Wag Mates Reviews 34

I would strongly caution anyone considering this dog training program.

While the person who initially set everything up was very friendly and seemed knowledgeable, the actual training experience was extremely disappointing and concerning. The trainer who worked with my dogs appeared inexperienced, and the results were the opposite of what was promised.

After several weeks in the program, both of my dogs came back worse than when they left. One of them was noticeably underweight because they were so anxious they wouldn’t eat. That alone should never happen in a professional training environment.

I also learned that they were being kept in an apartment with children and other dogs and were kenneled for most of the day. This is not what I expected when I paid over $5,000 for what was supposed to be professional, structured training.

This was a very upsetting experience, and I regret trusting this program with my dogs. If you’re considering sending your pets here, I strongly encourage you to ask detailed questions about who will actually be training your dog, their experience level, and the daily living conditions.

I would not recommend this program.

Awesome services.
Their services is excellent.

Good great idea

Absolute Nightmare: Zero Progress and Wasted Thousands
Do NOT waste your money here. This was a profoundly disappointing and completely ineffective experience.
I enrolled my dog, Tyson, in the Boarding and Training program on September 3, 2025, hoping for significant improvement in his obedience and behavior. Instead, I received nothing but disappointment.
After weeks of services with trainer Whitney, there has been LITTLE TO NO IMPROVEMENT in any of the core behavioral issues we paid to address. Tyson's training is the equivalent of starting from scratch. It feels as though he has simply been boarded, not trained. The promised results never materialized, leaving me with a serious crisis of confidence in Wag Mates Academy’s program.
This is more than just a minor hiccup; it is a total failure to deliver on the agreed-upon training goals. I have been extremely disheartened to see such a complete lack of measurable progress. This is an exorbitant amount of money spent for absolutely zero value.
I am currently seeking a full resolution, including a refund for services that have demonstrably not met any acceptable standard. Future customers, please consider this a major warning: if you are looking for real results, look somewhere else. Save your money and your frustration.

I rescued a one and a half year-old puppy - a German Shepherd mix from a local shelter. When I brought him home, he had major separation anxiety, and I was concerned about his behavior around other people . I contacted several certified dog trainers, and they all told me that there was no hope for this type of behavior- that’s just the way the dog is. They wanted to medicate him. I found Wag Mates and spoke with Bianca and expressed my concerns and she said they could absolutely help me! Luke entered a six week board and train program and they assigned Carlos as Luke’s trainer as he specializes in separation anxiety and aggressive animals- Carlos picked Luke up and he provided videos of Luke’s training every step of the way-Luke finished his training and was returned to me this morning. Luke is a completely different dog. He is full of confidence & so obedient. I am so glad I chose Wag Mates and they chose Carlos to be Luke’s trainer. He actually trained us both. He went above and beyond. I needed a crate for Luke and no way to pick it up-Carlos picked it up for me and installed cameras for me in my backyard. He addressed and handled every single concern I had! I highly recommend Wag Mates!

Phenomenal Dog Trainer – Highly Recommend Brittany!

Brittany is an absolute rockstar when it comes to dog training! She worked with our pup, Griddy, through her onboarding program, and the results were beyond our expectations. From day one, she was patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly effective in teaching both Griddy and us as owners.

Griddy responded so well to her methods, and we saw improvements almost immediately. Brittany not only helped with obedience and behavior but also gave us the tools and confidence to continue reinforcing the training at home. Her passion for dogs and her ability to tailor her approach to each pup’s personality truly set her apart.

If you’re looking for a dedicated, skilled, and compassionate dog trainer, Brittany is the one! We couldn’t be happier with the experience and highly recommend her services to anyone looking to bring out the best in their furry friend. Thank you, Brittany!

Outstanding communication from my initial research inquiry, to our final talk at Mako’s homecoming with Bill.
Awesome progress reports and videos giving us the confidence and tools to make our land shark into a great family member. Thank you Bill, and Wag Mates.
G. & D. DeJarlais.

David was an amazing trainer and guide for our little one year old puppy. She learned alto understand many commands, and most importantly, we all learned how to ensure she has no more indoor bathroom accidents. She had a great time, and we could share in the learning through multiple daily videos and photos. What a new path forward with our Frenchie, and what a great training program with David and Wag Mates!

Amy trained my 11 month old puppy. She had a previous owner that was unkind to her, so she was shy around strangers and scared of some household things. She was also an unruly puppy in general who had little to no previous training. Amy helped get her started on basic obedience and leash manners. She also got her potty trained and dramatically reduced her destructive chewing. She is now much more comfortable around strangers, has better impulse control, and is a lot more attentive to her owners. I live a somewhat busy life and I’m very pleased with the help I received getting my dog off to a great start. Thank you!

Dave Talbot our trainer, was absolutely amazing! What he accomplished with our dog "Nugget" (3.5 year old American Bully) over just six weeks was stunning. The progress far exceeded my expectations. Being able to see Nugget through multiple videos a day, including drone video, was beneficial so I could learn alongside him virtually --I can't imagine going through this process without it. I was also comforted by the fact that I could observe all of the love and attention, as well as training, that Dave was providing every day. I couldn't be more grateful! DON'T HESITATE -- GO FOR IT -- YOU WILL BE SO HAPPY YOU DID! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DAVE TALBOT 100%

Jason with Wagmates lied from the beginning. We reached out for help with our dog that bit my 9 year old brother. Upon talking to Jason, he assured us he could stop this behavior. We were also guaranteed daily videos of our dog. Neither of those claims held up. Throughout the 2 week training we were only sent videos when asked multiple times. Jason did not seem to care. We were so excited to have Coach, our dog, come back and on the first day he bites my little brother, unprovoked, we were forced to bring him to the animal shelter. Wagmates will not offer any sort of refund. I get this is a business and a full refund is not expected. I hope we can come to a fair agreement on how to settle this.

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! 💚🐾🐾💜

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!

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.

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!!!!

David did a great work with my babymax his behavior is better waking with no pulling lest barking. Thank David

I think this would be a good choice for leash, sit, stay and potty training. However, if you have a reactive, large breed I highly recommend you look elsewhere. There was zero improvement after 6 weeks of living with the trainer.

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.

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!

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!!!!