FAQS

We use positive and force-free training methods that are based on modern science

Our approach is simple: we encourage the dog to make the right choice by rewarding the behaviour we want to see, and by ignoring or managing the environment to remove the opportunity for behaviour we don’t want to see.

We support unsocialized, reactive, fearful, and anxious dogs, but we also love helping with the basics, puppy training, or simply enhancing communication between you and your dog. The better you understand your dog, the easier life becomes! We can help you decipher what your dog is trying to say and give you the tools to alleviate those common behavioural issues.

We are commited to client education, ensuring you understand the why behind our methods. We provide simple, actionable homework between sessions and ensure you know you can contact us with any questions or concerns.

The dominance theory has been debunked by modern veterinary and behavioral science.

We exclusively use positive, reward-based methods because they are more effective, safer, and build a stronger, trusting bond between you and your dog.

Punishment-based or dominance training relies on causing fear, pain, or intimidation to suppress behavior. This approach is not only inhumane but also carries serious risks, including:

• Damaging your relationship with your dog.

• Masking the underlying cause of the behavior behind fear or anxiety.

• Increasing the risk of aggression and fear reactivity.

We prefer to use reinforcement to teach your dog what to do, fostering confidence and joy in learning, rather than relying on outdated methods.

We guarantee we will provide you with the most effective, ethical, and evidence-based strategies available. While there are no guarantees in dog training, the success we see is directly proportional to the effort invested.

Successful, lasting change requires a consistent commitment to pattern change from the entire household. We teach your dog the foundational skills during our sessions, but consistent practice and homework are crucial—this is where the new behavior is permanently put in place. We promise to be your dedicated guide through that entire process, and the commitment is always worth the reward.

Consistency is critical to your dog's progress. If family members use varied rules, cues, or reward systems, the dog will become confused and progress will slow down. Therefore, we ensure that everyone actively involved in the dog's day-to-day life is on the same page, working towards the same goals.

It remains the owner's responsibility to advocate for the dog to those not in the home to make sure the training is followed, after all, it’s your dog.

Detailed pricing for our standard training services is available on our Services page.

If you are looking for a more tailored solution, or if you would like to discuss potential discounts or payment plans, please Contact us or book a free, no-obligation meet & greet.

• One-to-One Sessions: In-person training sessions tailored specifically to your dog's needs, lasting just over an hour.

• Workshops: Small, one-off classes that focus on a specific skill, behavior, or command.

• Foundation Sessions: Direct, in-home training where the trainer works with your dog for you.

• Puppy Starter Package: A dedicated program designed to set you and your new pup up for success right from the start.

The duration depends entirely on your dog's unique needs and responsiveness. Since progress is never linear, we can't give an accurate time estimate. However, after your Meet & Greet, we are happy to provide a guesstimate of sessions required, though this is flexible and can change as your training continues.

We provide the tools and knowledge you need to manage the process, and we are happy to continue supporting you and your dog for troubleshooting and any questions you may have.

• Initial Assessment & Plan: A detailed Meet & Greet to discuss issues, assess your dog, and establish a malleable training plan with goals and a session estimate.

• Focused Coaching Sessions: Sessions are planned to maximize results. I coach you on techniques, ensuring both you and your dog master the skills.

• Dedicated Support: You receive 2–3 weekly homework assignments (verbal or written) and ongoing remote support (text/email) between sessions for troubleshooting and questions.

• Review Services: Check our Services page to find the best option for your needs.

• Book Now: Submit the Book Now form.

• Confirmation: Let us know a preferred day and time for free no-obligation Meet & Greet and we will contact you to complete the process.

Yes! All family members and household members are welcome and encouraged to join the sessions. This ensures consistency and better, faster results for your dog.

Our training services cover Masterton, South Wairarapa, Martinborough, and Kahutara. We also serve Upper and Lower Hutt, where a travel fee applies to cover time and vehicle costs.

Yes, absolutely. We have extensive experience helping rescue dogs and foster dogs successfully transition into new environments and homes.

We also offer a service to help you find a dog to adopt that matches your lifestyle needs, the time you have available and the people in your home. We can also provide guidance to help you smoothly transition a new dog into your home.

Yes, absolutely! We are happy to help and, in fact, we encourage it. Choosing the right gear can be overwhelming. The Mutt Shop was specifically designed for this purpose, featuring only products we truly believe in. We are happy to discuss any struggles you are having and point you toward the most effective equipment. We are continually adding more products to The Mutt Shop to make your life easier!

Please provide us with adequate notice to cancel or reschedule a session. While sessions canceled without notice may be charged the full fee, we understand that life happens. The decision to apply the full charge is always at our discretion.

Training sessions are primarily held in your home. This location allows us to establish positive habits and foundational skills in the environment where your dog spends most of its time. Once those skills are solid, we move out into the real world.

We do not charge a travel fee for locations within South Wairarapa, Carterton, Masterton, or out to Martinborough.

For services conducted north of Masterton, as well as in Upper and Lower Hutt, a travel fee of $1.00 per km applies.

We have experience working with dogs facing unique challenges, including those that are deaf, blind, or dealing with conditions like arthritis, hip dysplasia, limb loss, or post-operative recovery. Please let us know on the booking form about your dog's specific needs. If we feel we cannot safely or effectively help, we will be upfront and honest, but we are confident in our diverse experience.

Yes. Mahu Mutts began by supporting dogs who need more support on their walks. We have experience with reactivity, fear and anxiety, and we adjust each walk to your dog’s comfort level, keeping them safe while encouraging progress around their triggers.

We use methods that suit your dog’s age, breed and temperament. Training is about helping them make good choices and rewarding accordingly.

We teach the behaviour we want, reinforce it, and simply pause or remove access to something they want when they present a behaviour we don’t want to see. We also encourage well-fitted harnesses and never use aversive tools like choke chains, prong collars or e-collars.

No. We don’t use aversive tools or punishment. These approaches are outdated, unsafe and don’t support long-term learning. I have spare harnesses, collars and leads available, and I’ll always use humane, dog-friendly equipment regardless of what your dog normally wears.

Tailored Walking & Enrichment We offer flexible services designed to keep your dog physically and mentally fulfilled. Start with a one-hour walk and customize it with specific training add-ons like loose-leash walking and recall, or mental enrichment such as scent work and brain games.

Running Walks For high-energy dogs that need a faster pace, we offer one-on-one running sessions to provide a proper cardio workout and burn off extra steam safely.

Structured Pack Walks Our pack walks are carefully matched by breed, temperament, and play style. All sessions are led by an experienced professional to ensure your dog is safe, settled, and instinctually satisfied.

All pricing is listed on our Services page. The only exception is custom packages, which are quoted individually.

• Pick-up & Drop-off: Convenient door-to-door service included.

• Tailored Outings: Each walk is matched to your dog’s specific fitness level and personality.

• Mental Enrichment: We don't just "walk"—we prioritize sniffing, active engagement, and mental stimulation to ensure they come home truly tired.

• Varied Locations: We rotate walking spots to keep the environment fresh, interesting, and instinctually satisfying for your dog.

• Safe Exploration: Every session is managed by a professional trainer, ensuring a safe and high-quality experience every time.

• Browse Our Services: Start by reviewing our Services page to get an idea of the best fit for your dog's needs (e.g., exercise, socialization, mental enrichment, or daily care).

• Submit the Form: Go to our Book Now page and submit the form. This provides us with all the necessary information and allows you to propose a time and date for the Meet & Greet.

• The Meet & Greet: We will confirm your preferred time or suggest an alternative. The Meet & Greet is a short, friendly home visit where we meet your dog, confirm the best service, discuss any concerns, and finalize your regular schedule.

Yes. We encourage regular, ongoing walks to provide consistency and routine for your dog.

• Mahu Mates Pack Walks: Run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Mahu Miles Running Walks: Run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

• Solo Walks: Offer more scheduling flexibility. Simply let us know your preferred days and times, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Yes, for the safety and well-being of all dogs in our care, we have clear health requirements:

• Vaccinations: We require all dogs to be up to date on core vaccinations as recommended by New Zealand veterinary standards.

• Flea & Worm Treatment: While the application of these treatments is ultimately at the owner's discretion, we require dogs to be free of fleas and worms at the time of service. If a dog shows evidence of infestation, we will unfortunately have to postpone service until they have been successfully treated.

• Health Responsibility: It is the owner's responsibility to ensure their dog is free of contagious pests and diseases, and to keep us updated on any health concerns for the safety of your dog and others.

Core Vaccinations: These are considered mandatory for all dogs in New Zealand and protect against serious, often fatal, diseases.

• Canine Distemper Virus

• Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

• Canine Parvovirus

We are happy to support reactive and nervous dogs, and their emotional safety is our main concern.

The meet & greet allows us to carefully assess your dog’s specific needs to determine if they are ready for socialisation or if a solo walk is a better fit. We prioritize safe, comfortable interactions and carefully match temperaments.

If they are not ready for a pack walk or a duo walk, we will discuss training options or integrating training into their solo walks. We can work towards building confidence and aim for a walk with a well matched friend in the future.

We prioritize safety and are strictly force-free.

• Required Equipment: Your dog must wear a secure collar and we encourage comfortable harness options.

• Prohibited Equipment: We do not walk dogs using any aversive tools, including prong, choke, or e-collars.

• Muzzles: If your dog currently wears a muzzle for safety, comfort, or training, we are happy to accommodate this. Additionally, if your dog is legally required to wear a muzzle because they are considered dangerous or menacing under the Dog Control Act 1996, they must wear it for the walk.

We offer flexible and convenient access options so your day remains uninterrupted. Clients typically provide access via a door code, a lockbox code, or a hidden key.

Rest assured that all access information is kept strictly confidential and will only be used by the handler responsible for your dog's care. We follow all pick-up and drop-off instructions precisely and treat your home with the utmost respect.

Yes, absolutely. We tailor our service to the specific needs of every dog, regardless of age or physical condition.

• Puppies & Elderly Dogs: We offer puppy socialization walks tailored to appropriate energy levels and provide shorter, gentler walks for our senior dogs.

• Special Needs: We are experienced and comfortable walking dogs with special needs, including those who are deaf, blind, or managing chronic conditions like arthritis or dysplasia, as well as those in post-operative recovery. We are happy to discuss any concerns with your vet to make sure we are providing the correct care.

• Check-in Services: We also offer Comfort Check-ins and a dedicated 30-minute Check-in service. These are perfect alternatives if your dog isn't quite ready for a full walk or is simply having a challenging day.

We proudly provide our walking services throughout the Wairarapa region, covering Carterton, Greytown, Kahutara, Martinborough, Featherston and everything in-between.

We walk rain or shine! We are prepared to go out in all typical weather conditions. However, your dog's safety is our highest priority. Therefore, we do not operate during official severe weather warnings (such as high wind, flooding, or severe thunderstorms) to ensure the well-being of both our staff and the dogs in our care. In these cases, we will contact you immediately to discuss rescheduling or substituting the walk with an indoor check-in.

We are flexible and encourage you to book times that suit you best—just let us know if changes need to be made!

However, services require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for cancellation or rescheduling. If a cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours' notice, a cancellation fee of 50% of the service cost will be applied.

Our primary precaution is proactive management—ensuring your dog is never placed in a high-risk situation. This starts by confirming the right service for your dog's temperament at the Meet & Greet. On every walk, we use high-quality, secure equipment, scan the environment to avoid triggers, and only walk well-matched dogs. We are First Aid trained and carry a stocked first aid kit to ensure the safest possible outing.

If your dog is exhibiting challenging behaviors like pulling or barking, they are in the right place!

We view these moments as excellent training opportunities. We are experts in force-free methods and can easily incorporate positive reinforcement training into their regular walks to help improve these behaviors. If more intensive work is needed, we can discuss training options designed to help your dog become the calm, confident companion you want them to be.