Frequently Asked Questions

All Dog Training, Kennelling, Daycare and Dog Behaviour questions answered here.

All our prices and packages can be found here on our About Page.

You can book any of our training sessions by clicking on the “Enquire Now” button under each service description, or by reaching out to us via our Contact Us page.

Absolutely. Our trainers ensure the e-collar is used responsibly and effectively, providing gentle, non-harmful cues to your dog for better communication and control.

Yes this would come under our training add on. This is a fantastic way to add some variety and dynamism to your dog’s stay. Whether your focus is on improving specific skills or simply providing extra fun, our training days are tailored to your dog’s needs. Anything from

  • Skill Development:
    Work on specific behaviors or training goals you’d like us to focus on (e.g., recall, leash manners, or calmness).
  • General Training & Enrichment:
    Incorporate foundational skills, mental stimulation, and engaging activities to keep your dog learning and thriving.

Our 4-6 Week Behavioural Modification Program is specifically designed to handle more challenging behavioral issues. Our team of experienced trainers will work closely with your dog to identify and address these issues.

Yes, a major part of our program includes a handover session where we ensure that you understand how to reinforce the training your dog received. Our aim is not just to train your dog but also to help you become a more effective communicator with your pet. We’ll equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain the training at home. Furthermore, we offer ongoing support after the training program to assist with any challenges you may encounter

After completion of the training, you’ll receive a comprehensive handover session, ongoing phone, and email support, plus free access to two Board and Train group classes.

We focus on consistency and repetition in varied environments to ensure that your dog fully understands and can respond to commands reliably, even in distracting situations.

Yes. While all our sessions are personalised, the One-On-One Training with Ryan offers an opportunity to dive deeper into dog psychology and advanced training methods. These sessions are ideal for owners facing significant behavioural challenges or seeking advanced training.

Our trainers are experienced in working with multiple dogs. However, it might be more beneficial to focus on one dog per session to ensure that each pet gets the attention and training they require. If you have more than one dog, discuss this with us, and we can recommend the best approach.

Absolutely! We understand the need for flexible scheduling and will do our best to accommodate your preferred times.

However, please note that the availability of slots may vary. You can book directly on our booking platform here BOOK NOW or submit a contact form and we will get back to you.

We don’t just throw dogs together and hope for the best—our team of professional trainers carefully assess each dog’s personality, play style, energy level, and body language before introducing them to others.

We group dogs based on compatibility, not just size or age. Some dogs thrive in a high-energy group, while others prefer a smaller, calmer social setting. Our trainers are trained to read dog behaviour and step in early if they see signs of stress or tension, ensuring every dog has a safe and positive experience.

Our goal is always to create a balanced social group where dogs can enjoy themselves, build confidence, and learn healthy social skills.

Our trainers come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including:

  • Unitec animal management courses
  • Military dog training

Additionally, all Good Dog Training team members undergo extensive in-house training with our head trainer and founder, Ryan. This includes six months of hands-on training, followed by ongoing weekly education to ensure our team stays highly skilled and up-to-date.

We group dogs based on compatibility, not just size or age. Some dogs thrive in a high-energy group, while others prefer a smaller, calmer social setting. Our trainers are trained to read dog behaviour and step in early if they see signs of stress or tension, ensuring every dog has a safe and positive experience.

Our goal is always to create a balanced social group where dogs can enjoy themselves, build confidence, and learn healthy social skills.

To an extent, yes—provided you follow the training guidelines given by your trainer and remain consistent with the work at home. However, no training is completely linear. Dogs are living beings, and behaviour can fluctuate over time. Patience, consistency, and ongoing reinforcement are key to long-term success.

We offer 1-on-1 training sessions 7 days a week!

Not sure where to begin? As part of your onboarding process, we offer a free 20–30 minute assessment and training plan discussion with our Head Trainer. This session is designed to help you understand your dog’s needs, clarify training goals, and create a structured plan to set you both up for success. For most dogs, an initial 1-on-1 consultation is where we start before moving into any of our trainin g services. During this session, we will:

  • Assess your dog’s behaviour, temperament, and current challenges
  • Discuss your goals, lifestyle, and time availability
  • Shape a realistic training plan that fits into your schedule, budget, and—most importantly—what works best for your dog

This personalised approach ensures you get the right support from the start, whether you’re looking for obedience training, behaviour modification, socialisation, or something more advanced.

Our training is built on understanding why your dog is behaving a certain way—not just trying to suppress the behaviour. We take the time to understand your dog’s emotional state, communication style, and unique needs, and then give you practical tools to create real change.

Many people come to us after trying group classes, watching online videos, or working with other trainers—only to feel more co nfused or frustrated. What sets us apart is our tailored, one-on-one approach and the way we empower you as the owner. You’ll leave with a plan that makes sense, an understanding of what your dog is trying to communicate, and the confidence to build a better relationship moving forward.

  • Assess your dog’s behaviour, temperament, and current challenges
  • Discuss your goals, lifestyle, and time availability
  • Shape a realistic training plan that fits into your schedule, budget, and—most importantly—what works best for your dog

This personalised approach ensures you get the right support from the start, whether you’re looking for obedience training, behaviour modification, socialisation, or something more advanced.

You’re not alone—getting stuck is actually a really common part of the training journey. Often, the foundation is there, but something’s not quite clicking. That’s where we come in.

We help you figure out why you’re stuck, whether it’s a breakdown in communication, unclear boundaries, inconsistency, or just needing the right tools to progress. Our trainers work with you to bridge the gap between what your dog knows and how they apply it in real life.

We’ll meet you where you’re at, break things down clearly, and create a practical plan to help you move forward. Sometimes it’s just a small tweak that makes a big difference.

Every dog is different—and so is every owner. The time it takes depends on your dog’s behaviour, their history, how consistent you are at home, and what your goals are. Some changes happen quickly, while others take time and repetition to really stick.

What we can promise is that you’ll leave every session with a clear plan, progress you can see, and the confidence to keep moving forward. We focus on building real, lasting change—not just quick fixes—so your results actually hold up in the real world.

Whether it’s one consult or ongoing support, we’ll guide you step by step through the process so you’re never left guessing.

We totally understand—there’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, and not every technique works for every dog or feels right to every owner. That’s why we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all method.

Our training is built on understanding your dog—how they think, how they feel, and what drives their behaviour. We use evidence-based techniques grounded in behavioural science, focusing on communication, emotional state, motivation, and clarity. Our goal is always to build trust, create calmness, and help dogs make better choices.

We believe that the learner is always right—so if something isn’t working, we look at the situation, not just the dog. We’ll help you find a method that feels right, gets results, and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.

Jumping usually comes from excitement, a lack of impulse control, or not knowing how to get attention in a calm way. The good news? It’s fixable—with the right approach.

We first look at why your dog is jumping: Is it playful? Frustration? Attention-seeking? Then we teach your dog what to do instead—like sitting calmly for attention or waiting politely before approaching. At the same time, we guide your kids on how to respond so they’re not accidentally reinforcing the behaviour.

With consistency and clear communication, most dogs learn very quickly that calm behaviour gets them what they want—and jumping doesn’t.

Our training is built on understanding your dog—how they think, how they feel, and what drives their behaviour. We use evidence-based techniques grounded in behavioural science, focusing on communication, emotional state, motivation, and clarity. Our goal is always to build trust, create calmness, and help dogs make better choices.

We believe that the learner is always right—so if something isn’t working, we look at the situation, not just the dog. We’ll help you find a method that feels right, gets results, and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.

Yes, if your dog is enrolled into any training add on or training program like Academy or board and train  you will receive and update/ report card and photo however this is not included with standard daycare or kenneling.

We first look at why your dog is jumping: Is it playful? Frustration? Attention-seeking? Then we teach your dog what to do instead—like sitting calmly for attention or waiting politely before approaching. At the same time, we guide your kids on how to respond so they’re not accidentally reinforcing the behaviour.

With consistency and clear communication, most dogs learn very quickly that calm behaviour gets them what they want—and jumping doesn’t.

Our training is built on understanding your dog—how they think, how they feel, and what drives their behaviour. We use evidence-based techniques grounded in behavioural science, focusing on communication, emotional state, motivation, and clarity. Our goal is always to build trust, create calmness, and help dogs make better choices.

We believe that the learner is always right—so if something isn’t working, we look at the situation, not just the dog. We’ll help you find a method that feels right, gets results, and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.

We recommend bringing the whole family along to a series of consultations or a group class so we can all learn together and get on the same page.

We first look at why your dog is jumping: Is it playful? Frustration? Attention-seeking? Then we teach your dog what to do instead—like sitting calmly for attention or waiting politely before approaching. At the same time, we guide your kids on how to respond so they’re not accidentally reinforcing the behaviour.

With consistency and clear communication, most dogs learn very quickly that calm behaviour gets them what they want—and jumping doesn’t.

Our training is built on understanding your dog—how they think, how they feel, and what drives their behaviour. We use evidence-based techniques grounded in behavioural science, focusing on communication, emotional state, motivation, and clarity. Our goal is always to build trust, create calmness, and help dogs make better choices.

We believe that the learner is always right—so if something isn’t working, we look at the situation, not just the dog. We’ll help you find a method that feels right, gets results, and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.

This is such an important question—and one we get a lot. The key is to prepare your dog before the baby arrives (if possible) and to create clear structure and boundaries once your baby is in the picture.

We focus on helping your dog feel safe, settled, and confident around the baby—not overwhelmed, confused, or pushed out. That includes creating safe spaces, building calm routines, and teaching your dog how to behave around new sights, sounds, and smells.

If your baby is already here, we work with you to safely manage interactions, reduce stress, and build positive associations. Our goal is always a peaceful home where both your dog and baby can thrive side by side.

We require all dogs to be up to date with their core vaccinations, Parvo, Lepto, and kennel cough. Proof of vaccination must be provided before your dog’s stay. Please ensure vaccinations are administered at least 7–10 days prior to boarding.

We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance, especially during holidays and peak seasons. Last-minute bookings may be accommodated depending on availability, but spaces can fill quickly.

Absolutely! However these can only be booked outside of peak hours as we need to ensure our current guests are safe and comfortable.

Please pack:

  1. Your dog’s usual food (to avoid upset stomachs and allergies).
  2. Any required medications, clearly labeled with instructions
  3. Anything else you feel will help your dog feel at home! However that said we do not hold any responsibility for lost or damaged items. We provide your dog with plenty of bedding so you do not need to bring your own.

Yes, we are happy to accommodate special diets, medication schedules, and senior dog needs. Please let us know the details at booking so we can tailor care to your dog’s requirements and set up instructions with their kennel.

Your dog’s health and safety are our top priority. In the unlikely event your dog becomes ill or injured, we will:

  1. Contact you immediately
  2. Seek veterinary care if necessary (your vet if available, or our trusted local vet) all bills are added to your own dogs account we do not hold responsibility for vet bills big or small.
  3. Follow your provided emergency contact instructions

Cancellations must be made at least 7 days prior to the scheduled booking to avoid fees. Late cancellations may incur a partial or full charge depending on the timing and the ability to rebook the space.

Yes! We offer daily or every-other-day updates with Academy or training add on included in the cost. Or you can touch base via text or email, to request a photos if you wish and we will get back to you with these as soon as we can. Some days are busier than others so we may not always be able to get these to you if yourndog is not booked under a training add on where photos and report cards are included.

While we have staff monitoring dogs late into the evening and starting early in the morning, we do also have 24-hour on-site staff living in the house next to the kennel block. 

Yes! You can add training sessions or a bath/brush-out to your dog’s stay for an additional fee. Please ask us when booking if you’d like to include these.

If your dogs are from the same household and get along well, they can share a kennel. We also offer the option to separate them at mealtimes if needed.

Yes, dogs are given multiple outdoor breaks, enrichment activities, and exercise times daily, appropriate to their age, size, and energy levelYes, dogs are given multiple outdoor breaks, enrichment activities, and exercise times daily, appropriate to their age, size, and energy level

Yes! We offer both short-term and long-term boarding in our kennel facilities.

Board and train includes your dogs kenneling and care, daily training, socialising, and your  extensive handover training session at pick up. All board and train packages include regular report cards and photo updates so you can see how your dog is progressing. Some packages also include FREE group classes for added learning after your dog finishes a boarding camp with us.

Our training programs are suitable for dogs of various ages. However, specific programs may be more beneficial depending on your dog’s age, temperament, and needs. Please contact us for a personalised recommendation.

The duration and cost of a Board & Train program depend on your dog’s behavior and training needs. This is why we require an initial consultation with one of our trainers—either in person or via Zoom if you’re not local. This allows us to design a custom program tailored to your goals and provide an accurate quote.

No, all dogs must commit to a regular weekly shuttle spot due to capacity limitations and the need for organised route planning.

Yes, we cover a wide range of Auckland suburbs for pick-up and drop-off. Email info@gooddogtraining.co.nz to check which days we service your area and whether we currently have availability.

Yes we have a shuttle that covers most areas in Auckland, email info@gooddogtraining.co.nz to find out what days we cover your area and to check that we have spots available.

We carefully group dogs based on their needs, social ability, and size. Groups typically range from 5, 10, or 15 dogs, ensuring a safe and structured environment for every dog in our care.

As with any environment involving animals, there is always some level of risk. Dogs communicate through body language, growling, snapping, and creating space. However, our team are experts in reading behavior and body language, allowing us to separate dog energies appropriately.

  • Every dog must attend a trial day or come through a training program before joining daycare.
  • Our structured approach ensures that dogs are matched appropriately and that interactions remain safe.
  • Due to our careful management and expertise, our risk level is exceptionally low.

Absolutely not. We do not use e-collars in our daycare or any of our standard training programs. The only time an e-collar is incorporated into training is for a specific client request. Even then, the client must commit to 6 months to 1 year of learning about the tool and properly conditioning their dog to it. Under no circumstances are e-collars used without a thoroughly discussed and carefully formulated plan between the owner and our trainers.

No, daycare runs Monday to Friday only.

They may not be suitable for daycare just yet! but we have target programs whereby we can work with your dog to get them to a happy, stable, social level. Booking a 1 on 1 first with one of our trainers will be the best place to start so we can get you and your dog ready and on the right path for them to begin enjoying weekly daycare with ease.

Absolutely, Our daycare is outdoors set over 4 acres with covered and uncovered yards. Pleaty of room to run, sniff, and play.

Group classes are ideal for dogs aged 5.5 months and older. This ensures that all dogs in the class have basic obedience training, making the class productive for everyone.

Yes, we offer classes for dogs of all breeds and ages. We recommend starting with a class that matches your dog’s current skill level.

Not at all! Our expert trainers are skilled in working with dogs at all levels of training and socialization. They will ensure your dog feels comfortable and can participate fully in the class activities.

Each class is designed to focus on one dog-owner pair at a time for effective learning. If you have more than one dog, we recommend enrolling them in separate classes or scheduling private consultations.

Our trainers are experienced in managing and working with dogs that have different temperaments. However, for dogs with severe aggression or anxiety issues, we recommend starting with private training sessions before joining group classes.

While the frequency can depend on your dog’s needs and your own schedule, we recommend regular attendance to get the most benefit. Regular practice helps consolidate learning and promotes better communication between you and your dog.

Each group training class is 1 hour long.

We recommend starting at the beginning of a course to ensure you and your dog don’t miss out on any critical skills. If you can’t join from the start, get in touch with us, and we’ll try to accommodate your needs.