DogwiseAcademy.com

So it seems Dogwise has an interesting approach to handling dissenting opinions – they simply flag them to keep negative feedback under wraps. Quite a revelation. My recent encounter with them was far from satisfactory. I entrusted them with a hefty 30+ pound bag of dog food for my two voracious girls, only to have it returned after two weeks with a mere quarter of its contents consumed. For a fortnight, my girls apparently went hungry. The assurance that the trainer would exclusively focus on my dogs proved to be false, as the trainer had two sizable canines of their own and was concurrently working with another. A video they sent depicted the unsettling scene of their dogs cornering and overpowering mine. I had requested three basic commands to be taught, yet not only were they ignored, but my dogs seemed to have forgotten the commands they already knew. In response to my dissatisfaction, the owner offered an additional two one-hour classes. The question arises: what can be achieved in four hours that couldn't be accomplished in two weeks? Unfortunately, my concerns were met with evasive language and a failure to comprehend the gravity of the situation from a pet parent's perspective.

Avoid sending your dog to this board and training program. They lack professionalism and don't prioritize your dog's well-being. I adopted a pitbull with a troubled past, likely bred for fighting. After an unfortunate cat attack, my dog developed fear and aggression issues. Hoping to understand her better, boost confidence, and improve obedience, I enrolled her in the board and training program for behavioral aggression. Right from the start, things went south. The assigned trainer remained elusive, and I couldn't even communicate with her before handing over my dog. This lack of connection raised concerns, but I was desperate for a solution. The trainer's communication was sporadic, and she blamed her busy life for the lack of updates, messaging me separately about it. Scheduling pickups became a hassle, with me adjusting to her timetable. Keeping an open mind, I hoped the program would bring positive changes. Unfortunately, the trainer focused on basic obedience and resorted to using an e-collar, citing my dog as "stubborn." She suggested a muzzle as a solution, disregarding my dog's traumatic past, claiming it doesn't matter. Trying the e-collar left my dog scared and broke my heart; I discontinued its use after just one day. The trainer couldn't identify the root of my dog's aggression. Upon expressing my disappointment to Dogwise, they defended themselves, claiming to hire the best trainers. Their response lacked empathy, urging me to stick to the trainer's method. All I got for $6k was basic obedience, an e-collar, a muzzle, and a dog with diminished self-esteem. I eventually had to hire a local trainer for in-person lessons, shelling out an additional $3k. Save your money and find a trainer you can work with directly.

Dogwise Academy's conduct contradicts its reported concern for "harmful or illegal content," evident in my flagged review. Despite choosing them based on positive feedback, my dog's 5-week stay resulted in a distressing $6,000 ordeal. The terms and conditions absolve them of responsibility, leaving pet owners vulnerable. My pup returned neglected, underweight, and sick, while requests for training were ignored. Attempts to address concerns were met with dismissal, gaslighting, and unprofessionalism from owner Sean. Legal mediation was fruitless, met with hostility. Avoid Dogwise Academy, opt for a reputable company valuing respect and pet well-being.

I wanted to provide an update to my previous review. I had an ongoing exchange with the CEO, Sean, over the course of a few months following my dog training experience. Unfortunately, we couldn't come to a resolution, as we had differing opinions on the matter. In the end, I felt that my concerns were not adequately heard or professionally addressed. I thought it would be helpful to share this update for anyone who might have had a similar experience with this relatively new company and interacted with their customer support services or management team.

I got approved by them and then got cold feet a day later, they refused to refund me because you can't cancel 14 days before your appointment, I told them I didn't confirm an appointment and they said " Well is Sunday good for you then." They refused to try and refund my money and I even got more emails from them trying to confirm a start date, which is further proof I never confirmed a start date, I haven't even received a call back from this company or spoke to anyone on the phone and they are saying I confirmed an appointment already I cant get a refund, and I just got approved the day before, so I thought you know what I am stuck they got me, lets just do it, for 3 days all I got was some photos and my dog sitting once, hey I am okay with you taking your time training my dog, but the last day I didn't get any updates for 23 hours, once again I am okay with going at your own pace with training but not getting any photos or updates for a full day, Long story short I got my dog back after 3 days and now they are refusing to refund any money , buyer beware if you get approved for a loan there is no going back even if you haven't done a day yet , signed anything, or made any agreements.

This team was very responsive, fair, and supportive! We’re very happy with the outcome for our puppy Mochi. It's the basic stuff, but those basics are so key to everyday life, and we really needed the expert guidance. Being new dog owners, all we really knew was how to shower him with love. The program lasted 2 weeks, and we did it while we were away in Toronto. Brandon broke down every part of the training and lessons in a clear way. My wife took care of all the planning, but as a family, we’re super glad we went with this team, they were great

Dogwise disappointed me with their handling of my dogs' training. Despite assurances that only my dogs would be under the trainer's care, I discovered otherwise. The 30+ pound bag of dog food I sent lasted only two weeks, leaving my hungry pups. Tasks I requested were ignored, and the trainer's dogs were seen bullying mine in a video. The promised two extra hours of classes felt insufficient. The owner's response lacked understanding, leaving me frustrated with their dismissive attitude towards a pet parent's concerns.

We signed up for a two-week training program, which promised pictures and videos. The trainer rescheduled pick-up time three times on the first day, showing up hours late. A few days in, he got sick and only did "socialization," handled by someone else in his house. We had to request photos and videos, which came choppy and short, like they were rushed. They wanted to keep our puppy an extra week, which made us cautious. We agreed the trainer would bring the puppy for a visit to make sure she was okay before completing the extra week. On visit day, the trainer kept saying he was on his way but admitted later he was just leaving his house. We asked for all the puppy's belongings back, deciding not to extend training. The trainer returned her, admitted the training was inadequate, and agreed on a refund. Our housebroken puppy came back urinating inside, had diarrhea, and forgot previous training. Her vitamins weren't returned. The company only offered an extra two weeks of training, which I refused due to the awful experience. Avoid this company and look for a local trainer. They don't have a listed address, making complaints with the Better Business Bureau impossible.

Jackson and his crew are just amazing! My wild 19-month-old Doberman, Drago, turned into a calm and well-mannered pup thanks to them. What I couldn’t manage in months, they did in just a few weeks. I got so many updates—videos, pictures, and weekly reports—so I could see Drago’s progress. When I picked him up, he was so happy and bonded with his trainers. They also spent a lot of time showing me the techniques to keep Drago’s good behavior going, and they really work! I travel a lot for work and used to worry about taking Drago along. But now, I feel confident taking him anywhere. The day after he came back, I took him to my hour-long appointment, and even my practitioner adored him. Recently, we went to a beach volleyball tournament, and Drago was perfect—he heeled, sat, lay down, and didn’t react to people or other dogs, no matter how they behaved. He followed every command like a pro. The team’s care and support were top-notch. They guided us through everything. I’m definitely sending Drago back for more advanced training in the future. Big thanks to Jackson and the team for making our bond so much stronger. I’m forever grateful! ~One very happy customer

I had the joy of working with Cal to tackle some behavioral issues with my dog, Nala, like leash walking, barking too much, jumping on visitors, and general obedience. Cal gave clear, useful advice that started to show results right away. My dog used to pull hard on walks and bark at every little thing, but now she walks nicely next to me. The barking has gone down a lot, and the jumping problem is nearly fixed. Most importantly, my puppy is more obedient and listens to commands way better. Cal used positive, reward-based training, which made it fun for Nala, and I know she loved her time with him. The changes have been life-changing, and I couldn't be more happy. If you're having similar problems, I highly recommend Dogwise Academy and asking for Cal to be your dogs trainer! Cal is a fantastic trainer who really gets dogs and their needs.

We had Lauren as our dog trainer for 3 weeks. We talked to her about 4 problems we were having. Lucy is an American Bulldog, around 75 pounds and 5 years old (practically untrained). Somehow, all 4 problems were fixed when she came home. I didn’t expect a miracle, but something close to it happened. Lucy is now a well-trained and loving dog, which I can honestly say for the first time. It’s been about 3 weeks since she returned. I've had friends over and she's been around other people and dogs for the first time! Sometimes my kids think their dog is sick because she behaves so well. They still can’t believe it’s the same dog! I don’t know what more to say except “thank you” for giving me another chance and a fresh start with my dog. I wouldn’t have been able to keep her without Lauren and Dog Wise!

Hiring Ryan to train our puppy, Sofia, was a great choice for our family! His positive training methods really made a difference. Sofia, who was shy at first, has grown so much with Ryan's help. She's doing great on walks and can handle stairs now too! Ryan's advice and dedication to Sofia's success were really helpful. He even noticed a health issue that was affecting her potty training, and things have improved a lot since then. When Ryan brought Sofia back after two weeks, he showed us how to keep up with her training. We're using his methods every day now. Ryan's knowledge and care have made us better pet owners and helped Sofia a lot. We'd definitely recommend him to anyone who needs a dog trainer who really cares about your pet's happiness. Thanks, Ryan, for everything!

Our experience with Dogwise Academy was a bit of a rollercoaster. We sent our 1-1/2 year old Mini Bernedoodle, Nyla, to their 3-Week Board and Train Program in July 2024. Initially, things were rough. The first trainer kept rescheduling and was unresponsive. When Nyla returned, she was worse off, scared of people and dogs, and had more behavioral problems. It was a mess. But then, Rina stepped in. She was a game-changer. We sent Nyla back for another 2-week session with Rina, and the difference was night and day. Rina was responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about Nyla's progress. She even checks in on Nyla regularly. Now, Nyla is a much better-behaved dog, and it’s all thanks to Rina. If you're in central Florida, I can’t recommend her enough. She's amazing.

I was more than happy and amazed with my time here. My 2 Shiba Inu’s were quite difficult. They had fear and confidence problems. They would pull when walking and were generally very jumpy. Lauren Shelly was a great trainer! I can’t say enough about how much she did for my dogs. She was constantly in contact with me through videos and messages to update me on their progress. Always giving feedback. Even after returning them, she keeps in touch to see how they’re doing and offers advice. My dogs came back completely changed for the better! I couldn’t be more happy with the results. I would highly reccommend this service for anyone really looking for good training. If you can get Lauren Shelly depending on your location, I would say go for it. It’s totally worth it.

Cal's been amazing from beginning to end, even before Dixie, our dog, was officially under his care. We had doubts about the long training process, but Cal reached out and addressed all our concerns. When he came to pick Dixie up, she instantly warmed up to him, and we felt reassured she was in good hands, even though it was tough to let her go. Cal kept us updated daily with training videos and progress reports. Dixie returned home with better leash and door manners and was way less reactive to other dogs. Cal also gave us detailed instructions on how to keep up the training. Even after she got home, Cal checked in to see how she was adjusting. It's clear Dixie and Cal shared a special bond, and we're really grateful.

When we first got our 4-month-old English Mastiff, Onyx, he was super anxious and timid. He'd hide behind furniture all day and we'd have to literally carry him everywhere—even to the vet or for grooming. Walks? Forget it. He'd just plop down and refuse to move. We were really struggling and honestly, I didn't think a board and training program would help. But then we met Tressie. She sent us videos of Onyx walking, playing, and interacting with other dogs. It was like magic—he was a whole new dog! Now, he's confident, happy, and loves being outside. We don’t have to carry him anymore; he walks on his own. Tressie, you're amazing! Thank you for transforming our Onyx. Highly recommend!

Finding Dogwise Academy was a stroke of luck. Other places either said my pup Abby was too young or were way too expensive. Plus, they all only offered boarding training. I wanted a place where Abby could stay and learn at the same time. Theresa was the best part. She's super professional and knows her stuff. For two weeks, I got daily updates with photos and videos. Theresa even picked Abby up and dropped her off. I got weekly reports and a detailed hand-off report. Abby, who’s super energetic, seemed so happy. Theresa still helps me out whenever I need advice. I felt safe leaving Abby with her and really appreciate the great start she gave us. Abby's becoming such a happy puppy!

I was totally blown away by the whole experience. My two Shiba Inus were a handful with their fear and confidence issues. They'd pull on the leash and were just super jumpy. Lauren Shelly was just incredible as a trainer! She really went above and beyond for my dogs. She kept in touch with me constantly through videos and messages, updating me on their progress. Even after I brought them back home, she still checks in and gives advice. My dogs are like totally different now in the best way possible! I’m beyond happy with the results. Highly recommend this service for anyone who wants an awesome training experience. If you can get Lauren Shelly, do it. Totally worth it.

When I brought my Australian Shepherd, Rimy, to Jackson, I was at my wits' end. Rimy was a sweet 11-month-old with me, but a terror with strangers—aggressive, anxious, constantly nipping and jumping. His bark and stance scared everyone. Jackson worked with him for four weeks, and the transformation was incredible. Rimy enjoyed running around the big property, and by the end, he could recall, walk on a leash, be around strangers, sleep in his crate, and even go to Home Depot without freaking out. Jackson sent me videos and text updates throughout, and even checked in after Rimy came home. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and would absolutely do it again.

Had a chance to work with Cal from Dogwise Academy for my dog, Nala. She had issues like leash pulling, non-stop barking, jumping on everyone, and just not listening. Cal's advice was spot-on and things started to change almost right away. Walks used to be a nightmare with Nala pulling, now she walks next to me. Barking is much less, and the jumping? Nearly gone. Nala's overall behavior is so much better now. Cal's training methods are all about positive reinforcement, which Nala really enjoyed. Honestly, it's been a game-changer for us. If you're having similar dog issues, I’d totally suggest going to Dogwise Academy and asking for Cal. The guy just gets dogs.

Taking Kota on walks used to be a nightmare. I avoided elevators and interactions, both human and nonhuman, in my apartment complex. I couldn’t even have friends over because of how Kota might react. But then Cal C. and his family stepped in, and everything changed. Within 24 hours of Cal teaching me how to communicate with Kota, the difference was unbelievable. I actually enjoyed a walk with him for the first time in four years and even used the elevator without stressing out. Now, Kota is calmer because he understands me better, and I know how to correct his reactivity. Thanks to Cal, our life is so much more enjoyable. I’m forever grateful!

Our 5-month-old Australian Cattle dog, Monty, was a whirlwind of chaos—jumping on people, stealing food, and ignoring commands. Potty training? Forget it. We were desperate and turned to Dogwise. Paul promised us Jackson was the man for the job, and wow, he wasn’t kidding. Monty spent 3 weeks with Jackson and came back a changed pup. Now, he walks calmly, listens, and is fully potty trained. He doesn’t jump on people anymore, and even made a buddy out of Jackson’s dog. Jackson’s setup is perfect—acres of land, tunnels, and a pool. Monty loved it. Jackson’s kindness and expertise made all the difference. Thank you, Jackson, you’re the best!

I sent my dog to Dogwise Academy for their 3-week board and train program, hoping for good results. Instead, my dog came back more reactive and aggressive than ever. When I reached out to them, they denied responsibility, saying my dog was already like that, even though I had messages from the trainer saying otherwise. They admitted the trainer wasn't skilled with my dog's breed and told me to contact her directly. When I wrote a bad review, the owner offered help only if I removed it. After days of back and forth with no solution, I gave up. They ruined my dog and took my money. Avoid this place if you care about your dog.

Bailey was fantastic from the moment she picked up our dogs. We were pretty anxious about handing our pups to a stranger, but she instantly made us feel comfortable. Our dogs learned the commands we wanted, and then Bailey even trained us! She left us with comments and videos to refer back to, which has been super helpful. The company also reminded us that follow-up training is available if needed. Our dogs seem much happier with their new tasks, and that joy has spread to the whole family. If you’re looking for help with dog training and daily life, I'd totally recommend this program.

After a tough two weeks with one trainer, Lauren took over and she was really good. She worked with us to take great care of Murphy, treating him well and teaching him lots. She updated us every day on how he was doing. Even though Murphy got sick (not because of Lauren), and had to leave a day early, he's way better behaved now. He walks nicely on the leash and likes his crate. Before, he used to hate it. There's still some things he could get better at, but picking the two-week training with Lauren was definitely the right choice. We think she's great at what she does.

When my mom's dog came back after a month, she was a mess. She used to be so lively, but now she’s all skin and bones, scared of everything around her. She's peeing everywhere and has become aggressive to both dogs and cats. It's like she's a different dog. Her ribs and hip bones are sticking out, and it breaks my heart to see her like this. I have years of experience with dogs, and this is just unacceptable. She was perfectly healthy before. Whatever happened there, it was awful. They don’t even deserve a single star. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Ryan did a good job! Our dog Pico started the training program with no basic skills since he was a stray. Ryan was clear and straightforward about what we could expect for Pico's training. He kept us updated throughout the process. Pico returned not only able to sit and lie down, but also calmer, able to walk without pulling, and more settled. His new confidence shows in how he interacts with the world, people, and other dogs! Although it was a big financial investment, it has made a big difference for us. Ryan is very skilled at what he does!

Cal at Dogwise is really great! When we sent our dog, Talen, to him, we needed help with his anxiety, bad behavior with other dogs, and being around kids. After four weeks, Talen learned commands, walks nicely, and is more relaxed with children. At drop-off, Cal took time to work with Talen and us, helping us learn how to keep training at home. We can’t say enough about the care, daily updates, and effort that Cal gave to Talen, and we are so glad with how the month turned out for Talen. Thanks to Cal, we are ready to keep working at home.

I took my Rottweiler to Kaylah for training and, wow, what a difference! After just two weeks, my dog came back super well-behaved but still her cheerful self. Walking her on a leash is now a breeze—no more pulling or trying to dart off. And the jumping on guests or food-snatching? All gone! She picked up so many new skills during her time with Kaylah. I couldn't be happier with the results. Kaylah really knows her stuff and made a huge impact on my pup's behavior. If you’re looking for an excellent trainer, Kaylah's the one!

Theresa Strickland worked with my miniature poodle, and I can't say enough good things about her! My little pup was a handful at first, but Theresa was so patient and understanding. She even took her to the vet when she fell a bit ill. Since coming back from her sessions, my puppy is so much calmer and better behaved. It's amazing how well she remembers her training! I'm beyond satisfied with Theresa and would definitely recommend her to anyone needing a great dog trainer.