Estelle Leyshon has a long history and experience with dogs. Growing up with a wide range of animals, she went on to study a Bachelor of Science at Birmingham University before landing her dream job as head of re-homing at a branch of Battersea Dog’s & Cat’s Home in the UK.
Over the next eight years Estelle was able to hone her skills with all kinds of dogs as she trained and assessed their behaviour for rehoming, and matched potential owners to their perfect pet. She quickly discovered that many serious behavioural issues were resolved when she utilised a dog’s natural breed or working talent. This resulted in her successfully rehoming hundreds of dogs to specialist fields such as the armed forces, biosecurity and as assistance dogs.
She attended a variety of dog behaviour and training courses whilst at Battersea and at the Northern Centre for Canine Behaviour. Today she still believes in continuing her education and is currently completing a 3 year behaviour qualification with the School for Canine Science. She is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers NZ (APDTNZ) and works in line with their code of ethics.
In the UK she qualified as an Area Search and Rescue Dog Handler with her beloved Border Collie Rush and went on to teach others the skills too to qualify. She has also competed in a variety of dog sports. In the past she focused particularly on Heelwork to Music ( a form of dog tricks), as the creative training appealed to her more than mainstream obedience. Currently she enjoys all forms of Tracking and Scent Detection and has developed her own dog sport (Diverse Dogs) that encompasses a range of her favourite sports (agility, obedience, treibball, assistance dog work, scent work).
When she moved to New Zealand in 2011 she flew both her dogs Brock and Rush, and her 2 cats, with her as she could not bear to be parted from them. A recent move from the Bay of Plenty to Dunedin came about after seeing her dream 20 hectare lifestyle property whilst on holiday. She is currently home to a range of animals - 2 cats, 5 goats, 3 horses and of course dogs:
Hope, a 2 year old Beardie x from a litter she whelped and raised along with 7 of her siblings and from a fostered pregnant rescue dog
Stumpy, a 15yr old stray JRT x Papillon
Rusty, a 9yr old rescue Papillon x JRT
Luna, a 7yr old rescue heading dog
Tink - a 2 year old stray pound dog terrier x heeler - escape artist and scavenger
Chevy - a 4.5 year old wire haired terrier x - rehomed from a family who's circumstances changed
RESIDENT FOSTER DOGS IN TRAINING & FOR ADOPTION
Kora, a 4 year old Bull Terrier x Cattle Dog - partially deaf - territorial, easily spooked and nervous of some new people.
Wallace - a 2 year old rescue Mastiff x - nervous of new things
Zach - a 2.5 year old Foxie x Papillon - barrier frustration, reactivity and handling worry
Bella - a 5 year old Yankee Doodle - with separation worry
She continues to be passionate about rescue dogs and work closely with a number of NZ Rescue Charities. She can foster several at any one time and works with them pro bono until they are successfully placed in to new loving homes. In total she has fostered over 50 since being in NZ. It is through watching the interactions of the dogs together that Estelle has learnt how to read dog's body language, understand how they may be feeling and what positive training methods are required to help them. She believes that all relationships are one based on trust, mutual benefit, support and understanding. She feels privileged to be able to share her life with them all and be the stepping stone to a more positive future for many of them.
Estelle is a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers NZ and complies with their code of ethics.
LETISHA ANSTIS General Assistant
Letisha has always had a passion for animals and worked within the retail pet industry for many years before her two young children were born.
She enjoys a country lifestyle with her menagerie which includes sheep, chickens and her beloved Border Collie Merlin and rescue puppy Border Collie x Bo. She has owned various other dogs throughout her life and recently lost her beautiful black German Shepherd Lilith.
She is our wonder woman who deals with all the emails, bookings and administration and ensures everyone know where they should be and when for any of our courses. She also enjoys passing on her knowledge and experience and often assists on our Companion and activity courses, helping participants get the most out their time with us and answering any additional questions.
