Huntaway · Manukau

Rosie's Story

Name: 100% K9 Dog Training
Address: Auckland, Auckland, NZ
Telephone: 0800 100 K9
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

Rescue Huntaway barking 8+ hours a day and escaping. Barking reduced by 80% and settled into suburban life.

Manukau, Auckland6 sessions over 8 weeksBehaviour Modification

THE CHALLENGE

What Dave Was Dealing With

Rosie was a four-year-old Huntaway who had been surrendered to a rescue after being retired from a farm. Dave adopted her with the best intentions but quickly found himself overwhelmed. Rosie barked for eight or more hours a day — which is exactly what Huntaways are bred to do on farms, but absolutely devastating in suburban Manukau.

The barking triggered complaints from three separate neighbours and the council had been called twice. Rosie had also dug under the fence and escaped five times in her first month, destroying Dave's garden in the process. She was restless, anxious and completely unable to settle in a suburban environment.

Dave had tried bark collars (Rosie barked through them), daycare (she was too overwhelming for the other dogs) and a dog behaviourist who suggested rehoming her back to a farm. Dave wasn't willing to give up.

OUR APPROACH

How We Trained Rosie

Rosie's problems weren't behavioural issues in the traditional sense — she was a working dog placed in an environment that didn't meet her needs. Our approach was about bridge the gap between her drives and her new suburban reality.

We designed a comprehensive daily routine that included morning runs, structured scent work sessions and food puzzles that engaged her working brain. We taught Dave how to use a flirt pole and long line to give Rosie physical and mental exercise without needing a farm.

For the barking we implemented a clear communication system. Rosie learned that barking at triggers (birds, neighbours, passing dogs) resulted in a calm but clear consequence, while quiet behaviour earned rewards. We also addressed the escaping by providing enough stimulation that Rosie no longer felt the need to find her own entertainment.

THE RESULT

Rosie Today

Rosie's barking has reduced dramatically. She still vocalises when someone comes to the door (she is a Huntaway after all) but the hours-long barking sessions are gone. The neighbours have noticed the difference and the council complaints have stopped.

The escaping has stopped completely. Rosie's daily routine gives her enough stimulation that she's content in the yard. Dave takes her for a morning run, does a 15-minute scent work session at lunch and she gets a food puzzle in the afternoon. By evening she's happily sleeping on the couch.

Dave says the scent work was the game-changer. Rosie lights up when the scent kit comes out and it tires her brain in a way that physical exercise alone never could. She's found her purpose in suburban life.

“Everyone told me to take Rosie back to the rescue. 100%K9 was the only one who said 'we can make this work.' Now she's the most settled dog on the street. The scent work was a genius suggestion — she absolutely loves it.”
D
Dave
Rosie's owner, Manukau

AT A GLANCE