Meet Sophie & Ollie
The story behind Kahu
Hi, I’m Sophie - dog trainer, lifelong dog lover and the person behind Kahu Dog Training.
My journey into training really began with my Border Collie, Ollie. Learning to understand his energy, sensitivity and the way he experienced the world completely changed the way I thought about dogs - and ultimately led me to Kahu.
I know first-hand how difficult and overwhelming life with a dog can sometimes feel, especially when things don’t turn out quite how you imagined.
We don’t always get the dog we dreamed of - but that doesn’t mean we can’t create an amazing life with the dog we have.
That experience is a huge part of why I do what I do today. My aim is to help owners better understand their dogs, work through the challenges they’re facing and build the skills, confidence and trust they need to enjoy life together.
I want training to help create a relationship where both you and your dog feel understood, supported and able to navigate everyday life as a team.
The dog who changed everything...
Ollie came into my life as a whirlwind of intelligence, sensitivity and endless energy. As my first Border Collie, I quickly realised that simply loving dogs wasn’t the same as truly understanding them.
He found some parts of the world difficult, struggled to switch off and seemed to notice absolutely everything around him. Rather than simply trying to stop the behaviours I found challenging, I wanted to understand why they were happening and what Ollie was trying to communicate.
That curiosity changed everything. The more I learned about training, behaviour and the emotions behind what our dogs do, the more my perspective shifted. Training became less about changing Ollie and more about learning how to work with him - building trust, giving him clearer guidance and helping him navigate the world in a way that worked for both of us.
Ollie taught me that progress isn’t about creating the “perfect” dog. It’s about understanding the dog in front of you, adapting where you need to and finding ways to build a life you can genuinely enjoy together.
He’s the reason I found my passion for dog training — and ultimately, the reason Kahu exists today.
Why Kahu?
A Kahu is more than being a dog owner. It means being their guardian, protector and guide throughout life.
That meaning captures everything I want Kahu Dog Training to stand for — taking responsibility for understanding the dog in front of us, listening to what they’re communicating and helping them feel safe, supported and understood.
To me, training isn’t about control or forcing a dog to behave a certain way. It’s about building trust, confidence and communication, while giving dogs the guidance they need to navigate everyday life.
My goal is to help owners become their dog’s Kahu — someone they can look to for clarity, reassurance and guidance, while building a relationship rooted in kindness, respect and connection. I believe every dog deserves compassionate training that empowers both of you to enjoy life together.