SOS Dogs
Jo sends clients home with a 15-page written summary after every consultation — a level of follow-through rarely seen in dog training.
Jo is the lead trainer and handles consultations; Zac runs the daycare and social days. Both are named repeatedly and praised for distinct skills rather than generically. Two reviews flag friction at the booking stage — a Word document intake form and a full-payment-in-advance policy rather than a deposit — so it's worth confirming the current booking process before you commit. Recent reviews are trending higher than earlier ones, which is worth noting if recency matters to you in a hiring decision.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (36 total)
“Zac provided a thorough overview on our pups day with helpful red flags to look out for”
“she taught me how to communicate effectively with them and have the tools to continue once she had left”
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 SOS Dogs
Jo and her colleague Zac at SOS Dogs take a pack-psychology approach to training — the premise being that dogs learn best from other dogs operating within clear social structures, which separates them from most reward-only or class-based trainers in the area. Jo handles in-home behaviour consultations and is the primary contact for complex or long-standing issues: dog aggression, reactivity, separation anxiety, and lead-pulling in dogs of all ages, from 13-week-old puppies to seven-year-old staffies. Zac leads the social day-care program, where dogs attend structured group days that include pool sessions and pack walks — reviewers specifically credit him with turning reactive dogs into dogs that can socialise calmly. A notable feature of Jo's consultations is the follow-up: at least one reviewer mentions receiving a 15-page written summary covering every issue discussed, the reason behind each behaviour, and the strategies to address them — something rarely offered at this price point in the dog-training category. Sessions are home-based by default, which means Jo assesses the dog in the environment where problems actually occur, and online sessions are available for owners who can't accommodate a visit. The business appears particularly well suited to first-time owners who need the "why" explained, as well as experienced owners whose dogs have developed entrenched problem behaviours that earlier training hasn't resolved.
Best for: owners whose reactive or anxious dogs haven't responded to previous trainers, first-time puppy owners who want to understand the 'why' behind dog behaviour, and households managing dog aggression or multi-dog dynamics.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about SOS Dogs
What kinds of dog behaviour issues does SOS Dogs specialise in?+
Reviews cover a wide range of problems: lead pulling, jumping on guests, barking, dog aggression, human aggression, separation anxiety, and general reactivity. Several reviewers came to Jo specifically after spending significant money on other trainers without success — including for entrenched anxiety in older dogs. Jo has also worked with puppies as young as 13 weeks, so the service spans early foundation training right through to re-training adult dogs.
Who are the main trainers and what does each person focus on?+
Jo is the lead consultant and handles in-home and online behaviour sessions. She is credited in reviews with identifying problem triggers quickly and providing a detailed written follow-up after consultations. Zac runs the structured social day-care program, where dogs attend group days that include pack walks and pool swimming. Reviewers describe Zac as patient and clear in his explanations, and credit his program specifically for improving confidence and social behaviour in previously reactive dogs.
How does the SOS Dogs day-care program work, and is it just for well-behaved dogs?+
The day-care program — referred to in reviews as 'doggy school' or 'social days' — is structured around pack-based learning and includes group activities, pack walks, and pool access. Importantly, it appears to accept dogs that are working through social issues, not just dogs that already behave well. Multiple reviewers mention their reactive or dog-aggressive dogs beginning to attend social days after an initial consultation with Jo. Zac provides end-of-day summaries with observations and strategies for owners to continue at home.
What should I expect from the booking process?+
Two reviews flag that the booking process has some friction: the intake involves completing a Word document and returning it, and full payment is required a few days before the session rather than a deposit at booking. One reviewer noted that an email reply went straight to their junk folder. It's worth calling or messaging directly to confirm current booking steps, payment terms, and availability rather than relying solely on an email thread.
Does SOS Dogs offer online sessions, and are they as effective as in-home visits?+
Yes — at least one reviewer completed an online training session with Jo for their puppy and reported strong results, describing 'amazing changes' after the session. In-home consultations remain the more commonly reviewed format, likely because Jo can assess the dog in the actual environment where problem behaviours occur. If an in-home visit isn't practical for your situation, it's worth asking Jo whether an online session is appropriate for your dog's specific issues.