OK, so you’re looking for a new dog. There are so many breeds to choose from. Your final choice comes down to a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd! Which one should you choose and why? How are the breeds different and what do you need to know about each breed before making your final …
Read moreGerman Shepherd or Golden Retriever? Which One is Right For You?
It’s really annoying seeing your dog trainer’s perfectly behaved dog week after week, and looking at your dog thinking “will we ever get there?” Trust me when I tell you (as a dog trainer) that you can get there with your dog. Yes, you can get your dog to be as obedient as your dog …
Read moreThe Secret to Getting Your Dog to be as Obedient as Your Dog Trainer’s Dog
When Dogs PayWith Their Lives By Luzelle Cockburn I love dogs. So when a dog needs to be put to sleep for something that can be fixed, I have issues with it. The belief that kindness doesn’t extend to saving dogs from death row needs to change. Showing a dog how to behave so that …
It’s no fun having a dog that’s straining at the end of the leash and barking ferociously at every passing dog. You know it doesn’t have to be that way. There are 100’s of 1000’s of dogs who can calmly walk past another dog. But why doesn’t your dog like other dogs? It is very …
Should You Ignore Your Dog’s Bad Behaviour? By Luzelle Cockburn There seems to be a growing number of people who believe that ignoring a dog’s bad behaviour will make it go away. What could happen if you ignore your dog’s bad behaviour? What will happen if you do something about your dog’s bad behaviour? What …
Do You Have a Problem Barking Dog? By Luzelle Cockburn Dealing with a barking dog is no fun! In fact, it’s one of the most common complaints and one of the most difficult to fix. Why is that? Because dogs love to bark. It feels good, it’s in their DNA, so once you have a …
Hilariously Funny Dogs(And the things they get up to…) By Luzelle Cockburn Right so, over the years I’ve had my own as well as enjoyed listening to many funny dog stories. It’s quite an insight into the intelligence, problems solving ability and just sheer hilariousness of dogs and it makes you love your own dog …
Should You Get Your Dog Fixed? By Luzelle Cockburn OK, so there’s lots of information about spaying and neutering and which one is the best option. But let’s examine what’s best for you and your dog. To get your dog fixed is to get a female dog speyed or a male dog neutered. It means …
Taranaki Dog-Friendly Dining Guide By Luzelle Cockburn Taranaki, especially New Plymouth is truly a Gem when it comes to being dog-friendly! Especially compared to the rest of the country! Us dog owners really are spoiled for choice! But I digress! If you would like to take your dog out with you to a Cafe or …
Are All Aggressive Dogs Fearful? By Luzelle Cockburn Now, while many people try to explain aggression and fear, few people properly explain how tolerance and aggression interacts with fear and confidence. In fact, I don’t think very many people, even dog trainers, understand this. The same fallacies perpetuated that aggression is from fearful dogs and …
3 Simple Things you Can Do To Get a More Obedient Dog By Luzelle Cockburn I’ve been training dogs for a while now and there are 3 simple ways every dog owner can make faster progress! I find myself saying these things to almost every dog owner I meet. They’re simple tips that everyone can …
5 Dog Training Lessons the movie “Days of Thunder can teach us By Luzelle Cockburn The other night, while I was watching a re-run of Days of Thunder, I realised that some of the things that happened in the movie are actually valuable dog training lessons. I don’t usually sit with a pen and paper …
Read more5 Dog Training Lessons The Movie “Days of Thunder” Can Teach Us
Should You Train Your Dog Using Only Positive Training Methods? By Luzelle Cockburn Positive only training has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. But then other trainers swear by using corrections in their training and there is another group that falls somewhere in the middle. Which one is right? There are …
Why Your Dog Won’t Eat By Luzelle Cockburn Now, in almost every class there’s at least one owner with a dog who won’t take their treats. I’ve been down that road myself. I once was THAT owner with THAT dog. I totally understand the frustration. So, here’s a list of solutions that could help your …
What’s Your Dog’s Why? By Luzelle Cockburn Have you ever wondered “what’s my dog’s why?” Most likely you haven’t. I mean you’re more likely to ask: “why does my dog bark at people” not actually the more important question “why did my dog choose to bark at that person? What was it about them that …
What I learned from an Animal Abuser By Luzelle Cockburn This is a period of my life that I would probably much rather forget. In fact for a very long time I was angry about what had happened. But, the lessons I learned are too valuable not to share. It’s one of the reasons I …
Want to Own a Malinois? What you Need to Know! By Luzelle Cockburn OK, so I’ve done the, “are you sure you want a Malinois” blog post. But really if you want a Malinois, you’ve probably already read that (if not, read it here) and still want one. I don’t blame you. I was the …
Lessons from Challenging Dogs: Helping Jazz By Luzelle Cockburn I was once asked to look after a Belgian Shepherd, called Jazz, while her owner went away on holiday. She was a nervous dog, yet had a bite history. She was already on her second home and both homes were too harsh for her temperament. Both …
Can You Say No To Your Dog? By Luzelle Cockburn I’ve been hearing some rumours that dog trainers are saying owners can’t say “no” to their dogs. I find this concept interesting. Is it right to say “no” to your dog? Has saying “no” become taboo? If so, why?If you do want to use it …
Lessons from Challenging Dogs: Delta By Luzelle Cockburn You don’t become a good dog trainer by only having successes and you certainly don’t hone your skills just working with easy dogs. No, but you can learn plenty of valuable skills and lessons if you allow the challenging dogs to teach you. So, if you want …
What are the 7 Qualities of a good leader? By Luzelle Cockburn In the previous blog post we covered: How Good Leadership Can Help Your Dog, if you missed it, go and read that now because the 7 Qualities of a good leader will make a lot more sense once you read this. These qualities will …
How Good Leadership Can Help Your Dog! By Luzelle Cockburn Ever met those people who seem to have the perfect dog? Like, no matter what sort of dog they get or what breed of dog they have, the dog just seems to be perfect. They are calm, content, happily lie by the owner’s feet the …
Socializing Raven, What have I done? (Tips for Socializing Your Puppy) By Luzelle Cockburn Right, so I’ve had little Raven for about a month now. What have I done to help her socialisation? Well, I’m going to tell you! Socialisation Focus Because Raven came to me with extensive dog socialisation I haven’t really worried …
Read moreSocializing Raven, What have I done? (Tips for Socializing Your Puppy)
What You Need To Know When Getting a New Puppy By Luzelle Cockburn Bringing a new puppy home, opens up a new world of hopes and dreams and expectations. You imagine living life with your new bundle of fluff always by your side. Your dog. Your side-kick. Your best friend. It doesn’t take long …
How to Socialise Your Puppy Correctly By Jane Adams How can you socialise your puppy to ensure that they love you but are friendly enough so that your puppy doesn’t become a total embarrassment when you take them anywhere as they grow up? Most people want a dog who loves all people and doesn’t …
Read moreHow is Puppy Socialisation Done Right? by Jane Adams
The Value of a Good Dog Trainer By Luzelle Cockburn Everyone wants an obedient dog. But expecting your 8-week old puppy or newly adopted dog to be the next “Lassie” is a bit unrealistic (or any dog that hasn’t received training for that matter). For a start, Lassie was a fictional character (I know, …
Has Your Dog Been Kicked Out of Doggy Daycare? What You Need to Know! By Luzelle Cockburn Getting the phone call that your dog is no longer welcome at the doggy daycare can stir up a rollercoaster of emotions. It floods over you when you hear that your dog has failed at something! You’ve …
Read moreHas Your Dog Been Kicked Out of Doggy Daycare? What You Need to Know!
Should You Get a Belgian Malinois? By Luzelle Cockburn Belgian Malinois (Mal-in-wah) seem to be the flavour of the month, with movies like Max helping to fuel their popularity. The reality is, though, these dogs are not for everyone. But they are fantastic companions in the right hands. They are like your Formula 1 cars, …
A Dog Trainer’s Journey By Luzelle Cockburn I never set out to become a dog trainer. When I got my first dog, that thought was the furthest thing from my mind. But it happened. And I finally feel like I’m making a difference in the world. Seeing once frustrated dog owners actually being able to …
5 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make (and how to avoid them) By Luzelle Cockburn We’ve all heard the overused expression “prevention is better than cure” and while having a dog is a fantastic way to enhance your life, getting their training wrong and having a naughty dog can just make your life miserable. But, you …
Read more5 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make (and how to avoid them)