Workshops
Practical dog training workshops for dogs 6 months and older. Monthly one-hour sessions covering challenges dog owners face everyday.
You can join individual workshops or sign up for the full series.
What is a workshop?
Who are the workshops for?
Our monthly dog training workshops are hands-on, small-group sessions held at Fareham House in Featherston for dogs aged 6 months and older. Each session runs for 60 to 90 minutes, with dogs working on-leash alongside up to two human handlers. Designed to be completely flexible, you can choose to join only the individual workshops that suit your dog’s current needs, or you can sign up for the full series to take advantage of the bundle discounts.
These workshops are designed to tackle the real, everyday challenges dog owners face by focusing on one specific topic at a time. They serve to build confidence, clear communication, and practical skills for both you and your dog. Instead of a rigid, one-size-fits-all curriculum, these sessions give you the hands-on tools to better understand your dog’s behavior and positively change how they respond to different real-world situations at home.
Hands-on group training in a safe, controlled environment.
Friendly, small-group sessions with a maximum of 10 dogs per class.
Science-backed training methods using 100% positive, force-free methods.
Direct trainer messaging between classes to ask questions and troubleshoot.
A community group chat to share notes and progress with other attendees.
Realistic homework designed to take just 5–10 minutes a day.
Discounted 1-1 training sessions if you’re after extra in-home help.
Fareham House, 80 Underhill Road, Featherston 5710
You can pick and choose the workshops that suits you and your dog best.
1 workshop: $42
2 workshops: $79
5 workshops: $175
10 workshops (full series): $294
To secure your spot, simply fill out the sign‑up form and book your preferred workshops today. Spaces are limited, so booking in advance is essential. If you have any questions, get in touch; we’re happy to help.
If your dog is reactive or has anxiety, please let us know in the form below so we can support you and your dog effectively.
What to expect:
location:
how to book:
Pricing:
What are my options?
Basics: Build foundational skills that make life with your dog simpler by strengthening communication between you.
Focus: Teach your dog to stay focused on you, even in high-distraction environments.
Leash: Make walking together a better experience by training calm, reliable on-leash skills.
Recall: Improve your dog’s recall with games and training methods that make coming back to you rewarding.
Agility: Try agility with your dog and learn the basics in a fun, supportive way.
Impulse: Build impulse control with training and commands that help your dog think before acting.
Need more information?
Social: Help your dog socialise confidently with the world, including people, dogs, places, sounds, and new experiences.
Settle: Teach your dog to self-regulate, self-soothe, and relax without reacting to their environment.
Reactivity: Help your dog stay calmer and more relaxed around other dogs, people, and traffic with practical on‑leash strategies and confidence‑building games.
Anxiety: Support your anxious or nervous dog with step‑by‑step training that builds calmness, confidence, and better coping skills in everyday life.
Our workshops are structured in a specific order to set your dog up for success, but you have the flexibility to pick and choose exactly which ones work for you.
The entire series spans 10 months, with a built-in 2-month break in between. We intentionally pace them this way to keep things flexible and, most importantly, to give you plenty of time between workshops to implement, practice, and improve your dog's approach to different situations.
True behavior change doesn't happen overnight: this structure ensures you have the time and support to actually build real-world habits before moving to the next step.
sign-up:
Logistics & Scheduling
1. Do I have to commit to the full 10 months, or can I just book individual workshops?
No, you can sign up for the specific workshops that you and your dog would benefit from most. If you aren't sure which ones to choose, get in touch and we can discuss the best fit for your team. We also offer bundle discounts if you book 2, 5, or all 10 workshops together.
2. What happens during the 2-month break?
The 2-month break falls over the Christmas and New Year period. You will be sent home with some homework to keep your training ticking over during the holidays.
3. Can I jump into a workshop later in the series if I missed the first few?
Yes. While the workshops are structured in a progressive order, nothing stops you from jumping in at any point. The full series is laid out systematically, but because dogs learn at different stages, you only need to join the sessions that make sense for your dog's current level.
4. What is the schedule/dates for the upcoming workshops?
Dates and schedules are currently being finalized and will be updated here as soon as they are locked in.
5. What happens if it rains or the weather is bad on a workshop day?
Because we do not currently have an indoor backup area, rainy days will be rescheduled for the following week. Since we keep a full month between each scheduled workshop, we have plenty of buffer time to reschedule without cutting into your practice weeks.
6. What is your cancellation or refund policy if I can no longer make it?
There is a $20 booking fee for processing cancellations. Please note that no refunds will be given for cancellations made under 48 hours before the workshop starts.
Suitability & Safety
7. My dog is reactive/barky around other dogs. Can we still attend?
Yes. A controlled class environment is an excellent way to safely desensitize a dog to triggers like unfamiliar people and dogs. However, depending on the severity of the reactivity, I will need to meet your dog first for a free, no-obligation meet & greet to assess if a group setting is appropriate.
8. Is there an age limit for dogs attending the workshops?
Dogs must be a minimum of 6 months old at the start of the class. There is no upper age limit—no dog is too old to learn.
9. Can multiple family members come with one dog?
We allow up to 2 handlers per dog. Exceptions can absolutely be made if you would like to bring your children along, as they are always keen to engage and learn how to work with the family dog.
10. What training equipment is required (or allowed) at the workshops?
Harnesses are highly recommended, though a standard flat collar is perfectly fine. Choke chains, prong collars, and electronic/shock collars are strictly prohibited. Extendable/flexi-leashes are also not allowed due to safety and lack of control in a group environment. If you don't have the necessary gear, let us know ahead of time and we can help you find the right equipment.
11. My dog has no baseline training yet—should we do a 1-on-1 session before joining a workshop?
While the workshop series is highly beneficial on its own, it is always helpful to know where your dog is at. We can arrange a free meet & greet first to assess whether a 1-on-1 top-up session would be useful before you dive into the group environment.
12. Can I attend a workshop as a spectator without bringing my dog?
Our workshops are designed for hands-on learning, allowing you to practice and perfect your timing in a controlled environment. Having the dogs present helps them get used to working through real-world distractions and ensures you can confidently integrate the skills into your daily routine at home. Because of this, auditing without a dog is far less beneficial. If you have extenuating circumstances, please get in touch.
Methodology & Pacing
13. What training methods do you use?
We use science-backed, positive reinforcement training. We do not use punishment, force, or fear. Instead, we use valuable incentives (food, praise, or toys) to encourage the behaviors we want to see, and manage the environment or remove the reward to change how the dog handles a situation. While that is the core concept, our diverse workshops use a variety of evidence-based techniques tailored to the specific topic.
14. Why is there so much time left between each workshop?
A month between workshops allows you and your dog real time to integrate new habits into your day-to-day lives. It ensures teams doing the full series aren't rushed and are genuinely ready for the next step. If you are booking multiple sessions, it gives you a chance to see real, measurable progress before coming back for the next piece of homework.
15. What kind of homework or practice am I expected to do between sessions?
Homework depends on the specific workshop, but I build routines around just 5 to 10 minutes of daily practice. If you miss a day, you simply pick it back up the next. This short, realistic timeline makes training achievable even if you work long hours, have kids, or manage a busy schedule. Training should fit into your actual life.
16. Will I get any support, notes, or resources to guide my practice during the weeks in between?
Yes. For each class, I set up a dedicated group chat so attendees can compare notes, share progress, and support one another. You will also have direct chat access to me to ask questions, troubleshoot, ensure you are on the right track, and stay updated on upcoming schedules.
17. What should I bring with me to the workshop?
Please bring high-value training treats. If your dog isn't food-motivated, bring their absolute favorite toy. You are also welcome to bring a training mat or bed so your dog understands their boundary and can settle comfortably. If your dog works better on a long line than a traditional short leash, that is completely fine with us.
Results & Next Steps
18. What if my dog doesn't improve during the time between workshops?
If you aren't seeing progress, I want to be the first to know. Every dog is an individual, and we may just need to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and adapt the approach to fit your specific dog's learning style. The workshop is designed to give you the confidence and clarity to handle these moments when you get home.
19. How do I know if my dog is ready to move on to the next workshop in the sequence?
Your dog does not need to "master" or complete one workshop to attend another. The entire system is built to be flexible so you can choose the topics that make the most sense for your lifestyle, whether that means the full 10-month sequence or just a single standalone session.
20. If I need extra help practicing between workshops, can I book a 1-on-1 top-up session?
Absolutely. If you feel you need some individual coaching or want to troubleshoot a specific exercise, discounted 1-on-1 top-up sessions are available exclusively to workshop attendees.