About Kool K9 Dog Training
Kool K9 is a dog training school, started in 2004 by experienced dog trainer Joanne Small.
We are based in Koromatua, in a quiet road close to Hamilton. Our trainers specialise in helping your dog become sociable and polite, so you can go out together, have the doggie lifestyle you want, and not worry about bad behaviour.
Meet the trainers
Joanne Small
“My first dog was a lovely Springer Spaniel called Tam. He was a wonderful family pet, but at times he showed aggression to people. This was what first got me interested in dog training, and especially dog behaviour.”
Joanne is Kool K9’s founder and lead trainer.
She has owned and trained her own dogs since the 1980s, including many different breeds such as German Shepherds, Border Collies, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a Belgian Malinois Shepherd, a Labrador and a Lowchen as well as mixed-breed rescue dogs.
Joanne and several of her dogs are dog agility champions, and they compete successfully around New Zealand.
She has studied the Principles of Canine Behaviour paper at Massey University and Introduction to Clinical Animal Behaviour at Waikato University.
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Passionate about helping owners to train and understand their dogs, Joanne focuses on positive training techniques based on current research and learning.
- Life member & founding member, Waikato Agility Club
- Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers New Zealand (APDTNZ)
- Member, Dogs New Zealand (formerly the New Zealand Kennel Club)
Gabrielle McFall
“I like dog training because it offers the opportunity to facilitate meaningful change in a dog’s behavior and enhance the relationship between the dog and its owner. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the progress and growth that results from consistent effort and positive reinforcement.”
Gabrielle is a certified vet nurse, owns three dogs of her own, and has been a KoolK9 trainer since 2023. She is keen on dog sports and takes part in dog agility and scentwork.
With her background in veterinary nursing and as a pet owner, Gabrielle has a great understanding of canine behavior and health. She has a well-rounded approach to dog training, focused on the dog’s overall well-being.
Guinevere Miller
“My goal is to advocate for dogs and their humans, providing the best tools and techniques to create strong, positive relationships. I’m always seeking opportunities to upskill and learn more to better serve both dogs and their families.”
Guinivere is an animal lover who grew up in South Africa, where she was immersed in an environment that fostered and rehabilitated animals of all kinds. She has a passion for relationship-based training that enhances the human-dog bond.
She is an experienced trainer who has worked at dog daycare, has her own dogs and cat, and holds certifications in Dog Handling 101; Dog Social Cues and Safety; Canine First Aid; and Dog Psychology, Behaviour and Training.
Kate Gorrett
“I love seeing the bond between dogs and their guardians develop, creating a deeper understanding and mutual trust between the two. Helping dogs navigate and thrive in a human-centred world is incredibly rewarding, and there’s nothing better than watching them grow in confidence and skill.”
Kate grew up in England with a deep passion for animal training and positively impacting the behaviour and welfare of animals. With over 10 years’ experience training horses, she now runs her own dog walking and sitting business. Since joining Kool K9 in 2021, Kate has enjoyed fostering strong connections between humans and their dogs, watching bonds deepen and skills develop throughout her courses.
Kate shares her home with two dogs. They have earned titles in both trick training and canine parkour. She holds certifications in Canine Body Language & Communication, Professional Dog Walking & Sitting, Canine First Aid, Fear Free Shelters, and is currently working toward her diploma in Professional Dog Training.
Dog training facilities
Kool K9 has indoor and outdoor training facilities and equipment to make your classes fun and effective.
Outdoor training
The Kool K9 training yard is enclosed, so your dog will be safe can can’t get out. We have plenty of room for a group of dogs (and owners) to train and play, and we have dog agility equipment including jumps, A-frame and tunnels.
When appropriate, we can also make use of our quiet rural road with wide verges for training and walking.
Indoor training
At Kool K9, we have a training shed for rainy days. This area is sufficiently large for group training sessions.
Hamilton Hounds
We also run classes at Hamilton Hounds dog daycare, Grasslands Place, Frankton. This is an excellent indoor training facility, especially in winter.
Want to talk about your dog’s behaviour?