Reflections from founder Oliver Beverley.
As CLEAR Dog Training celebrates 25 years helping dogs and their owners across South East Queensland, founder Oliver Beverley — now happily retired in Maryborough — reflects on the early days of the business, the evolution of modern dog training and some memorable moments along the way.
Looking back after 25 years, I feel enormously proud of what CLEAR achieved and especially pleased that the business continues with the same professionalism, warmth and commitment to both dogs and their owners.
The number of happy dogs — and happier households — CLEAR Dog Training has helped is something very special indeed.
Over the years, I and several wonderful helpers were privileged to assist many hundreds of families with everything from puppy training and basic manners through to serious behavioural problems.
One of the most rewarding parts of the business was meeting anxious or frustrated owners and watching them gradually regain confidence and build a genuine relationship with their dogs.
CLEAR became recognised throughout South East Queensland for its emphasis on modern, force-free training methods long before they became widely accepted. We strongly believed that calmness, consistency and good communication produced far better long-term results than fear or punishment ever could.
Some memorable CLEAR moments over the years
Watching supposedly “untrainable” dogs become wonderful family companions.
Owners arriving stressed and exhausted — then leaving smiling and hopeful.
The countless puppies who graduated from class and later returned with their owners’ next generation of dogs.
The growing support and trust from Brisbane’s veterinary community, with CLEAR becoming recognised as one of the city’s best-known dog training businesses and receiving referrals from many local veterinarians.
It has been pleasing to see the business continue in such capable hands. Caroline Strainig is an accomplished dog trainer who has enjoyed success across many dog sports, while also having a genuine passion for helping owners train and better understand their family dogs.
Looking back after 25 years, I feel enormously proud not only of the dogs CLEAR helped, but also the owners who trusted us to guide them.
Helping people build calmer, happier relationships with their dogs has always been at the heart of CLEAR Dog Training — and it is wonderful to see that continuing today.
25 Years of CLEAR – 2001–2026
Reflections from founder Oliver Beverly.
As CLEAR Dog Training celebrates 25 years helping dogs and their owners across southeast Queensland, founder Oliver Beverly reflects on the early days and the philosophy that shaped CLEAR Dog Training.
Looking back after 25 years, I feel enormously proud of what CLEAR achieved and especially pleased that the business continues with the same professionalism, warmth and commitment to both dogs and their owners.
The number of happy dogs — and even happier households — we’ve been privileged to help is something very special indeed.
Over the years, together with several wonderful helpers, I had the privilege of assisting many hundreds of families with everything from puppy training and basic manners through to serious behavioural problems.
One of the most rewarding parts of the business was meeting anxious or frustrated owners and watching them gradually regain confidence while building a genuine relationship with their dogs.
CLEAR became recognised throughout southeast Queensland for its emphasis on modern, force-free training methods long before they became widely accepted. We strongly believed that calmness, consistency and good communication produced far better long-term results than fear or punishment ever could.
Some memorable CLEAR moments over the years
- Watching supposedly “untrainable” dogs become wonderful family companions.
- Owners arriving stressed and exhausted — then leaving smiling and hopeful.
- The countless puppies who graduated from class and later returned with their owners’ next generation of dogs.
- The growing support and trust from Brisbane’s veterinary community, with CLEAR becoming recognised as one of the city’s best-known dog training businesses and receiving referrals from many local veterinarians.
It has been pleasing to see the business continue in such capable hands. Caroline Strainig is an accomplished dog trainer who has enjoyed success across many dog sports, while also having a genuine passion for helping owners train and better understand their family dogs.
Looking back after 25 years, I feel enormously proud not only of the dogs CLEAR helped, but also the owners who trusted us to guide them.
Helping people build calmer, happier relationships with their dogs has always been at the heart of CLEAR Dog Training — and it is wonderful to see that continuing today.
The dog on the treadmill
One unforgettable moment came when an advertising agency contacted CLEAR while producing a television commercial.
They needed a dog that could run confidently on a treadmill.
The problem was — I didn’t know one!
In the end, we invited my daughter’s five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Claude, to come and stay with us for a few weeks.
Claude had never even seen a treadmill before, but using clicker training and plenty of patience, within just three weeks he was happily hopping onto the treadmill and trotting along with his tail wagging at speeds of up to 8 kilometres an hour.
On filming day, Claude performed under hot studio lights behind an actress riding a stationary bicycle while reading a book — all part of the “multi-tasking” Cenovis vitamin campaign.
There seemed to be endless retakes and more than an hour of filming, during which Claude behaved like a complete professional.
Three weeks later, when the commercial finally appeared on television, Claude was visible for about 1.25 seconds.
The real punchline? The six human actors in the advertisement were each paid $1,000.
Claude earned $2,000 — making him, briefly, probably the highest-paid dog in Brisbane!
Years later, we happened to walk past that same treadmill.
Without hesitation, Claude jumped aboard and calmly began trotting along as though no time had passed at all.
It was an extraordinary reminder of just how powerful positive, reward-based training can be — and how well dogs remember experiences built on trust, confidence and enjoyment.
Some other memorable moments included:
- Watching supposedly “untrainable” dogs become wonderful family companions.
- Owners arriving stressed and exhausted — then leaving smiling and hopeful.
- The countless puppies who graduated from class and later returned with their owners’ next generation of dogs.
- The growing support and trust from Brisbane’s veterinary community, with CLEAR becoming recognised as one of the city’s best-known dog training businesses and receiving referrals from many local veterinarians.
Continuing the legacy
It has been enormously pleasing to see the business continue in such capable hands.
Caroline Strainig is an accomplished dog trainer with success across many dog sports and, just as importantly, a genuine passion for helping owners train and better understand their family dogs.
As I reflect on CLEAR’s first 25 years, I’m proud not only of the dogs we helped, but also of the owners who placed their trust in us.
Helping people build calmer, happier relationships with their dogs has always been at the heart of CLEAR Dog Training, and it is wonderful to see that continuing today.
The Caroline connection
Current owner Caroline Strainig tells how a chance phone call led to meeting Oliver.
Ten years ago, I picked up the phone and contacted CLEAR Dog Training founder Oliver Beverly.
What I read on his website about his training philosophy immediately resonated with me. His approach was positive, thoughtful, kind and effective.
It also felt a world away from the correction and check-chain methods that were still widely used at the time.
At the time, I was completing a dog trainer course and simply hoped to observe a few sessions while I studied. Instead, Oliver generously welcomed me along and encouraged me to become involved in the training process.
Watching Oliver work was like attending a masterclass in understanding both dogs and people. He had an uncanny ability to understand what made each dog tick while helping owners see a clear, practical path forward.
Over the following year, I gradually began conducting some sessions myself.
After receiving positive feedback from the clients I assisted, Oliver offered me the opportunity to continue CLEAR Dog Training when he retired.
Taking over CLEAR Dog Training has proved to be one of the best decisions of my life.
I’ll always be incredibly grateful to Oliver for his mentorship, friendship and belief in me.
Here’s to the next 25 years of helping owners and their dogs build calm, happy and rewarding relationships.
The dog on the treadmill
- Oliver says unforgettable moment came when an advertising agency contacted CLEAR while producing a television commercial for Cenovis vitamins.
- They needed a dog that could run confidently on a treadmill.
- The problem was — I didn’t know one!
- In the end, we invited my daughter’s five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Claude, to come and stay with us for a few weeks.
- Claude had never even seen a treadmill before, but using clicker training and plenty of patience, within just three weeks he was happily hopping onto the treadmill and trotting along with his tail wagging at speeds of up to 8 kilometres an hour.
- On filming day, Claude performed under hot studio lights behind an actress riding a stationary bicycle while reading a book — all part of the “multi-tasking” Cenovis vitamin theme.
- There were endless retakes and over an hour of filming, during which Claude behaved like a complete professional.
- Three weeks later, when the commercial finally appeared on television, Claude was visible for about 1.25 seconds!
- The real punchline? The six human actors in the advertisement were each paid $1,000.
- Claude earned $2,000 — making him, briefly, probably the highest-paid dog in Brisbane!
Claude remembered
- Perhaps even more remarkable was what happened many years later, when Claude was a senior citizen.
- When Caroline Strainig visited me one day, she spotted the treadmill sitting in the garage and wondered aloud whether Claude would still remember it after all those years.
- With a big smile, I called Claude over to the treadmill and said: “Hop on!”
- And hop on he did
- Without hesitation, he jumped aboard and calmly began trotting along as though no time had passed at all — even though it was many, many years later.
- It was an extraordinary reminder of just how powerful positive, reward-based training can be — and how well dogs remember experiences associated with trust, confidence and enjoyment.
Continuing the CLEAR story
- Current owner Caroline Strainig shares how a single phone call to CLEAR founder Oliver Beverly changed the course of her life.
- Ten years ago, I picked up the phone and contacted CLEAR Dog Training owner and founder Oliver Beverly out of the blue.
- What I read on his website about his training philosophy resonated with me. His methodology was positive, thoughtful, kind and effective.
- It also felt far removed from the popular correction/check-chain methodology that was still common at the time.
- At the time, I was completing a dog trainer course and simply hoped to shadow a few sessions while I studied. Instead, Oliver generously welcomed me along and encouraged me to become involved in the training process.
- It was while watching him work in person that I really saw his uncanny ability to look at a dog, understand what made it tick and help owners see a clear path forward.
Becoming part of CLEAR
- Over the following year, I gradually began conducting some sessions myself.
- After receiving positive feedback from the clients I assisted, Oliver then offered me the opportunity to continue CLEAR Dog Training when he retired.
- Taking over CLEAR Dog Training remains one of the best decisions of my life.
- I loved working with horses and teaching horse riding when I was younger. As I grew older, my passion gradually shifted towards dog training and dog sports. Working professionally as a dog trainer felt like a very natural progression.
- CLEAR has always stayed intentionally small and personal, and I genuinely love what I do. Helping owners better understand their dogs, build calmer and happier relationships with them, and watching those relationships blossom as training progresses is enormously rewarding.
- I’ll always be incredibly grateful to Oliver for his mentorship, friendship and belief in me.
- Here’s to many more years of helping owners and their dogs build calm, happy and rewarding relationships.
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