Dogwise AcademyReviews of dogwiseacademy.com

This company leaves a lot to be desired. The price is better than what I had seen around, but you know the saying, "you get what you pay for". I learned too late that in my 14 days of training your dog is only trained for 10 of those days. The trainer gets off 2 days a week. I don't know about you, but I didn't need a dog sitter, I needed my dog trained. The trainers can also have other employment, and your dog is not guaranteed to have training broken up throughout the day. One day I got the message that the trainer had been gone for most of the day and that she was just now getting ready to train my dog, it was 9 pm. I should have had an indication of how it would go when the trainer rescheduled the original pick-up time and then didn't show for the rescheduled time. Now after the 2 week training, it is time for one of our first of 3 follow up sessions. Last week the trainer asked to reschedule and then again today I was called to say she could not make it and I would need to reschedule again. I strongly recommend that you go somewhere else.

I was really hopeful about sending my dog to Dog Wise Academy, but unfortunately I was disappointed with the results. Before he went, he already knew several basic commands and had a good foundation. When he came home, it honestly felt like he had forgotten much of what he already knew. I expected him to come back with improved skills and confidence, not seeming like he had taken a step backward. Every dog is different, and I understand training isn’t a magic fix, but based on my experience, I don’t feel the program delivered the progress I was hoping for. I wish there had been more focus on maintaining the training my dog already had while building on it.

We sent our 6 month old for a 3 week ‘boot camp’ experience. The only thing she seemed to have learned was ‘here’. Then we only had 1 follow up. Weather deterred the next 2 sessions. However the trainer did not call or text to reschedule. It’s now been 6 1/2 months since she came back. The trainer finally contacted us but only after I emailed the owner. The trainer promised to call the next day. That was weeks ago. No call. Owner apologized but still no communication. The other issue was that the assigned our puppy to a trainer who lived in another state. Feeling duped and ripped off.

Our dog has aggressive behavior problems that is the one reason he was sent to dogwise. The day he came home he showed worse behavior than before he left. I will say he walke better on the leash as long he doesn’t engage people or dogs. And he’s stay (place command) is great. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE PROBLEM WITH DOGWISE. DOING BETTER..

It's been about 2 months since I did the 6 week board and train program with Dogwise. I want to start off by saying that the trainer I got match with is a very nice girl. I was just expecting more results than I got. I have a 2 1/2 year old Female Doberman named Azula. She is a really great dog, she's quirky, friendly with people if not a little apprehensive when she meets new people. The main issue I have with her is her dog reactivity. As soon as she sees a dog she goes absolutely mental(on leash, outside a gate etc). I'm not able to get control of her at all even though she listen to me really well otherwise. She already had training from a private trainer I had hired when she was a puppy, but the trainer told me she would benefit from a board and train to address the dog reactivity. Her reactivity is mostly on leash and new dog she doesn't know because she does actually have a couple of dog friends.Which is what I sent her to board and train to address. Almost all her dog and gate reactivity is still present. Since the moment I got her back her reactivity to dog was still there even with me doing all the exercise and training the trainer left me with. I do it almost everyday for at least 15 min. Aolonis did also come back to see how she was doing a month after drop off and she was finally able to see how she acts when she sees a dog in my neighborhood. Aolonis did seem surprised on how Azula reacted when we came across dogs. She expressed to me that she never acted that way when she was with her. I do also think Azula never came out of her shell when she was with Alonis. During the time that Aolonis had her and I was receiving a couple of picture from her Azula was losing alot of weight( To the point you can see her spine and ribcage). I do think Azula might have been really depressed and not showing her true self. Aolonis did give me some recommendations on new food for her that she loves now. She did learn how to stay in her place and work on her leash handling which is nice since she will work with me a little better. That is the main reason why I haven't asked for a refund or anything like that. In Dogwise policy a refund will not be given if the dog learns at least something and improve even a little bit. I did my research when I was thinking of contracting Dogwise. This is also something Jason, the consultant told me too when I asked him about their refund policy. I am just disappointed that this did not work out for my dog. I expressed to them that Azulas reactivity towards dog is what i wanted to be adressed. I expressed this multiply time. I expressed this to Jason(the consultant). Aliyah, the first trainer that I was put in contact with from dogwise but when I finally contracted they changed trainers on me. Aolonis, the second trainer ,I got matched with although it happen the day she picked Azula up since we didn't really talk before that and lastly on the online form they make you fill out again after expressing your concern to the consultant. I'm fortunate that I have the means and time to pay for this service since my ultimate goal is for my dog to get better but for the steep price I would have liked more results. Dogwise advocated that the dogs learn better because they are in home environment as opposed to facilities but I don't think this worked for my dog because the environment she was in with the trainer is vastly different then mine. I live in South Central Los Angeles. There are many guard dogs that bark and growl at you as you walk by in my neighborhood. Where as the trainer informed me that she lived in huge acre calm land. As the weeks went by she also informed me that she hadn't been doing to much public outdoor training with distraction training which in theory I get but I don't know maybe if Azula got more training in the environment it would have been more beneficial. I'm also trying to be a better leader to my dog and being more assertive with her since all I want from her is to succeed. My point is just if your dog sounds similar to mine and you are hesitant because this program is quite expesive( since I research many board and trainer this one was one on the higher end price) maybe think twice about contracting Dogwise since for the price I was expecting better results. I am very disappointed that this didn't work out for my dog but I'm still not giving up. I just need to find Azula something that is going to work for her and move foward from this. I hope this helps some of you guys since I know I went crazy researching and trying to figure out the best type of program for my dog. Unfortunately for us it's didn't work but maybe if your dog just needs basic training it might be good.