Dogs training on island to avoid kiwis

Dogs on Stewart Island are in shock on Monday.

Up to 30 Stewart Island dogs and their owners will attend a course teaching the dogs to avoid kiwi.

A fake electronic kiwi is laced with the smell of real kiwi is placed in the bush.

Dogs and owners are led one at a time on a short course through the bush for a and past the fake kiwi set up beside the track.

Dogs who touch the kiwi receive a short sharp shock with the result that they associate the smell of kiwi with pain.

Trainer Sandy king emphasised the avoidance training is only part of the solution.

The best way to protect kiwi is to ensure dogs are under control at all times and are not allowed to free-range, especially at night, King said.

Stewart Island kiwi are unusual among kiwi as they can be active during the daytime and live in family groups.

They are numerous over the island, live among the township and can be seen in people’s backyards.

Kiwi are particularly vulnerable to harassment by dogs and seldom survive encounters.

The Stewart Island Rakiura Community and Environment Trust (SIRCET) have been coordinating this training on Rakiura since 2014.