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July 2024 by Sameer
Excellent 2-week board and train with trainer Ryan K near Chicago via Wag Mates. First time leaving our 6-mo German Shepherd mix, wanted to avoid the typical boarding/day care facilities which can be great but overwhelming and unstructured with 10-30 other dogs. This setup was perfect for us. Ryan provided details and answered questions over the phone and via text ahead of time. He transported our dog to/from the house -- not a short drive! -- and took time to review our training goals and dog's medication requirements. He projected calm confidence, communicated clearly, and was passionate about animal welfare and training dogs and their humans. He sent useful videos everyday, not just cute pics but actual training tips we can refer back to. Upon drop-off, he spent about 100mins with our family showing us what to focus on, answering our many questions, providing practical and objective product recommendations (love my clicker!), even walking around the neighborhood since leash training was one of our main goals; he is dedicated to creating a smooth and successful transition back home. Even offered free follow-up lessons whenever we wanted, incredible! Our dog didn't have any major behavioral issues but her fundamentals improved and she's more comfortable in the crate; leash manners / excitement meeting other dogs requires more work but we now have better tools and knowledge and have made progress in the weeks since she returned. We will book with Ryan again.
Wag Mates is not a local company but more like a service that connects you with contractors, which I was hesitant to use but turned out to be well organized and useful. Anna, Pedro and Ryan S. did a great job coordinating; policies and communication were customer friendly. I've already recommended to a family member.
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July 2024 by S A.
Excellent 2-week board and train with trainer Ryan K near Chicago via Wag Mates. First time leaving our 6-mo German Shepherd mix, wanted to avoid the typical boarding/day care facilities which can be great but overwhelming and unstructured with 10-30 other dogs. This setup was perfect for us. Ryan provided details and answered questions over the phone and via text ahead of time. He transported our dog to/from the house -- not a short drive! -- and took time to review our training goals and dog's medication requirements. He projected calm confidence, communicated clearly, and was passionate about animal welfare and training dogs and their humans. He sent useful videos everyday, not just cute pics but actual training tips we can refer back to. Upon drop-off, he spent about 100mins with our family showing us what to focus on, answering our many questions, providing practical and objective product recommendations (love my clicker!), even walking around the neighborhood since leash training was one of our main goals; he is dedicated to creating a smooth and successful transition back home. Even offered free follow-up lessons whenever we wanted, incredible! Our dog didn't have any major behavioral issues but her fundamentals improved and she's more comfortable in the crate; leash manners / excitement meeting other dogs requires more work but we now have better tools and knowledge and have made progress in the weeks since she returned. We will book with Ryan again. Wag Mates is not a local company but more like a service that connects you with contractors, which I was hesitant to use but turned out to be well organized and useful. Anna, Pedro and Ryan S. did a great job coordinating; policies and communication were customer friendly. I've already recommended to a family member.
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July 2024 by L A
David is the trainer in the Boston area. He is superb. He sent lots of updates and really connects with the dogs. My pup came home in terrific shape, obeying commands and just generally being super open and secure. I highly recommend if you're in the area.
I feel like I can't speak to other trainers in the Wag Mates Academy, but I will say the business itself seems well-run and easy to deal with.
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July 2024 by Monina Blanco
Our dog Kogi is 3 yrs old and we thought it would be impossible for him to be trained with severe separation anxiety. A neighbor just got her dog trained at Wagmates Academy and was very pleased with the results. We decided to call and had a long conversation with Ryan addressing our concerns. He walked us through the process of their training programs and recommended a 4-6 week program with trainer Alexx. We had an additional call before we decided to give it a try. Wagmates made it very easy to pay with several payment options to choose from.
We would give our trainer Alexx 10 stars. The trainers house is clean and tidy. Alexx and his family worked with Kogi and we could see how happy he was with them. We received daily videos and Alexx answered our questions while being boarded & trained. After 4 weeks of training, Kogi came home with his cute personality but was more calm and obedient. Now, Kogi is great at loose leash walking, recalls, and basic commands (sit, down, heel, come & sit, stay, break, quiet and place). As Alexx stated for continued success, we practice daily boundaries and is being crate trained to help with his separation anxiety.
Overall, we are pleased and happy with the training Kogi received. He is still our lovable, happy tail wagging dog that is now calmer and well behaved. Highly recommend for board and training. THANK YOU Alexx and Wagmates Academy.
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June 2024 by Allie Riley
I honestly cannot even express the level of satisfaction we had with Wag Mates Academy; their trainer Dyese in particular. We had a TERRIBLE experience with another dog training company so after that we were quite hesitant to try again but we knew having a Great Dane puppy that he would need to be properly trained. So, we decided to move forward with a 4 week program at Wag Mates and we have been so happy with the result! Our pup Jorah is a changed boy. He listens immediately and his recall is soooo much better,(which was his biggest issue) not to mention his now beautiful leash walking. Dyese communicated with us every SINGLE day, sent pictures, sent us beautifully filmed/edited videos of Jorah’s training, and sent us weekly reports on his weight, food intake, overall body assessment, behavior, etc. We even got to see videos of Jorah interacting with all the friends he made too which was such fun to watch! We could tell from the videos sent that he was happy, having so much fun, and was well taken care of which is such a complete difference from the other training company first used. Jorah has a tendency to self mutilate when in his cage(licks until he has open, bleeding hot spots) and Dyese was so so good at keeping an eye on his raw areas to not allow him to infect or make them any worse. She communicated with us about his licking and properly used his cone to halt the progression of any painful hotspots. She truly cared for Jorah, it was incredibly obvious and for that I could not thank her enough! I am so impressed and recommend Wag Mates now to everyone! I wish I did a little more research the first time we decided to send Jorah to training and found Wag Mates first so he wouldn’t have had to go through the traumatizing experience he did with the other company but I am so glad we crossed paths with them for the second and final try! If you’re looking for a trustworthy board and train, I highly recommend Wag Mates and Dyese for your dog’s training needs!! Thanks again for helping Jorah be the best boy he can be !!
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June 2024 by Hadley Zolak
We went into wag mates with a lot of concerns with our year old French Bulldog, Beau. He is our whole world, and we couldnt imagine sending him away. It came to a point where we needed higher guidence to help with his aggression / trigger impulses.
Beau went though a 6 week program with David. From the first call, we knew he was the perfect trainer for us. He was caring and understanding of all of our concerns. David went above and beyond with every step. He sent daily updates (pictures, funny and training videos, phone calls, ect), and it helped the time go by so fast. He kept up with all of his skin issues, and never once complained about the duffel bag I sent with Beau. Unfortunately, my overbearing dog parenting style. Lol.
I usually do not write reviews, instead, read through them. But I felt the need to express how amazing our experience was. If you are in similar spot as us, and are having hesitations, don't. It has forever changed how our lives. David and his wife are amazing people, and gave us a new sense of freedom. They opened their home to Beau, and he came back a matured and happy dog. We appreciate you more than you know David!!!
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May 2024 by Hadley Z.
We went into wag mates with a lot of concerns with our year old French Bulldog, Beau. He is our whole world, and we couldnt imagine sending him away. It came to a point where we needed higher guidence to help with his aggression / trigger impulses. Beau went though a 6 week program with David. From the first call, we knew he was the perfect trainer for us. He was caring and understanding of all of our concerns. David went above and beyond with every step. He sent daily updates (pictures, funny and training videos, phone calls, ect), and it helped the time go by so fast. He kept up with all of his skin issues, and never once complained about the duffel bag I sent with Beau. Unfortunately, my overbearing dog parenting style. Lol. I usually do not write reviews, instead read through them, but I felt the need to express how amazing our experience was. If you are in similar spot as us, and are having hesitations, dont. It has forever changed our lives. David and his wife are amazing people, and gave us a new sense of freedom. We appreciate you more than you know David!!!! Thank you for your continued support since Beau's return.
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May 2024 by Lynn B.
Dave trained our dog Kiepho in March and I am thoroughly pleased with our results. Unfortunately Kiepho was caged and unsocialized for the first weeks of his life, but when he came back after working with Dave he was a different dog. Every aspect of his training that we requested was completely fulfilled. If necessary we would bring him back for reinforcement. Dave is 100% and we appreciate the commitment that he had with our dog.
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May 2024 by Jennie Drazin
I sent my very stubborn rescue, Rune, to Wag Mates and specifically to David in MA for 6 weeks and it was LIFE-CHANGING! I cannot recommend David enough. He took my 1.5 year old AmStaff mix and totally whipped him into shape. He is a dream on the leash and is so improved with reactivity and all around behavior. He actually listens and responds and has matured immensely with David's help. I received multiple videos every day with updates and David was always willing to chat with me and give me more details on Rune's progress. I have also spoken to David countless times since Rune's return and he continues to reach out and keep up with us which is SO helpful. I feel so supported and capable of continuing Rune's training and I could not run out of amazing things to say! Thank you so so so much!
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May 2024 by Michelle Gregory
Had our puppy trainer with them for two weeks and she has made so much progress. Love all the videos that was send daily to see how she was doing. They also contact you monthly for a retrain if needed. Great place for dogs. Our trainer Kenneth was very knowledgeable and seems to love dogs.
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May 2024 by Dhami
Sent my dog for a month and he came back more matured and well behaved. I got updates on him everyday throughout the app with a video showing his progress. Thank you again Wag Mates Academy for the experience.
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April 2024 by saleena s
Im so happy I chose Wag Mates Academy to get my dog Bluu trained! Before being put through this training Bluu was full of anxiety and super anxious/stressed around dogs and in general. With the help of our amazing trainer Shawn, Bluu has came back a whole different dog, hes much more calm and listens to us even in situations when he is stressed. Shawn has given us many videos to look back on to keep Bluu trained and has given us the confidence to do so. I would recommend this company to anyone who needs there dog trained!
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April 2024 by debbie tica
I enrolled my dog in a four-week training program at Wagmates in hopes of addressing her separation anxiety issues. Unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations, and I feel compelled to share my honest feedback.
Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge that Dyese, the trainer assigned to my dog, does not specialize in separation anxiety. Despite this, I opted to proceed due to the urgency of the situation and Dyese being the only available option at the time.
Regrettably, after the completion of the four-week training, I noticed minimal to no improvement in my dog's behavior. It felt more like a boarding experience rather than comprehensive training, as there was little evidence to suggest that my dog had learned anything substantial during her time at Wagmates.
Moreover, considering the significant financial investment of $4000, the lack of tangible progress was particularly disheartening. My dog returned home exhibiting the same behaviors as before, and her separation anxiety remained unresolved.
After expressing my frustration and dissatisfaction with the initial training, Wagmates arranged for an additional month of training with Ria, who specializes in separation anxiety. I am grateful that Wagmates did not charge me for this extension. Although it meant separating from my dog once again, it turned out to be a pivotal decision.
Under Ria's guidance, my dog underwent a transformation. Ria's expertise and dedication were evident from the outset. She not only addressed my dog's separation anxiety but also went above and beyond in her care. Ria provided daily updates, offering reassurance and highlighting my dog's progress. Additionally, she took care of minor grooming tasks, such as brushing and nail trimming, which demonstrated her commitment to my dog's overall well-being.
The results of Ria's training were remarkable. Previously, my dog would bark incessantly, even after the initial training with Dyese. However, with Ria's help, there was a significant improvement. My dog is now able to remain quiet in her crate and can be left alone for extended periods, a feat I once thought unattainable.
Ria's passion for helping dogs shone through in every interaction. She even provided food and treats for my dog to take home, exceeding my expectations. Thanks to Ria's expertise and Wagmates' commitment to addressing my concerns, my dog and I have emerged from this experience with newfound confidence and relief.
In conclusion, while the initial training experience was disappointing, Wagmates' dedication to customer satisfaction and the expertise of trainers like Ria ultimately led to a successful outcome. I highly recommend Wagmates, particularly for those seeking specialized training for their dogs' specific needs.
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April 2024 by Daniel S.
We had the pleasure of having David train our French bulldog. It was amazing! We started with a 2 week program and extended it to 4 weeks because he was so good with her! I highly recommend David. He blew our expectations out of the water! 10 out of 10 for him!
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March 2024 by Debbie T.
I enrolled my dog in a four-week training program at Wagmates in hopes of addressing her separation anxiety issues. Unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations, and I feel compelled to share my honest feedback. Firstly, it's essential to acknowledge that Dyese, the trainer assigned to my dog, does not specialize in separation anxiety. Despite this, I opted to proceed due to the urgency of the situation and Dyese being the only available option at the time. Regrettably, after the completion of the four-week training, I noticed minimal to no improvement in my dog's behavior. It felt more like a boarding experience rather than comprehensive training, as there was little evidence to suggest that my dog had learned anything substantial during her time at Wagmates. Moreover, considering the significant financial investment of $4000, the lack of tangible progress was particularly disheartening. My dog returned home exhibiting the same behaviors as before, and her separation anxiety remained unresolved. After expressing my frustration and dissatisfaction with the initial training, Wagmates arranged for an additional month of training with Ria, who specializes in separation anxiety. I am grateful that Wagmates did not charge me for this extension. Although it meant separating from my dog once again, it turned out to be a pivotal decision. Under Ria's guidance, my dog underwent a transformation. Ria's expertise and dedication were evident from the outset. She not only addressed my dog's separation anxiety but also went above and beyond in her care. Ria provided daily updates, offering reassurance and highlighting my dog's progress. Additionally, she took care of minor grooming tasks, such as brushing and nail trimming, which demonstrated her commitment to my dog's overall well-being. The results of Ria's training were remarkable. Previously, my dog would bark incessantly, even after the initial training with Dyese. However, with Ria's help, there was a significant improvement. My dog is now able to remain quiet in her crate and can be left alone for extended periods, a feat I once thought unattainable. Ria's passion for helping dogs shone through in every interaction. She even provided food and treats for my dog to take home, exceeding my expectations. Thanks to Ria's expertise and Wagmates' commitment to addressing my concerns, my dog and I have emerged from this experience with newfound confidence and relief. In conclusion, while the initial training experience was disappointing, Wagmates' dedication to customer satisfaction and the expertise of trainers like Ria ultimately led to a successful outcome. I highly recommend Wagmates, particularly for those seeking specialized training for their dogs' specific needs.
