Welcome to Dogs First, where we believe that dogs come first in every paw-step of their training journey. Our mission is to create a harmonious and enriching environment that is centered around our four-legged companions and their unique needs.
Our training philosophy revolves around creating a space where comfort and safety are paramount. We understand that every dog is an individual, and we tailor our methods to ensure a positive and stress-free learning experience. Through rewards-based training, we encourage your furry friends to thrive, building a strong bond between you and your pup as you grow and train together.
You can find out more about how we train here.
Scentwork
At Dogs First, we embrace a “nose first” approach, recognising that dogs experience the world primarily through their keen sense of smell.
Scentwork is such a great sport to introduce your dog to. It is the only dog sport in which the dog guides the handler and not the other way around! It’s fun and it’s challenging and can be done by ANYONE – young, old, quick, slow, friendly and sociable, or a little more choosey with who they want in their space – we welcome them all.
We help dogs and their owners prepare to qualify in Scent Sport Assn NZ (SSANZ) trials, Dogs NZ trials, but just as important, we help those who just want to do scentwork for enjoyment!
See and book our scentwork classes here.
playful paws
There is no better way to learn than with FUUUUUUN! And that’s what Playful Paws is all about.
Using a series of tried-and-true games, we teach your pup how to be confident and brave, how to problem-solve, how to engage and disengage, how to self-calm and how to be resilient.
Help dogs of all breeds and ages build essential skills for coping with the demands of daily life, and improve your dog’s well-being by enriching their everyday with stimulating games and play.
See and book our Playful Paws classes here.
In-home ‘translation’
Our years of experience have shown us that most “bad” dog behaviour usually boils down to miscommunication. We provide an in-home training service to tackle those behaviour niggles.
We’ll help you to understand your dog better, and your dog to better understand you and what you would like it to be doing/not doing. We work with the whole family so that any change is sustainable and long-lasting, giving you the tools to make a real difference.
Contact Antonia for more information.
coming soon…
Enrichment classes
Help your dog lead a balanced and content life. Learn to awaken their curiosity and intelligence with activities that stimulate their senses and tap into their natural instincts to forage, scavenge and engage in natural problem-solving.
Improve your understanding of your dog’s need to feel safe and secure in its environment, and how that helps inform every decision it makes.
Foster trust and confidence to unleash your dog’s potential with our enrichment classes and watch them thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Shopping
We are adding new products to our shop all the time – handpicked, tried, and tested, top-notch products. If there is anything you would like us to stock – let us know.
Enquire here or sign up for our newsletter below to hear when these services will be available.