Webinar Series

2024 Webinar Series

FREE expert webinars for pet guardians

In our 2024 webinar series, named ‘Misbehaviour or Misunderstood’, accredited behaviour consultants and veterinary behaviourists delved into the behaviour of companion animals.

Are we interpreting our animal’s behaviour in the wrong way? How can we better understand their drivers?  


COMPLETE: Webinar 1 - 31 July 7pm

“Aggression Towards Familiar People - Beyond the Myth of Dominance

Mat Ward, Clinical Animal Behaviourist

This webinar addresses the complexities surrounding aggression by dogs towards familiar people. Given the prevalent misinterpretations surrounding this behaviour, such as misattributing it to “dominance”, there's a pressing need to understand and address the multifaceted reasons which contribute to this aggression.  

During this webinar, Mat will pass on what he has learned from 25 years in the field of dog behaviour. He will outline patterns of aggression towards familiar people he has observed over the years, explain the core reasons for this behaviour, and summarise the practical techniques and recommendations he finds most useful for his clients.   

  • Mat has helped thousands of pets (and their humans!) over the past 25 years. Early in his career, while completing his Master’s degree through Massey Vet School, Mat worked hands-on training problem dogs.  During the 2000s he established himself as a leading behaviour practitioner in Edinburgh, Scotland, with over 130 veterinary clinics referring behaviour cases to him by the time he moved back to New Zealand in 2021.  Recently, Mat published “What Dogs Want”, a fun, illustration-filled handbook for dog guardians.  Mat is accredited through the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), and is accredited or a member of leading companion animal behaviour organisations such as CANZ, ABTC, IAABC, APBC, and FABC. 


COMPLETE: Webinar 2 - 14 August 7pm

“Is my pet in pain or being a pain? A variety of examples from cats/dogs and rabbits?”

Dr. Jess Beer, Veterinary Behaviourist

Studies are now telling us more about how pain, and chronic pain in particular, can affect our pets behaviour. Pain can lead to anxiety phobias and aggression, as well as destructive and unhealthy behaviours. It's time we learn to recognise the signs of pain in animals so that we can successfully address both their physical and mental concerns. 

  • Jess is an accredited veterinary behaviourist and the Founder and Director of Kiwi Vet Behaviour, a team of qualified vets and  trainers who provide compassionate and science-based services including veterinary behaviour consultations, training packages, educational workshops, and classes for dogs of all ages. Jess recently (January 2023) opened the first veterinary behaviour clinic in Auckland, NZ, a facility where companion animals and their guardians can come together with professionals in a safe environment.


Webinar 3 - 28 August 7pm

“Understanding Canine Instincts and Utilising Enrichment to Resolve Behaviour Challenges in Pet & Shelter Dogs”

Lisa Sturm and Adele Curran - Behaviour Consultants

In this session, the experts will explore the fascinating world of canine behaviour and emotion and the crucial role enrichment plays in fostering happy, well-adjusted dogs. Enrichment of course extends far beyond food offerings; it encompasses a rich tapestry of experiences and sensory stimuli. From understanding natural behaviours to providing outlets for instinctual needs and supporting emotional wellbeing, we’ll uncover the connection between behaviour issues and unmet enrichment requirements in both shelter and pet dogs. Discover how breed-specific drives and characteristics can impact behaviour and learn practical solutions for addressing these challenges. We’ll explore a range of strategies aimed at promoting mental stimulation, reducing stress and improving the dog-guardian bond.

  • Adele is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant with the IAABC as well as an accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant with CANZ. Her journey into animal behaviour began during her BSc Psychology studies at the University of Canterbury, where she explored additional disciplines such as Biochemistry and Animal Behaviour. She continues to expand her expertise through programmes like Canine Psychology & Behaviour (Ad. Dip.) with the ISCP and specialised training from the Grisha Stewart Academy.
    Since 2016, Adele has been actively involved with Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue, initially as a volunteer and now as a duty manager. She provides 1:1 training and support for dogs, volunteers, foster teams, and adoptees, while also engaging in community dog education for children.
    Adele has fostered and re-homed numerous litters of puppies and over 30 adult dogs, specialising in complex behavioural cases. Her current fosters are true long termers - Sunshine & Heath. Adele emphasises ongoing education and hands-on experience for a holistic approach to training and behaviour modification, focusing on the wellbeing of every learner.
    With Sit Happens since 2018, Adele specialises in behaviour modification for complex cases and core life skills development. She collaborates closely with local veterinarians and other professionals to ensure comprehensive care, including referrals for virtual consults.
    Adele’s commitment extends to teaching puppy foundation courses and facilitating socialisation sessions for shy puppies, building solid foundations and helping prevent behavioural challenges. She also leads group sessions to support ongoing training and development for her longer term clients.

  • Lisa is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) with the IAABC, an Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant with CANZ, and currently serves as Vice President for the APDTNZ. She founded Sit Happens Dog Training in 2016 and later launched Kiwi Canine, an online store offering curated dog products.
    With a background in B.Sc. Information Management and M.Sc. International Management, Lisa switched her passion to dogs which led her to international training, conferences with renowned speakers, and diverse experience in canine businesses. After running puppy classes, socialisation and 1:1 training for almost a decade, Lisa now focuses her attention more on providing an alternative to existing pet stores, with having a completely non-aversive range of very select products with a great focus on enrichment.
    Since 2015, Lisa has volunteered with rescue organisations in Christchurch, helping to enable staff and volunteers to help the dogs in their care on a behavioural level as well. And while not fostering dogs, she usually always has a foster kitten on top of her two rescue dogs Hank and Mouse and her two rescue cats Snoop and Smooch


Webinar 4 - 11 September 7pm

“Cracking the Code: Understanding Animal Emotions and Body Language”

Dr Lucy Scott, Veterinary Behaviourist

Do dogs and cats have emotions? If so, how do we recognise them?

  • What are the body language signals we need to watch for? How can we identify fear, anxiety and stress (and why should we?)

  • What can go wrong if we misinterpret body language and behaviours?

  • Dr Lucy Scott is a qualified Veterinarian with a membership in Veterinary Behaviour through the Australian and NZ College of Veterinary Scientists.

    She is currently working on a masters in Clinical Animal Behaviour through the University of Edinburgh and provides Behaviour consultations to dog, cat and horse guardians through her business Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ. These are in person throughout the Lower North Island and Virtually NZ wide. 


Webinar 5 - 26 September 7pm

“Managing Aggression Towards Familiar People: Key Treatment Techniques”

Mat Ward, Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Join us for an exciting follow-up session with Mat Ward, returning as our Mystery Speaker in Webinar 5! Due to the overwhelming response and the time constraints in Webinar 1, some fascinating case examples and videos were left out. This webinar is your opportunity to dive deeper into those missed insights.

Whether you attended Webinar 1 and want to catch up on what you missed or are eager to learn from new examples, this session is not to be missed!

  • Mat has helped thousands of pets (and their humans!) over the past 25 years. Early in his career, while completing his Master’s degree through Massey Vet School, Mat worked hands-on training problem dogs.  During the 2000s he established himself as a leading behaviour practitioner in Edinburgh, Scotland, with over 130 veterinary clinics referring behaviour cases to him by the time he moved back to New Zealand in 2021.  Recently, Mat published “What Dogs Want”, a fun, illustration-filled handbook for dog guardians.  Mat is accredited through the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), and is accredited or a member of leading companion animal behaviour organisations such as CANZ, ABTC, IAABC, APBC, and FABC. 


Read more about why we are running this series in our web article.