Waterdogs K9 Center

I seeked Janet and Waterdogs K9 Centre after my dog started showing signs of being reactive towards other dogs while on leash. She offers a variety of training options but I opted to do a Consult sessions + 4 private training sessions. The sessions were booked exactly one week apart ( Spread over one month). Janet is very thorough with her explanations. She does not talk to bore you but engages you through explanations suited towards your behavioural knowledge and her own humour. She is a trainer who teaches you to say 'no' to your dog. If you do the homework and follow the method/s she instructs you to do - you will see changes within your dog. Skipping out on one day or avoiding a method she offered, will set you back - I feel having a personal knowledge on dogs as animals versus dogs as 'pets/family members' aided myself in my dog's improvement. I saw changes within my dog within that month of training; which took me months to achieve on my own. Three weeks after finishing my private sessions with Janet and following her guidance; I was able to walk my dog by other dogs without him wanting to 'f them up'. It has been almost two months since my training sessions and I feel more confident as a handler and have created a deeper bond with my dog. He can offer me trust within the situation and I may offer him guidance. Dog training is not all what is defined within a textbook or classroom but defined dealing with the reality and the unpredictability of different dogs. Dogs live in the present and assess the situation as it comes towards them, therefore, dog trainers must as well. And Janet does exactly that.

Last year we made the mistake of investing money into training with this woman and did not ask enough questions at the start about her own training and experience. There is something off about this entire business and Janet and how she explains how dogs think and behave. She thinks being stern and "no nonsense" bully is the answer to everything. As soon as you ask her questions or challenge her tactics in any way she pulls the "i think we should part ways, not a good fit" speech blaming us for not wanting to do what she wants. Why can't you tell us what your credentials are and where you were educated to be a dog trainer? She knows it all according to her and you have no right to ask her why or how. I found out that Anyone can claim to be a dog trainer, there is no type of regulation. She's just a know-it-all, arrogant, unprofessional windbag. I'm surprised she's still open and that people claim she is wonderful. Don't fall for the phoney act. She says one thing and does another.

This review pertains to two services of the business. First service is the day care. For starters, every employee here is an adult. I have my two dogs to a few other spots in Barrie where they have teenagers taking care of the dogs and even running the front end of the business. My dogs came out of these locations nervous and dirty. This has not been the case at Waterdogs K9 center; my dogs come out of the facility happy, clean and energetic. The facility is clean with outdoor space available. Soft flooring is installed with agility features set up for dogs that are interested. Most of the employees have some sort of training related to dogs whether it be health or training related. The result is your dogs will be trained on good behaviors (letting you walk through a door first and calm during greetings when you arrive for pickup) but also having an educated staff to bounce questions off. I have had my one dog on the monthly daycare program for the past ~9 months and my other dog goes occasionally so he doesn't get left out. The second service I can comment on would be the board and train program with Janet. My younger dog (1yr old) had a leg injury at only 10 weeks old and the following vet visits had caused some serious fear issues with her. She was a great dog in the house, albeit not perfect, but outside and on a leash she would loose it on other dogs and even people sometimes. At first I tried a different trainer who was recommended by a family member and while he taught my wife and I many tricks as trainers his methods were not enough for the issues my dog had. I put my dog into Janets 3-week program and she kept her for 4.5 weeks at no extra cost due to the extra care that was required. Janet understood that my dog required some extra attention and that this extra attention would yield even more positive results. My dog has since returned and has done a complete 180. She is still the same old dog with the same goofy character/quirks BUT is now much more confident, can be introduced to any dog on the street even while on leash and is incredibly responsive to her commands. Janet had us come in for a couple days to teach us some tricks with the dogs so we could maintain and improve upon what she had done with out dog. My wife and I are thankful to have found the day care so we can confidently leave our dogs for the day but even happier to have found Janet and her training services. We had a dog that we could not manage but now we have two great dogs that are happier as a result of her help. I would recommend her services to anyone looking for help or even just looking to improve their relationship with their dogs.

Sorry but really not a good experience. No call backs, price arrangements changed. Contradictions on text messages and email messages. Brought our dog in on a day when owner was supposed to be present and she didn't even show up. When picking dog up staff didn't notice or comment dog was limping. Follow up visit supposed to be confirmed and no follow up call or message despite requests for confirmation. We brought our dog in with a OneTigris tactical leash that is indestructible and has many forest miles on it. Lower handle by dog collar was CUT. No join or stitching at this location. No fraying or tearing. A clean cut. Double layered material cut! They also did not notice the leash (which my dog was running around with, handle hanging off) until I pointed it out to which I got no explanation. 3 phone calls later (with no callback) damaged collar was acknowledged but no explanation. Written message from owner later that day says that no one noticed cut leash? We were told in this message from the owner that it was best we part ways and we are "released from our program". Thanks. Horrible communication. Price quoted ranging from 1) $1,000 - to 2)$80/week (2 visits) for a trial period (?) with contract (never sent - Oct. 15th - never received) back to 3) $1,000 to 4) "best we part ways." And I want to trust them with our loved dog why? First online review ever...Not happy.

I have only taken group training there with my pup, but he has improved so much! Great techniques that are easy for humans to understand dogs.