Our goal is to assist dogs and their owners to experience the joy of true companionship and love in the life shared. As with most relationships, a good understanding of each other and effective communication is key. To achieve this goal we focus on;
FEAR FREE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL Our trainers have completed the Fear Free Animal Trainer Certification Program and are recognised as Fear Free Certified Professionals. View the certificates here Amanda de Wet - Certificate of Completion Our trainers have completed the Coronavirus (COVID19): Guidelines for Canine Training Instructors and Behaviourists course. View their certificates here Amanda de Wet - Certificate of Completion and Nina Joubert - Certificate of Completion
Positive puppy socilization with other puppies, new people and exploring new interesting environments. Game based training aimed at relationship building, training concepts and aquiring real life skills. This 9 week course is aimed at puppies 9 weeks to 4.5 months of age. All breeds welcome.
Puppy Start Right - Student Login
Continued socilization and relationship building exercises through game based training. Maintaining focus and fun, teaching impulse control, building calmness and rewarding good decision making. Foundation training and preparation for the KUSA Canine Good Citizen Bronze Test. This 8 course is aimed at puppies from 4.5 to 8 months of age. All breeds welcome.
Perfect Pup - Student Login
Young to Adult Training
(Trainer Amanda de Wet and Nina Joubert)
The principles of fun, relationship building, game based training continous. Strengthening focus, orientation to owner, enhancing calmness and impulse control. Building on basic foundations in preparation for genral home obedience and the KUSA Canine Good Citizen Bronze, Silver and Gold Tests which we offer at the end of each training term. These courses are aimed at dogs 9 months in to adulthood. All breeds welcome.
Beginner Obedience - Student Login
Intermediate Obedience - Student Login
Advanced Obedience - Student Login
Trick Dog Training - Student Login
Gundog Retriever Training
(Trainer Amanda de Wet)
Breed appropriate retriever and gundog training, fulfilling the inherent need, to do the job gundogs were bred for. This ongoing course is aimed at dogs from the retriever breeds who aim to compete in gundog club tests, KUSA retriever trials and/or owners who participate to provide a fun life enriching activity for their gundogs.
Gundog Retriever - Student Login
Send your enquiry to training@zimzala.co.za
Private (1-on-1) Training
(Trainers Amanda de Wet and Nina Joubert)
Individul consultations and training sessions, aimed at addressing your and your dogs specific needs, can be arranged. A training consultation generally lasts an hour and can be accommodated at the Zimzala K9 Training facility. Aimed at dogs of all breeds and ages.
Private Sessions - Student Login
In-House Training (Fido's Boot Camp)
(Trainers Amanda de Wet and Nina Joubert)
Two and Four week in-house training programs are available. These programs are aimed at dog 6 months and older. General foundation training will be offered, addressing training aspects such as focus, building calmness and impulse control with specidic attention to basic cues such a Sit, Down, Wait/Stay, Leave it, Whistle Recall and On-lead/Loose Leash Walking.
In-House/Boot Camp - Student Login
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not suited to dogs that display abnormal behaviour disorders such as overt fear, anxiety, dog and/or human directed aggression. Kindly contact our trainiers for more details.
Send your enquiry to training@zimzala.co.za
At the end of each training term, we present the opportunity to all our students to participate in the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) Canine Good Citizen Tests. During the end of term tests days we invite an official KUSA qualified judge to evaluate the Bronze, Silver and Gold tests and award certification to the dog & handler teams that qualify.
As an official KUSA Obedience judge Amanda de Wet also offers the opportunity, for those students interested to participate in the Elementary, Beginner and Novice Obedience tests, set to meet the standard as set out in Schedule 5A - Regulations For Obedience Classes, in preparation to compete and qualify at official KUSA Obedience Competition events.
CGC Certificate Requirements
Proudly presenting Zimzala K9 Training Graduates and Achievers
Amanda de Wet - Dog Trainer and Animal Behaviourist
Amanda loves all animals and especially dogs. She grew up in a family where there were always family pets and dogs present. At the age of 22, she welcomed Tasha, her first Yorkshire Terrier into her life.
Over the years a further 3 Yorkies joined the family and they all reached ripe old ages. It was only 18 years later that she imported her first Flatcoated Retriever - "Liquorice" from Denmark. This led the way to a great interest in dog training, and eventually instructing and animal behaviour. The dream of Zimzala was born.
Driven by the desire to know as much as humanly possible about her passion - dogs, she is constantly reading and learning; remaining current in all things dog by attending seminars, workshops and certified courses in her quest to improve her ability and skill as a trainer - Qualifications and courses attended.
In 2013 she was instrumental in organising and hosting the Progressive Reinforcement Seminar presented by world renowned dog trainer Emily Larlham, promoting positive reinforcement training, using gentle force free, non-confrontational, and intimidation free methods of dog training. Choosing to focus on and reward the behaviour that we do want from our dogs, instead of harping on the negative.
She shares her home with her her family, her beloved Flatcoated Retrievers, an English Springer Spaniel and a Jack Russell Terrier. She trains and works all her dogs in a variety of disciplines, proving their worth and achieving results in all fields. She believes the route to a true friendship with her dogs, their relationship of trust, and wholehearted loving lies in training, working and relaxing together. Owners should enrich the lives of their dogs through structured activities, strenghthen that closeness through handling and grooming. In so doing they will be able to keep their ear tuned, to hear what their dogs have to say about each and every aspect of their shared lives."
Nina Joubert - Dog Trainer
Nina has always had a love for animals and sense of adventure. After completing her studies at Stellenbosch University, she decided to pack her bags and head north. There she was part of a team that cared for injured and vulnerable rhino calves whose moms were victims of poaching. She then moved to Zimbabwe where she worked at a primate sanctuary. She fell in love with primates and finally moved on to work with chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Institute of SA.
Her dog, Max, has been by her side ever since she rescued him in 2016. He has traveled with her and made interesting friends like pangolin, zebra and ostrich along the way.
Nina holds an instructor’s certificate in canine training and is also a qualified canine hydrotherapist. She is currently studying towards a diploma in animal behaviour. She loves training with her own dog and learning more about how dogs think. Her desire is for every dog owner to understand the importance of keeping their dogs mentally and physically active.
If you ask her about her life motto, she’ll tell you that dog hair is her glitter.