Who we are
Our Instructor
Manako is passionate about positive reinforcement–based training and is committed to keeping her knowledge and skills up to date through numerous courses and workshops, both in person and online.
In 2015, Manako became New Zealand’s first Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) for Do More With Your Dog!. In 2019, she earned a Fenzi Sport Dog Trainer Certificate (Foundation) through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and also became a certified Rally-FrEe instructor. In 2020, she became a registered training provider for the Canine Good Citizen programme and a Fear Free Certified Professional. In 2022, she earned the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) credential. In 2023, she became a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) and a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor – Knowledge Assessed (CBATI-KA).
Why Do We Focus on Positive Reinforcement?
Over the past couple of decades, we have come to understand that many behaviour issues in dogs are the result of unmet needs. In the past, the focus was often on making dogs behave the way we wanted. For example, if a dog barked frequently, we would think about how to make the dog stop barking and often resorted to punishment.
Now, we understand that barking may be a way for dogs to communicate that they are struggling—perhaps trying to suppress natural desires or urges related to the activities they were bred to perform.
By shifting our focus away from simply stopping unwanted behaviours and instead meeting dogs’ needs and reinforcing behaviours we want to see, we can create more durable behavioural change and build a healthier, trust-based relationship.
Our Team Members
Jasmine
Chelseacourt Matsurika TDCH CCC-Level 3 CGCB
Jasmine, a Beagle, joined the family in December 2019. She earned her Trick Dog Champion title at just six months of age.
Jasmine has been the most challenging dog Manako has owned. She was very sensitive, reactive, and emotional when she was young, and she is still uncomfortable around dogs she does not know well. However, she is excellent with people and enjoys visiting a rest home as a therapy pet.
Brie
Olivgle Love Actually At Sungam CGCB
Manako adopted Brie, a Beagle, in September 2023 when she was eight and a half months old. She is playful and active, and because she is very good with other dogs, Manako sometimes uses her as a helper in training sessions for clients’ dogs.
