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Cooperative Care | Fitness | Enrichment | Massage

Helping you make your dog's day better Are you puzzled by your dog's behaviour?

Cooperative Care | Fitness | Enrichment | Massage

Helping you make your dog's day better

Your Whole Dog is owned and operated by me, Annie Thorne, your Wellington-based canine wellbeing partner. Are you looking to enhance their physical wellbeing? Are you looking to advocate for your dogs' physical and behavioural health? I'm here to help you make your dog’s day better. We'll combine ethical reward-based training, fitness, massage, and enrichment in an integrated approach. This approach, founded on the belief that a happy, healthy dog thrives

- when they are understood,

- when they are confident in their surroundings,

- when they are comfortable in their bodies,

- and when their needs are met. My mission is to strengthen the bond between dogs and their humans. We start by supporting your dog's emotional and physical health. Let's work together to create a harmonious household where both you and your canine companion will thrive! Professional qualifications:
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP),
Family Dog Mediator (FDM)
Certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC),
Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT),
Certified canine massage therapist, kinesiology tape practitioner and cold laser therapist. Fear Free Certified Professional (Trainer)
Low-Stress Handling Silver Certified. Professional memberships:
Association of Pet Dog Trainers NZ (full),
Pet Professional Guild (full),
International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (supporting),
International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork/Association of Canine Water Therapy

16/02/2026

😱 oh man, the weather ⛈️🌩️💨🌬️⛈️ 😱

Your Whole Dog HQ is currently weathering the storm, and without power.

I’m unable to pack up and send shop orders, and have limited admin capabilities.

Current estimates have things returning to normal for us some time on Wednesday.

I’ll be endeavouring to do some responses to emails and queries before that if I can safely access power and internet away from home.

The shop will remain open, and I'll be packing up and sending orders as soon as I can. Delivery times are likely to be longer than normal due to inevitable transport delays.

Please, stay safe.

thank you for your patience, and your support of my teeny tiny business 🐾

15/02/2026

So… my darling 15-year-old Wolly has accidentally become my latest case study. And, as I exploit his misfortune, I promise he’s being well paid for being blog fodder.

Wolly is currently rehabbing three injuries (yes, three out of four legs … gah … I admire his dedication to keeping me professionally humble - apparently I needed a refresher).

Our household currently runs on a strict schedule of rehab exercises, snacks, and my ongoing negotiation with him about both.

And he’s reminding me, in real time, of something I say to clients regularly: age isn’t a diagnosis.

When I saw increasing lameness, it would have been very easy to throw up my hands and say “well, he’s old.”

Digging into what’s actually going on - and supporting him with rehab and sensible management - means improvement is still absolutely possible.

Writing our senior dogs off as “just getting old” can cost them real quality of life.

I’ve written a blog about what this looks like in real life, and why senior dogs deserve more than a shrug and a stereotype.

I’ll pop the link to it in the comments.

28/01/2026

Facebook just reminded me that it’s two years since Wolly had his stroke.

We marked the anniversary by doing one of his favourite things: standing for snacks 😄 😂

This kind of simple strength and mobility work is one of my barometers for how he’s feeling. And, it’s a great example of basic, real-life, functional exercise that all dogs can benefit from.

It doesn’t need to be complicated or about lots of reps, and fancy exercises. Who has time for that?!

We’re all so busy hustling and trying to keep up… and I’m very much here for slowing down and doing less, which often ends up being more.

What matters is that it’s functional and supports the individual dog in their daily life.

Fancy gear optional!!

Yes, I’m using purpose-made equipment here, but I also routinely use less-fancy DIY props. My only criteria is that it’s safe, fit for purpose, and helps achieve the goal of the exercise.

The real value is in the task, the variation, and how the dog responds. Which is why we did the same exercise on three different sets of props.

Real dogs. Real life.

🐾 💪🧘‍♀️🍪🐾

20/01/2026

Nope, you're not imagining things!

If something feels ‘off’ about your dog - if their behaviour has changed in ways you can't quite explain - trust your instinct.

Maybe they're more reactive than they used to be. Or suddenly reluctant to do things they've always done easily. Or they just seem a bit uncomfortable and not-quite-themselves but you can't pinpoint why.

Dogs can't tell us when something hurts. But they DO communicate through their behaviour - and the subtle signs of pain usually show up long before the limping does.

I've written a comprehensive guide to help you recognise the signs your dog might be trying to show you.

I'll pop the link to the blog in the comments.

16/01/2026

CPD with a difference ...

I had a bit of a stomach-churning moment recently.

I saw a post claiming that the cure for imposter syndrome was… more education. More courses. More certificates. Handily, they also had a new certificate course I could enrol in to learn more skills in order to fix my imposter angst.

Immediate turn-off!

I'd guess that for most of us, the issue isn't a lack of information. It's not that we don't know enough.

Usually, what we're missing is confidence. Support. And the belief that we can actually apply what we already know. We need to believe we can do it well.

Sound familiar?

Which is why - oh, the irony! - I decided to enrol in a course 😂

But this one was different.

The Confident Practitioner Program with Lisa Ruthig of Power of Touch wasn't about learning more techniques or adding another certificate to the wall (although yes, I did get a certificate 😆). It was about developing practical nervous system skills to manage stress and self-doubt in the moment.

And here's the twist I genuinely didn't see coming:

The skills I learned for managing my own stress? They're exactly the same ones my clients need when supporting their dogs.

Not more instructions. Not more pressure to stay calm (- does that ever actually work?). Just practical ways to pause, ground, and stay present instead of spiralling. Fair to say, I’m still a work in progress.

Dogs don't exist in isolation from us. They read our stress, our tension, our hesitation. Often before we're even aware of it ourselves.

And when we feel more grounded, our dogs feel it too.

This learning has done more than help me. It’s changed how I show up for my clients. I'm not watching just your dog's body language anymore. I'm noticing where stress is showing up in you - and I have practical tools to share that can shift it in the moment.

Small shifts that help your nervous system feel safer. Which helps your dog feel safer too.

If you're feeling stuck with your dog right now and wondering if your own stress is part of the puzzle... it probably is. And that's okay. There are tools that can help.

Curious to read more? There's a blog linked in the comments.

14/01/2026

Flexiness Canine Fitness gear … pre-orders open!

Flexiness has been popular recently. If that’s you, thank you 🙌

And now I’m getting ready to put together my next Flexiness Canine Fitness equipment order to restock.

I already have some pre-orders in, and before I finalise the shipment I wanted to let people know that pre-ordering is available for items that aren’t currently in stock.

Pre-orders help me plan stock more accurately (small business realities 🙃😬😆), and they’re a win for you too:

- You’re guaranteed the equipment you want
- You’ll lock in current pricing (ever-rising import costs mean prices are likely to rise… again)

If you’ve been thinking about paw pods, balance discs, SensiMats, or any of the other fab fitness gear for your dog, now’s a good time to have a look.

Flexiness canine fitness equipment is extremely versatile and ideal for supporting strength, balance, mobility, and confidence in dogs of all ages.

If you’re unsure what might suit your dog, feel free to email me - annie@yourwholedog.co.nz - I’m always happy to help.

13/01/2026

Okay, so it turns out I have more to say about floors 🙃

The last time I talked about slippery floors and mobility, it was: falls, injuries, senior dogs.

This time, it’s about slippery floors and behaviour: stress, learning, confidence.

Slippery floors don’t just affect how your dog moves. They affect how your dog learns, and how well they can cope with everyday life.

That anxious dog who won’t come into the kitchen?
The “disobedient” dog who won’t sit when you ask?
The puppy who freezes at the edge of the hallway?
The chaos when visitors arrive and dogs go sliding everywhere?

Spoiler: it’s probably not stubbornness.

And it’s not a lack of training.

When dogs don’t feel secure on their feet, what often looks like a behaviour 'problem' is more likely just a dog trying not to slip or fall.

Stress levels spike.
Learning becomes harder (imagine ice skating and then someone asks you to do a maths puzzle).
One slip can create fear or avoidance.
Excitement turns into chaos.

I always make sure Wolly & Tigg greet visitors outside or on carpet. Not because they’re 'naughty' (well… 🤔😬😆) but because excited dogs + slippery floors = chaos (or worse, injury).

If your dog struggles in certain rooms, shuts down during training, or seems 'out of control' in specific situations, the surface beneath their paws might well be a part of the puzzle.

👉 Link in comments to read the full blog

Photo: a perfectly calm Wolly and Tigg snuffling for scattered treats, which is how I try and set them up for when visitors arrive. And on a rainy day? Snuffle mats (on carpet) indoors!

01/01/2026

I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Sarah Fisher.

I didn't know Sarah personally, but hearing her speak at the APDT Australia conference a couple of years ago was an enormous privilege.

I've since taken several of her courses, and learned something valuable every single time.

Her Animal Centred Education work has had a profound influence on animal welfare and on how many of us think, observe, and support dogs (and their humans).

Her words sit with me daily: "the dog is always right", "do less, watch more", "when we're curious, we learn", "ask more questions", "what do you see".

I carry those reminders into my consults. Often quite literally on my shoulder.

I'm deeply grateful for what she shared so generously, and for the ripple effect her teaching continues to have.

Thank you, Sarah 🐾 💔 🐾

30/12/2025

No Boxing Day/New Year sales here! Just a small thank you 🩶

I keep my margins low all year round. I only stock products I genuinely believe in, use with my own dogs, and feel good about recommending. That also means I don’t do the big flashy discount thing.

But! Running a teeny tiny business still requires actual money (rude! thanks, capitalism), so I’ve quietly taken 10% off a few shop staples for a short time:
• Selected bulk bags of chews
• All West Paw and Gourmate

If these are things you were already planning to restock, this is just a gentle FYI nudge. No pressure, no urgency, no ick.

And as always, thank you for supporting small, values-led businesses. It means the world 🐾

Photo: Wolly waiting patiently for me to get his ACE Free Work set up ready. IYKYK 💔

23/12/2025

Is your dog slipping on your floors?

Hesitating before stepping into the kitchen?

Taking weird detours to avoid tiles?

Struggling to stand up?

For many dogs, particularly our seniors and our physically compromised dogs (those with arthritis, hip dysplasia, cruciate injuries, for example) slippery floors aren't just an inconvenience. They're a welfare concern.

They increase the risk of falls, force dogs to adopt awkward movement patterns, make standing up harder, and can cause acute injuries like muscle strains and sprains. They turn everyday life into something stressful, painful, dangerous.

The good news? You don't need to replace your entire flooring or cover every surface. Just create traction where it matters most.

This is Barnaby. He’s 14, and his person has nailed the balance between safety and aesthetics.

Notice the high-traction mats alongside the couch where he gets up and down? Add to that some carefully chosen rugs that give him secure footing through the house.

It might look a bit unconventional compared to pristine polished floors, but it's thoughtful, purposeful, and it works.

If your dog is hesitating before entering certain rooms, scrambling on tiles, slowing down, or avoiding parts of the house, this might be why.

Read the full blog - link in comments

13/12/2025

Summer holidays are nearly here!

And while we’re counting down, big routine changes can be a bit tricky for our golden oldies.

Maybe your summer means more activity - longer adventures, exploring new places.

If your older dog is joining in, remember that enthusiasm doesn’t always equal readiness.

They might need time to adapt to increased activity, even if they’re keen as anything to come along. Ease them in gradually!

Or maybe your holidays look… chaotic Visitors coming and going. Travel plans. Busy days.

Daily walks might get shorter, or slip altogether.

For our senior dogs, movement really is medicine. A few missed walks can have them quickly turn into a very stiff couch potato.

And then there’s the disruption itself. Changed routines, less quiet time in busy houses.

Older dogs often need more rest to recover, not less. And that can be hard to come by during the holiday rush.

Here’s the important bit.

If your dog is struggling more than usual - physically or behaviourally - it might be more than just the stress of a changed routine.

Pain and reduced mobility make everything harder, and they often show up as behaviour changes first.

The good news?

There’s so much we can do to support senior dogs - from thoughtful routines and appropriate enrichment activities to hands-on bodywork and mobility support.

I’ve written more about this on the blog (linked in the comments).

Because age really is just a number when we give our dogs the right support.

Let’s help our seniors feel comfortable and included as they enjoy this summer 🐾

Pictured is Barnaby. He's 14 and living his best adventuring life.

18/10/2025

Happy World Menopause Day! 🎉 😬🥵

Your Whole Dog is proud to be a menopause-friendly business.

Odd post for a dog trainer… hear me out...

As a solopreneur, being menopause-friendly starts with me taking my own self-care seriously. And it also means creating a space where my clients - who perhaps are navigating peri/menopause themselves - feel genuinely safe and supported.

Having a day where your brain feels like it's wrapped in cotton wool?

Forgot why you walked into a room three times before breakfast?

Have the thermostat settings become a source of deep personal conflict?

We can work with that (and the rest, because let's be honest, that's just the start 🙄)

My sessions usually run as a "choose your own adventure" style anyway.

If you need to reschedule* because today is just NOT the day? Do it.

If we need to pivot mid-session because you're all out of spoons? We pivot.

If you need to pause because you've suddenly become irrationally angry at your dog for existing too happily? (The audacity of their joyful dogginess!)

Dog training shouldn't be another thing stressing you out. Life's doing enough of that already.

So here's to flexible, compassionate, real-life-friendly dog training.

Your hormones are valid, your struggles are real, and your dog's training can absolutely accommodate both.

*I have a 72-hr reschedule policy that applies in most circumstances. Sick? We shift. Menopausal? We shift. Forgot about your mani/pedi? Nope, that's not covered!

Address

Horokiwi Road
Wellington
5016

Website

http://www.yourwholedog.co.nz/, https://bio.site/yourwholedog

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Cooperative Care.Training.Enrichment

Your Whole Dog is owned and operated by me, Annie, a Wellington-based dog trainer and walker, who focuses on teaching cooperative care skills, and promoting enrichment strategies.

I have long been an advocate for a multi-modal approach to canine health, training and behaviour, and Your Whole Dog reflects my philosophy that neither behaviour nor health happen in a vacuum and many factors should be considered and addressed when looking at training, behaviour and health challenges. To that end, I am a strong advocate for enrichment and decompression activities.

My training areas of special interest are, primarily, cooperative care and foundations for fitness and rehab, and ensuring that a dog's behavioural and physical wellness needs are fully met.

As a trainer, I use positive reinforcement, and I am both Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling certified. I am currently enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program.