Lisa and Roo

Lisa Telle

Lisa and Roo dives into the whole dog. We talk solo and interview other industry experts on dog training, psychology, nutrition, lifestyle and so much more. Our goal is to help you explore new approaches to thriving with human's best friend. Lisa is a certified dog trainer, professional canine nutritionist and founder of Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures and Lisa & Roo.

  1. 5h ago

    Zen Starts With You: How Your Breath Shapes Your Dog's Behaviour with Kylie Hodkinson

    Most dog training advice focuses entirely on the dog. What to teach, when to reward, how to read the signals. But there's a variable almost nobody talks about and it's standing at the other end of the lead. Kylie Hodkinson is a breathwork facilitator and the founder of Grounded Breath, where she helps people reconnect with themselves through the power of their breath. She's also collaborating with Lisa on Zen Starts With You, a breathwork component inside the Zoomies to Zen course designed to help dog owners regulate their own nervous system before, during, and after training sessions. In this episode, Kylie and Lisa dig into something that doesn't get nearly enough airtime: what your body is doing when you're stressed, what your dog is picking up on because of it, and what you can actually do about it. Dogs don't just read our body language; they smell changes in our cortisol and adrenaline, they mirror our autonomic state and they respond to our breath before we've even consciously registered that we're tense. Understanding that changes everything. We talk about what's really happening in the body under stress, why so many of us hold our breath without realising it, what that signals to our nervous system and our dog, and what a simple breathing practice can do for your training outcomes before you even clip the leash on . In this episode: Why your nervous system is one of the most important variables in your dog's training What dogs are actually sensing when we walk in stressed from the day The physiological difference between a dysregulated and a regulated handler What to do in the moment when you feel frustration or anxiety rising mid-session How often to practice so breathwork is actually available when you need it The most common thing people get wrong about breathwork What "Zen starts with you" really means and why it matters for your dog About Kylie Hodkinson: Kylie Hodkinson is a breathwork facilitator and the founder of Grounded Breath, where she helps people reconnect and feel grounded through the power of their breath. She offers 1:1 coaching and weekly breathwork classes supporting mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Kylie is collaborating with Lisa Telle on Zen Starts With You, a breathwork practice built into the Zoomies to Zen course. 🌬️ Find Kylie: Grounded Breath on Facebook and Instagram, Email Kylie: breathe@kyliehodkinson.com 🐾 Register Your Interest in Zoomies to Zen: lisa@zoomiesdogtrainingadventures.com

  2. Jul 17

    Raising the Bar: The Launch of New Zealand's National Dog Handling Academy

    Dog handling has quietly become one of the fastest-growing service industries in New Zealand and until recently, there was no national standard governing it. Anyone could call themselves a professional handler, regardless of training, experience, or safety knowledge. Kathleen (Kat) Weeks decided that needed to change. She's the Director of Training and co-founder of the National Dog Handling Academy (NDHA), New Zealand's first NZQA-accredited dog handling academy. With over 20 years of hands-on experience and more than 300 handlers trained throughout her career, Kat has seen firsthand what happens when passion for dogs isn't matched by real competency. In this episode, Kat returns to the podcast to talk about what it actually took to build a formal qualification from scratch, starting with a kitchen table conversation in May 2023 and ending in three NZQA-approved micro-credentials. Lisa also shares her own role as Industry & Employer Representative on the NDHA board, bringing an insider's perspective to the conversation. We talk about the difference between loving dogs and being qualified to handle them professionally, what the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior pathways actually cover, the risks Kat thinks about most when it comes to pack handling, and what every dog owner should be asking before they hand their dog over to someone else. In this episode: The kitchen table conversation that started it allWhy the dog handling industry has operated without standards for so longWhat Junior, Intermediate, and Senior handler qualifications actually meanPack behaviour, risk management, and what keeps Kat up at nightThe RPL pathway for experienced handlersWhat dog owners should ask before hiring a handler or walking serviceWhere professional dog handling is headed in New Zealand About Kat Weeks: Kathleen (Kat) Weeks is the Director of Training and co-founder of the National Dog Handling Academy (NDHA), New Zealand's first NZQA-accredited dog handling academy. With over 20 years of experience in professional dog handling and handler development, Kat has trained more than 300 handlers throughout her career. Driven by the absence of any formal national standard in the industry, she spent years building a structured qualification framework from the ground up. 🐾 Learn more about NDHA: https://ndha.co.nz 📸 Instagram: @ndha_aotearoa

  3. Mar 24

    Cromwell, Central Otago Is Losing 97.6% of Its Dog Walking Space: Here’s the Full Story

    What is happening with the Sandflat Road pines in Cromwell, Central Otago? In this episode, we break down the full story behind the proposed tree felling at Sandflat Road and what it means for Cromwell’s off-leash dog walking areas, community wellbeing and public space planning. Joined by Judy Cockeram, Dr Sarah Jones and Eddy Raffles, we walk through the timeline of council decisions, the independent arborist report, and the data showing Cromwell is at risk of losing 97.6% of its safe off-leash dog exercise space. We cover: The Central Otago District Council (CODC) plan to harvest the Sandflat Road pine blockThe timeline of decisions from November 2025 to nowWhat the independent arborist report found about tree safety and healthThe comparison between Cromwell and Alexandra dog exercise areasThe real-world impact on dogs, owners, cyclists and shared community spacesKey questions around consultation, process and future planningThis episode is for anyone wanting a clear, evidence-based understanding of the Sandflat Road pines situation, including Cromwell locals, dog owners, and those interested in local government decision-making in New Zealand. If you’ve seen the headlines or heard about the petition, this is where you’ll get the full context. Because this isn’t just about trees. It’s about how decisions are made and how communities are impacted. Learn More/Our Website: https://www.zoomiesdogtrainingadventures.com/pawsforpines Sign the Petition

  4. Feb 24

    Ethical Breeding, Genetics + Developmental Programming: How Early Life Shapes Long-Term Behaviour, Health and Welfare

    In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dr Nick Sneddon, Senior Lecturer in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Massey University, to unpack one of the most important yet misunderstood topics in the dog world: how genetics and early life experiences shape behaviour, health and lifelong wellbeing. The episode also challenges popular trends in modern dog breeding and highlights why selecting for temperament, function and long-term welfare matters more than appearance or popularity. In this episode, Lisa and Nick explore:• What genetics really means for behaviour, temperament and health• The balance between nature and nurture in shaping dogs• Developmental programming and why early life experiences have lifelong effects• What ethical breeding looks like when long-term welfare is prioritised• The hidden connection between physical health, structure and behavioural outcomes• Red flags in breeding practices that may increase anxiety, reactivity or poor coping skills• What responsible breeders should measure beyond basic genetic testing• Questions future puppy owners should be asking breeders before choosing a dog• The future of dog welfare and how public decision-making influences the dogs we see in society This episode is for dog owners, trainers, breeders and anyone curious about the deeper biological foundations of behaviour. If you’ve ever wondered why some dogs seem naturally resilient while others struggle despite great training, this conversation offers a powerful lens into how early life and genetics shape the dogs we live with today. Contact Nick Keep in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a Free Consultation with Lisa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Nutrition⁠

  5. Jan 23

    Animal Behaviour Transformation Through Surrogate Hypnosis, Energy + the Human-Animal Connection

    In this episode, Lisa sits down with Lilly McKenzie from Body Mind Care to explore a totally unique (and seriously fascinating) approach to animal behaviour transformation through surrogate hypnosis, energy work and the deep human-animal connection. What makes this episode extra special is Lilly’s evolving work with animals through her service “Pawsitive Change”, where she supports behavioural shifts by intuitively connecting to the animal’s subconscious through a surrogate session with her assistant, Ergie. Together, Lisa and Lilly dive into what this process actually looks like, how it supports emotional regulation and healing (not just behaviour “management”), and the bigger conversation around animal sensitivity, stress, trauma and how our own nervous systems influence the animals we love. 💎 Lisa and Lilly talk about:• Lilly’s journey from psychology into healing, hypnotherapy and body-based work• What “Pawsitive Change” is and how it supports animals with behaviour challenges• How the surrogate hypnosis session works step-by-step (and why Ergie is involved)• What subconscious connection means in this context and what’s happening during the session• How animals can carry stress, grief or emotional weight from their environment• What owners typically notice after a session and how changes unfold over time• How to tell the difference between true regulation vs behaviour suppression• Ethics, boundaries and how this work complements vets and force-free training This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like their pet’s behaviour is communicating something deeper, and who’s open to exploring a whole new lens of healing, connection and co-regulation 🎧🐾 Disclaimer: Lisa has never participated in a Surrogate Hypnosis session Lilly’s Links:Body Mind Care WebsiteBody Mind Care InstagramEnquire about Pawsitive Change Sessions Keep in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a Free Consultation with Lisa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Nutrition⁠

  6. 12/16/2025

    Under the Surface: When Health Drives Behaviour with Dr Lucy Scott

    In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dr Lucy Scott from Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ to explore what happens when behaviour is driven by what’s going on inside the body, not just training or environment. Lucy is a qualified veterinarian with a Membership in Veterinary Behaviour who works with dogs, cats and horses. Today, the focus is on dogs and the often-overlooked medical, emotional and physiological factors that can shape how they show up in the world. Together, Lisa and Lucy unpack the powerful connection between the body and the brain, why some dogs struggle despite “doing all the right things,” and how shifting from labels to curiosity can completely change outcomes for dogs and their humans. 💎 Lisa and Lucy talk about: • What veterinary behaviour medicine actually is and when it’s needed• Why some behaviour challenges are not “just training” issues• How pain, illness and internal stress can present as reactivity, anxiety or aggression• What’s really happening hormonally during adolescence in entire dogs• How chronic stress affects the nervous system and behaviour over time• When behaviour medication can be helpful and how it supports learning• What a regulated dog looks like physically, mentally and emotionally• Daily habits and lifestyle shifts that support nervous system health• Why collaboration between trainers and behaviour vets matters It’s an honest, grounding conversation for anyone living with a dog who feels like they’re struggling beneath the surface. If you’ve ever wondered whether behaviour might be more than just behaviour, this episode is for you 🎧🐾 Dr Lucy’s Links:Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ Website Veterinary Behaviour Services Facebook Veterinary Behaviour Services Instagram Keep in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a Free Consultation with Lisa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Nutrition⁠

  7. 11/13/2025

    Give Your Dog A Purpose: Honouring Genetics in a Modern World with Kelly Wolfe

    In this episode, Lisa sits down with Kelly Wolfe from Wolfe Dogs to unpack the wild world of “unemployed working dogs” those brilliant, high-drive dogs who were bred for big jobs but now find themselves living in our modern pet homes. Kelly shares her background working with some of the most driven breeds out there and explains why so many of these dogs struggle when their instincts don’t match their daily life. Together, they explore what these dogs were truly designed for, the welfare issues that show up when their needs go unmet and what owners can do to work with genetics instead of constantly fighting against them. 🔹 Kelly and Lisa talk about: What an “unemployed working dog” really isWhy high-drive breeds are struggling more than everThe behaviours that pop up when dogs feel under-fulfilledHow to channel herding, hunting, or guarding instincts safelyOne small lifestyle change owners can make todayHow to reframe “naughty” behaviour as communicationWhy nuance matters in conversations about training toolsWhat structure and clarity actually mean for powerful, driven dogsWhat a fulfilled working dog looks like physically, mentally, emotionallyKelly’s favourite enrichment ideas for purpose-bred dogsIt’s an eye-opening conversation for anyone living with a dog who feels like they’ve got a full-time job no one hired them for. Tune in to learn how to meet your dog’s needs in a way that builds connection, confidence and calm. 🎧🐕 Kelly’s Links:Wolfe Dogs WebsiteWolfe Dogs InstagramWolfe Dogs FacebookEmail Kelly: hello@wolfedogs.nz Keep in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schedule a Free Consultation with Lisa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zoomies Dog Nutrition⁠

About

Lisa and Roo dives into the whole dog. We talk solo and interview other industry experts on dog training, psychology, nutrition, lifestyle and so much more. Our goal is to help you explore new approaches to thriving with human's best friend. Lisa is a certified dog trainer, professional canine nutritionist and founder of Zoomies Dog Training and Adventures and Lisa & Roo.