call to find out more about my unique approach to training.

WHAT WE OFFER

PRIVATE COACHING

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Private Coaching Program Basic. 5 sessions

Do you just want your dog to be well mannered, a good family dog? A dog who knows the house rules and respects them without constantly nagging them? They might not need to be a show dog or an obedience competitor but they do need to listen to you in any situation. This program will teach your dog to reliably sit, stay, come when called and go to place - the essentials for a well-mannered family dog. You might even impress your friends.

If you learn best working one-on-one with an experienced teacher in private lessons, then you'll love our "Private Coach" option. I will show you easy and fun ways to train your dog using scientific positive reward-based techniques. Sessions are tailored to you and your dog's specific needs.

How does private coaching help?

  • Involve your family in training and have FUN!
  • Evening/Weekend sessions to accommodate your busy lifestyle
  • Training is tailor-made to your dog’s need and your goals
  • We work at your dogs’ pace and of course! your pace too
  • Our training equips you to deal with “real life” situations which means we take training in the coffee shop, park, beach, groomers etc.
  • Personalized access to the trainer anytime via email/phone/Skype.
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INCLUSIONS:

  • 5 Weekly or fortnightly training sessions
  • I only use and recommend the best training equipment.
  • I will provide everything you need to teach a solid recall: training collar, leash, long line, healthy treats, reward toy.
  • Support – got a question, or is your dog doing something unexpected? Call me, and I will support you throughout the training program and 3 months afterwards.
  • Written notes and examples. I will even film parts of our sessions and provide you with a copy to keep you always revisiting the videos for a refresher.
  • Graduation certificate

INVESTMENT:

You can start for just $170, plus two further payments of $170 Or save $50, and pay in full for just $460,
I always approach our training with only positive methods, and force-free training is to be used. This ensures your dog’s safety and well-being is considered at all times. You and your dog’s training will be set up to succeed and will be tailored to your dog’s needs.
This is great for all dogs and owners with verging degrees of behaviour problems, especially for dogs that struggle to be around other dogs or people.

Private Coaching Program. 10 Sessions

Got a blank slate with no prior training and a desire for your dog to know all the important commands in and out of the home? Or has your dog developed a serious behaviour issue such as anxiety or aggression? This program is designed to solve more serious problems, OR we can teach more commands such as place, leave it, sit, and stay, down, come when called, and loose lead walking and heel.

An initial behavior assessment consultation is required $100.00. This session will discuss & determine a suitable training program for your dog and include behavioral advice and training. To conduct this assessment, I will need 90 minutes of your time.

If you learn best working one-on-one with an experienced teacher in private lessons, then you'll love our "Private Coach" option. I will show you easy and fun ways to train your dog using scientific positive reward-based techniques. Sessions are tailored to you and your dog's specific needs.

private-coaching-10sessions

How does private coaching help?

  • Involve your family in training and have FUN!
  • Evening/Weekend sessions to accommodate your busy lifestyle
  • Training is tailor-made to your dog’s need and your goals
  • We work at your dogs’ pace and of course! your pace too
  • Our training equips you to deal with “real life” situations which means we take training in the coffee shop, park, beach, groomers etc.
  • Personalized access to the trainer anytime via email/phone/Skype.

INCLUSIONS:

  • 10 Weekly or fortnightly training sessions
  • I only use and recommend the best training equipment.
  • I will provide everything you need to teach a solid recall: training collar, leash, long line, healthy treats, reward toy.
  • Video training diary – this will help you keep track of your training time to see exactly where improvements are needed in between sessions and see how you are developing.
  • Support – got a question, or is your dog doing something unexpected? Call me, and I will support you throughout the training program and 3 months afterwards.
  • Written notes and examples. You’ll receive access to training videos, so you don’t need to remember every tiny detail during the lesson. I will even film our sessions and provide you with a copy to keep you always revisiting the videos for a refresher.

INVESTMENT:

After the initial behavior assessment consultation, you can start for just $250, plus three further payments of $250, Or save $100, and pay in full for just $900.

We always approach our training with only positive methods, and force-free training is to be used. This ensures your dog’s safety and well-being is considered at all times. You and your dog will be set up to succeed and will be tailored to your dog’s needs.
This is great for all dogs and owners with verging degrees of behavior problems, especially for dogs that struggle to be around other dogs or people. 

Internet banking: Melika Barnes.
Account number: 03 0255 0098927 – 00

Please put your dog’s name, the class/program name as well as your own as a reference.

Travel expenses may be added.