HELLO
Who we are, FAQ's
& What people say
All our trainers are qualified. We use fear and force free training methods, making learning fun and stress-free for every dog.
Long-term learning for dogs is the core of our philosophy, and we continue to refine our skills and knowledge.
The Dog Behaviour Academy helps dogs and owners in our local community. We are dedicated to teaching dogs the skills to make home life easy for everyone.
Founder's Note
My aim is to help dogs and owners live good lives together.
I believe using positive reinforcement and a force-free approach is essential. To do no harm.
Dogs have an amazing ability to connect with us and enrich our lives. Their honesty and ability to live in the moment is inspiring.
I started The Dog Behaviour Academy to help when communication gaps arise and unwanted behaviours develop.
We bridge the gap by assessing your situation and teaching you and your dog the skills needed to thrive together.
My goal: Happy, confident dogs and stronger bonds between guardians and their canine companions.
Merran Spath. CAM-CBT, APDTNZ
FAQs
Are you a certified dog trainer?
Yes! Our experienced trainers have a variety of certifications.
Merran has an Animal Management Certification, majoring in Canine Training and Behaviour. She is an Association for Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand (APDTNZ) member and certified with Fear Free Shelter programme.
She also holds a current Pet First Aid Certification and volunteers with the SPCA. She continues to develop her skills and is part of a community of like-minded trainers.
Animal trainers in New Zealand are not required to hold any certification to practice in the country. However, at The Dog Behaviour Academy, we believe education is critical to being better qualified to help owners and dogs thrive.
What training methods do you use?
We use reward based, fear & force-free training methods.
Does the training method matter?
Absolutely! The training method you choose can make a world of difference. Our training is based on science and positive reinforcement methods, using shaping, luring and capturing. Resulting in happier, calmer, and more well-behaved dogs.
What if it’s raining?
The Dog Behaviour Academy will train your dog in any weather conditions. If your dog is wet or muddy, we will rinse and towel dry them so no dirty paw prints are left in the house!
Do you guarantee results?
Many factors affect behaviour that are beyond our control, including but not limited to:
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learning
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enrichment
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lifestyle
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environment
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age
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health
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genetics
Providing a 100% guarantee on future behaviour is impossible and unethical.
However, we are confident in our methods and committed to helping you create a more harmonious relationship with your dog.
What our customers say
Merran trained my Labrador/Border Collie in 2023. I was ready to give my dog away before I made contact with Merran.
She jumped up on people when they came to the house. When I let her off the lead on walks, she chased people on bicycles and scooters and would bark at anyone wearing a high visibility vest. She had no recall and was very nervous. She would pull on the lead, and walking her was a dreaded chore.
I can’t thank Merran enough; she was easy to communicate with, always on time and very consistent. She taught me how to play and interact in a manner that my dog understood. She is a wealth of information and shares her knowledge to help you become a confident dog owner. Merran has trained my dog to walk calmly on a lead, no more jumping on people and she now has excellent recall.
I highly recommend Merran to any dog owner who needs some help. I am now a happy dog owner who won’t be giving her dog away!
- Sarah & Awhi