Setting Up You & Your Dog for Success
WanaK9 Adventure and Training Retreat is a premier facility designed to provide your dog with a fun, safe, and enriching experience. Nestled on 17 scenic acres along the beautiful Hawea River, our retreat offers a range of services tailored to meet your dog's unique needs.
With both a secure exercise area and an agility playground, every moment spent with us ensures your dog develops in a safe environment. We prioritize your pet's happiness and well-being, guaranteeing a memorable experience from the moment they arrive.
Our Services include training, daycare, board or a combination of these eg board & training - min stay applies..
Get in touch and we'll work out the best way to help you.
Why Chose WanaK9?
You're in safe hands. With over 50 years of experience with dogs and more than 40 years dedicated to training, you've got Billy.
Billy has built a reputation as a highly skilled and versatile dog trainer. His approach combines a deep understanding of canine behaviour, a balanced training philosophy and a commitment to continuous learning.
Billy's expertise spans multiple fields, with the ability to tailor his training methods to the individual needs of each dog.
Billy’s unique combination of hands-on experience, formal training and dedication to ongoing learning, make him an outstanding choice for dog owners who want a knowledgeable, adaptable trainer who can tailor their approach to each dog’s specific needs. With a proven track record in diverse fields – from conservation, detection, field sports, scent work for both fun and conservation to companion animal training – Billy offers a depth of expertise that few can match.
Meet Billy
Expert Dog Trainer & Conservation Specialist
Billy is an expert in training companion dogs along with detection and working dogs. His training philosophy is rooted in balance: he understands that every dog is different, and what works for one dog may not necessarily work for another. While some trainers may rely on rigid methods, Billy adapts his approach based on the individual dog's temperament, needs and goals.
Whether you're seeking guidance on puppy development, basic dog obedience or resolving behavioral issues, Billy uses his balanced approach to help dogs and their owners build strong, positive relationships.
He believes in setting both dog and owner up for success through clear communication, consistency, and patience.
You will find Billy's training methods are rooted in positive reinforcement, building trust and cooperation with his dogs, while also addressing unwanted behaviors using fair, consistent techniques. His experience and extensive training mean that he understands how to motivate dogs using both reward-based systems and clear communication.
Billy is not just a dog trainer – he’s a lifelong student of canine behaviour. He constantly seeks to expand his knowledge, attending seminars and learning from internationally recognized trainers such as Simon Mallin, Cameron Ford, Michael Ellis, Glen Cooke, and Pat Stuart. By staying current with new techniques and methodologies, Billy ensures that his training remains effective and up-to-date.
With Billy’s career been shaped by diverse training experiences, he has represented Wales in Canine Field Sports for three consecutive years, where he honed his skills in competitive dog training. He has also trained his own dogs in a variety of disciplines, achieving success through his unique blend of patience, knowledge, and an unwavering belief that every dog is an individual. His work in the field of conservation is particularly noteworthy. As a Dogs NZ Endorsed Scent Trainer and a Kiwi Avoidance Assessor for Kiwi, Billy has worked on high-profile conservation projects, including training dogs for the Department of Conservation (DOC) Conservation Dog Programme. Billy also is a Kiwi Avoidance Assessor for the KAT organisation.
If you're looking for a trainer who genuinely cares about your dog’s well-being and is committed to using the most effective, humane training methods available, Billy is the expert you need.
