Heath
I'm Adele,
a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC-CDBC), as well as Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ-ABC). I am also a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand, and a rescue-dog fanatic!
If you're curious about how I live, teach, and engage with dogs, you can find out on this page.
Internationally Certified
Nationally Accredited
How do I teach dogs?
Simple. Empathetically.
I'm happy to be a 'force-free' trainer. What does that mean? How can anything be 'force free'?
Force free in regards to training means that we aren't relying on the use of force in order for our dogs to behave the way we want them to.
A dog being behind a door, gate, inside a vehicle, crate etc., are all examples of dogs being unable to potentially do what they want. These are all potential management and/or safety interventions, which I utilize during training as deemed appropriate per each case. What I don't do is use force to try to get a dog to 'behave' - no jerks, jolts, or prods around here.
I am a 'positive reinforcement' trainer. Huh?
Think of it this way - you're getting paid in great behaviour, and they're getting paid too (with something they like). This is just how behaviour works - simple, straight forward, common sense stuff. Done right, we see that good stuff becoming their 'normal' behaviour.
I am not a 'balanced' trainer. The term 'balanced' refers to the use of both positive reinforcement and punishment-based techniques. If you're specifically looking for someone to teach you how to punish your dog 'effectively', I'm not your gal.
Are there consequences for behaviours we don't like when we don't rely on punishment in training? Yes, yes there are! These consequences are things that make sense and are in proportion to the situation.
Let me give you a really simple example - a dog who isn't able to come when called has the consequence of being on a lead.
For most living beings, having autonomy over ourselves (where being in control of our own movements is a core part of that) is one of the most valuable things we hold dear. While some might think being back on a lead isn't a big deal, think of what freedom really means to you.
I now know that I need to work on my dogs engagement and recall more around the distraction before fully letting them off the lead in this scenario. I cannot risk my dog having more experiences where ignoring me means they have a wonderful time, or otherwise potentially put themselves or others at risk - that's just one of the many parts of being a good dog guardian and citizen.
Who am I really?
Where am I from?
I grew up all around the Auckland region for the most part, from a tiny 1 bedroom batch built by my grandad in the bush of Waiheke Island, to South Auckland to West Auckland, as well as a stint in Wellington.
What brought me to Christchurch?
After 2 years working with high-needs infants and children in their homes, I decided to further my education, ditch the North Island, and head down to Christchurch to complete a BSc Psychology at the University of Canterbury. During my time at university, I also decided to take additional papers of interest in Biochemistry, Animal Behaviour, Bioethics, Environmental ethics, and Te Ao Māori. I had every intention of continuing my work supporting kids back in the North Island once things were wrapped up, but things took a turn as life presented me with some surprising opportunities.
How did the 'dog thing' start?
By some miracle, in 2016 on a Tuesday with no lectures to attend, I found Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue on the same road as my student flat, and they were looking for volunteers. I emailed, showed up for an induction, and I kid you not, managed to leave that day with a foster dog (Rubble, AKA Rub-a-Dubs) after my property was inspected for suitability and I was schooled on protocols.
Where did my professional career start?
I continued studying, continued volunteering, continued fostering... and through the Christchurch-doggy-network, in 2018 I was invited to assist as a puppy socialization supervisor at Sit Happens NZ. This is where things really started to get serious.
From 2019, while working part time with kids alongside having the additional role at Sit Happens NZ learning and training with Lisa, I started attending more lectures and conferences specifically on animal behaviour. More recently, I've attended the Aggression & Defensive Handling Conference 2023 in Wellington, as well the IAABC Foundation Animal Behaviour Conference 2024.
In 2022, I started doing Behaviour Assessments & Behaviour Modification plans for the SPCA, branching out further into the rescue-animal community.
Watching, learning, practicing, applying - rinse & repeat! This has been, and will be, my life with dogs.
Where did that take me?
I ended up becoming the head trainer as Sit Happens NZ, as well as completing my international credentialing as a Dog Behaviour Consultant.
Where am I now?
It has been 10 years since I arrived in Christchurch, and I have no intention of leaving the wonderful world that is Canterbury. You will still find me at CBBR multiple days a week working with the dogs and volunteers, or providing support to our foster homes or recent adopters. When I can, I also provide community based dog education for children.
I continue building knowledge and skills, studying Canine Psychology & Behaviour (Ad. Dip.) with the ISCP, as well as studying through the Grisha Stewart Academy to further my species-specific knowledge.
At this point in time, I've fostered and re-homed more than 30 adult dogs with increasingly complex behavioural challenges, and too many puppies to count. My current fosters will likely be with me for life due to their complex life histories and accompanying behaviours. You can learn more about them on the CBBR website or social media - their names are Sunshine & Heath!
After a brilliant time working alongside the tight-knit Sit Happens NZ team, it's become time to part ways to pursue our individual passions. For me, that is continuing to teach people how to understand, teach and communicate with their dogs. 'Hear The Dog' is the accumulation of the past decade of learning and experience.
What have I come away with from all these experiences?
Well, I now know that I'm passionate about ongoing education alongside hands-on experience. Both are needed for a well rounded, grounded, ethical and effective approach to training and behaviour modification. My training approach encompasses supporting every learner and their wellbeing - whichever end of the lead they fall on, whatever stage they're at.
It's critical to collaborate with other animal professionals, including veterinarians, in cases where medical assessment and/or interventions are required. For me, this includes a local professional specializing in pain identification, management, and treatment for dogs who would benefit from musculoskeletal support, along with referrals to local vet's experienced in behaviour as well as veterinary behaviourists.
My heart is grounded when working with rescue dogs. They give me perspective, and have taught me so much about what it means to take the time to listen and see a dog for who they are, and how their circumstances can affect them both emotionally and behaviourally.
I love helping dogs, and I love helping people who I know love their dogs. We all do what we think is best, and by the time somebody has taken the time to come to me, there is no doubt in my mind that they want the best for their dog and for their family.
I am passionate about addressing challenging behaviour through a much wider lens than people may expect. I want to support dogs at every level in order to improve behavioural outcomes, starting with their mental and physical wellbeing. When we don't feel great, we don't act great either.
If you've gotten to the bottom of this of this longwinded explanation, congratulations! Now that you know all about me, I'd love to learn more about you and your dog.
