About Us

Tarah Spyve

Founder/Owner

Hi, my name is Tarah Spyve (nee Hunt).  I live on site, with my husband Brent and our children, Fern (8) and Ash (4).  I have 3 Border Collies, pictured, Blaze, Azmin and Ember.  We also have a cat, chickens and ducks that can often be seen when you visit our place.

My story with dogs begins when I was 16, when I was finally given permission from my parents  to get a puppy.  I wasn't allowed to just get any puppy though, my conditions for getting a dog were that I had to research breeds to find one suitable for the family and take it to obedience classes - amazing how my life has now become so involved with dogs!

I researched and visited various breeds to find which would best suit my family over the summer holidays – I started with wanting a border collie, and went back to one – but at least I knew it was the right dog for us.

18 years later Shine (black and white Border Collie) is no longer with us (she reached a grand old age of 16.5 and passed away June 2018).  Her daughter, Asta, a blue and white Border Collie has also since passed over the rainbow bridge 🌈 🐕 🐾 

I attended domestic obedience classes with Shine at my local club, Cambridge Dog Obedience Club.  I enjoyed this so I went back for a few terms and then I saw them holding agility classes – just like on Wonder Dogs on TV I thought!  So of course, I joined the next class intake and have been there ever since!  I was Club Secretary for at least 5 years and then Vice President for 2 years and during this time I also instructed domestic obedience and agility classes of all levels.  I left the club at the end of 2013 as I was moving to Whitianga, and have since been nominated and accepted as a Life Member – both an honour and privilege.  I frequently compete at various agility events around the North Island and am also an agility judge for the New Zealand Kennel Club.

Who would have thought at the time of being allowed a dog that it would shape my life so much – but I am so pleased that it has.  I love dogs and I love training them, I also love teaching people with their dogs and seeing the improvement in the dogs behaviour and also the relationship between the dog and it’s owner.  I have studied Principals Of Canine Behaviour through Massey University and read books, watched DVDs, attended seminars, and completed online courses to improve my knowledge of dog behaviour and training – as well as learning from friends and life experiences.  I am constantly trying to learn more and improve my knowledge so I can continue to train my own dogs and help other people train theirs using positive reinforcement.

 

Katrina Mair

Doggy Daycare Superstar

Hi there my name is Katrina Mair.  I have lived here in Whitianga for the past 18 years, I have a partner and a young boy who is at primary school.
Previously I have done farm work and cattle mustering, I absolutley love the freedom of the farm and the open air gives you time to reflect on you passion and dreams.  This led me onto horse trekking and breaking in horses, I had the time of my life in doing this but unfortunately my hips took a flogging...
This is where I ended up in Whitianga and moved across with my Family.
I had the urge to work with animals and always wanted to do so to futher my career.  In a small town such as Whitianga I had a hard time finding something to fulfil my dreams, so I sat my managers licence and completed 13years of hospitality..who knew haha. However it was such a wonderfull way to meet the community, my new home, I have meet so many people and have an excellent reputation in this town.
In 2018 I was told about a job opportunity at Shine Canine, I most definitely could not pass up this offer as the opportunity to work amongst animals again made my heart race with excitement..so here I am extraodinarliy lucky to have grabbed up this opportunity to work with Tarah and the dogs and give her all I can offer in helping her fulfil her dreams aswell.
Look forward to meeting all of you in the near future *:) happy

Aimee Burton

Doggy Daycare and Admin Assistant