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About Us

Melbourne Dog Training Services

Underdog Training and Behaviour Consulting is an award-winning Melbourne based dog training business, developed and run by nationally qualified dog trainer, Tamara Jackman. Together with a team of exceptional staff, Underdog is committed to improving the lives of dogs and their owners- ensuring the dog ownership experience is a positive one.

Underdog trainers can help you with more than dog obedience- we have the experience to assist you with issues including aggression, anxiety, socialisation, enrichment, on and off leash manners and MORE! Underdog’s training services target both ends of the leash, without blame or judgement to help everyone live in the best possible way with the dog that shares their home.

We were the first dog training organisation to offer consultations aimed specifically at preventing problems between dogs and babies and children- these When Freddy Meets Fido sessions resulted in Tamara winning in the Telstra Women’s Business Awards, Nokia Innovation Category 2009. This is just one example of problem prevention training and we encourage you to train with us to PREVENT as well as RESOLVE your dog behaviour problems.

NDTF Certified Dog Trainers

Every Underdog Trainer possesses this nationally recognised dog behaviour and training qualification, having completed the Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training.

We have also completed additional units in the following specialised areas of training:

  • Assistance Dogs Training
  • Substance Detection Training
  • Complex Skills and Tricks
  • Class Instruction

Telstra Womens Business Award

Nokia Innovation Category Winner, awarded to Tamara Jackman for “When Freddy Meets Fido” sessions.

Meet the Team at Underdog Training

Tamara

Rowena

Sandy

Sophie

Stewart

Olivia

Joanna

Jess

Gita

Kate

Profile coming soon!

Rod

COVID-19 Update:

As Melbourne moves through an easing of restrictions, we are permitted to operate many of our services in a limited capacity. We encourage you  to enquire about training for your dog but ask for your patience as we work through our waitlists and set new dates for classes. We look forward to being of assistance to you and your dog as soon as we are able to.

Our Critical Period Package for PUPPIES is currently available, please visit the page: Puppy Training Critical Period Package

Tamara

Tamara has been training dogs since 2001 when she worked for the RSPCA in Western Australia as a volunteer and then as shelter staff before moving to Melbourne in late 2004 to complete the National Dog Trainers Federation course to become a qualified dog trainer. It was here that Tamara adopted Cosmo who quickly became her shadow and now regularly assists with clients dogs to help teach some manners!

Tamara has a special interest in the behaviour, management and rehabilitation of shelter and pound dogs and regularly gives seminars around Australia relating to these topics. As well as training and taking classes most days, Tamara works behind the scenes to ensure all Underdog classes run smoothly.

Rowena

Rowena has felt a deep connection with animals all her life and in particular dogs. It had always been her dream to develop a career working with animals. In 2014, she decided to make this dream a reality. Completing the National Dog Trainers Federation Course to become a qualified trainer, Rowena has not looked back since.

Currently working at with a leading Animal Welfare organisation, Rowena has the unique opportunity to utilise her varied skill set. Including working hands on with shelter animals , implementing and utilising rehabilitation programmes , conducting consultations with newly adopted dogs and their owners, and providing advice and education to the general public about varied issues they may have with their own pets.

Rowena is passionate about working with both dogs and people and is excited about being part of The Underdog Team.

Sandy

Sandy has been a dog trainer for many years, with her interest in dog behaviour commencing with the training of the family dog when she was 8 years old. She became an NDTF qualified trainer and behaviourist in 2013 after working with many dogs and owners prior to this time.

The NDTF qualification allowed her to expand her knowledge and ability and gain invaluable experience. Sandy is also a dog groomer during the day so sees a different side to dogs and their behaviour on a daily basis. Sandy looks forward to training you and your dog to increase the strong bond you have with each other.

Sophie

In 2015 Sophie completed a double Bachelors degree in Marketing & Psychology, where she developed a love for problem solving and critical thinking. Having always been passionate about dogs, she decided to combine her love for problem solving and critical thinking with her passion for dogs by studying Dog Training and Behaviour with the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF). This has allowed Sophie the best of both worlds, by working alongside dogs and owners she can challenge herself to understand the underlying causes of behaviour, helping owners and dogs achieve desirable outcomes.

In an increasingly busy society, Sophie strongly believes that dogs help keep their owners happy and healthy everyday. Thus we must do all we can to keep our dogs healthy and happy ensuring their well-being and longevity. Sophie looks forward to a long career in dog training, and enjoys working with dogs of all breeds and across all aspects of dog training.

Stewart

Having always had dogs as part of the family Stewart can’t imagine life without them around. Always having a passion for training his own dogs and helping friends with theirs Stewart decided to make this ‘official’ and in 2019 completed the NDTF Cert 3 course in Dog Behaviour and Training.

Working with Underdog Training as part of the NDTF course Stewart was excited to be offered a position on their training staff. With a focus on improving the dog / owner relationship Stewart has a drive to help people better understand their canine companions to make dog ownership rewarding and fun for all involved.

Olivia

Olivia has been training with Underdog since becoming a qualified dog trainer in early 2021. Having loved dogs since she was a child and training the family dog during her childhood, Liv has always been keen to get the best out of every dog she encounters. Her dog training career started after adopting River, a now 4 year old Dogue De Bordeaux who needed a bit of extra help to gain confidence with new people and other dogs. Having her own large breed dog with behavioural challenges further inspired Liv to assist both ends of the leash as she truly understands what it’s like to have your own dog struggle through normal life experiences!

Liv is also part of the Underdog administrative team and prides herself on answering your enquiries promptly and providing as much information as possible to help you make the best choices about which services are best suited to your needs.

Joanna

Joanna has had a passion for animals for longer than she can remember. She has worked with a wide variety of wildlife including platypus, swans and sea turtles, however, dogs have always had a special place in her heart. Joanna completed her double Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Behavioural Studies in 2016 and then in 2017 she decided to focus on her love of dogs by completing her Cert III in Dog Behaviour and Training through the NDTF.

Since then Joanna has worked for one of Victoria’s leading animal shelters, allowing her the invaluable opportunity to handle hundreds of dogs of all types, shapes, sizes and temperaments. Now, as a part of the Underdog Team, Joanna focuses her passion for dog training by preventing issues and improving the relationship between owners and their dogs through education and enrichment.

Jess

Jess has a passion for helping dogs and their families achieve desirable outcomes through quality training and enrichment activities. Jess has also completed her formal qualifications in Dog Behaviour and Training through NDTF and is excited to be a part of the Underdog Team.

Looking forward to working with many dogs across various breeds and temperaments, Jess aims to improve both the wellbeing and special relationship between dogs and their owners.

Jess has a 2.5 year old Standard Groodle, who helped kick start her interest in dog behaviour and training!

Gita

Now consulting in Alice Springs!

Gita loves dogs! She believes good dog ownership is essential and is passionate about helping people achieve this.

Having grown up in country Victoria, Gita was fortunate to live next door to a boarding kennel and cattery. From the age of 10, she would visit the kennels, play with the puppies and help with the dog. This led to 11 years of work at the boarding kennels and solidified her love of working with dogs.

In 2016 Gita successfully completed the National Dog Trainers Federation course to become a qualified dog trainer, taking her career to the next level. Gita is overjoyed to be part of the underdog team and can’t wait to inspire owners to further their relationship with their canine companion

Rod

Dogs have always been part of Rod’s life. As long as he can remember the family owned one sort of working dog or another. Usually with Kelpie or Border Collie breeds in them. An enduring love of dogs stemmed from this association, but it also made Rod very aware of the challenges high activity and high drive dogs can produce for families and how such challenges can impact family lifestyles.

As an adult Rod spent many years working in the IT industry but as a hobby Rod trained his own dogs in Obedience and Agility disciplines. He became an instructor at a local dog club and formalized his learning by doing the NDTF Cert 3 course in Dog Behaviour and Training course in mid 2018. After graduating from this course Rod joined Underdog and having previously been a client he was very excited when the opportunity to become part of the team arose. Since then Rod has enjoyed working with both clients and their dogs to enhance their relationships.