Adele - Behavioural Consultant & Content Creator

Adele began her ongoing work with dogs in 2015 while completing a BSc Psychology at the University of Canterbury, alongside additional papers in Biochemistry, Animal Behaviour, Bioethics and Environmental ethics. The mechanisms underpinning animal behaviour became a driving force for her future studies, and she now studies Canine Psychology & Behaviour (Ad. Dip) with the ISCP to further her species-specific knowledge.

The venture into dog training wasn't intended. On her day off from studies, Adele went in search of lighter relief and while out and about she found Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue looking for volunteers. Adele says "It was the best stroll I've ever taken!". Seven years on and you will still find her at CBBR one day a week, but now as a duty manager and training support for the volunteer and foster teams.

At this point in time, Adele has fostered and re-homed over 30 adult dogs with increasingly complex behavioural challenges, and more litters of puppies than she will admit to. Her current fosters are true long termers - Sunshine & Heath. They aren’t able to be housed elsewhere due to safety concerns during their rehabilitation, and that rehabilitation process is a long one. You can learn more about them on the CBBR website or social media.

Adele is passionate about ongoing education alongside hands-on experience. Both are needed for a well rounded, grounded, ethical and effective approach to training and behaviour modification. Her training approach encompasses supporting every learner and their wellbeing - whichever end of the lead they fall on.

Adele has been working with Sit Happens since 2018. Her main focus is on behaviour modification in complex cases, alongside cases to develop core life skills. She collaborates with a local vet educated in behavioural challenges in cases where medical assessment and/or interventions are required. She also teaches puppy classes to educate guardians from the very beginning on creating solid foundations and preventing the development of behavioural challenges before they start.