Pet Pursuits Dog Training

Kirsten has been amazing with us and our Bernie. Gave so much verbal and written info in our first session over zoom, and has been a great support in face to face training also. She has a no nonsense, non-judgemental style, and a holistic way of looking at dog behaviour and wellbeing. We are so happy with Bernie's progress in a few short months.She really deserves 5 stars...

Myself and my rescue Cane Corso Maddy recently worked with Kirsten. Maddy was an extremely fearful and reactive dog with both other dogs and humans. This very much limited where Maddy could be walked and who could visit our house. Kirstens knowledge and guidance has been invaluable. Kirsten has taught me just as much as she's taught Maddy. Maddy has come such a long way allowing us both a much better quality of life.

Our dogs Chopper and Pumpkin started as anxious dogs that would relentlessly bark at strangers and other dogs in public. After four training sessions with Kirsten, we now know how to help our dogs to be able to relax and focus on us instead of being alarmed at other people. After our fourth session, Chopper and Pumpkin would be quicker to settle down and become relaxed enough to be able to lie down, sniff around, or do some loose leash training.Thank you so much Kirsten for all your help! Highly recommend Pet Pursuits Dog Training if you need help addressing your dog's behavioral problems. Kirsten also provides support and other resources through email at any time and is responsive to all communications.

Kirsten has been fantastic in helping me with my young Jack Russell, Spencer. I had never encountered a pup with so much energy and destructive tendencies before and I was lost in how to deal with him. Kirsten has great insights into the nature of the breed and with much wisdom and information has helped me learn how to get the best from Spencer and channel all that energy in a positive and cooperative way. Both Spencer and I are calmer, with positive reward based training he's happy to learn and our relationship has improved so much.Thank you Kirsten!

Where do I start. We adopted Rosie, our beloved rescue staffy in November 2020. She came to us as a timid dog. 3 months into joining our family, she started to display fear-based dog aggression.I did my research and found Kirsten. We started with Kirsten in Oct 2021. She taught us not to demand obedience from Rosie, but instead to build a trusting relationship so that Rosie learns to respond through trust, not through fear. She taught us to see that Rosie's aggression was fear-based, as much as it was irrational. Even after the first session, I was given enough to work with Rosie such that by the second session, the difference in Rosie's response to me and the environment was marked. We continued to make good gains with Kirsten week to week. Then Kirsten suggested that Rosie goes on meds to continue her progress, and she was spot on. Rosie started on meds at the start of this year and it has further enhanced her training ability,Rosie is still a work-in-progress and I look forward to our continued progress with Kirsten.

I spent 8 weeks with Kirsten with my now 6 year old Golden Retriever (Bailey).He was quite anxious and very reactive to other dogs and strangers coming to our house.Kirsten was able to explain the reasons behind his reactions and that his reactions weren’t unreasonable. Quite similar to us humans when we’re cautious or concerned in different situations which made a lot of sense.Kirsten taught us both how to be less stressed and stay calmer in these situations using different techniques and food rewards.We (Bailey and I), are both a lot calmer and happier on our walks, I know how to deal with different situations and how to respond when Bailey looks to me for help or reassurance.Even just changing my response and reactions helped Bailey respond and react differently.There are a lot of simple tricks and insights that I have learnt from Kirsten to help give Bailey a happier, content and rewarding life by enriching his environment. Things we have adapted to his everyday life not just when we’re out and about but at home as well.We are not perfect and still a work in progress but we are a lot happier thanks to Kirsten!

I am very glad I got Kirsten’s details from my local vet to initially help with my Staffy who has behavioural issues and redirecting onto dogs/dog on dog aggression. To give some background my female staffy is 7 years old and has only lived in a solo dog household until last year. I knew she had experienced anxiety, fear, some guarding and behavioural issues but, what I didn’t know was how bad it was until my partners 8 year old staffy x rescue was introduced into her territory (He is a timid and nervous boy). I was really distressed and unsure about what to do with stressed and reactive dogs. Thankfully Kirsten gave my partner and I loads of information after the initial zoom consultation on the breed, learning what is inherent and what is learnt. Through a combination of medication for both dogs (it turns out the staffy x is being overly nervous is one trigger for her fight or flight reaction), lots of training we now have two dogs who share a home space safely together. It’s still a work in progress and the breed will have its moments however, these two are different dogs now who spend time together because they feel safe to do so. My female staffy even let’s our male staffy x into her crate which has been her safe space since she was a pup. Thank you Kirsten!

Kirsten’s practical support and evidence-based approach has allowed me to better understand my dog’s behaviour and biology. Since working with Kirsten, I’m seeing huge improvements in my dog’s lose-lead walking, reactivity to other dogs and responsiveness to me on walks. My dog now runs to the door when it’s time for a walk instead of hiding under the table!

Kirsten has helped me so much with my dog, above and beyond what I could have imagined. Pocky is a 9 year-old rescue German Shepherd who unfortunately had a rough start to life and suffers from quite severe anxiety. Kirsten's advice to overcome/manage Pocky's behavioural issues has been invaluable! It has helped Pocky (and me!) in so many ways including with his separation and general anxiety, as well as developing his dog reactivity and socialisation skills, leash walking and more.Most recently I asked for Kirsten's help because Pocky was struggling to resettle after returning from our Christmas holiday. Within 24 hours from her advice we already had some positive results! Kirsten has importantly helped me understand Pocky so I am more equipped to help him through his problems. She is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced animal professional and I highly recommend her.

We found Kirsten’s assistance with training our Golden Retriever pup invaluable. Kirsten’s force free method of training had her responding in no time- and we couldn’t be more pleased. Kirsten is a very kind and supportive person who is willing to offer advice whenever needed. We really do appreciate all Kirsten has taught us & we would not hesitate to consult with Kirsten in the future.