Canine University

We have so enjoyed having you join us . Thank you for sharing your dogs with us.

Hi Jess, I'm sorry you didn't stick it out and invest in the whole 6 wks instead of just the first 3 classes. We teach way more then sit in those first 3 but I can see where you would think that as we didn't get a chance to help you apply it. Those first high value treat attention building value exercises are the foundation for greeting people without jumping, sit politely for petting, attention and focus in public, walking nicely on a leash and coming when called. It's all part of a larger picture which can't be taught in just 6 wks never mind only the first 3. Just like going to the gym, you can't complain that you don't have defined abs after just 3 visits. It's takes a lot more dedicated training and practice (not just in class but at home too!) to achieve a well mannered companion. Since it was 5-6 yrs ago that you attended I'm hoping you found this out already but since you felt compelled to write this review 6 yrs after attending maybe not ? Canine U has always been dedicated to helping people raise great companions but we can't do it alone, our valued and dedicated dog parents must invest in their dogs too. I wish you and your dog many happy years together. For anyone reading this review and deciding whether or not we are a good fit, I would ask that you consider your own level of commitment to your dog. We can't do it for you but we are passionate about coaching you to be the best dog parent ever ! Our classes are fun and upbeat, kind to people and gentle to dogs. If that sounds like what you're looking for, come play with us !

Candace, I'm sorry you chose to leave the conversation. You didn't receive an email response to the 3rd exchange we had because you went right to shaming and blaming before you let me offer you alternative ways to handle your request. I need more then a few hours to respond to email. I saw from your questionnaire that you have no experience training and this is your first dog. This is not my first rodeo, I've been working with people and dogs for over 30 yrs and I know how stressful it can be to adopt a dog that has behavior problems. Most of the training foundation can be taught in a group class and you had already signed up for it so this was a good place to get you started. If you had sent me an email describing the issues that worried you as you stated above, before you signed up for a group class I would have suggested starting with an initial private consultation. I offered to move your start date up a week (and moved another student to a different class to accommodate you) and you notified me a few hours before class that you wanted to cancel your commitment after agreeing to the start date 3 days after orientation. The policy is clear, 48 hrs notice. We’re strict with this as we often have a long list of folks waiting to come to orientation and start their classes and we have to be fair to everyone. I encouraged you to come to class, you refused. I offered to meet with you one on one to help support you, figure out what you were struggling with and educate you on what it's going to take to turn your situation with your dog around. This would have likely been a combination of a group class and one on one lessons. My plan, which I didn't get to explain to you before you went right to Google, was to meet with you and your dog one on one, evaluate the dog for you, help you set some goals and get you started with some management tips to keep everyone safe and THEN give you the option of using the balance to attend the group class, or apply the balance of the fee you paid to a one on one training package designed specifically for you and your dog. I If you and I didn’t seem like a good fit for one another THEN I would have likely given you a partial refund. But we would have had to have this consultation first. Orientation only very briefly covers the mechanics of the training methods, and is an introduction not the whole story. I was trying to support you the way I have supported others in similar situations knowing that without the right knowledge, this dog will end up back in the shelter system or cause significant damage to a person. THAT is why I use the process described above which you didn't allow me to offer to you. I wish you well, Candace and hope that you find the right support to help you and Jax be great companions for each other. Best, Gerilyn Bielakiewicz , CPDT, KPA-CPT

We so enjoyed our time with you all !!!