Brandywine Dog Academy & Supplies

Had very high hopes for this business. Was recommended by someone who was very happy . The website was easy to use and I set up my discovery call for 10am on Monday and cleared my schedule. I was excited to start the process with my pup . At 10:30 when I didn’t get the call I figured I’d reach out as being busy is a good thing . I called and left a voicemail. Later in the day I decided I’d email as “David “ who I was supposed to speak with didn’t get back to me and assumed something could have happened . Well today is Thursday and I have NEVER gotten a return call or an email. I can assume this would be the level of service my pup would receive or they are simply too busy and don’t need my money. My search will go on for someone who values my time as much as my money.

I’m a dog trainer located in PA, David & I talked and agreed to meet for a few days, so I could get some hands on work using other training methods. I brought my 2 personal dogs with me for this trip. He is an excellent teacher and already I’m seeing a much stronger foundation being built off what I had already done. This couldn’t have been done without David and I’m very grateful he allowed me to have this opportunity, and can’t wait to see what we accomplish moving forward with our new training goals and plan ! ❤️

Review David, with Brandywine Dog Academy, literally changed my life (and no, that is not an exaggeration). I went from having a very small world of where and when I could safely take my boy out - to taking him comfortably to Starbucks for a pup cup; to Scout Cafe - sitting outside while I had cappuccino and read a book with him calmly laying at my feet; walks in the park and around the neighborhood; greetings with neighbors, and rides in the car without him barking like a maniac. People no longer turn around when they see us coming; now they stop and watch (Spatzie attracts attention because of his size and elegant appearance - not that I’m biased). My boy, Spatz, is my world - and we can finally go out in it together. My David story: I adopted a puppy from a shelter that was expected to get to be about 60 pounds. I’ve always had dogs, so started working on his leash training and other basic commands. He did ok - not great, but ok - as long as there were no distractions. Even the most minor of distractions, though, and all bets were off - pulling, barking, jumping. And Spatzie grew, and grew, and grew. When he was between 6-9 months I realized I was in over my head and met with a trainer (not David). At the end of the session I felt hopeless and defeated. I didn’t feel heard - she had a way of doing things that didn’t seem to take my particular dog into account. I tried her methods, but things got worse instead of better. Spatz and I were back on our own - me a 5’2 woman with a now very powerful 110 pound Doberman (vet thinks he is mostly Dobie, with a little Great Dane - and NOT 60 pounds). I met David at an event, had a good feeling about him and set up an evaluation. I was very clear from the start what I was looking for, although I wasn’t sure it was possible. My Spatzie is a big lovable, joyful goofball and while I needed him to be well-trained because of his size and strength, I didn’t want his spirit broken in order accomplish that. David, Spatzie and I had a lengthy evaluation and decided on the 3-week day program: I dropped Spatz off at 9 and picked him up at 5 - and then we got our homework, what we were to work on for the next day. I wasn’t looking to have someone do all the work for me. Spatz was my boy and I wanted to be involved in his training and David made it clear that I needed to work with him outside of his training sessions (even had me record us working outside of training so he could evaluate how we were doing). One of the things I loved about working with David is that he was constantly reevaluating what worked with Spatz. When he realized how much Spatz loved to play, that was incorporated into his training. He explained the process he was using with Spatz, and why, and patiently answered my miriad of questions. Spatz absolutely adored going to training. His whole body would start to wiggle as we’d get closer to the facility. David was/is great, too, about working with you outside of the facility. Spatz was a nightmare in the car - so we had training sessions in the car, driving around and teaching Spatz to be calm; struggles with him being reactive during nighttime walks (he has a strong prey drive) - David came over to my neighborhood so he could evaluate what was going on and work up a plan for us. No problem was off limits. David, at Brandywine Dog Acedemy, was able to accomplish exactly what I so desperately wanted: my boy is still as silly and goofy as ever - but now he comes when he is called, walks nicely on a leash (he is still very aware of the dreaded squirrels, but can now be redirected rather than taking me for a fly), likes going in the car for rides - and is just, in general, a calmer happy dog. Spatzie and I will be forever grateful. Note: 1st pic is of my boy happily enjoying a walk at the park; the second is of Spatzie and David at the end of one of their training sessions (where the bond they have developed is abundantly clear).