FAQ

Frequently asked questions

• What happens during training?

  Before starting the training, dogs are fitted with an e-collar. They are then walked through a short course with the trainer and their owner, either off-lead or on a long lead. The course contains several kiwi props (e.g. freeze dried kiwi, or model kiwi) and good-quality fresh kiwi scent. This simulates kiwi and their scent in a controlled situation. The trainer will give the dog a small and surprising correction through the e-collar if it shows interest in the prop. The trainer will work with the dog until it learns to avoid the props. The training typically takes around 15 minutes.

  Certificates are issued after the training for 6, 12, or 24 months. It is important to repeat the training at the recommended intervals.

  

• How do I book my dog in for training?

  Go to https://kiwiavoidancetraining.nz/ and select ‘Book a training’ from the navigation bar

  

  Select North or South Island.

  Click the drop down to select the area you are interested in registering for a training.

  

  Once you select your area, any available training sessions in that region will appear.

  

  Tip: Not all areas have sessions available at all times, but more are added regularly. You can tick “Notify me when a new session is available in this area” to receive alerts when new training dates are added.

  In order to move on to the next step you need to tick that you have read and agree to the H&S Privacy box, then click the continue button.

  

  You will then be prompted to either create an account (for any first-time users) or login to your existing account

  

  Once you have logged in, you will need to select the dog you want to attend from the drop down.

  Note* If you have multiple dogs, you can select more than one dog at a time from this dropdown.

  If you are logging in for the first time, you will need to create your dog’s profile.

  

  Once you have selected your dog, your selected training session will appear with available booking options, usually shown as time slots. Choose a time slot that works for you, then click Save. (If you have multiple dogs, you will need to select a time slot for each dog).

  Some trainers prefer to not have bookable slots so you may not see this step. In these cases the trainer will contact you directly to advise you of your training time. 

  

  Once your booking is confirmed, the session will appear on your personal dashboard. A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email address, with a reminder three days before the session.

  

  If you want to book another session, click the “Add Bookings” button on your personal dashboard. Make sure all fields are completed (dog, area, session, and time) before clicking save, otherwise you won’t be able to continue.

  Note: You cannot book your dog into more than one session at a time. If you need to move your dog to a different session, go to your personal dashboard under “Your upcoming training sessions,” click the edit training button, and select “Cancel training” before proceeding with your new booking.

  

  

• How do I cancel a training session I am already booked in for?

  Go to your personal dashboard

  Under Your upcoming training sessions click the “EDIT TRAINING” button, then select “CANCEL TRAINING”

  You are now able to book your dog(s) in to a different training session

  

  

• How do I add a dog?

  To add a dog, you need to create a profile for it.

  In the top right-hand side of your screen, you will see a heading called “Your Dog/s” and an option to “Add Dog”. Click the “Add Dog” button.

  

  Enter your dog’s details. All fields must be completed before you can save the profile.

  Required details include:

  • Dog’s name
  • Date of birth (an approximate date is okay if you don’t know exactly
  • Gender
  • Breed (you can enter more than one breed. If you don’t know all the breeds you can also select “cross”)
  • Colour (you can enter more than one colour)
  • Use (you can enter more than one use)

  Once all fields are completed, save the profile to add your dog to your account. Your dog/s will now appear your personal dashboard.

  

• How do I view a training certificate?

  Once you have finished training with an endorsed KAT trainer, an email will be sent with your dog’s certificate attached. This will happen immediately in an area with good connectivity. There will be a slight delay if the training area has no service. If you can’t find the email containing your certificate please check your spam/junk folders.

  You can also view certificates through your owner dashboard.

  Your dog(s) will be listed on the right-hand side of the dashboard. To view a certificate, select “View Training History” under your dog’s profile, then choose “PDF” under “View” to open the certificate.

  

  This certificate includes all the details of the training, as well as the certification expiry date.

  

• I already have a booking. Can I change to a different time on the same day?

  Yes, you can change your booking time if needed. Select “EDIT TRAINING” next to the dog you wish to update, choose a new time slot, and click “SAVE”

  

  

• How do I edit the details for my dog?

  If any of the details entered for your dog (breed, colour, use etc) are incorrect, you can edit these yourself. Simply click the pencil icon on the profile of the dog you want to update.

  

  Here you can update all details, indicate if your dog is now deceased or has changed owners, and add areas of interest for future training. If you make any changes, be sure to click save.

  

  Note: On the day of your booking, the trainer will ask for your dog’s ID (microchip, photo, tattoo, or brand). This information can only be updated by the trainer. If you need to make any changes to the dog ID, please speak to the trainer on the day or email avoidance@savethekiwi.nz

• How do I edit my personal details?

  On your personal dashboard, click the field you want to update and enter your new information. A save icon will appear in the top right corner. Click it to save your changes.

  

• There are no available sessions in my area

  Not all areas have sessions available at all times, or the available sessions may already be fully booked. You could check back later as more sessions are added regularly, or you can tick “Notify me when a new session is available in this area” to receive alerts when new training dates are added. Local trainers will get updates about these alerts, so they will know when there is high demand for an additional session.

• My dog had a previous owner. Can I see the pervious KAT training history?

  If you have a new dog and want to check to see if it has any previous training history or links to earlier KAT records you can request your dog’s previous history by filling in the green “No training history” box on your personal dashboard. Once completed, click the save icon in the top right corner. Your request will be submitted, and any available information will be loaded on to your dog’s profile.

  

• How often should my dog do the training, and what happens when my current certificate expires?

  Kiwi Avoidance Training needs to be repeated to remain effective. Initially training is every 6 months. Once avoidance is shown this can be extended to every 12 months. In some cases a trainer may feel the dog exhibits exceptional avoidance, and the training may be extended to every 24 months.

  A reminder will be sent 28 days before your dog’s certification expires, prompting you to book in for another training session. The training is most effective when it happens regularly, at the recommended intervals.

• What happens if a training session I am booked in for gets cancelled?

  Sometimes weather or other circumstances mean a planned training session needs to be amended or cancelled. If this happens, you will receive an email as soon as the trainer cancels the session. Please check your spam/junk folder to ensure you haven’t missed anything. Once a session is cancelled you will be able to book into the next available session.

• I previously clicked 'notify me when a new session is available in this area' but I no longer want updates about new sessions. How do I cancel them?

  Go to your dog’s profile on your dashboard and click the edit (pencil) button.

  

   

  When the pop-up screen opens, click the “X” next to the region you want to remove.

  

• Is Kiwi Avoidance Training suitable for pet dogs?

  The primary target audience for Kiwi Avoidance Training is dogs with jobs, especially hunting and farming dogs. In general, these dogs are target specific for their job, and understand the concept that other animals are non-target (e.g. rounding up sheep = yes, chasing rabbits = no; tracking pigs = yes, chasing possums = no). For these dogs Kiwi Avoidance Training can be a really effective method for adding kiwi to the ‘no’ list, which they already have the concept for. In addition, there are times that these dogs need to be off lead in areas where kiwi may be, in order to do their jobs. So having specific training around kiwi makes sense.

  Pet dogs are different to working dogs, as most don’t have the same target/non-target concept. Additionally, most don’t need to be off lead in areas that kiwi may be.

  For pet dogs the following recommendations apply:

  • Keep dogs under control at all times
  • Keep dogs contained (inside or in a run) at night
  • Walk dogs on a lead anywhere that kiwi may be

  At times it may be suitable for pet dogs that have kiwi living very close to or on their properties to undergo Kiwi Avoidance Training as a secondary layer of protection, in addition to the primary methods listed above. There is a risk that pet dog owners who do kiwi avoidance training may assume their dog is ‘kiwi-proof’, and they may allow their dog more freedom which will then increase the threat to kiwi. It is vital that pet dog owners are aware that Kiwi Avoidance Training is at best a secondary layer of protection, and that it shouldn’t replace responsible dog control, or result in special privileges for the dog (e.g. allowing them to access areas where dogs are not permitted).

• I've had my dog Kiwi Avoidance Trained. Can I take it anywhere now?

  No. If an area is gazetted as no dogs this still applies when the dog has done Kiwi Avoidance Training. If an area states dogs must be on a lead this still applies when the dog has done Kiwi Avoidance Training. Check with DOC or you local council to see what rules apply in your area.

  In some areas hunting may only be allowed if there is a current Kiwi Avoidance Training certificate for the dog, but in general the rules for the dog remain the same.

  Kiwi Avoidance Training is a tool that can help reduce the threat of dogs to kiwi. However, it doesn’t remove all the risk, and it shouldn’t be relied on as a singular tool to protect kiwi. 

  Undergoing Kiwi Avoidance Training doesn’t replace responsible dog control, and it doesn’t result in special privileges for the dog.

• I have a hunting dog. Is Kiwi Avoidance Training all I need to do to keep kiwi safe?

  For hunting dogs the following recommendations apply:

  • Undertake regular kiwi avoidance training with an endorsed trainer
  • Keep pack sizes small
  • Only hunt during the day
  • Ensure every dog comes home, every time

• Does Kiwi Avoidance Training work?

  Kiwi Avoidance Training is a tool aimed at reducing the risk of a dog injuring or killing a kiwi. However, kiwi avoidance training does not completely remove the threat to kiwi. It is most effective for ‘dogs with jobs’ such as hunting dogs or farm dogs that have to be in kiwi areas. Where possible, other dogs should be kept away from areas where kiwi are present. If they do need to be in kiwi areas, then keeping them under control, contained at night (inside, or in a secure run), and walking them on a lead are key actions to protect kiwi.