Nina Bondarenko’s unparalleled knowledge and experience with dogs and many other species comes from her extensive career as a breeder, judge, trainer, author and internationally recognised animal behaviour consultant.
Nina pioneered puppy training in Australia and has been training dogs for specific-purpose working roles for over 30 years, including search and rescue and worldwide assistance dog organisations. Nina was a breeder, judge and trainer of top quality working Rottweilers for 22 years, trained the Dog of the Millennium ‘Canine Partner Endal’ and has given private demonstrations to HM the Queen. (See Gallery photo)
Nina featured in the BBC 1 documentary series “Doghouse” teaching at-risk children with challenging behaviour to train assistance dogs for disabled people. The Channel 4 Documentary “Pedigree Chums” followed Nina on her first residential training course for disabled people learning to work with assistance dogs.
Nina is the author and illustrator of the book “Hearts, Minds and Paws” – a lavishly illustrated book on dogs with unusual working jobs, and features sections on how to choose a puppy and how to socialise and train for companionship as well as working roles.
Ethics of respect and harmony
Nina’s techniques and approach are based on ethics of respect and harmony, combining the latest scientific research into animal behaviour and cognition with her own experiences of breeding, training, judging, showing, teaching and sharing her life with special animals.
As well as personal training, puppy prep services and super puppy classes, Nina delivers speaking and training engagements in many countries and is sought after for her knowledge and skills in the behaviour and training of assistance and detection dogs.
Nina also specialises in domestic and wild animal training and behaviour, as well as training for husbandry and management for zoo animals.
Memberships
Nina is a certified Service Animal Consultant for the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants. Her memberships include;
IAABC and ABTC (UK) Certified Behaviour Consultant
International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ)
Dingo Study Foundation
Working Rottweiler Club Australia
Australian Working and Service Canine Association
Assistance Dogs International
Assistance Dogs Europe
Assistance Dogs UK
Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) – Advisory Group
Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (CABSTG)
International Working Dog Breeders Association(IWDBA)
British Police and Service Canine Association (BPSCA)
National Association for Security Dog Users (NASDU)
Ethologists for Ethical Treatment of Animals (EETA)
Association of Animal Behaviour Professionals (AABP)
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (USA)
TAGteach International