Dog Training Center of Chester County

I found DTCCC over 17 years ago when I got my first dog, and I loved the training and skills I learned at the center back then. So when our family found ourselves with a new puppy in our lives again we once again returned to DTCCC for training. We've in the past year taken many classes with a variety of trainers and all of the instructors are very knowledgeable. As with any training, you get the most out of it if you're willing to work at it. Training doesn't end after the class is over, it continues at home and in your daily routine with your dog. I genuinely love learning with my dog and am looking forward to exploring the many dog sports and activities the club has to offer. Their variety of classes is great, and I look forward to attending classes each week to learn new skills we can build on.

DTCC did not meet our expectations and ultimately I wish we had gone elsewhere. Our instructor Scott, while very funny and obviously very knowledgeable about training dogs, was not great at training people how to train dogs. His explanations were convoluted and hard to follow. We were often confused, our (hungry, not fed before class as instructed) dog was agitated and frantic because it could not tell what was required to get a treat. Also, if you have a puppy that misbehaves, you will be the butt of every joke, which after awhile became uncomfortable for the rest of us in the class. After all, everyone is there for because their dog needs training! The side instructors often came over and were more helpful, I wish they were teaching the class. The class typically started going around the room and we would ask Scott about any current problems our dogs were having. The answers were very inconsistent, sometimes you’d get a substantial answer, sometimes he’d gloss over it and move to the next person. The majority of the class was taken up by a monologue about dogs, developmental things, etc, and the last 15 minutes or so were often left for the actual training portion. The class frequently went over the hour, seemingly because training was left to the last minute. There was often no demonstration with an actual dog of what we were supposed to be doing and instead relied on describing an imaginary dog and what it was doing. I would have liked them to work more with my dog and show me what to do, which is kind of what I expected from an in-person training class. I can get clearer instructions and demonstrations with an actual dog on YouTube, and that would have saved me $200. However, if Scott ever took up a comedy career I would go see him.

I had a very disappointing experience at this establishment today. From the moment we arrived, the instructor, Nancy Fitzgerald, was unfriendly and dismissive. She didn’t greet or introduce herself, which immediately made the atmosphere uncomfortable. When training began, she approached us and asked where we were from and what classes we had taken. We mentioned that we had previously trained with another instructor, who was excellent. Nancy repeated that instructor’s name, rolled her eyes, and walked away. By her reaction it was clear that she did not like or respect that instructor. Throughout the class, she seemed to focus her attention on participants she already knew while largely ignoring us. When she did offer feedback, she shouted it across the room in a way that felt condescending and unprofessional. She was so far away I didn’t even know she was even talking to us. All I heard from the other side of the room was “You’re doing it wrong !” “That’s not right !” “You’re not getting it !“ At one point, she finally came over to assist but soon walked away, telling others, “Sorry, I had to waste time working with that dog.” This was incredibly rude and uncalled for. While she spent 1 minute with us it was evident that she clearly didn’t want to work with me or my dog. Her frustration boiled over when she handled my dog roughly—pulling on his leash and even stepping on him. She grew tired of trying and didn’t return to our section the rest of the class. The entire environment felt uncomfortable and unwelcoming, and I honestly wanted to leave midway through. If you’re looking for a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful place to train, I recommend finding another instructor or facility.