Pawsitive Behaviours is a team of 6! We all come from different backgrounds and together we have a range of dog experiences through personal, professional, shelter, rescue and educational environments. We have gone from strength to strength, starting with just a handful of group classes and clients to a successful day service and training business. Pawsitive Behaviours was a finalist in the 2022 Electra Business Awards showcasing not only our training abilities and commitment to our staff and clients but also our business abilities and contribution to the Kapiti Community. We’re excited to introduce ourselves to you!
SOPHIE
Sophie started Pawsitive Behaviours in 2019. Born and raised here on the Kapiti Coast, she is passionate about seeing Kapiti dog owners be the most responsible and fun in NZ! Sophie has studied Canine Psychology and Training and has worked with some awesome dog trainers and mentors. Sophie aims to use positive, rewards based training methods and totally geeks out on the use of human body language and gestures to drive canine behaviour. Sophie has two of her own dogs, Loki and Misty. Her first dog, Pebbles, passed in 2023. Both Pebbles and Loki are rescue dogs that have suffered neglect in their puppyhood. Pebbles had a particularly awful start to life and her abuse and neglect has made socialising virtually impossible. Pebbles is one of the toughest cases Sophie has come across but she put in the time and patience and she lived a very full life. These are the reasons Sophie chose the values of Knowledge, Empathy and Positive Reinforcement for Pawsitive Behaviours.
SARAH
Starting with Pawsitive Behaviours in late 2020, Sarah has shown loyalty and commitment and has been with Sophie every step of the way since. Having enrolled in online study through the School of Canine Science and Spirit Dog Training, Sarah’s transitioned to Dog Training in 2023. With a special interest in ‘reactive dogs’ and puppies, and after poor advice with her previous dog, Moana, she is hopeful to show many dog owners a better path. With her own high energy pup on the way, Sarah continues to learn and share practical training advise with her clients with great success
NIC
Likely the first person on the Pawsitive Behaviours team you will hear from! Nic is our superstar Administrator, with a history in business. She is here to assist you in answering any questions you may have about our services and enrolling you into classes and training. Nic has an English Pointer, Pluto, and on occasion they come to hang out and pack walk too
BEX
A career in childcare really prepared Bex for the switch to working with dogs! She loves getting out pack walking and loves spending time with the dogs at base too, having cuddles and working with the dogs who need us most. She’s a familiar face for our day service dogs because she is here every day. Sometimes her German Shepherd, Kaiser, gets to come along and help out too! A natural leader with an upbeat, cheeky personality, Bex provides the team with the energy boost we need every day
TRACY
Tracy joined PB in December 2022. With a history in Police and Animal Management, we were thrilled when she applied for the new position with us after some time spent out of the workforce. Tracy has a husky, Grayson, at home and is really excited to be back working with dogs. She is confident and calm with pack walking and naturally interacts with dogs.
EMMA
Emma has a solid foundation working with dogs in a Kennels and Day Care environment. We were thrilled when she decided to join the team! Emma has a sound understanding of dog body language and supervises with day service groups with care and consideration. She has learnt the pack walking ropes and enjoys getting out and about with the dogs. She is developing her dog training knowledge and we are hopeful we can sway her that way because she is a total natural with dogs
Pawsitive Behaviours 