At North Queensland K9 Academy, we understand that life gets busy and every dog is different. That’s why we focus on practical, time-friendly training methods tailored to your dog’s unique personality and your lifestyle. Our goal is to help you build a confident, resilient dog you can communicate clearly with — creating a strong, lasting bond that makes life together happier and easier.
At North QLD K9 Academy, we help dogs and their owners build strong, confident relationships that thrive in everyday life — not just in the training yard.
Our approach is built on clear communication, motivation, and structure. We teach dogs how to make good choices by reinforcing behaviours we want to see more of — and calmly correcting behaviours that aren’t serving them (or you). This creates clarity, builds trust, and helps dogs understand exactly what’s expected of them.
We also help owners make simple, effective changes to their dog’s daily routine — creating a lifestyle that naturally promotes focus, engagement, and respect.
When dogs know what’s expected and feel connected to their handler, they become more stable, focused, and capable of handling the real world with confidence.
Meet Tom, Tom is an experienced and highly qualified dog trainer based in Townsville, with over a decade of hands-on experience across military, animal welfare, and private sectors.
His career began with the Australian Defence Force, where he served as an operational Explosive Detection Dog Handler before becoming a qualified Detection Dog Trainer. After transitioning from military service, Tom took on a frontline role as an Animal Welfare Officer with one of Australia’s largest animal welfare organisations, gaining invaluable insight into canine behaviour, rehabilitation, and community education.
Tom holds a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training through the National Dog Training Federation of Australia, in addition to multiple formal Defence Force dog training qualifications, amounting to over three years of specialised education. Committed to ongoing professional development, Tom regularly attends national seminars and industry events to ensure he stays current with the latest training methods and behavioural science.
He is the owner and operator of North QLD K9 Academy, which focuses on delivering effective, practical training solutions for everyday pet owners across the region. He also operates North Queensland Detection Dogs, a specialised service that trains and supplies fully certified detection dogs for narcotics, explosives, and invasive or endangered species — supporting both government and private clients.
Outside of his professional work, Tom is a passionate North Queenslander who enjoys spending time with his family, fishing local waterways, and exploring the region’s rainforests and water holes.
All services begin with a inhouse consultation where we take a deep dive into your goals to understand how we can best help you. We also conduct a behavioural assessment on your dog to determine the most suitable training techniques for both of you moving forward.
A tailored session designed to address specific behavioural issues in your dog. After your initial consultation, we create a training plan that suits your lifestyle and your dog’s needs. Follow-up sessions focus on teaching you both the techniques needed to work through and improve the behaviours we’re targeting.
Our in-house obedience sessions focus on practical, everyday behaviours to make life easier at home and in the community. Each session is tailored to your goals and your dog’s temperament, using effective techniques that suit their learning style. We cover skills like recall, settling around guests, and basic obedience commands.
Trainer Walk & Train sessions are ideal for busy households or dogs needing structured outings. We visit your home and take your dog on a 45-minute walk focused on leash manners, obedience, and engagement. Sessions are fully tailored and can include K9 fitness for dogs needing extra physical conditioning.
Our Walk & Train Coaching Experience is ideal for owners needing guidance on training challenges or wanting to start strong with a new dog. We meet at a location of your choice to observe your walk, assess behaviour, and coach you through techniques to build confidence and improve your dog’s progress.
This tailored service starts with an in-home consultation addressing puppy challenges like mouthing, crying, toilet and crate training, vaccinations, and parasite treatments. We set practical goals, then guide you through follow-up sessions focused on obedience, confidence building, and positive behaviour to help your puppy thrive in every environment.
Scent detection is a fantastic way to enrich your dog from home. Perfect for enthusiasts and owners wanting to test training skills, these sessions teach you proven detection techniques developed over a decade of professional experience, helping you and your dog enjoy a rewarding, stimulating activity together and your pet. Our techniques are proven to be effective and create a happier, more confident pet. Join us to discover how positive reinforcement can transform your pet’s behaviour!
Get ready for K9 Pack adventures with a small pack of four-legged mates!
We pick up your dog from home between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM for guided outings around Townsville’s beaches, rivers, trails and targeted training — then safely return them home between 12:00 PM and 2:45 PM the same day.
Perfect for dogs who love to explore, socialise, and build confidence in real-world settings.
Price: $90 per dog (maximum 4 dogs per session)
If you’re interested in your dog becoming part of our pack, please enquire today!
Contact us on: thomas@northqueenslandk9academy.com.au or you can also find us on Instagram (north_qld_k9_academy) and Facebook (North Queensland K9 Academy)