K9 ASSIST NZ
Skilled Companion Dog Training with Purpose and Heart
At K9 Assist NZ, we specialise in training skilled companion dogs and therapy dogs that support everyday life — offering calm, capable assistance for people navigating physical, neurological, or emotional challenges. These are not medical alert or life-preserving service dogs, but trained companions who make daily living smoother, safer, and more connected.
Whether you’re looking for help retrieving dropped items, walking more steadily, interrupting moments of anxiety, or navigating the world with greater confidence, we can guide you in building those skills with your dog, step by step.
Why K9 Assist?
Founded by professional trainer Liz, K9 Assist NZ grew from both lived experience and professional expertise. Living with an invisible autoimmune condition, Liz understands first-hand the difference a well-trained dog can make — not just in functionality, but in confidence, independence, and dignity.
Through over 2 decades of positive reinforcement-based training, Liz has developed a compassionate, structured approach that prepares dogs for the kind of real-world tasks that improve everyday quality of life.
We Offer:
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Puppy Foundations: Raising calm, confident dogs with future support roles in mind
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Adolescent Development: Focus, impulse control & real-world practice
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Task Training Modules: Customised skills like item retrieval, momentum pull, bracing, interruption cues & more
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Therapy Dog Prep: For calm, emotionally responsive dogs working in clinics or community settings
We work alongside individuals, families, and allied professionals to ensure each dog is a great match for the tasks asked of them — and each person feels empowered, respected, and supported throughout the process.
Every task begins with trust. Every skill starts with connection. At K9 Assist NZ, we train both.
Our Programs
PUPPY FOUNDATIONS
Raising calm, confidant dogs with future support roles in mind.
Suitable for Puppies 8 weeks - 6 months
6-WEEK PROGRAM
The Puppy Foundations for Skilled Companions programme is designed to build emotionally stable, confident, and well-mannered young dogs from the very beginning.
This course goes beyond basic puppy training. It lays the groundwork for dogs who may go on to work in therapy, skilled companion, or assistance-adjacent roles, while still fully supporting families who simply want a calm, well-adjusted pet dog.
Cost: From: $570.00
Adolescent Foundations for Skilled Companions
Suitable for Dogs 6 months - 18 months
6-WEEK COURSE
Adolescence is where foundations are either reinforced or undone.
The Adolescent Foundations for Skilled Companions programme is designed for dogs aged 6-18 months, a critical developmental period marked by increased arousal, distraction, fear phases, and boundary testing.
This course bridges the gap between early puppy learning and advanced skill development, focusing on emotional maturity, impulse control, environmental neutrality, and handler partnership, all essential qualities for dogs expected to work calmly around people in public settings.
Cost: $330.00
TASK TRAINING
Custom Skill Development for Skilled
Companion & Support Dogs
Suitable for Puppies 6+ months
The Individual Task Foundations programme is a private, one-to-one training service designed for dogs aged 6 months and older who have demonstrated the emotional stability and suitability required to begin task-based skill development.
This programme focuses on customised, welfare-led task training, building practical skills that support a handler’s daily life, without compromising the dog’s physical or emotional wellbeing.
Tasks are introduced gradually, ethically, and only where appropriate for the individual dog.
Important Notice – Skilled Companion Dog Training
At K9 Assist NZ, we provide Skilled Companion Dog training programs designed to support individuals and families in training dogs for in-home support, emotional regulation, and task-based assistance within private settings.
Please note:
We are not a registered service dog organisation, and our programs do not provide public access certification under New Zealand law.
For individuals seeking fully accredited service, assistance dogs with public access rights, we recommend contacting recognised organisations such as Assistance Dogs NZ Trust or Mobility Dogs.
Our training focuses on:
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Owner-guided development of support dogs
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Realistic, achievable outcomes for everyday environments
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Long-term wellbeing and confidence for both handler and dog
Training a skilled companion dog takes time, consistency, and a deep commitment. We're here to guide you on that rewarding journey with care, compassion, and professional expertise.