North Queensland k9 academy

We recommend starting puppy training as early as 8 weeks old. At this age, puppies are highly receptive to learning and socialisation, making it the ideal time to start building good habits and positive behaviours that will last a lifetime. 

At North Queensland K9 Academy, we use reinforcement techniques to encourage good behaviour and support effective learning.

A great place to start is using your dog’s daily food allowance during training sessions — this creates motivation without having to spend extra money on high value treats this also and also helps without overfeeding.

If your dog needs a bit more motivation, we can increase the reward value by using higher-value treats.

Play is also a powerful form of reinforcement. Depending on your dog’s preferences, this could include tug games, fetch, one-on-one play, pats, or verbal praise.

And don’t worry — if your dog doesn’t respond to food or play, we still have proven and effective methods to guide their learning and bring out their best. Every dog is different, and we’re here to find what works for yours. 

At this stage, we are not offering group classes. However, if group classes are something you are interested in, please send us an expression of interest. If there’s enough demand, we may consider adding group sessions to our services in the future. 

Unfortunately, this is not our specialist area, and we do not currently hold the licence to certify service or therapy dogs.

However, I can teach you how to train many of the behaviours required for the assessment. You would need to organise the formal training program and certification through an approved provider.

Please note, I only accept clients seeking this kind of specialised work on a case-by-case basis.

**Please see our Services page for full pricing details. **

We offer a 10% discount for DVA cardholders, ADF personnel, and first responders as a thank you for your service.

Our training operates on a pay-as-you-go basis — we do not offer fixed packages. This flexible approach works well for both you and us, allowing adjustments if life circumstances or scheduling conflicts arise.

 For your initial consultation, it’s important to bring any equipment you normally use with your dog—especially what you use during the behaviour you want help with. This helps us understand your dog’s routine and challenges.

For each training session, it's your responsibility to provide your dog’s favourite treats or toys, along with any training equipment recommended during your initial consultation.

the equipment we recommend in our initial consultation is affordable, effective equipment that’s easy to find at major pet stores in Townsville. 

**Plus, we’re currently developing a Handler training kit that will be available for purchase soon, making it even easier for you to have everything you need. **

We offer a range of payment options for your convenience, including EFTPOS, cash, bank transfer, and PayID. 

To keep things simple, we kindly ask that payment be made at the end of each session unless other arrangements have been made in advance. 

We understand that every dog is different — some learn quickly, others take their time. The key is sticking with the plan and doing the training regularly. Like anything worthwhile, you get out what you put in!

Think of training as a team journey — it’s not about rushing, it’s about making real, lasting changes. Our programs are designed so I teach you the techniques, then you work with your dog at your own pace. No pressure, just steady progress and plenty of wins along the way.

remember dog training isn’t a linear progression — some weeks you’ll make fantastic progress, while other weeks you might stay the same or even take a small step back. Just remember, consistency is the key to lasting change.

 Yes and no — it depends on the behaviour we’re working on. For more serious behavioural issues, long-term success comes from you being hands-on with the training and doing regular sessions with your dog.

For things like leash pulling or mild reactivity, I can absolutely step in and do some of the work for you. I offer Solo Walk & Train sessions and Adventure Experiences, which are reserved for clients committed to weekly or fortnightly training programs. These sessions help reinforce skills and support your progress between your own training efforts.

**If you would like to secure a weekly or fortnightly Walk & Train session or Adventure Experience, please send me an enquiry — spots are limited**

Yes — and it can make a big difference! The best way to prepare for your first session is to ditch the food bowl and start hand feeding your dog their daily meals.

Many dogs don’t understand the concept as food is a reward, especially if it’s always available in a bowl for free. Hand feeding builds engagement, strengthens your bond, and helps us use food effectively as reinforcement during training.

“I tried, but my dog wasn’t into it…”
That’s really common. Stick with it — it can take a few days for your dog to understand the concept, especially if they’ve always been free-fed. But trust me, it’s worth it. Hand feeding helps establish a reward system and gets your dog tuned in to you.

“My dog is a grazer and won’t do it.”
That’s actually part of the problem. Imagine being paid every day regardless of whether you went to work — you probably wouldn’t rush out the door each morning! It’s the same for dogs. If food is always available, there’s no motivation to “earn” it.

Dogs are not freeloaders by nature — they’re biologically wired to work for food. Switching to hand feeding not only boosts engagement but also provides a daily enrichment activity.

Start now, and you’ll be laying a solid foundation for training success. Your future self (and your dog) will thank you for it!

Yes — we are highly qualified in the safe and effective use of electronic collars. While this tool isn’t our go-to for everyday training and isn’t suitable for every dog or owner, we recognise that in some cases it can be a helpful option when used correctly.

If you are nterested in incorporating an e-collar into your training, we offer custom-tailored electronic collar introduction sessions. These sessions are designed to give you clarity, confidence, and the skills needed to use the tool effectively, ethically, and safely to communicate with your dog.

The best way to reach us is by simply pressing the Enquire Now button at the bottom of the page or sending an email to thomas@northqueenslandk9academy.com.au.

Alternatively, you can message us via Instagram or Facebook.

Please note: We are a solo-operated business and do our best to respond as quickly as possible, but replies may take up to 72 hours. We appreciate your patience!

The Townsville K9 Adventure Experience is a premium service I’ve created to support dog owners who either lead extremely busy lives or are no longer physically able to give their dogs the outdoor experiences they desire.

We pick your dog up from your home or workplace and take them on a tailored adventure to one of Townsville’s dog-friendly hiking trails, beaches, or parks. Each outing includes a balanced mix of fun, freedom, and focused training.

Your dog will explore on a 10-metre long line while we work on:

• Recall training
   
• Distance stays
   
• Place commands
   
• Wildlife desensitisation
   
• Confidence building
   
• Obedience in real-world environments
   

This is one of our most popular services and is perfect for keeping high-energy or reactive dogs mentally and physically fulfilled.

 — the best way to secure your dog’s adventure is to enquire today.

Yes — in-home consultations are an essential first step for all our services. They allow us to explain our training methods, gain a detailed understanding of your dog’s behavioural concerns, and observe them in the environment where they spend most of their time.

We also use this session to assess your dog’s temperament, build initial trust, and determine the most suitable training approach. This applies to Walk & Train and Adventure Sessions too — for the safety of both your dog and our staff, it’s important that we’ve met and assessed your dog before placing them in potentially stressful or unfamiliar situations.