Frequently Asked Questions, we answer questions from topics including reactive dogs to assistant and therapy questions
Frequently Asked Questions, we answer questions from topics including reactive dogs to assistant and therapy questions
Positive Response Services P/L is an established company with an outstanding record of excellence for its supply of services and goods in relation to assisting you the client and your dog. The business and trainers are all reward based and use force free and proven scientific methods of training that do no harm. The business has an assistance dog arm called PRAD and we are certified under the Guide Hearing and Assistance dog act 2009 (GHAD).
Our trainers hold national qualifications in the field of dog behaviour and training and specialise in anxiety issues, reactivity and much more. Many people often compare pricing when looking for a puppy school or a trainer. They forget to ask the most important question. What qualifications does the person or the business have. In Australia the qualifications for a trainer are a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. Only a vet who has completed further training can call themselves a behaviourist. Some Delta Qualified students have a Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training.
There is no such thing as a dog whisperer, behavioural therapist or any other fancy name people will give you. Ensure you understand methodology of training. Do not allow so called experts to use force and hurt your pet in the name of training.
As a business we have trainers that can work with you personally in your home, from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Our puppy school and ongoing educational courses are held in the Brisbane area.
We also work Australia wide with clients using Zoom and can assist you no matter where you are in the coun;try.
Positive Response Dog Training guarantees that it will provide a quality service with staff who are trained and skilled in the field of reward based training methods to provide you with the very best coaches for you and your pet. Our programs are designed to give you the best advice on behaviour and training.
It is your responsibility to implement the training, have patience and persistence and understand that like people, dogs learn at differing paces. Consistency is always the key and it takes time to condition and keep desired behaviours.
There is NO quick fix. YOU the pet owner, must ensure the whole family is on board with your dogs training in order for it to succeed
*Please note – if COVID19 restrictions are still in place the below does not apply*
Your family pet lives with your family so it is crucial that all members where possible attend classes.
Where it is not possible, it is imperative that you ALL watch the video tutorials and read up on your online notes.
The success of your pets training is dependent on you and your family to communicate effectively , be consistent and understand you are literally training the equivalent of a toddler.
So that we know you are safe, haven’t had an accident and can stop worrying about you please:
SMS only – your name, dogs name, class you are in and a brief explanation as soon as you can.
You will be provided with your trainers mobile phone number prior to class
This question is so frequently asked and there are many first time owners who are often given incorrect information.
Puppies only need their FIRST vaccine to come into a class. It is imperative not to wait as you miss the critical learning period. There have been many studies that have looked at this question and the issue at hand is vaccination vs socialisation. The statistics at the RSPCA show an overwhelming amount of dogs that are euthanised due to a lack of socialisation and very few due to parvovirus (a virus that can be fatal to a young puppy.)
We minimise the risk of infectious diseases, insist that all puppy owners supply current vaccination records prior to class or on the day and work with the latest scientific information available. This gives your young pup a chance to learn life changing socialisation skills they will take with them into adulthood. Missing this critical period of socialisation can cause irreparable damage.
You can’t wrap them up in cotton wool, nor can you leave them inside. Parvovirus is highly infectious and can live in the ground for years. You can even walk it inside your home. Be sensible, carry your pup where you can, DON’T go to dog parks or other high dog traffic areas where you have no control or way of knowing if the dogs are vaccinated. Puppy school is as safe as it humanly can be and education is critical.
As a policy we do not accept Titer tests for our training classes or for assistance dogs.
All puppies and dogs must be vaccinated as per the vaccination schedule.
An acceptable protocol for Adult dogs is either a C5 yearly or a triennial vaccination.
Triennial – The C3 component of the C5 is given every three years. This is parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. As the risk of these diseases is very low in Australia it is a protocol many vets are now undertaking. However the C5 component – Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) must be given every year.
Hormones can cause major behavioural issues in entire male dogs and bitches.
Due to the complications that can arise, it is our policy that anyone with an entire dog or bitch must have a 30 min assessment prior to booking into a class. If an entire bitch comes into season whilst in class, she must be removed immediately.
If your dog or bitch is assessed as suitable to come into class and behaviour changes whilst in class create issues, your dog will be removed. No Refund will be given.
We reserve the right to convert your class sessions to private training and additional fees will apply.
We do not do make up classes. Your course includes extensive online training notes and videos so that you don’t miss out on any tuition and can practice through the week.
You can contact the office on 34592121 with any training questions.
*PLEASE NOTE – THE BELOW INFORMATION WILL NOT APPLY DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS*
Children are welcome to come along to our classes, however, there are important safety considerations that must be adhered to for the benefit of your children, other clients and the dogs in class:
Children under the age of 8 must have another adult to assist with supervision otherwise it may be easier to leave them with a carer to give you a chance to work and absorb the information given in class.
If your children come to class please bring them something to keep them entertained (e.g. a snack, colouring book, etc.). Children must stay seated with parents or carer’s at all times unless the trainer has asked them to do some of the training.
If a child is not able to comply then a second adult must remove them from the class and stay with them. Please ensure that your children do not wander around unattended during class.
For Workplace Health and Safety reasons at NO stage are children allowed to be on any play equipment or touch any other animals on the premise such as other client’s dogs or horses.
As a policy, children under 12 years of age are not permitted to hold the lead in class. This is for the safety of every client within that class group. We do encourage children to participate in the exercises while parents hold the lead. It is the responsibility of the adult over 18 to control the situation with a child under the age of 18 and above the age of 12 who is holding the lead. At any point in time the adult must still give the child permission to work with the dog and must be in full control of the situation.
Please click here for fitting and adjustment instructions
Thank you for purchasing a Harmony Harness from Positive Response Services.
This harness is covered under warranty by the manufacturer for manufacturer faults.
Warranty does NOT cover any damage deemed to be caused by biting/chewing or incorrect use.
For manufacturer warranty or repair enquiries please contact Jenny Ireland at: jennyirelandpetproducts@gmail.com
Temperament testing for potential assistance or therapy puppies
As part of our service, we offer temperament tests for particular breeders who have litters upcoming.
This testing is specific for clients looking for therapy or assistance dogs.
Whilst there is never any guarantee we have a better chance of matching you with a puppy that is most suitable to your needs.
Currently, we are working with GaGa Labradoodles. If you are after another breeder please contact our office to discuss.
You will need to book for the following:
From there you can book in for the super bundle or look at working privately with a trainer.
Please read the information on assistance dogs and therapy dogs on our FAQ page and head to the book now page to book in.
Animal Assisted Therapy is utilized to enhance and complement the benefits of traditional therapies. Many species are being utilized for therapy work including horses, cats and birds.
Dogs are the most common species trained for therapy work.
These dogs are able to provide a different means of therapy for a wide range of patients including those requiring physical rehabilitation, psychological assistance and companionship for those receiving palliative care.
Therapy animals DO NOT have the same access rights as certified Assistance/Guide Dogs.
They are precluded from travelling on public transport. A therapy dog trained for a particular organisation can ONLY be in that location and covered under the risk assessment and policies of that organisation.
In order to assess your dog for suitability please note the steps below
The Mater Pet Program is run by volunteers and is used to assist with the recovery of both adults and children with a variety of injuries or disease-related muscular problems.
Mater Pet Program volunteer coordinator Russell Williams said there had not been a lot of scientific studies published relating to the use of dogs as therapy, but said when therapy dogs were used in practice, the results spoke for themselves.
“We get patients to throw balls for the dogs, or even just brush and pat them, and it all helps to improve their motion, balance and coordination,” Mr Williams said.
“The dogs are useful in speech therapy as well,” he said.
“Patients can give commands to the dogs, or simply call out their names.”
It is not just the physical elements of therapy that animals can assist in.
If you’d like to volunteer with your dog for the Mater pet therapy program please fill in the below form and we will be in touch!
Positive Response Dog Training has assisted in training many dogs for Therapy programs, including:
*Therapy Dog teams run on a voluntary, unpaid basis*
If you would like to start an Animal Assisted Therapy program within your organisation or workplace, please send an email to: info@positiveresponse.net.au
Positive Response Services P/L is an established company with an outstanding record of excellence for its supply of services and goods in relation to assisting you the client and your dog. The business and trainers are all reward based and use force free and proven scientific methods of training that do no harm. The business has an assistance dog arm called PRAD and we are certified under the Guide Hearing and Assistance dog act 2009 (GHAD).
Our trainers hold national qualifications in the field of dog behaviour and training and specialise in anxiety issues, reactivity and much more. Many people often compare pricing when looking for a puppy school or a trainer. They forget to ask the most important question. What qualifications does the person or the business have. In Australia the qualifications for a trainer are a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services. Only a vet who has completed further training can call themselves a behaviourist. Some Delta Qualified students have a Certificate IV in Dog Behavioural Training.
There is no such thing as a dog whisperer, behavioural therapist or any other fancy name people will give you. Ensure you understand methodology of training. Do not allow so called experts to use force and hurt your pet in the name of training.
As a business we have trainers that can work with you personally in your home, from the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Our puppy school and ongoing educational courses are held in the Brisbane area.
We also work Australia wide with clients using Zoom and can assist you no matter where you are in the coun;try.
Assessments for potential assistance dogs are required to ascertain their temperament and reactivity to varying stimuli.
They do not need to have basic obedience as this is easily taught within Stage 1 of the program.
PLEASE NOTE: We have NO joining fees. You pay as you go.
We are unable to give an exact costing for you and your dog.
Once your dog has completed an initial assessment your trainer will:
We have provided a rough guide below to assist you of what you will book in.
Costing is listed below but is not limited to the information provided. Use the table below along with our price list.
To assist with Budgeting we also provide ONLINE programs specifically designed to cover these programs
You would be booking in at least once a month on these programs and once completed will need some 3×1 hour sessions to ensure you are compliant with the requirements prior to completing a public access test.
Your accreditation through GHAD will include a card and one jacket. The card has a three-year tenure and you are assessed every year as part of that tenure. There are no additional costs for the yearly assessments.
Please ensure you read ALL the information below and click through the rest of the FAQ’s as they will answer your questions. if you do have further questions after you have read through all of the information please email them through to info@positiveresponse.net.au. Follow the steps below.
Steps Required for Assistance Dog Queries
If you currently own a dog
If you currently do not have a dog
please go to the BOOK NOW page to book your session.
Training a dog means using equipment that is comfortable, will not harm or stress out your dog.
It is critical to use equipment that does does not choke or cause pain to your dog.
Flat collars should be worn only to display identification details and council registration tags.
For this reason the most acceptable piece of equipment is a front attached harness. There are many brands out on the market and we recommend the harmony harness as it has a three way adjustment and comes with a double ended lead made from quality fabric and made in Australia,
Please visit our online shop to view and purchase the harmony harness.
We do NOT accept
Your equipment is part of your training regime and we use force free along with equipment to get the best results.
What to look for in a potential Assistance Dog:
If the dog is showing signs below do NOT accept this dog
Protocols to put in place
Take into consideration other immediate and extended family/people in your life – are they allergic to dogs, do they have very young children a large dog might knock over etc
Temperament testing for potential assistance or therapy puppies
As part of our service, we offer temperament tests for particular breeders who have litters upcoming.
This testing is specific for clients looking for therapy or assistance dogs.
Whilst there is never any guarantee we have a better chance of matching you with a puppy that is most suitable to your needs.
Currently, we are working with GaGa Labradoodles. If you are after another breeder please contact our office to discuss.
You will need to book for the following:
From there you can book in for the super bundle or look at working privately with a trainer.
Please read the information on assistance dogs and therapy dogs on our FAQ page and head to the book now page to book in.
Positive Response train clients who have their own dogs or assist clients in selecting a puppy or dog for the process. Currently we do not have assistance dogs for sale.
We Recommend the Following Breeders:
Clients in training have pathways when working with a trainer.
See the next tab for what is required for a PAT.
Please ensure that you collect the required information and attach it to your public access test
when booking online.
You must bring your original photos signed by the JP with you and hand them to your trainer.
These will be kept in our office as at times digital prints may not be clear and GHAD require
clear copies. Must be relevant of no later than 6 months.
Your Dog:
➢ Dogs’ current vaccination
➢ Dogs Microchip details
➢ Dogs Desexing details
➢ What brand of tick protection your dog is on plus the latest date given and the
next due date
➢ What type of heartworm was given (ie. monthly chewable and brand or
injection) plus the latest date given and next due date (injection must be
shown on vac cert)
➢ What all wormer is being used plus latest date given and next due date
Primary and secondary where applicable Handler
➢ Current Certificate of disability for the primary handler – signed by a registered
Health Practitioner – from the medical profession; occupational therapy;
physiotherapy, psychology, or speech pathology
➢ Certified copy of one of the following identification documents for the handler/s
(primary/alternative) certified by a person before whom a statutory declaration may
be made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cwlth) section 8(b) – e.g.
Justice of the Peace, legal practitioner, medical practitioner, physiotherapist,
psychologist or some bank officers –
➢ a birth certificate
➢ a current driver’s license
➢ a current 18-plus card
➢ a current Medicare card
➢ a current passport
➢ Photograph of handler/s – must clearly show the face, head, and top of shoulders,
looking directly at the camera
➢ Photograph of the guide, hearing, or assistance dog – must clearly show the head
of the dog looking directly at the camera
Photographs must also: –
1. Be in an envelope and not attached to anything
2. Be printed in colour and high resolution on photo paper
3. Have been taken no more than 6 months before the date of this Handler Card request
4. Be between 45mm and 55mm high, and between 35mm and 40mm wide
5. Show skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast
6. Not contain a flash reflection or red-eye effect
7. The back of the photograph must be certified before a person approved under the
Statutory Declarations Act 1959 (Cwlth) and include the following information:
Handler/s name
I certify this is a true
likeness of (insert full name)
Sign & Date (Authorised person)
Dog’s name
I certify this is a true likeness of
(insert name)
Sign & Date (Authorised person)
We are very proud of our accredited teams and know how hard you have all worked to gain your accreditation. We ask that you follow and abide by the following below:
Education is important and at times people may not permit you entry. Please read the information in the next block regarding this.
Thank you for being part of our team.
Refusal of Entry
If a guide, hearing or assistance dog that is certified under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog Act 2009 (the GHAD Act) has been refused entry to a public place, public passenger vehicle or place of accommodation in Queensland, and it was wearing its trainer issued jacket and presented/displayed the primary handler card, a complaint should be lodged with the department’s Complaints and Advice Unit (CAU). CAU will investigate the matter as a possible breach under the GHAD Act.
CAU contact details:
Email: feedback@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au
Telephone: 1800 491 467
Handlers who have been refused access to include in their complaint, the following information:
Please ensure you cc PRAD in your complaint so that we are aware of the issues.
TRANSFERING FROM ANOTHER ORGANISATION
Transferring from a current organisation to PRAD is not an automatic process.
We will require you to:
Whilst you may already be accredited with another organisation, unfortunately not all organist ions have been compliant with GHAD requirements. We will endeavor to make your transfer as seamless as possible if your dog is still suitable to continue in the program but you must be aware that all criterion must be met including our policies and procedures.
Yes we do:
We have had some beautifully bred labradoodles with amazing temperaments that are perfect for this role.
They are from these breeders below:
There is no specific breed. The breed will depend on you and your requirements. Assistance dogs come in many shapes and sizes and may look different to other assistance dogs previously experienced by the public. Clients are supported to find a suitable dog, train and eventually pass a public access test.
We have found that labradoodles from a good, reputable breeder can make especially good assistance dogs due to the fact that they come in varying sizes, are low allergenic and have two great breeds in them that make them versatile and easy to train. The breeders we recommend (see below) have high standards, breed exceptional puppies and work with them in those vital early weeks so that they are comfortable with being handled and are desensitised to a variety of objects and sounds. They hand pick the puppy best suited to you after spending time with you on the phone and offer a full money back guarantee upon return of the puppy to them, should you not be happy.
We Highly Recommend the Following Breeders:
No, this is not our policy.
While many people train their own dogs or train with other trainers, we still need to ensure the training you have done meets the standards required of a public access test and the standards we set to ensure consistency across the board.
For this reason, we have the following program in place.
You are required to book in for an assessment with one of our qualified trainers. This assessment will determine where you are at with your training and identify any further training needs.
Once you register for training, positive response becomes your training organisation. We set you up with the required training program/s to ensure we meet standards required.
Under the Guide Hearing and Assistance Dog Act, we (as registered assistance dog trainers) MUST have a training history with each and every client prior to the Public Access Test.
There are 3 stages involved in training your dog to become certified as an assistance dog.
Stage 1 – Basic Obedience
Your dog must:
Stage 2 – Environmental Training
Once you have the basics down pat, you and your dog need to start working around more distracting areas that are pet friendly where pet dogs are allowed. These include:
This is called desensitisation to external environments and your trainer will assist you in this area.
Stage 3 – Public Access Training
ONCE your trainer assesses your suitability to pass a public access test then they will discuss with you the process for the test.
As a policy we do not accept Titer tests for our training classes or for assistance dogs.
All puppies and dogs must be vaccinated as per the vaccination schedule.
An acceptable protocol for Adult dogs is either a C5 yearly or a triennial vaccination.
Triennial – The C3 component of the C5 is given every three years. This is parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. As the risk of these diseases is very low in Australia it is a protocol many vets are now undertaking. However the C5 component – Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) must be given every year.
Yes, you can extend hours. Please contact the office to discuss fees applicable
We are proud to provide a high quality service to our clients and their pets. Keeping your dog in their own environment makes for a happy pet and our staff love our regulars. Your dog and all other pets can relax while you are away in their own environment while we live in and take great care of them. We have looked after dogs, cats, horses, mice, birds and fish. for more information, please visit our pet sitting page here.
No. For security reasons, all keys must be handed to our sitters and handed back to clients personally.
We don’t just walk dogs, we train as we walk so that your dog is mentally and physically exercised. We work only with equipment that is gentle to your pet such as a walking front loaded harness click here or a head halter if that is what your dog is used to. that way your dog has a pleasurable experience without causing undue harm to their neck.
As we have no way of confirming the dogs in the park are friendly and safety is paramount for your dog walking service,we do not take your dog into dog parks.
Yes they are. We ensure our staff follow all of our policies and procedures. They will SMS you upon arrival, send you photo updates and you get a report every morning. We request all our staff provide police checks upon employment, they are heavily vetted in house to ensure they uphold our values, follow our procedures and customer service and undertake in house training so that you can feel comfortable that you and your pet are in the best hands.
It is critical to use equipment that does does not choke or cause pain to your dog.
Flat collars should be worn only to display identification details and council registration tags.
For this reason the most acceptable piece of equipment is a front attached harness. There are many brands out on the market and we recommend the harmony harness as it has a three way adjustment and comes with a double ended lead made from quality fabric and made in Australia,
Please visit our online shop to view and purchase the
We do NOT accept
Playgroups provide a safe environment for your pups to run around and enjoy burning up energy whilst engaging with other puppies of all sizes, breeds and ages. We provide two safe areas for playgroups. One area is for quite, shy, timid and gentle play styles, the other for the more robust. We manage puppies by picking up and holding, giving them rest time in between play and ensuring they are having a good time and are not being bullied by their peers. Please Click Here for a full explanation.
*Please note – COVID-19 policy will supersede the below dependant on Government direction*
We encourage all family members that live with the dog attend training where practical. It is important to understand that consistency is the key and having everyone working as a team will create harmony and positive results. If the whole family cant attend then ensure that the person who does goes home and transfers the information across to all family members. We provide video tutorials and online training notes – there is no excuse for inconsistency in the family. Remember – your pet is reliant 100% on YOU.
As a policy we do not accept Titer tests for our training classes or for assistance dogs.
All puppies and dogs must be vaccinated as per the vaccination schedule.
An acceptable protocol for Adult dogs is either a C5 yearly or a triennial vaccination.
Triennial – The C3 component of the C5 is given every three years. This is parvovirus, distemper and hepatitis. As the risk of these diseases is very low in Australia it is a protocol many vets are now undertaking. However the C5 component – Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough) must be given every year.
In order to join our classes, you MUST book online. No admittance will be accepted unless we have received an electronic enrolment and payment.
You can go directly to our book now page
We accept Credit Cards, Direct Deposit and AfterPay.
We can accept cash for products purchased during classes
No – all courses must be paid in full prior to commencement of the course.
No this is not possible. Once booked into a course, at your chosen location, the four weeks must be completed at that venue.
All our training venues have indoors or undercover areas therefore training is on every week and does not stop. During the winter months it is important to always wear appropriate clothing as our undercover areas can be cool.
Raby Bay Vet Clinic – Flat surface from the carpark directly into the clinic
Mt Gravatt Vet – Small step into clinic – not suitable for wheelchair use
People often complain that their dogs are reactive or destructive or won’t walk nicely on a lead – yet don’t think to train them! Unfortunately for us they do not come pre-programmed and effort is required to have a harmonious family home with a well-trained pet in it.
A trained dog is less destructive in and around the home and owners have good control of their pet. All dogs need good leadership and at Positive Response Dog Training YOU can acquire all the skills to set your dog up with life training and end up with a happy, healthy, behaviourally well-adjusted pet – one who fits in comfortably with your family!
Dog owners generally fit into these areas below:
Many people research information on the internet and find that it is still inadequate and does not resolve their issues.
Group training sessions with qualified trainers are invaluable for ALL dogs and puppies and for YOU the owner. Here’s why:
Force Free Training is NOT just about food!
Operant conditioning (as it is known) is a method of learning that occurs when an animal makes an association between a behaviour (e.g. sit) and the reward (e.g. food, toys, pat, etc.). The reward helps to increase the animal’s behaviour so that it earns as it learns.
We can find examples of operant conditioning all around us:
In these examples, the guarantee or possibility of a reward causes an increase in the behaviour. This method of training allows the dog to freely decide to participate.
There is no force or coercion.
Gone are the days of pushing an animal into place or using aversives such as check chains, prong collars and other barbaric equipment. If you are told to use any old-school methods – say NO to force and join a training school that works with the latest scientific information as listed above.
Only you can make the difference to your pet in training.
Please be advised that travel fees will apply to your service.
We aim to arrange the trainer who is best suited to your situation and is closest to your location.
Our Travel charges apply as below:
The travel calculator will calculate the total amount of kilometers that the trainer has to travel from our base to your location and travel is charged for those KM.
If your trainer or pet sitter travels through tolls to and from your location, these tolls will be calculated and charged to you. NOTE: This is charged manually as our system cant automatically calculate this.
Sunday Rates apply for pet services and this will be calculated manually. You will be contacted by the office for payment separately as our system does not calculate this.
Public Holiday fees apply for pet services and this will be calculated manually. You will be contacted by the office for payment separately as our system does not calculate this.
**Administration fees may apply where any services are booked and inadequate time given for cancellations. **
Where payments have been made, we agree to provide you with a refund less our administration fee of $20 should you elect to cancel your registration Provided you have given us a minimum of 7 days’ notice in writing prior to commencement of the service.
We agree to provide you a refund (less a $50 nonrefundable deposit) of any monies paid by you should you elect to cancel your registration, provided that you give us a minimum of 7 days written notice prior to the commencement of the Service.
Class and Private/Personal Training sessions.
If a service has commenced, there is no refund due to a change of mind.
Crate Hire
All crates are hired out with a $50 fully refundable deposit once the crate has been returned cleaned and in the same condition it went out.
Crate Hire can be extended if the office is contacted on at least (1) day prior to Crate Hire Return date.
Late Fee’s – If the crate is not returned by the due date of the contract expiry, an additional week’s hire will be deducted from the client’s provided credit card