Positive Response Dog Training
The go-to South East Queensland team for assistance dog PAT certification — clients travel hours specifically for Dee Scott's expertise.
The assistance dog work stands out as genuinely specialist; Dee Scott is the named expert, and clients describe travelling significant distances specifically for her PAT assessments, with institutional partners like Mater Volunteers confirming a decade-long relationship based on her professional judgement. From the 50 reviews we analysed, individual trainers — Rikki, Kit, Jill, Holly, Lauren, Shelley, and Kate — are each named for specific strengths, so it's worth asking which trainer will be assigned to your class or private session before booking, to make sure the match fits your situation.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (388 total)
“kept order throughout the class with the mischievous and headstrong puppies”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 21 dog trainings in Brisbane
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Positive Response Dog Training
Positive Response Dog Training operates across South East Queensland with a particular depth in two areas that set it apart from standard obedience schools: assistance and therapy dog accreditation, and structured multi-stage puppy programmes. Founder Dee Scott leads the assistance dog work personally — she is the trainer customers drive three hours each way to see, known for her uncompromising standards on the Public Access Test (PAT) and her expertise in scent detection and the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act. The broader training team includes Rikki, who handles group puppy classes and also offers in-home pet-sitting for existing clients; Kit, praised for managing boisterous multi-breed puppy classes at Capalaba and Jimboomba while still covering individual needs; Jill, who does in-home private sessions and is specifically noted for working with autistic children and therapy dog certification; Holly, credited with bringing timid puppies out of their shell; and Lauren, Shelley, and Kate, each mentioned by name for patience and communication during one-on-one work. The group puppy programme runs in sequential stages (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and an All-Ages course), meaning families can stay with the same organisation from preschool through to advanced training rather than starting over elsewhere. Positive Response also partners with institutional clients — including Mater Volunteers (a decade-long relationship) and Brisbane Catholic Education — for pet therapy and school therapy dog programmes, which means their assessment frameworks are tested against professional standards, not just household situations.
Best for: families starting a puppy through a structured multi-stage programme, owners pursuing assistance or therapy dog accreditation, and institutions like schools or hospitals needing professionally assessed therapy dogs.
Location
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Positive Response Dog Training
What areas does Positive Response Dog Training cover?+
The business is based in Cleveland, QLD, and runs group classes at multiple South East Queensland locations including Capalaba and Jimboomba. Private in-home sessions are available across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and surrounding areas — at least one reviewer noted having trainer Kate visit on the Sunshine Coast. For assistance dog training specifically, clients describe travelling up to three hours each way to work with founder Dee Scott, suggesting the catchment for that specialist service extends well beyond Brisbane.
Does Positive Response Dog Training handle assistance dog accreditation?+
Yes — assistance dog training and Public Access Test (PAT) preparation is one of the business's most distinctive specialties, led personally by Dee Scott. Reviewers describe her knowledge of the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act and scent detection as exceptional, and multiple clients mention dogs successfully completing their PAT through her programme. The programme includes online instructional videos, step-by-step written guides, and in-person sessions, and Dee is noted for only certifying dogs who have consistently and genuinely met the required standards — she won't pass a dog just to get through the process.
What do customers say about the puppy school programme?+
The programme is structured across multiple sequential stages — Part 1 through Part 3 plus an All-Ages course — which means families can continue developing their dog with the same organisation rather than switching providers. Trainers Rikki, Kit, Holly, and Lauren are each mentioned by name across multiple reviews for their patience, depth of knowledge, and ability to manage groups of mixed breeds and ages simultaneously. The accompanying online resources (documents, videos, topic guides) are frequently highlighted as a standout feature that supports at-home practice between sessions.
Can Positive Response Dog Training work with therapy dogs for schools or hospitals?+
Yes — institutional therapy dog programmes are a documented part of what they do. Mater Volunteers has worked with the business for over 10 years for pet therapy assessment in a hospital environment, and at least one Brisbane Catholic Education employee used trainer Jill to certify a Labrador as a school therapy dog. Assessments include an initial at-home suitability screening followed by an in-person assessment with a written report, designed to meet the standards required for professional environments. Jill is specifically named as the current trainer handling these institutional assessments.
Is there anything to be aware of before booking?+
One reviewer noted that sessions can be recorded and the footage retained and used by the business — this is disclosed in their terms and conditions, but the reviewer found it unexpected. It's worth reading the T&Cs before booking, particularly for in-home or Zoom-assisted sessions, if that's a concern for you. On the class side, group sizes and the mix of puppy temperaments can vary; if you have a particularly timid or distractible dog, it's worth mentioning that when enquiring so they can match you to the most suitable trainer and class format.