After purchasing an 8-week-old Dogue de Bordeaux puppy, knowing that he would become a very large dog we decided to do the right thing and have him trained. Having not been convinced nor impressed by the purely food/treat reward-based training shown to us at puppy preschool, it was an absolute delight to be shown the results and effectiveness of the confidence-based training employed by Martin at the K9 Centre.   Our experience at the K9 Centre has been fantastic. As a first-time dog owner, we have been more than happy with the progress Merlot has made ( and the progress we have made as owners). Merlot is becoming a well behaved, well balanced and confident dog. The basic foundations we learnt in the first lessons have been so valuable, and now the other steps make so much sense as we progress through the training.   What has impressed me is the individualisation of the training. We are not simply a number in a group of faces. The K9 Centre's one on one lessons allow us to express our concerns and address our problems with Martin therefore ensuring the maximum benefit from our training session with Merlot.   Martin's experience and knowledge is fantastic and are only matched by his enthusiasm to pass this knowledge onto his clients. His ability to understand and overcome the obstacles we have experienced regarding the training has been phenomenal. He has made himself available to our phone calls and emails without ever making us feel like it was too trivial a matter to disturb him. He is always more than happy to answer our questions, alleviate our concerns, whilst explaining the reason behind the training methods. Martins training methods, effectiveness, professionalism and love of dogs, means that I would have no hesitation in recommending The K9 Centre to any dog owner who wished to have a great companion.   Adam & Mandy Narangba, Queensland 4504

“I would like to applaud you on your great methods. I'm generally a skeptic when it comes to really fixing a problem but you made it possible for me to effortlessly get involved and enjoy my dog Lucy. The whole experience has been enjoyable for us both..."  

We are writing to thank you once again for the training you provided to Indi and ourselves as owners. She has drastically changed her ways to our surprise. We had tried so many different trainers and techniques recommended to us and you were our last resort for her as we thought she would never change. She is such a pleasure to walk now and is improving everyday with the simple and short training you showed us. Her aggression to other dogs has decreased and she is no longer an embarrassment to walk in public. Thank you so much. We will without thought recommend you to others. Look forward to following up with you soon.

I would just like to say thank you so much for all your help and support with Cleo.  As you know we got Cleo from the RSPCA at nine months old.  She had major anxiety issues which stopped her eating and she destroyed the house when I left her.  The vet suggested putting her on medication to calm her down but fortunately I listen to you and avoided that route.  I followed your advice and within just over a week she is a lot calmer and crate trained.  What I love is the fact you are always on the other end of the phone if things are getting hard.  Still working with her and I am looking forward to moving onto obedience classes with you in a month.  Thanks again.  Rebecca and Tim Kenmore.

“I am a really busy person - a mum, a wife, a friend, etc. - and K9 has helped me to get my two little babies in line and toilet trained them at the same time. I realised that with the right instruction my job was so much easier. Thank you K9 Centre."  

We have an 18 month old Boxer dog who was absolutely unruly. We had sent him to training with another dog training company and he actually came back after a week of being away worse than when he left. Cadbury was unruly, chewed things especially plants, dug the garden and was very boisterous. After a phone call to the K9 Centre and several sessions later Cadbury is a different dog! Listen to your trainer its not always the best idea sending them away for training an In-Home lesson program was the best thing for ALL of us.    

We have 2 dogs, Dougie a Kelpie and Boots a Kelpie x Border Collie. I can't speak highly enough about The K9Centre BoardSmart program. WHEN.... we had run out of options and ideas with what to do with these two, we called The K9 Centre!  Dougie, brilliant dog the brains out the two, if he could escape he would, he wouldn't walk with me or anything. Boots well...... what can say this boy was just wild, jumping, barking, running, so hypo active he was driving me mad! I used to have to walk these 2 together on my own with a baby in a pram!! Need I say more it was terrible, embarrassing and a job I dreaded. One of the trainers at The K9 Centre came to my rescue!  After calling over to the house to pick up the dogs for the K9 BoardSmart program, within 2mins of being there with Boots he had stopped him from jumping up and had him sitting! I wasn't sure if I'd ever seen Boots sit before. I knew then I had made the right choice. Since they have come back home, its' a pleasure being with them, I can walk them by my side, they don't jump, and they are so calm, just what we wanted in a dog! We stick to the training and it works. Thank you so much to The K9 Centre for your help!!!!! Many Thanks Laura

We thought we would take this opportunity to tell you how Sasha is going. Last you would have heard, she was at the digging stage. Since she turned 2 years old, she has changed dramatically. No more digging, taking clothes off the line, destroying plants... Sasha matured overnight almost. We thought all the training we did with you was not working, then all of a sudden she responded. She comes to us when we call, even if we are at the dog park and she is playing, (this was a big problem at one stage, she would run off and ignore us). She responds very well to her commands, with or without her collar on. We would like to thank you for all your help over the past two years. You have helped us to make Sasha a well natured, beautiful dog. She is wonderful company and is very protective of Liz..

I have been having one on one family protection training lessons with my 18-month-old German Shepherd Gus for 9 months now at the K9 Centre. We are learning obedience & protection which Gus has the natural drives for. Martin you are an incredibly patient man as I have asked 1 million questions. I have a lot of work ahead of us but feel I couldn’t be in better hands at the K9 Centre Sam & Gus Morayfield

We just wanted to say thank you again for the massive improvement in Tash's obedience after spending 10 days with you;  and of course, the extra time you spent with us teaching us how to continue on with both Tash and Bob.  Tash no longer jumps up whenever she sees us, she no longer jumps on my car when I come home, she has gone from a hyperactive attention seeking nuisance (who we did still love) to a calm, attentive 1-year old German Shepherd who is a pleasure to be around.  It is now also no longer a chore to take both Bob and Tash for walks, they both heel nicely on the lead instead of trying to have play fights with each other, pulling and tugging and being very annoying.  We really appreciate the time and effort you put in with both of them! Thanks again, Nesha and Charles

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I was very hesitant as you were my third attempt to hire a Dog Trainer to fix my problems with Zeus. I was given your name as referral and haven’t looked back. Again, Thankyou what Nev and I have achieved is amazing   Maree & Nev Redcliffe

To the Lovely K9 Centre! Thanks so much for helping me with my dog's ( Nancy ) problems. I was at my wit's end,  and in desperation,  went searching on the internet one afternoon and came across your site. I saw it was a Brisbane company so thought I would give you a call. After talking with you on the phone,at length, about Nancy's various problems, we decided to go ahead with your programme. Within minutes of you taking control of Nancy, only using the calming technique, she was a calm dog. Wayne and I were totally amazed! She has become a different dog with the  simple techniques that you have taught us. All of our  friends and  relatives are commenting on the difference already. It has also given me the confidence to tackle all of her many problems with hope,that sometime soon, we will have a beautiful dog. I highly  recommend  this company, for helping anyone with Dog behavioural problems. Regards Robyn and Wayne

“I'm a big fan of the K9 Centre’s service - brilliant instruction and idiot proof!" Dave Gillian Sunshine Coast, Australia K9 Home Smart Lesson

The K9 Centre's trainer was a gentle, sincere, knowledgeable,  young man.  I am 67 and retired in December 2010.  I bought a dog from a S.A. trainer who told me Nando was 2cm too tall. I met her in Melbourne where she was attending a show and took Nando, he was a beautiful dog, quiet, wary and beautiful.  I put him in the car and he looked at me and I looked at him and he was so confused but trusting. I hadn’t had a dog since 1978 and always promised myself that when I retired I would get one.  Why I chose a 40 kilo German Shepherd is a mystery, but I did, and it was obvious I needed help.   I enrolled in a training course, recommended to me, and I went along on dark evening in April to a showground.  There were 12 – 14 dogs in the Beginners and Nando was the best looking and the largest dog.  Everyone there had obviously been to puppy class and Nando and I were completely lost, or I should say I was lost!  It was the most demoralising experience;  I could not hear the trainer, could not readily get the hand signals for sit, stay, down, etc.   We came home, and I told my family we had flunked class!  The trainer just said to stay behind and his only comment to me was that the dog was too big for me!   That made me feel,  very special, not.  I was already feeling as though I had taken on too much!  This poor dog was looking to me for direction and I had none.   Luckily for me, I had been also referred to The K9 centre, Dog Training by the same person but I chose the wrong one.....it happens!   I came back to Brisbane on March 13th, after my first lesson with The K9 Centre. April 29th, I could see that training this dog was the key.  I was the one who needed training.  I had always had dogs when I was younger, but I could see that this amazing dog needed direction and I also acknowledged that I did not have a clue as to how to do that.   Firstly, they reinstated my confidence and anxiety by telling me that I was not too old, and I was not too small to handle Nando.  Our first lesson went really well, Nando growling at him being timid and as he said, lots of fear aggression!  OK! We had some problems to overcome.  It appeared that Nando was terrified of males, and a male trying to teach him how to behave was something Nando was very wary of.   I enrolled in the HomeSmart Program and now after completing the course have the tools needed to control Nando.  No treats, no loud voices, no rebukes, no abuse needed.  It worked, and I was so inspired to get up in the morning and do the training because the reward it brings is worth more than the cost of the program.   The trainers tells you like it is and I really appreciate that, he is not condescending, patronising, just says it is like it is and if it is the owner, (which I suspect it usually is), he handles that really well.  May I say at this point, I am not an academic or do I like being told what to do!  My family to attest to this but I have to say when it comes to a huge animal that is under your control, it is vitally important to take it seriously.  I take on board everything he tells me, and I have to believe what he says is true, he is the expert and I have proven with Nando that everything my trainer advises;  plays out with Nando.   I cannot emphasise enough how life is made easier with training for a dog.  One of the things I remember is that, if the dog knows what I want, he FEELS SAFE!  Crossed messages, such as kisses, praise when it is not deserved,  is very hard to remember but it is important for the dog to know what you are on about!  Really important.   Thank you ! Diane Elliott

Dear K9 This is just a quick note of appreciation to you for all that you have done to help Drew and I become first time parents to a Puppy. When I bought Lewis home I had absolutely no idea what to do and how to house train this little fluff ball. Having being scared of dogs my whole life and never owning a pet, I cannot thank you enough for not only all that you have taught Lewis but all that you have taught me. You came so highly recommended from the Vet Lounge and I can truly appreciate why. Your patience, calm nature and eagerness to see your ‘students’ succeed is admirable. We have been so blessed to have found this little guy but we feel even more blessed in knowing you helped us achieve all that was needed to make him an even better dog. Not only were you always here on time and gave us all the ‘ears’ in the world, but your follow up phone calls and check ins were much appreciated. I definitely will have no hesitation in phoning you to visit again should we need a recap… Some how I think you have done such a great job that you may have cut yourself short for some extra work. We look forward to having you in our and Lewis’s life and thank you again. Kind regards, Annie & Drew Walker      

This is just wonderful, I thought I should tell you about Bob (my Dog). He has been absolutely amazing since I have visited you and had my lesson. He's been such a good boy! I have realised now that I have been doing it all wrong. Just knowing the right way has made a huge difference he is actually a joy to own. Thank you, thank you, thank you Alice Brisbane Queensland

Thank you The K9 Centre. Josh & I would like to express our sincerest thanks to The K9 Centre in assisting with the training and development of our 18 month old German shepherd boy, Heinrich. The K9 Centre’s training methods and techniques were simple but very effective, instantly we started to see results after our very first lesson. Heinrich comes from very high drive working line and is very energetic. He was constantly pulling on the lead and it made it very hard for us to walk him and trust that he wouldn’t take off when seeing a cat or another person, but after just the first lesson we both felt much more confidence from our training that walking him went from being a nightmare to a fun activity that we now look forward to. We now have confidence in ourselves as well as in Heinrich that any distractions like joggers, cyclists or other dogs are not going to over stimulate him. The K9 Centre and Martin has a great passion for what he does and this really shows through when he is demonstrating his training methods. Dog training for us has now become something we really look forward to and wouldn’t hesitate recommending The K9 Centre. They is very approachable and always calls to check on our progress as well as Heinrich’s. We know that if we have any concerns we can call anytime and they wouldn’t hesitate to help us with whatever our issue may be. The K9 Centre really was the answer to our worries, not only did our boy change into the dog that we always wanted him to become but we felt supported all the way along and we will continue training with them as Heinrich grows up. Thank you for all your help ! Josh, Kate & Heinrich Breen.

I am the owner of two Rottweilers, Jake who is now 10 years old and Diego who is 18 months old. I have been training with the K9 Centre since February 2004. I found the services of the K9 Centre through the internet and was quiet impresses with what he had to say when I got in touch with them about training Diego. Jake has had some professional training before and I was interested in trying a different method, it seems that Jake is being re-educated in a sense and he is responding well to The K9 Centre's way of dog training. Since Diego has started training we have gone from doing a full range of obedience to protection work and now we are working on tracking, Diego has a long way to go and I have all intentions of staying with the K9 Centre Although I have a small amount of experience in training dogs, The trainer at the K9 Centre (Martin) has shown me a whole new path to ways of training my dogs and I am extremely pleased with the results. It is quiet pleasing to find a dog trainer that does not use food as the only way to train dogs Tania - Jake and Diego Buderim Sunshine Coast Queensland