Dear Tamara,

Thank you so much for the four sessions you spent with Jack and Ginger, my dachshund puppies.  I’m not exactly sure who learned more, them or me.  But I suspect it may have been me.  I do know that I am a lot more confident with their training now. 

It was great that we were able to do the training in the puppies’ own home.  For you to see them in their home environment, and tailor your instructions during the on-on-one sessions to specifically meet their needs, was a great bonus.

I really appreciated the patience you showed when explaining and demonstrating different techniques – and, at all times your instructions and feedback were logical and very clear. 

You offer an excellent program and I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone wanting to get their puppy on the right track.

Many thanks,

Greg Morris

I would like to publicly acknowledge Tamara and Stuart’s dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm to their clients both four legged and 2 legged. We have a 9month old Belgian Shepherd puppy who began private lessons with Tamara at 12weeks old. Tamara was able to assess our puppy’s temperament and advise us clearly about how to achieve our goals. We have attended group lessons as well. Holly (our dog) is growing up to be a delightful and well behaved family member thanks to the emphasis on practical everyday situations in Underdog’s Training. We are constantly complimented on Holly’s ‘good’ behaviour and manners in public. Most importantly perhaps Tamara and Stuart are able to train me to teach my dog! They are able to establish an excellent rapport with both dogs and humans. We continue to attend group lessons with Underdog and have started training at an Obedience club where we were put into the top class, (with a view to participating in competitive obedience and agility.)  People were amazed that Holly was only 9 months old. We have recommended Underdog to family, friends and clients and will continue to do so.

Thank you Tamara and Stuart for all the fun! Anna, Holly and Family.

We were very fortunate to be given an Underdog Training business card by our vet when we took her to the vet for her first check up. It was one of the best pieces of advice that our vet has given us and our experience with Underdog Training and Tamara and Stuart in guiding us with the training of our dogs has been fantastic.

Alice (2.5 years) and Lenny (5 months) were both abandoned by their owners. Alice came from Save a Dog and we adopted her in November 2007. Lenny was fostered by Tamara and Stuart and when we saw him we just had to have him join our family in June 2008 and be a companion to Alice.

Tamara came to our place shortly after we brought Alice home and was a wealth of useful and practical information regarding having dogs around the house and how to train them. In particular, Tamara has worked with us in relation to Alice’s “escapee” habits and we now have a very effective and reliable retaining system at our house.

Alice also has an aggression problem when meeting other dogs on the lead (even though she is fantastic with people). With the help of Tamara and Stuart through regular training sessions and a 3 week boarding training period (where we sent Alice away for intensive training/behaviour modification with Tamara and Stuart) we are well on the way to managing the issue which now makes walks a far more pleasant experience!!! Alice has gone through level 1 training and was best dog in class thanks to Tamara and Stuarts’s excellent instruction…..we are now doing level 2 which is a lot of fun.

Lenny is just starting level 1 and we are looking forward to taking him through the training process.

We would highly recommend Underdog Training and thank Tamara and Stuart for all their help, patience and support!!!

Jane Hodder and Murray Ware – Malvern East

Hi Tamara and Stuart,

Just wanted to say the Scent Detection Workshop was great.  It was nice to “have fun” with Kit together.  We have had lots of fun with this at home.  We have got to the using two or three boxes with the herb under one and he is starting to get quite a good strike rate.  It has been a perfect thing for the cold windy days as he gets spooked out walking in the wind with all the leaves swirling and doing this keeps his mind active in a nice way and we all get the exercise! 

The collar has really helped Paul with the walking and whilst neither of us are yet to walk past a dog calmly we have had more control and or been able to get control back far quicker.  Kit has seemed calmer as well. 

Thanks again.

Kit, Heather and Paul

When we first picked Pepper up from the Keysborough APPS, she could barely stay still for a split second. She jumped, fell over, jumped, chewed, licked and fell over some more. It was like watching a baby giraffe – she was all legs! She was completely crazy, in a loveable way, with so much energy. We knew we had a challenge and had to call for reinforcements. We contacted Tamara and Stuart as recommended by Keysborough and Stuart came and visited us for a one-on-one session. It was fantastic – we suddenly understood it was all about training us to understand our beautiful Pepper girl! We attended the Level One Classes, it took us two times through, and just this weekend we passed! Was a very proud moment for all of us, and the difference in Pepper in just 4 short months is incredible. I can’t believe she is the same dog – it’s definitely worth putting in the effort, and the laughs along the way were just a bonus. We are looking forward to commencing Level Two Classes, and cannot speak highly enough of Tamara and Stuart, and Underdog Training. We really enjoyed attending, and loved that they are always on hand to give advice, by email or after classes. I don’t think we would have understood and enjoyed our little Pepper anywhere near as much without their assistance.

THANKS GUYS – including Jesse, Georgie, Cosmo and cheeky Dexter!
Sebastian, Julie and Pepper.

Hi Tamara,
 
Ash and I wanted to say a huge thank you for assisting us in the training of our 13-week old French Bulldog, Ralph.
 
I am sure he will miss his weekly visits to petstock to play with the other puppies.
 
Your knowledge and patience has been much appreciated over the past 4 weeks and we now confident in training our puppy ourselves.
 
Thanks again,
 
Kelly, Ash & Ralph

Hi Stuart and Tamara
 
I want to thank you so much for all your help. When I went to the seminar in Albury I thought I was going to listen to advice and ideas on training my dog. I didn't realise I was going to learn so much about my Edward's behaviour, why he does the things he does and what they all mean! I learnt so much.
That continued with the private session to help with Edward's barking and lunging when he sees another dog while walking. I've used all your suggestions and today had a big breakthrough when we went for a walk past some factories and a great, big guard dog jumped at us barking its head off. Frightened the living daylights out of me! Edward tried to go over but one check and he just trotted off as though nothing was happening - all the while the dog was going mental. I nearly fainted - I think he's finally got it!!!!! Actually more like we've both got IT!
The point of this LONG story is - thank you so much - walking is no longer scary - for me and Edward and I don't come home with my hands and arms about to fall off.

Regards Elaine and Edward

Hi Tamara and Stuart,

Thanks for your efforts over the last few weeks.  Lucy has certainly taken well to her training and is very appreciative of her “Most Improved” award.

We found the training course excellent and very rewarding. The way the course is structured is great, especially with the 1hr 1 on 1 session being very worthwhile and a good way for you to asses the dog’s skills and how she would fit into the class and for us in teaching Lucy some basics so she is prepared for the course. 

In 4 weeks Lucy has improved dramatically in how she walks and behaves overall.  As I mentioned Lucy got out during the week and Andrea noticed her down the road when she was driving home and the amazing thing was that Lucy came when she was called………….for a beagle that is an amazing feat.

Stuart you made training look very simple and it works. Over all a great training course guys, well done.

Thank you

Godfrey, Andrea and Lucy Scicluna.

Hi Tamara just a quick note to say a big thank you for all that you have helped me achieve with Harvey. I couldn't have chosen a better puppy school to take Harvey to. Unlike many puppy schools where you get 4 weeks of someone spruiking the benefits of premium brand pet foods, you honestly have the best, long term interests of our puppy at heart.

I would not hesitate to recommend Underdog to anyone looking for a training service that truly goes above and beyond. Its astounding how intuitive you are and how quickly you worked Harvey out. He responds so well to you, its like he knows he has to be on his best behaviour when you're around! 

Harvey & I have really enjoyed participating in the Level 1 Group Classes and we look forward to continuing our training with you. Here are some photos of my baby!

Terri & Harvey

Thank you for so much for the great work you did wth Odin. I amazed and the massive turaround and so quickly in only a couple of sessions. He is an absolute pleasure to walk now and I am proud to show his new manners to the general public. There is no more jumping around, pulling, chasing anything that moves, especially cats. I can now walk Odin - rather than the other way around!  He listens more and whenever he needs a slight correction, albeit rare, he quickly remembers what he needs to do. Thanks again.

Thank you

Melina Sehr
Prahran

Dear Tamara & Stuart,

We would like to thank you for showing us how much fun agility classes can be.  I was always under the impression that these kind of classes were the domain of the really serious dog handler – but today’s workshop has changed my mind.  I am really looking forward to bringing Jet and Jaz to classes next month, and I think secretly Ian is looking forward to it too.

I know that Jet and Jaz had a ball as they are totally exhausted and have slept peacefully all afternoon, and I must admit that Ian and I have had a dognap as well.

Thanks once again for a fun morning and we look forward to seeing the photos that Stuart took.

Kind regards,

Norelle & Ian,

Jet and Jaz

Underdog training has helped us to transform our Spaniel x Labrador Em to the best behaved dog we have ever had. Before we started with Underdog, Em would drag us down the street, moving from one smell to the next while totally ignoring our commands. We were reluctant to take her to areas with other dogs or people as we knew comments such as “can’t you control your dog” were soon to follow. Today however we have a dog that can move freely without her lead and return promptly to our side with a simple command. She walks down the street on a loose lead and will drop to the ground on our direction. All this was due to the fantastic efforts of Tamara and Stuart from Underdog Training, their approach was enjoyable for Em and involved training us as much as her. We were surprised how little time it took with Underdogs methods to bring about such a transformation. We can highly recommend their professional approach and methods to anyone looking to train their dog with lasting effect.  Thanks for all your efforts Tamara and Stuart

Neville, Angie, Sam, Connor, Jack and Em

Our German Shepherd, Rex, was brought home from an animal shelter. Rex was about five years old and of unknown temperament. A process of trial and error established that he had been trained but his aggressive behaviour towards other dogs concerned us. The animal shelter recommended we talk to Stuart about Rex and as a result we embarked on a series of one-on one training sessions. Stuart’s casual ease but firm discipline has been adopted by us. His straightforward and knowledgeable approach was combined with his clear understanding of dog psychology. Both Rex and ourselves are responding well to Stuart’s training. We now have more relaxed walks and fewer tricky situations with other dogs. When the latter do occur we are now better prepared to handle them.

Stuart’s skill and talent is truly appreciated by us and we recommend him.

David & Denise Carl
Ringwood, Victoria

Id like to take this opportunity, to thank Tamara and Stuart, not only  for all the help and support they have offered to myself and Melbourne Dog Rescue Inc, but also the commitment, time and understanding they have put into rescue in Victoria.

Your rescue workshops and seminars are amazing and worth every minute.
They have been such an enormous help, so informative, and practical.   It is great to be able to have Underdog to turn to at anytime for qualified and supportive, help and advice.

You both have a way of “teaching” so that we understand, and you deliver practical solutions, that we can immediately put to use. I cannot begin to thank you both enough for the amount time and effort you have put into training not only the dogs, but us as well. Your commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership is admirable and I am so pleased to finally have someone come along and offer serious help, and from 2 such dedicated people who are obviously with us (and the dogs) for the long haul and who “get” what we are all about.

Thanks Again

Emma
Melbourne Dog Rescue

We have a Deer hound X called Molly who my family and I adopted from AAPS in April Last year.  She was 7-8 months old and a huge bouncy girl, who we could not wait to take home.  Excitement turned to "oh my gosh" as we worried how to introduce the new member to our existing cats.  It was then that I contacted Tamara and Stuart of Underdog Training, who were very patient and understanding.  After speaking a length with Tamara we decided to do a week of boarding and training before we got Molly home.  After a week we were dying to see how Molly went and to finally bring her home.  It was a miracle.  Tamara and Stuart had worked with her every day and she could sit, drop and walk on a loose lead with no pulling (a BIG difference) and most of all had been socialised with cats.  We were thrilled.  We then completed the training offered by Underdog at the AAPS, and went on to level one classes with Underdog.  I was devastated when at the end of the first round of classes when my big girl did not pass!!!!! But she did win most improved dog (a proud day for us… really). We went back to level one classes and second time round we graduated.   We love going to training and see constant improvement in our dog and our selves, yes training is more about the owner than the dog at times.  We have had private training in conjunction and between group training which is invaluable. Other fun stuff is the agility workshops (really funny with a leggy uncoordinated dog) as well as level 2 classes in St Kilda and on the beach.  Training is always fun and Molly just loves going.  It’s a lot of work but so worthwhile, we have come along in leaps and clumsy bounds.
Oh and it’s great when family and friends comment on how 'good' your dog is, Thanks a million Tamara and Stuart, you guys are the best and have certainly helped us REALLY enjoy our Miss Molly.

Love Diva, Molly and Family incl Cats.
           

For some time our Pomeranian, Sammi, had slowly became more aggressive toward other dogs and some people and was generally badly behaved. A quick call to Underdog and meeting with Stuart at our home (at a time that suited us!) resulted in a much more manageable dog after just one lesson and we no longer have reservations about taking Sammi on a walk with us. Stuart brought his dogs to our home and worked with Sammi and each member of our family to show us ways that we could better control our pet. We are now much more confident with our dog thanks to Stuart. We cannot recommend the services of Underdog Training highly enough and thank Stuart for his time and professionalism.Thanks again for your great work and all your helpful advice.
 
Stuart from Underdog made our dog Sammi, "the WONDERDOG!!!!" 
 
Regards,
 
Lisa, Mark, Sarsha, Emma and Sammi - the WONDERDOG (woof woof)
East Doncaster.

Tamara took an instant liking to our new Jack Russell pup, Stooky.
Her passion and dedication to dogs is to be applauded. She seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to dogs.
Well done, keep up the great work.

Rob

The training, skills and knowledge that Tamara has provided us with has been invaluable. Walking on a loose lead, not jumping on strangers to say hello, dropping, walking through busy shopping centres and sitting at cafes are just a few of the skills Tamara has taught Tully & Indie.

Not only have Sean & I enjoyed learning how to teach Tully and Indie and watch them learn and get better, but Tul's and Ind's have certainly enjoyed the challenge and get very excited when Tamara arrives for class. We are very proud of how far they have come in such a short time span, and we owe that to Tamara who certainly knows her stuff!

We look forward to continuing the training with Tamara and group classes later this year.

Thanks again Tamara!

Louise, Sean, Tully & Indie.

We just want to thank you both for all your help with training Archie.  Archie is our wonderful sheltie who has brought so much pleasure to us and in general is a very good and clever dog (too clever sometimes!!) but we had one major problem with him, he reacts to cars, he is a very good passenger, but take him out for a walk and he wants to chase every car he sees and is out of control with ‘prey drive’  this might not sound too much of a problem, but part of the reason for getting a dog was to be able to go out for walks, it had got to the stage of only being able to drive Archie to the park and letting him get his exercise there. We had tried several trainers who made suggestions but didn’t follow through when they didn’t work.

Enter Tamara, Archie sensed in a moment that Tamara would stand no nonsense and with her he behaved perfectly every time, but back with us he returned to reacting again, but Tamara didn’t give up, from hiding in bushes (Archie worked that out very quickly), to sending Stuart as a decoy, (he sussed that too) but eventually with lots of help and copious amounts of patience we got there, and we can now happily take Archie for walks.

I have never seen trainers so dedicated to their work, I can highly recommend both Tamara and Stuart, first impressions count and I only had to look at their own dogs to see what is achievable and they are both willing to help you get there.

Cheers

Jill & Richard

Tamara has worked with Bonnie and myself for a little while now and although Bonnie will never be your unquestionably obedient dog, we have learnt how to manage her behaviour and we are now able to enjoy our walks together rather than the previous dread of being towed along in hot pursuit of another dog. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone with a doggie behaviour problem. They are fantastic to talk to and they have a real connection and understanding of dogs – even dogs like our Bon. I’ve learnt not every dog is suited to group training – one on one with Tamara and Georgie has been so much more helpful. I also highly recommend their agility workshops – Bonnie and I loved it.

Tracey and Bonnie

Hugo the pug started at puppy school with Underdog Training as a 10 week old puppy and since then he hasn’t looked back. What we thought would be a big handful with a crazy pug has been an absolute joy and pleasure with the help of Tamara and her expert and friendly training techniques. Hugo has graduated from puppy school and basic obedience training and has even learnt some tricks along the way. Hugo is now 9 months old, well socialised and a well behaved puppy.

We can’t thank Tamara enough for all her dog training and education of us on how to get the most out of Hugo. She always understood the level he was at and encouraged him to progress steadily. Having such a friendly person like Tamara, help train Hugo always made it such an enjoyable experience for all of us.

Once again, thanks heaps Tamara, and we will always be recommending you to our friends.

Fiona, Nick and Hugo St Kilda

We are very happy with the help you provided with the " When Freddy meets Fido" training and are only too happy to recommend it.  I am sure we are not perfect at implementing everything you told us but we are certainly more comfortable, and vigilant, with the interactions between Sean, Monty & Jess.

 These crates were a great idea and well worth the investment as they have, as you said they would, provided a safe haven for the dogs and peace of mind for us knowing we can put the dogs in them and be sure Sean is safe.  They are quite happy to be in them and now use them as their regular spot to rest, quite often going in them of their own accord
 
The toy training also worked as they leave Sean's alone and only play with theirs. 
 
We have also tried to ensure any interactions with Sean are positive and regularly go for walks with them on lead and Sean in a pusher. We also still walk them regularly on their own and still allow them inside the house at night to be part of the family with the "no jumping " etc restrictions.
 
The instruction you gave us has certainly helped reduce our anxiety and gone a long way to ensuring all members of our family enjoy living and playing together.
 
Thanks
 
Jen, Stuart and Sean And Monty and Jes

Have just come back from a walk at the beach with Milo and feel so proud of him. He now travels in the rear of the station wagon without whining, whereas before he was so unsettled in any part of the car. He was fantastic at the beach. Off lead the whole time, lots of other dogs, and he kept an eye on where I was all the time, racing ahead but never too far ahead, and running back as soon as I called or whistled. He interacted actively with a couple of dogs but wasn't really interested in the others. Just had a wonderful explore of the area - thanks to you and your training. We can’t thank you enough for the training you have given us- you must be the best trainer in Australia! Milo is having a great life with lots of love!

Deborah and Milo, Newport

I would thoroughly recommend underdog training to all puppy owners out there – it was a great opportunity for both my puppy (Boseley) and I to learn the crucial elements of basic training and the classes were fun and a good opportunity to meet other puppy owners. 
 
I felt that Boseley improved immensely with Tamara’s expert advice and support by the end of 4 weeks of puppy school Boslely can sit and drop on command and is walking on the leash!! I was so impressed that I am enrolling for the second stage of training classes and Boseley and I can’t wait!
 
I wanted thank you both so much for such a fantastic result from the group training class that my puppy Boseley and I recently attended.
 
I was thrilled with Boseley’s progress in the group classes and really amazed at how much my little puppy learnt in just 4 weeks !! Tamara and Stuart made the classes fun but also very informative and gave the the right tools to take home and practice. 

I also felt that my handling skills improved and now we enjoy loose lead walking – he is even starting to heel, he can sit stay and drop stay. For a puppy that is not even 5 months of age as yet – this is impressive and I am looking forward to continuing with further training when he is a little older.

Tamara and Stuart have such lovely personalities and made the training classes simple but effective…they also were on hand to answer any of our questions and often gave time before and after the class to answer specific queries.

I would highly recommend Underdog Training to all dog owners you will not be disappointed.

Zoe and Boseley, South Melbourne