Kiwi Avoidance Training help!

Team, I have recently moved back to the mainland (south island) for the diversity in outdoor activities and quality of life. I have a new dog that I want to take bush with me, but, I am having no luck in finding any 'kiwi aversion training' courses

All websites refer to the same place, that the single website and point of contact has ZERO training courses for the training for the foreseeable future.

my question is, is there any planned training conducted down here at all? or is it all ad-hoc training planned and conducted on the sidelines?

There always seems to be course dates in the North Island, but none down here?

Any help would be great,

and where do you NEED a certificate to hunt with your dog????

There is one pretty regularly in Mapua near Nelson. I’ve put my dog through it a couple of times


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think it was a guy called Ian cox doing it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

and where do you NEED a certificate to hunt with your dog????

---

I travel the country in its entirely and there are multiple areas where dogs need be aversion trained under DoC and private entities. I respect best practice and piece of mind over animals in my charge

Get hold of the local doc office and they may have the name of a private trainer.

Can't help with your query but I will add my 2c on aversion training.
I use a Garmin collar on Bo for the tracking features and should I ever lose him and he's always been perfectly fine with it. However, after the aversion training (they literally just put a training collar on them, let them go over and sniff the decoy and then belt the crap out of them with the remote) Bo took a long time to come right after the experience and wouldn't hunt full stop with his Garmin collar on, would just stick right beside me and was generally very nervous with the collar on, I kind of think it wrecked him for a while there and it was really frustrating and a bit sad for me to see my wee mates demeanor changed full stop after such an experience.
They tell you that they will get a "small shock" but they belt the crap out of them and did it to all the dogs that were present for the day, hearing all the other dogs yelping and carrying on is probably an experience in itself for a young dog. If I had the time back I just wouldn't have done it and just take my dog somewhere else to hunt

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Can't help with your query but I will add my 2c on aversion training.
I use a Garmin collar on Bo for the tracking features and should I ever lose him and he's always been perfectly fine with it. However, after the aversion training (they literally just put a training collar on them, let them go over and sniff the decoy and then belt the crap out of them with the remote) Bo took a long time to come right after the experience and wouldn't hunt full stop with his Garmin collar on, would just stick right beside me and was generally very nervous with the collar on, I kind of think it wrecked him for a while there and it was really frustrating and a bit sad for me to see my wee mates demeanor changed full stop after such an experience.
They tell you that they will get a "small shock" but they belt the crap out of them and did it to all the dogs that were present for the day, hearing all the other dogs yelping and carrying on is probably an experience in itself for a young dog. If I had the time back I just wouldn't have done it and just take my dog somewhere else to hunt

---

sh*t, is the training that primitive! not ideal

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Can't help with your query but I will add my 2c on aversion training.
I use a Garmin collar on Bo for the tracking features and should I ever lose him and he's always been perfectly fine with it. However, after the aversion training (they literally just put a training collar on them, let them go over and sniff the decoy and then belt the crap out of them with the remote) Bo took a long time to come right after the experience and wouldn't hunt full stop with his Garmin collar on, would just stick right beside me and was generally very nervous with the collar on, I kind of think it wrecked him for a while there and it was really frustrating and a bit sad for me to see my wee mates demeanor changed full stop after such an experience.
They tell you that they will get a "small shock" but they belt the crap out of them and did it to all the dogs that were present for the day, hearing all the other dogs yelping and carrying on is probably an experience in itself for a young dog. If I had the time back I just wouldn't have done it and just take my dog somewhere else to hunt

---

I would hunt somewhere else too. Thats no way to train a dog. Shit I have a dog that would most likely "point" Kiwi and were she to get "fried" for doing so then I believe that would have a less than positive outcome for her hunting...............
I have and use the Garmin E collars but have never needed more than level 3 which I cannot even feel with the contacts on my own leg.

Not always bad the guy I used to use in Hamilton was brilliant, just a light tickle as it should be. Unfortunately he doesn't do it anymore and about to try out the new guy in Thames.

if some ....fuc.....moro.....ars......person did that to my dog..the collar would be put on thier neck and button pushed...Ive seen dogs ruined by E collars and also seen them used correctly....sounds like this ...operator is some sort of power trip freak.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mikee

I would hunt somewhere else too. Thats no way to train a dog. Shit I have a dog that would most likely "point" Kiwi and were she to get "fried" for doing so then I believe that would have a less than positive outcome for her hunting...............
I have and use the Garmin E collars but have never needed more than level 3 which I cannot even feel with the contacts on my own leg.

---

my two both are also used on birds.....but they know....they dont go and grab something UNLESS told to do so...no different to a possum...not allowed to even look at them...but sometimes when it is "right there in tree beside track 6 inches from my nose Dad"...they can be funny as hell telling me its there but Im not looking...while tail going flat out....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Can't help with your query but I will add my 2c on aversion training.
I use a Garmin collar on Bo for the tracking features and should I ever lose him and he's always been perfectly fine with it. However, after the aversion training (they literally just put a training collar on them, let them go over and sniff the decoy and then belt the crap out of them with the remote) Bo took a long time to come right after the experience and wouldn't hunt full stop with his Garmin collar on, would just stick right beside me and was generally very nervous with the collar on, I kind of think it wrecked him for a while there and it was really frustrating and a bit sad for me to see my wee mates demeanor changed full stop after such an experience.
They tell you that they will get a "small shock" but they belt the crap out of them and did it to all the dogs that were present for the day, hearing all the other dogs yelping and carrying on is probably an experience in itself for a young dog. If I had the time back I just wouldn't have done it and just take my dog somewhere else to hunt

---

That @Ryan_Songhurst is bloody terrible to hear. Shock collars are an excellent tool in the right hands imo. I’ve used one and made sure that I tried it out on myself first. Was brilliant for such a head strong dog which I had in Dude. I hate electric fences and shocks full stop! Was even really uncomfortable with my recent visit to the Special Police in France just now where the guy was showing us an unloaded taser. Was actually feeling sick and asked him to stop pointing it in my direction:XD:
So with Dude I’d first shock myself at the lowest setting then put it on him and used it. See what the result was. Setting 1 he showed no response two was a slight shake of the head 3 was a hop. Never needed 4. And never got a full jump bark yelp. That’s just bloody cruel!

Id bloody well ask the guy/girl to use it on them first if they said no then I’d tell em to stick it.
Man if someone films this and sends it off to the rspca:O_O:

Tell you what pressing the button on my e collar the first time sure had my bum puckering:XD:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Can't help with your query but I will add my 2c on aversion training.
I use a Garmin collar on Bo for the tracking features and should I ever lose him and he's always been perfectly fine with it. However, after the aversion training (they literally just put a training collar on them, let them go over and sniff the decoy and then belt the crap out of them with the remote) Bo took a long time to come right after the experience and wouldn't hunt full stop with his Garmin collar on, would just stick right beside me and was generally very nervous with the collar on, I kind of think it wrecked him for a while there and it was really frustrating and a bit sad for me to see my wee mates demeanor changed full stop after such an experience.
They tell you that they will get a "small shock" but they belt the crap out of them and did it to all the dogs that were present for the day, hearing all the other dogs yelping and carrying on is probably an experience in itself for a young dog. If I had the time back I just wouldn't have done it and just take my dog somewhere else to hunt

---

Yup.
I was interested in putting my dog through, so had a yarn to a mate that had put his dog in the course.
He basically said the same as your experience.
So I didn't go through with it.
Just plain cruelty in my view.

I went to the guy in Hamilton about 4 years ago, he used just enough correction to discourage the dog from the kiwi. Bummer he isn't doing anymore as I am looking to go into a block that requires it.

Has anyone ever been asked to present their certificate?

Depends on the dog.
I've had dogs that you would swear the collar is turned off. And others who turn inside when only the sound is going.
I've got two heading dogs at present that turn in to perfect little angels as soon as a collar goes on them.

If in the North Island look up Willie Marsh, he does the training and travels a bit for it. He is a dog whisperer and for my current timid dog only used the vibration/low shock.

The training has changed a fair bit over the years, my old Weimaraner got a good zap when we done it 15 years ago, that never held him back from ducks, pheasants and deer he had a lot of drive. Talking with the trainers the old zap em hard philosophy has changed some what.

Ian Cox (Motueka Doc office) mentioned that he will be running a coarse in August in the Nelson area when i find out more details I will post them on here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fat belly Dog

If in the North Island look up Willie Marsh, he does the training and travels a bit for it. He is a dog whisperer and for my current timid dog only used the vibration/low shock.

The training has changed a fair bit over the years, my old Weimaraner got a good zap when we done it 15 years ago, that never held him back from ducks, pheasants and deer he had a lot of drive. Talking with the trainers the old zap em hard philosophy has changed some what.

Ian Cox (Motueka Doc office) mentioned that he will be running a coarse in August in the Nelson area when i find out more details I will post them on here.

---

Yeah that’s who I did it through, no zaps used a vibration collar. Seemed like a pretty good guy and seemed to know a hell of a lot more than me about dogs but that’s not saying much


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've done my Setter here in Whangarei a few time and never had a problem with the people doing it. First time I did tell them that he's quite soft and they respected that. He got enough to put him off kiwi but not enough to jump or yep. Last 2 times he has not needed any correction. He's 8-1/2 probably due again.
Did not stop him being interested in Pheasants, Quail or unfortunately Turkey's. The Possum interest is my fault. Same with finding downed fur for me.

As with other areas it's done by private contractors but organised though DOC to keep frozen kiwi etc. Some time's I've had to wait a long time if you miss a session. No real plan.
My last session was one for a group of lifestylers up a bush valley with kiwi coming back in.
Z

I'd recommend the Kiwi Aversion course. I took my boy in the first two years and he got an annual pass. TBF I thought the instructor was a bit strict in that if Kai glanced at the kiwi, he got a zap. Suffice to say year 3, he got a 2 year warranty and refused to look at/engage/or go near the kiwis and blue duck (they'd set up Blue Duck on the Taupo course). They even had the dogs go through a kiwi gate of two kiwis a couple of metres apart on a grass track. But, I know he's not gonna go near them when we go hunting.

Possums, however, despite my training when he was a pup, he took me in on one yesterday. I was convinced we were trailing a stag until he took us back across the stream. Time to retrain.

The only aversion training I'd heard of they used a scented model that had wires poking out. Give the dog a buzz on the nose. Very quick and effective. I can see that using a collar and dog associating that with pain would be problematic.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Willie Marsh 027 385 8191

Willie Marsh (NI) is very good. He knows dogs and his training reflects that. I have heard about the horror stories with twats who just zap the shit out of dogs but fortunately have not had to go down that path while Willie is around.

up here it typically frozen road kill, whole frozen birds.

This is such a shit situation.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-z...g-attacks.html

Had a local acquaintance here moaning a bit about how you can't take a dog up the tracks on the mountain here. Pointed out a kiwi was found killed by a dog not far into the park. Yeh everyone knows and trusts their dog......

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

BUT as DOC told us many years ago..they can stop hunters taking dogs into area via permit withholding etc...but trampers they have nothing to hold over them.... and a great majority of day walkers wouldnt give a shit IF they did know what dog was up to 200 yards ahead on the track....oh is ok wee fluffy is just getting some exercicse....

Yeh that's what I'm saying Micky. Feel for the volunteers up there who put in a lot of time to try leave a legacy for all to enjoy. And all wasted by some ignorant or just don't five a fk dog owner(s).

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fat belly Dog

If in the North Island look up Willie Marsh, he does the training and travels a bit for it. He is a dog whisperer and for my current timid dog only used the vibration/low shock.

The training has changed a fair bit over the years, my old Weimaraner got a good zap when we done it 15 years ago, that never held him back from ducks, pheasants and deer he had a lot of drive. Talking with the trainers the old zap em hard philosophy has changed some what.

Ian Cox (Motueka Doc office) mentioned that he will be running a coarse in August in the Nelson area when i find out more details I will post them on here.

---

Willie is hands down the most incredible dog handler i've seen work dogs period, couldn't recommend him more for this if your able to book in with him. All the others I've been too we're a waste of time imo....just ticking a box to get the cert.

Just went back through my emails re Kiwi avoidance and found this link.
It has training sessions around the country for 2023 listed.

https://www.kiwiavoidancetraining.nz/#e2

These guys did it and I was very happy with the way it was run.
PM me if you want the mobile numbers

Glen Coulston 027 xxxxxxxxxx | Clea Gardiner 027 xxxxxxxx
office@GoodWoodAotearoa.nz | www.GoodWoodAotearoa.nz
95 Crane Road, RD1, Kamo 0185, Whangarei, Northland, NZ

o dogs less than 6 months old and no bitches on heat.