Specialist training for all dogs

Our Dog & Puppy Trainers

Name: Tunde Antal
Status: Senior Trainer/ Pet Sitter
Training locations: TBA
Pets: 'Luxe' - Rottweiler & 'Turk' - English Staffy
What lead you to Positive Response: I was studying a Bachelor of Psychology at University and although I was enjoying it I wasn’t quite sure where it was headed. One day reading my study books I noticed the field of animal psychology. Whilst I wasn’t able to touch on this topic for another 4 years I felt I had to get into it straight away and thought the best way was through dog training. So I put Uni on hold and went in search of a means to learn more. By a strange twist of fate Dee was the first trainer I called and she gave me so much information and also suggested a training position with her. I jumped at the opportunity and have been enjoying every moment since.
Favourite breed: I have a soft spot for the big tough breeds J eg. Rottis, Staffys, Mastiffs, American Bulldog, Ridgebacks etc.

Name: Madeline Clarke
Status: Senior Trainer/Pet Sitter
Training locations: Greenslopes, Cleveland
Pets: 'London' - Border Collie  & 'Willow' - Border Collie
What lead you to Positive Response:  I was studying Wildlife Science out at Gatton Campus. The course and UNI it just wasn’t me, so I deferred! I had always grown up with dogs by my side and loved the idea of working in doggy day care so after I had deferred I was ringing all over Brisbane for some work with Dogs. The only person who gave me a chance was Dee at Positive Response and I started training as a trainer. She has taught me so so much about the Dog world and I am still continuing to learn more. I absolutely love what I do and enjoy every minute of it. I have almost completted my national qualifications with Delta.
Favourite breed: Border Collie

Name: Ingerlisa Matthews
Status:Senior Trainer/Pet Sitter
Training locations: Greenslopes
Pets: 'Chief' - Labrador & 'Pip' - Burman X
What lead you to Positive Response:  It has been a long road to finding Positive Response. I studied Child Psychology at University in the United States. I was very keen to link my degree to the newly developing field of Animal Assisted Therapy; I had a vision of using the natural healing power of pets with children dealing with behavioral issues. After University I moved to Cork, Ireland to pursue a relationship. During this time I found it was very difficult to pursue Animal Assisted Therapy and focused instead on certifying myself as Parent Mentor and working with my own dog Chief. It was during the time I was rehabilitating Chief that I was drawn back into my passion for animals and children. When my husband was offered a position in Australia I knew that this move would allow me to continue my chosen career path. Once we arrived in Brisbane I found Dee and she agreed to train me teach as well as mentor me through the Delta training program. I feel this a great fit for me as I am getting the knowledge of training dogs through positive reinforcement as well as working alongside owners to the best behavior from their pets. 
Favourite breed: I am drawn to large sporting and working breeds such as the Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Ridgebacks, German Shepards, etc.

Name: Ellyse Reilly
Status: Junior Trainer
Training locations: Cleveland, Redlands
Pets: 'Jazz' - Miniature Schnauzer & 'Tootsie' - Miniature Schnauzer
What lead you to Positive Response: I started with Positive Response Dog Training when I was about 13 years old,starting as a volunteer. When I was younger I always wanted to work with animals so my mum (yes my mum got me this job) contacted Dee who took me on board straight away. I continued volunteer work for a further 2 years and signed up for a school based traineeship. Overall I guess you can see that I love what I do and look forward to a promising future with Positive Response.
Favourite breed: Miniature and Giant Schnauzer, Doberman, Great Dane

Name: Stephanie McCorkell
Status: Senior Trainer
Training locations: Greenslopes, Raby Bay
Pets: 2 rats, 2 Domestic Shorthair cats and 2 dogs (1 Labrador, 1 Golden Retriever)
What lead you to Positive Response: I moved to Longreach when I was in my early teens and while I lived there I spent a lot of time training and befriending animals including cats, dogs, sheep, goats, birds, horses, cattle and poultry. I then moved to UQ at Gatton and studied and graduated in Veterinary Technology. I have been working in various veterinary practices since 2009 including a pound desexing clinic and vet surgery in the logan area, this gave me a really good appreciation of what responsible pet ownership truly is! I am currently working as a nurse at Raby Bay Vet alongside Positive Response and I find that the two jobs tie in together beautifully as I will often see the same clients and you get to know the pets and their owners very well. I am also currently studying the Delta certificate in dog training and fostering a Seeing Eye Dog puppy named Buddy who is 8 months old. I have an interest in cat behaviour and training and enrichment for pets of all kinds!
Favourite breed: Ragdoll Cats & Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Name: Sam Tabone
Status: AssistantTrainer
Training locations: Greenslopes, Annerley
Pets: Soon to get a black labrador puppy - very excited!
What lead you to Positive Response: I first became involved in dog behaviour training in the UK as I wanted to help make a difference to the high re-homing statics we have there. By working with dog owners/families to help them understand their dogs behaviour before they make the decision to re-home and then train them and their dogs to improve their behaviour would mean a more balanced dog and a happier home. I get a great deal of satisfaction from making a difference to families and their dogs lives. I gained my 'Dog Trainer & Behaviour Advisor' Accredited Award in Canine Behaviour through OCNSE in 2010. Looking for a new life in Australia my husband and I moved to Brisbane in January 2012. I wanted to continue my work with training dogs, working with unwanted behaviours and with new puppies to help them have the best start in life, so I started looking for a job within the dog training world. After a couple of weeks of research looking for dog training schools that offered positive reward based training, which there are not many of, thankfully I came across the Positive Response website. I met up with Dee and loved that she works with the same ethics and practices that I do so I could see straight away that we would work well together. I am now part of the team and love what I do.
Favourite breed: I love black labradors and I have a soft spot for boxers too.

Name: Jess James
Status: Assistant Trainer
Training locations: Redlands
Pets: ‘Toby’ Australian Cattle Dog
What lead you to Positive Response: I worked at a pet store for a while in Canada while on a working holiday, and when I returned back here I knew I had to find a pet related work field, so while looking for jobs I stumbled across Positive Response looking for some assistant trainers! I jumped at the chance to give it a go and to learn as much as I can, and I absolutely love it! I really enjoy watching the dogs problem solve and figure out what is is we're asking them to do. Such smart little things!
Favourite breed: I am a massive sucker for Border Collies & Cattle Dogs! I love their brains and their looks, amazing breeds. I'm also a big fan of German Shepherds, and really a lot of breeds overall!