Our board and train services are perfect for busy pet owners who may not have the time or resources to train their dogs themselves. Your dog will stay with us in a comfortable and safe environment while receiving expert training from our team of skilled trainers.We use positive reinforcement and balanced methods to train your dog, we reward good behavior and encourage positive habits. This approach not only helps your dog learn faster, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend.
Wag Mates (wagmatesacademy.com) has 35 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5.
Also known as
wagmatesacademy.com
Website
wagmatesacademy.com
Category
Pet Services
Location
Watertown, South Dakota
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 80% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
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Wag mates and David were phenomenal! David trained and loved my doberman as if he were his own pup. David updated me on a daily basis with photos and videos of my pups progression throughout his stay with him. Taught myself and my husband how to continue my pups training at home. Provided me with homework to study for when my pup came home and even spend as much time as we needed to go over everything my pup learned so we could continue his training. I can't say enough fabulous things about David! I highly recommend him as a trainer! Thank you again! The bond that David made with Cyrus and also with us is unbreakable! Cyrus loves you and trusts you as do we! 💚🐾🐾💜
Response from Wag MatesSep 26, 2024
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear how happy you are with Cyrus’s progress. David’s passion for training really shows, and we’re so glad it made such a positive impact. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
JA
J A.
My little guy went in for the 6 week…
My little guy went in for the 6 week training program to focus on recall/impulse control, leash walking and general socialization issues, he came back a much more obedient, calm and patient dog! It is amazing to see his transition and walking him is so much more enjoyable experience for both of us now that he knows what I want him to do and he’s not always pulling. Excellent job by Dave with constant feedback and videos on his progress and interactions with people/pets. Would highly recommend!
Response from Wag MatesAug 29, 2024
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so happy to hear about your pup's amazing transformation after the 6-week program with Dave. It’s great to hear that you can both enjoy a good walk now! Dave's dedication to providing constant feedback and videos really shines through. 🐾😊
JG
Julia G.
worth every penny!
We had a terrific experience using Wag Mates to train our 6 month old puppy. During his 3- week stay with David, we were constantly updated and informed of his progress. David focused on everything we asked for help with and our puppy returned with a new set of skills for us to continue to work on. Our pup’s impulse control is night and day, he now sleeps soundly in his crate, and he hardly needs a leash walking. David spent over an hour with us at drop off making sure we understood how to keep working with our pup to ensure success. We would use this service and David again in a heartbeat.
Response from Wag MatesJun 14, 2024
Hi Julia, thank you so much for leaving this awesome review for David and Wag Mates. We are very happy that the training exceeded your expectations! Please feel free to keep in touch with us, we want to keep seeing your baby grow.
HZ
Hadley Z.
6 Week Board & Train
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 anxiety ridden dog. We appreciate you more than you know David!!!!
Response from Wag MatesMay 28, 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with Wag Mates and David. We're thrilled to hear that Beau's 6-week program was transformative for both him and your family. It's wonderful to know that from the very first moment, David's caring and understanding nature made you feel confident in his ability to help Beau and your family.
David's dedication to providing daily updates and managing Beau's specific needs truly highlights his commitment to his work. Your kind words about his and his wife's hospitality and the positive changes in Beau are deeply appreciated.
We understand how challenging it can be to trust someone else with your beloved pet, and we're so glad David was able to provide the support and guidance needed to address Beau's aggression and impulse issues. You sharing your experience might help others in a similar situation, and your recommendation means the world to us.
Thank you again for your heartfelt review. We're so happy to hear about the positive impact on your lives and Beau's progress.
CP
Celines P.
Verry happy
David did a great work with my babymax his behavior is better waking with no pulling lest barking. Thank David
Response from Wag MatesMay 16, 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review Celines.
We apreciate your feedback and can't wait to keep seeing Max's improvement!
DT
debbie T.
Make sure to choose a good trainer for your dog
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.
Response from Wag MatesMar 28, 2024
Dear Debbie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We truly appreciate your honesty and your decision to entrust us with your dog’s training needs.
We’re delighted to hear about the positive experience you had with our trainer, Ria, and the significant progress your dog made under her guidance. Ria’s dedication to addressing separation anxiety is indeed exceptional, and we’re glad that her expertise led to such remarkable results for Lila.
We understand your initial disappointment with the training program, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused. Your feedback helps us continuously improve our services, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to make things right.
It’s important to note that Dyese does specialize in separation anxiety but unfortunately Dyese’s home envionment is very different to what Lila was used to and therefore she wasn’t displaying many anxious behaviors during her stay with Dyese.
However, we’re pleased that our team was able to recognize the need for a different approach and arrange additional training with Ria at no extra cost to you.
Your experience underscores the importance of choosing the right trainer for your dog’s specific requirements. We’re grateful for your trust in us and thrilled that we could ultimately meet your expectations.
Thank you once again for your valuable feedback and for recommending Wag Mates Academy
AD
Annabelle D.
A New Mochi, my Aussie Shepherd
I cannot say enough about how pleased and happy I am to have Mochi, my almost 3 year old Aussie shepherd, get boarded and trained at Wag Mates Academy for 4 weeks. I cannot thank Erin enough, in particular, for having my dog stay with her and family. Erin was great, patient and loving towards Mochi whose biggest issue was reactivity. She came home almost a completely different dog. She walks without pulling on leash, does recall well, and obeys commands like quiet--when I ask her to stop barking. Although she is still reactive towards bikers and passersby after 11 days since return, she isn't as stubborn as she used to be when asked to stop. I believed that by reinforcing and following up on what Erin has started with her like more exposure, patience and affection, Mochi will continue to thrive and be a better companion to me. Overall, the board & training with almost daily video reports of Mochi's progress was and is still worth, all that I paid for.
Thank you Wag Mates Academy!
Response from Wag MatesMar 11, 2024
Thank you Annabelle for the amazing review! We're so glad to hear that you and Mochi had a great time at Wag Mates Academy. Our team is passionate about helping pets reach their full potential, and it's wonderful to hear that our efforts are making a difference. We appreciate your support and can't wait to welcome you and Mochi back!
DH
Duane H.
My pup just went through a four week…
My pup just went through a four week training with David and I cannot say enough about how happy I am with the results. He addressed all my problems I was having and she came back so well behaved. I got videos daily and was in constant communication on her progress. I was a little skeptical at first and was wondering if it was going to be worth the money, but I have to say it was worth every penny!! I would highly recommend anyone who is having problems to not hesitate to contact them!!! Thank you David for all your help!!!!
Response from Wag MatesMar 7, 2024
Your kind words mean the world to us! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with Wag Mates Academy. It's our goal to make training both effective and enjoyable for pets and their owners, and we're delighted that we could exceed your expectations. Thank you for choosing us for your pet's training needs!