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.
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Most recent review: October 2026.
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From the very moment at pickup I saw a instant difference in my dog’s leash behavior! Trainer Raul was very informative and patient with our puppy Chai. I could tell from the very start that he would make a huge difference in training and he did! Not only did he train our puppy but he trained me and my husband to keep up with her training! I am very satisfied and I appreciate the help! Thank you!!
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hello Alejandra, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We hope that Chai is excelling in her training and that you come back to Wag Mates for any future training needs
SM
Sherita M.
Job Well Done
4 months ago I found a 6 week old puppy crossing a 65 mph highway. After a few months of having him I knew I needed professional help in training him to do standard commands. After looking at a few options I settled on Wag Mates puppy board and train program. Trainer Jason L was assigned to work with Highway. During the 2-weeks Jason provided me with progress videos and he has been very responsive to any questions concerns I had about Highway's training. After 2 weeks Jason returned with my puppy and I was amazed. Highway had grown a bit, he looked the same but he was so well behaved I asked if they had switched dogs. LOL 😆. Jason also spent an hour with my husband and I to demonstrate for us what had been done to train Highway while he was under his tutelage and what needed to be done by us for Highway's continued success. Wag Mates told me that they will remain committed to Highway after his training was over and seeing how Jason has remained responsive to my questions and concerns after Highway's training has ended. I am very confident that Wag Mates will be there for Highway and I if we need them in the future.
Sherita M
Millen, GA
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hi Terence and Sherita, thank you so much for leaving this awesome review for our company and for Jason. We are very happy that the training exceeded your expectations and that Jason has kept in touch regarding Highway's progress! Please feel free to keep in touch with us and reach out for any further training needs :D
CU
customer
Anthony is the dog whisperer!!
Our German shepherd Bruno, who is 6 months of age. Went for 3 week intensive training with the trainer Anthony. Every day he will teach us new stuff about what he had being working with Bruno. Also how to approach Bruno since he’s still a puppy. He went in depth with all the helpful videos and tips. You can really tell the love and patience he has for dogs and he loves what he does. We are so please with all his work. Bruno came back as a brand new dog. When I tell you I couldn’t get around Bruno because he has a biting problem, now this morning I approached him the way Anthony told us too. He didn’t bite at all he just kept leaking me. We are very lucky to have him as Bruno trainer. I’m sure Bruno will miss him very much!!
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hi Richard, thank you so much for leaving this awesome review for our company and for Anthony. We are very happy that the training exceeded your expectations! Please feel free to keep in touch with us and reach out for any further training needs :D
NS
Natalie S.
Anthony Is the best trainer!
If your looking for help with training go with wagmates hands down best choice! Especially the trainer my Luna (5 month old Malinois) got Anthony and the way he has trained and been with Luna I couldn’t have asked anyone better. In my book if anyone needs dog training wagmates is the way to go for sure 💜 I’m beyond happy I chose wagmates for Luna! I can’t find the words to describe my appreciation for all Anthony did with Luna. I know I have work to do with her but definitely didn’t know where to begin the foundation he set in place and guidance helps so much! Thank you so much for matching my beautiful girl with Anthony as her trainer. She cried when he left I was like 🥺 even wanted to go with him 🤦🏻♀️ that tells me she loved her training with him. Luna was in training for two weeks and when I say Anthony is an incredible trainer, probably doesn’t do it justice we got video feedback from Luna. We got pictures while she was in training. Anthony made sure to go into detail about exactly what he was doing how we can do it when she gets back home, all I’ve gotta say is he’s an amazing trainer and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Luna. She did have a lot facing her like separation anxiety, nervousness reactivity to strangers and other dogs. Of course we still have work to do but the groundwork Anthony has is simply a game changer. I truly appreciate Anthony for training and taking such amazing care of Luna. And Macey for being so open to questions concerns and everything simply amazing customer service from Macey. I see all the other reviews of customers happy with their trainers, but I think Luna got the best one.
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hi Natalie, thank you so much for leaving this awesome review for our company and for Anthony. We are very happy that the training exceeded your expectations! Please feel free to keep in touch with us and reach out for any further training needs :D
AN
Ana
From timid and holding back, to confident and playful!
I adopted a German Shepherd-Husky mix dog from the pound a few months ago and while she has a very sweet disposition, she was not interested in training at all. She was a little shut down and honestly a little stubborn when it came to doing anything she didn't want to do.
So when we started to look into training options, we came across so many options. All we knew is that we wanted to train her using positive reinforcement. Our dog, Ginger, was sweet and a bit timid and we didn't want her go through anything harsh as she had already spent 3 months at the pound and who knows how long on the streets.
I reached out to a few different training companies, but after several disappointing calls, I got a call from Macey at Wag Mates Academy. From the start I could tell she had the best interest of my dog in mind. I spoke to her after having Ginger for 2 weeks, so she suggested I wait a bit longer to allow Ginger time to settle in more. She agreed that positive reinforcement would be a great option for Ginger. She was the only person to not pressure me to send my dog away ASAP.
About a month later, she followed up and we talked about their board and train program. It was a tough decision, mainly because we would have to board Ginger for 3 weeks, but Macey was great at putting me at ease about the program and took the time to answer all my questions. Once we figured out dates that is when we were lucky enough to be matched with Njoud, who would take on training Ginger. We had a great call to discuss all of Gingers quirks, issues, personality and what I had been doing so far. We discussed logistics and what the goal for the program was.
When Njoud came to pick up Ginger, I was immediately put at ease. Ginger was very timid with new people but she opened up to Njoud from the start. Njoud sent constant, daily updates, usually with pics, videos or both. She would walk us through everything she was doing so we understood. A big part of this is the humans being able to continue what is implemented in the program, so seeing clips of the training program really helped us feel like part of the training.
Day after day and week after week we saw Ginger open up more and more and make such progress in her training. We Njoud talked us through at length anytime there was an issue or Ginger would struggle with something, so we would know how to handle it. The level of communication was incredible. We really felt at ease to ask anything. Njoud is truly amazing and super patient!
When the 3 weeks were over, we got a completely different dog. We realized just how much she had been holding back. We got a detailed report and at drop off Njoud walked us through what Ginger had learned and she gave us the knowledge to be able to continue it. That timid dog that was holding back was no longer there and we got a playful, happy, well mannered dog back. She still has some issues she struggles with, but with consistency and the tools to work with her, I know Ginger will only continue to make progress.
In the weeks since she has been home, Njoud has followed up with us and when I have questions about any issues I have with Ginger, I have been able to reach out and ask for advice on how to handle the situation in the future. They have lifetime support and you can set up time monthly to have a follow up session to discuss how things are going.
It was truly had been a great experience and it was worth every penny. I can’t recommend them enough!
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hello Ana, we really appreciate the trust that you put in our company to train adorable little Ginger. We are so happy that you loved the customer support you received and that we matched you with the perfect trainer for Ginger. We thank you for your Pawe-some review and encourage you to reach out again for any further training needs!
JG
Juvy G.
Keebler had the playtime of his life
Thank you Mariah for taking in our puppy for 2weeks! His social anxiety went down and he's more confident with meeting new people.
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hello Juvy, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We hope that Keebler is excelling in his training and that you come back to Wag Mates for any future training needs
EC
Emily C.
Ghost's Training Experience
Dontae was the trainer for my puppy. The transformation in my adorable furbaby Ghost's behavior is truly remarkable. While he's still a young pup and has more learning ahead, being a French Bulldog, known for their training challenges, he's already mastered sitting, staying, and lying down on command. Furthermore, he now walks beside me and stops when I do. I'm genuinely astounded by this behavior change and eagerly anticipate watching my baby continue to improve. Many thanks, Dontae!👻❤️
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hello Emily, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We hope that Ghost is excelling in his training and that you come back to Wag Mates for any future training needs!
LC
Liz C.
Satisfied Doberman Owner
Very satisfied with my Dobermans’ training from Njoud. She’s an amazing trainer, very compassionate and patient! Always willing to answer any of me and my family’s questions. She’s just amazing all around! I definitely recommend wag mates and Njoud!
Response from Wag MatesJan 19, 2024
Hello Liz, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We hope that Chloe is excelling in her training and that you come back to Wag Mates for any future training needs!