IRON K9
Dog Training
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington's Reactive Dog Specialist
Walking Your Dog Shouldn't Feel Like This.
You're not a bad owner. Your dog isn't broken. You just haven't found the right guide yet - someone who understands reactive dogs from the inside out and can show you a path forward that actually works.
You scan the street before every walk. You cross the road to avoid other dogs. You hold your breath every time someone walks past.
The lunging, the barking, the pulling - it's exhausting. And the harder you try to manage it, the more stuck you feel.
"I've tried everything. Nothing seems to stick."
Force-free trainers, harnesses, high-value treats - the issue isn't your dedication. It's more likely that the approach was never built for your dog.
Most owners who come to me have already put in more effort than they should have had to. The problem was never your commitment - it was that the advice you'd been given was likely incorrect for your specific situation.
Let's Change
The Narrative
You've probably been told the answer is more socialisation - getting your dog around other dogs more often. But for a reactive dog, throwing them into social situations without addressing the underlying emotional trigger often makes things worse, not better. The cycle of frustration, guilt, and isolation doesn't have to be your story.
Why What You've Tried Hasn't Worked
If you've already put time and money into training that didn't hold, this is usually why.
Traditional Training
Focuses on obedience commands like 'Sit' and 'Stay'
Relies on constant treats and bribery
Suppresses behaviour without changing the dog's emotion
Results fade the second the treats disappear
Avoids triggers instead of teaching the dog to handle them
With Iron K9
Focuses on creating a calm, neutral state of mind
Builds a relationship based on leadership, trust, and mutual respect
Changes how your dog feels about their triggers
Results are for life, not just for the session
Teaches you how to confidently navigate the real world
Imagine Walking
Without Anxiety
What's actually possible for you and your dog
Your dog walks calmly beside you - loose leash and relaxed body.
Another dog passes by and your dog looks to you for guidance, not at the trigger.
You are present, enjoying the simple pleasure of a walk - without constantly scanning the environment.
How I Coach You
(Not Just Your Dog)
I'm not here to put your dog through a set of exercises and hand them back. The goal is to give people the understanding and the tools to handle whatever comes up - long after we've finished working together. Most owners leave feeling more confident than they expected. That's the goal.
The Assessment
We start with a deep dive into your dog's history, your lifestyle, and your goals. I need to see the problem firsthand to build the right strategy.
The Foundation
I teach you the core principles of my system - how to communicate clearly, build engagement, and establish yourself as a confident leader.
Real-World Proofing
We take the training on the road. We systematically expose your dog to their triggers in a controlled way, building neutrality and confidence session by session.
The Handover
I ensure you have the skills and confidence to maintain the results for life. You'll know how to handle new challenges and continue strengthening your bond.
What You'll Receive
A Personalised Training Plan
Built around your dog's specific triggers, temperament, and your day-to-day life. No templates, no generic programmes. A strategy designed for your specific situation.
Owner Coaching & Education
I don't just train dogs - I coach owners to become the leader their dogs need. You'll understand the 'why' behind every technique, so you can maintain and build on your progress long after our sessions end.
Real-World Application
Training happens in your environment - your neighbourhood, your parks, your daily routine. That's where the results need to show up the most.
Ongoing Support
Questions don't stop when sessions end. You'll have direct access to me for guidance and support as you continue building on your progress.
High Quality Training Gear
You'll receive a professional leash, longline, and training pouch as part of your programme. The right gear matters - it allows you to hit the ground running as soon as we get started. Momentum is key.
Relationship-First Approach
Commands are secondary. The real transformation happens when trust, clarity, and communication become the foundation of your relationship with your dog.
The Iron Purpose
Since 2020, I have been living my childhood dream by immersing myself in the world of dogs. Journeying through life as a pack walker and pack school handler, and most importantly, collaborating directly with owners and their dogs, has brought me a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.
My approach to dog training is guided by a simple yet profound truth: every dog thrives under the guidance of a compassionate and confident leader. A leader who understands and meets their unique needs in a world shaped by human ideals and standards.
Iron K9 was birthed from a vision to unite two of my greatest passions: sharing knowledge and dogs. To live this dream is a privilege that words scarcely capture. Each day, I am proud to do what I love alongside my best mate and inspiration behind the name: The King, Iron.
Every owner I work with is trusting me with something that matters to them. I don't take that lightly. This isn't just my passion - it's something I genuinely care about getting right.
I runga i te wairua o te aroha mo o matou hoa kuri,
(In the spirit of love for our canine companions),
Tama & Iron
Don't Just Take My
Word For It
5.0 - 62 Google Reviews“When my 7-month-old German Shepherd Rocky had his first major reactive outburst, my confidence handling him took a serious knock. Knowing how powerful this breed can be, I realised I needed the right guidance before he got bigger and more confident.
Working with Tama completely changed that. He didn't just work with Rocky, but taught me how to become the calm and confident handler my dog needed.
The change in Rocky was noticeable very quickly. He became happier, more relaxed, and far more settled once he had clear leadership and communication. The biggest transformation though has been my own confidence as a handler. Rocky can now be off leash and encounter other dogs without me panicking or him reacting.
Rocky will soon outweigh me physically, but thanks to Tama I now have the skills and tools to handle him properly and give him the structure he needs. I've even had people stop me on the street to comment on how well behaved he is.
If you're dealing with reactivity or struggling with confidence handling your dog, I can't recommend Tama enough. Sometimes you just need to call in the big guns!!”
Jacqui & Rocky
German Shepherd - Reactivity
1 week ago · Google Review
What Owners Tell Me
Changes First
It's usually not the big stuff. It's the walk you actually enjoyed for the first time in months. The moment you stopped scanning ahead for other dogs. The day your partner said they wanted to come along. The results show up in the small things before they show up anywhere else - and those small things add up.
Outings and walks are something they look forward to, not something they prepare for.
Their dog is happier, and so are they.
They know what to do if something goes sideways - because they've been taught, not just told.
Limited Availability
I work with a small number of clients at a time - by design.
When I take on a client, I'm all in. That means I can't work with everyone at once - and I'd rather be honest about that than overcommit and underdeliver. If you're thinking about it, it's worth having the conversation sooner rather than later.
Meet Iron
The inspiration behind the name and the reason I do what I do. Iron is my best mate, my training partner, and a daily reminder of what's possible when a dog has clear leadership and genuine trust.
Every technique I teach, every principle I stand behind - Iron helped me learn it first.
Is This For You?
I want to be straight with you about what this involves. It works best when both of us are clear on what we're signing up for.
This is for you if...
You're ready to take responsibility and put in the work.
You want a calm, reliable dog - not just a robot that does tricks.
You're willing to change your own habits to help your dog succeed.
You want a real-world solution, not a quick fix.
You're open to learning a new way of communicating with your dog.
This is not for you if...
You're looking for a quick fix or overnight miracle.
You want someone to 'fix' your dog without your involvement.
You're not willing to change your own habits and approach.
You're looking for the cheapest option, not the right one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your First Step to a trusted companion
The first step is just a conversation. I'll come to your home, meet your dog, and we'll talk through what's going on. No sales pitch, no pressure - just an honest look at what's possible and whether we're the right fit for each other.
Apply
Book a free consultation through the link below.
Consult
I'll come to your home, meet your dog, and we'll talk through your goals.
Transform
If we're a good fit, we begin the work.
Get In Touch
Have a question? Send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.