PRESIDENT

I joined Rotorua Dog Training Club with my Cockerpoo, Freddy, looking for a few tips to help with his training. What started as a beginner’s step into 101 classes (my daughter wanted to try agility, which needed 101) soon turned into more. Freddy and I attempted to earn our Canine Good Citizen certification for a couple of terms, which provided a great foundation. A couple of years ago, we discovered Rally-O, and it has quickly become a favourite—challenging us both while keeping training fun and engaging. What I love most about RDTC is the diversity of dog sports and training opportunities it offers. There is something for everyone, no matter your goals or your dog’s personality.

VICE-PRESIDENT

I'm the vice president and the one who puts together the monthly newsletter and I enjoy connecting with club members to gather content for it.

Mia is my 3rd dog and is my adventure buddy, companion and much-loved pet.  I got her from the Kawerau pound. I don't know what her breeding is, but there is some kind of working breed in there somewhere, so she needed a 'job'.  So I joined the club, as wanted to do more with her than just bike rides and walks in the forest. So we have had a go at Agility, GCG, Rally-O and Obedience. We've also done a bit of scent work and Utility Dog training, and a fair chunk of wallaby chasing! I'm very grateful to all the volunteers at the club who have invested into our dog training journey.  Just like raising children, it takes a village to train a dog...

SECRETARY

I’ve been involved in training dogs for many years, and currently have six dogs, from a young border collie pup to a 14 year old terrier. I’ve had rescues, rehomes and purebreds; my training style for all my dogs is relationship first.

Dogs are my family; I have tried a few dog sports, including Rally O, Hoopers and Canicross, but my passion is for agility. The thrill of working with my dogs at high speed, maintaining that connection, and seeing them have as much fun as I do, is worth the hours I put in with training.

I have trained and competed with multiple dogs, different breeds, represented zone 2 and placed in the finals at NZDAC, but what brings me the most joy is seeing those I coach enjoy the journey with their dogs; whether that is nailing a difficult agility course or getting that perfect recall.

TREASURER

I am Peter, and I have been a club member since 2012, and been on committee for probably 10 years now. I've previously held the position of Vice President, and been the club's Treasurer for over 6 years.

I initially joined the club doing agility with my dogs Kane & Teak. The idea was just to have some fun time with my dogs, and I did not even enter the thought of competing with them for a long time. However, Jo Klein kept pushing me to go to a Ribbon Trial, and one day I finally leaned in. Both dogs won ribbons that day, and I got hooked on it, so I have been travelling with the agility dog circus ever since. I had a particular good dog in Teak, who sadly passed away last year. His successor Tex is a crazy bastard who loves agility to bits, but he completely loses his brain when in the ring. My other young dog, Zorro, is showing great promise, and I again have hope to get a dog into the upper ranks at competitions.

I like the club because most of my friends are in there, and it has become the centre piece of my social interactions, with training and weekend competitions which often involve camping and some bantering involved.

AGILITY COORDINATOR

I’ve been part of the club since 2019, bringing both of my dogs up through our Domestic Dog programme. We soon got addicted to the world of competitive obedience and agility. Having recently picked up the agility coordinator role I'm dedicated to continue to grow and support our new and experienced agility members. I’m a qualified vet nurse, and you’ll often find me on weekends either travelling up and down the country competing, or out enjoying the forest and lakes. I love helping handlers and their dogs build strong, confident partnerships and watching them achieve their goals.

TRAINING COORDINATOR

Dogs have always been a part of my life, having grown up with our family pets. My involvement with RDTC began in 2022 when I enrolled in DD101 with our rehomed (mostly) Lab called Fred who had been a covid pup. Since completing DD101 and then DD102, I went on to join a Rally O class and then the obedience class. I also take part in scentwork and tracking with Fred. I now also have a springer spaniel/labrador cross 11-month-old delight (Betty) who I intend to train and compete in obedience, working trails, tracking trails and Rally O.

I took on the training coordinator role in 2024 and enjoy seeing new dogs and handlers coming into the club and then remaining to continue building bonds and have fun with their dogs in the variety of codes RDTC offer. I am now also a trainer for Rally O and Domestic Dog.

DOMESTIC DOG COORDINATOR

I’m the code coordinator for Domestic dog and predominantly teach 102 classes. My dogs are small  Chihuahuas and a spitz cross. In the photo are Link, Enso and Quest.My own dogs train/ compete in Rally-o, agility and CGC.

The best thing about teaching classes is seeing the huge amount of growth from both handlers and dogs and the new friends I make with those who carry on in the club with further training. My proudest moments include achieving CGC Gold and watching my daughter and her dog become a great team in agility.

JDT COORDINATOR

I share my life with three energetic dogs, two English springer spaniels and one cocker spaniel, who keep me busy, laughing, and constantly learning. As an ECE teacher, I’m passionate about building confidence, teamwork, and fun, whether it’s with kids in the classroom or with dogs and handlers on the field, so stepping into the Junior Dog Training (JDT) Coordinator role felt like a natural fit. I dabble in many dog sports, but my main focus is agility, scent work, and rally obedience. I love the thrill of running my own dogs, but I also get such a buzz from teaching classes and watching dogs and handlers experience those magical “lightbulb moments” together. My six-year-old daughter shares my love for dogs, and you’ll often find her out on the field running the spaniels in agility whenever she gets the chance, with her eyes set on a scent work debut soon!

COMMITTEE MEMBER

FLYGILITY COORDINATOR