Scuttlemutt

Welcome to the third edition of Scuttlemutt. This May we cover the highly-anticipated introduction of new dog poop bags and dispensers throughout the district, key registration dates coming up, wonderful routes to walk with your rover, and plenty more. Enjoy!

It's nearly time to register your dog

With only a few months left to run on your dog’s current registration in the Queenstown Lakes, our Animal Control team is busy preparing for the 2023/2024 period.

This year we’re updating our systems to reduce waste and improve the service you receive, and we’re moving to electronic invoices for the majority of dog owners following the permanent tags we introduced last year! To ensure you receive an accurate invoice, please update your dog’s details, your contact information, and your preferred email address if anything has changed recently! You can do this using our new online form at www.qldc.govt.nz/update-dog-details or email our team at services@qldc.govt.nz.

To keep you in the loop, we’ve created a short list of all the important information you need to know to ensure your furry friend is registered.

For the legal eagles out there, dog registration is a requirement in New Zealand under the Dog Control Act 1996.

Key dates

Friday 30 June 2023:

Your dog's registration expires for the 2022/2023 period.

Monday 31 July 2023:

Your dog registration payment is due for the 2023/2024 registration period.

Tuesday 1 August 2023:

50% late penalties are applied to any outstanding dog registration payments. Make sure you've paid for your dog's registration before this date.

How to pay your dog registration

Online at www.qldc.govt.nz/do-it-online/make-a-payment.
In person by visiting reception at our offices in Queenstown or Wānaka. You can pay by cash or with a credit card.
Credit into our bank account 02-0948-000-2000-00 with your Animal ID in the reference field (this starts with AN-).

Paw-lease note

If you’re renewing and paying for your dog’s registration, you’ll need to have the pooch’s Animal ID handy.

If you have multiple dogs, you can pay for them all at once online. However, you will need to process each dog into your shopping cart using their individual Animal IDs. You will find instructions on how to do this on the shopping cart page.

Rule #1: Pick up #2!

Four legged friends and their humans, rejoice! New dog poo bags and dispensers are coming to a reserve near you. The green bio bags inside the new dispensers can be composted at home using a separate pet poop compost or disposed of with general household rubbish.

Pet poop compost should not be used on vegetables or plants that are consumed by humans. We’ve got instructions on how to make your own pet poop composting system at https://www.qldc.govt.nz/poop-bag-dispensers.

Dog poop bags and dispensers will be popping up at:

Queenstown

Frankton Beach
Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens
Kingston lakefront
Sunshine Bay
Arrowtown Track (carpark)
Widgeon Place (Lake Hayes)

Wānaka

Roys Bay Recreation Reserve
Lakeview Terrace Esplanade Reserve
Clutha Outlet Reserve
Mount Iron

Community Dog walks set tails wagging

Towards the end of March, we hosted plenty of pooches and their humans at the Queenstown and Wānaka Dog Walks. Both days proved an excellent opportunity to celebrate dog ownership in our district and mingle with those who hold the lead.

All dogs received their very own goodie bag and a whole lot of attention, with stall holders and dog experts sharing their wares and advice. Some lucky canines even left with amazing prizes, with the best-dressed dog, most pimped-out lead and dog tag bingo all resulting in special gifts to cap off special days.

Thanks to everyone who came along and all the amazing organisations and businesses that supported the events with donations, especially:

Who let the dogs out?

Lost or found a dog? We can help!

Pets are family members, and we understand it can be very distressing if one goes missing. Our Animal Control staff can help find your furry friend and reunite you as soon as possible – they’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you come across a wandering animal that might be someone's missing pet, please give us a call and let us know so we can reunite them, too!

Queenstown: 03 441 0499
Wānaka: 03 443 0024

Protect endangered birds in Matakauri Park

Did you know the Australian bittern/matuku nests and lives in Matakauri Park? These rare and endangered birds desperately need a bit of space and a helping hand, so please make sure you dog is on a leash in the park. That way, your pooch won't accidentally disturb a nest.

We've placed several signs in the area to remind people, but a dog off lead in Matakauri Park may result in a $300 infringement!

Dog of the month

Meet Baxter! He loves exploring the many tracks around Wānaka and the Upper Clutha, and he’s memorised the way to Edgewater. After all, that’s where Baxter gets plenty of attention while his mum and her friends enjoy a coffee.

Baxter also enjoys a quiet lie down, especially if school children are willing to read him a story or two. It’s probably a good thing then that he’s got a bit of an occupation going as an Outreach Therapy Pet, helping out at schools and teaching children how to be safe around him and other dogs they might meet.

Baxter loves swimming and makes a daily habit of taking a dip in Lake Wānaka or any river he can find. Sometimes, even though he has been told not to, he can be spotted chasing ducks. He’s also very protective of sharing his walking tracks with rabbits and likes to remind them of that too!

Picture: Baxter looking handsome and cuddly, while perfectly expressing his nomination for Scuttlemutt's Dog of the Month!

Most recently, Baxter was spotted at the Wānaka Dog Walk and many in attendance were impressed by how gentle and well behaved he was. Taking into account his extra-curricular deeds for the community, it’s hard to find a better Dog of the Month than Baxter!

Let's talk training!

Expert advice from Leone Ward at Dogzone

Positive reinforcement dog training is a modern and humane approach to dog training, proven to be effective in creating well-behaved, obedient, and happy dogs. It’s based on the notion of rewarding good behaviour rather than punishing bad behaviour, and is perfect for pet owners who want to build a trusting relationship with their dogs while teaching them how to be a good boy or a good girl!

Here are some of the benefits of positive reinforcement dog training:

It strengthens the bond between you and your dog

During training sessions, you spend quality time with your dog, which strengthens your relationship. This creates a trusting and respectful relationship between you both, making future training much easier.

It provides a safe training environment

Positive reinforcement is a safe and humane training technique that does not involve shouting or punishment, which can lead to a stressed-out dog. This method also eliminates the risk of injuring or scaring the dog, which can cause long-term harm.

It's applicable to all dogs

Positive reinforcement dog training is suitable for all dogs, including puppies, adult dogs, and even senior dogs. It is particularly effective for dogs with behavioural issues, such as aggression or anxiety, as it creates a positive and nurturing environment for them to learn in.

It results in long-term behavioural changes

Positive reinforcement training methods focus on rewarding good behaviour that should be reinforced. When a dog is rewarded for good behaviour, they learn to associate the behaviour with the reward.

It's tail-waggingly fun!

Positive reinforcement dog training is enjoyable for both the owner and the dog. Dogs are eager to learn new tricks and commands, and they love the rewards that accompany them, while owners are more likely to want to train their dog.

It builds confidence in your dog

Positive reinforcement dog training helps build confidence in dogs. By teaching them basic commands and tricks, such as sit and stay, they become more self-assured and confident in their actions. This leads to the dog being more willing to learn and try new things.

Below is an easy method that produces fast results to get your dog to pay attention to you and gain confidence, all while fostering a greater bond with you.

S M A R T X 50

See Mark And Reward Training

Smart X 50 is a training exercise that helps us notice and reward desirable behaviours that your dog does and promotes good behaviour.

It is very important to remember when using treats to not bribe them with the treats. Give the treat after marking the behaviour and do not hold the treat in front of your dog to get them to do any behaviour.

Behaviours can be as simple as laying down on their own, playing independently with a toy instead of mouthing hands, sitting nearby while you make dinner or coming up to you instead of jumping up. Even if the behaviour only happens for a moment, you can “capture” it by marking with a clicker or “yes” then rewarding. Make sure you are very quick to mark it, good timing makes all the difference. You are looking for opportunities to tell your pet what you like. The goal is 50 in a day but even a bit less will make a huge difference in your pet’s overall behaviour.

You will need

50 pieces out of their daily food (kibble) or small treats

A clicker or a marker word like “yes”

Tip: Place small, lidded jars or plastic containers of treats in rooms where you spend a lot of time, then you will be prepared to easily reward your dog when you see behaviours you like.

How To Use SMART X 50

1. SEE your pet doing something you like

2. MARK the behaviour with a click or “yes”

3. REWARD with a small treat or kibble

4. Repeat throughout the day. The goal is to find 50 opportunities to let your pet know that you like what they are doing

Practice SMART X 50 for 2 weeks and notice the nice behaviour that starts to be repeated. If you reward it they will most likely repeat it!

This programme was developed by Kathy Sado, an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist.

May 2023's featured walks

Newcastle Track - Albert Town

The picturesque Newcastle Track weaves for 12km along the side of the stunning Clutha River, linking the northern side of Albert Town with the Luggate Red Bridge. Open for both pedestrians and bike riders, this trail offers unrivalled views of the nearby river, trees, and mountain peaks framing the horizon.

But the best thing about Newcastle Track might be that it’s dog friendly!

You can access the trail via the Hāwea River swing bridge to the north of Albert Town (in the Albert Town Recreational Reserve), or at the other end of the trail via the Kane Road carpark near Luggate.

Exploring tracks and trails around Wānaka and the Upper Clutha with your pup can be a great adverture. But please remember to be mindful of local farms, Council rules, and nature reserve areas. Follow all signage, carry a leash and a poop bag, and stick to the path with your dog in tow!

Sawpit Gully - Arrowtown

Sawpit Gully in Arrowtown is currently in the prime of its life with autumn colours making the track a must-do experience for residents and visitors of the Queenstown Lakes District. And we all know how much dogs appreciate a good view, which is handy because Sawpit Gully is dog-friendly!

The track is an 8km loop, starting at the Chinese Settlement near Arrowtown before a signposted turnoff takes you from the Arrow River Trail into Sawpit Gully. The walk will take you through open country, beech forest, and tussock covered slopes, before rewarding you with magnificent views of Lake Hayes and the Remarkables. And for your pooch, creek crossings offer up well-deserved refreshment.

Sawpit Gully is in a designated off leash area. However, please ensure your dog is always under control, and remember to always carry a leash and poop bag with you.

We’d recommend setting aside two to three hours to complete this track.

Keep us in the loop

We know a lot can change for you and your dog in a year, so remember to keep us updated on any important changes to your pooch’s details. These include if you've moved house, if your dog has been desexed or sadly passed away, whether they've got a new owner now or recently been microchipped.

We want to hear it all. Let us know by emailing services@qldc.govt.nz or calling 03 441 0499 so we can make sure your dog's details are up to date!

Helpful Links

Renew dog registration

Dog walking maps