Great Lakes Dog Training Company

We've worked with Liz and Jacob for nearly 5 years and we just had our 1 year old GSD go through the board and train program and we couldn't be happier. This is our second dog trained through Liz, Jacob, and their staff at GLDT. Our 1 year old was exhibiting obsessive tail chasing, even after training with another trainer extensively, but now his recall is much stronger and so is his place command. By having these commands on our side, we've been able to curb this very unwanted behavior! Not to mention, his manners were tidied up, too. Thanks to GLDT, we have two very well behaved, balanced GSDs. We will continue to train with them for as long as we have dogs!

Leo is a recent graduate of the Board and Train Program. We cannot say enough thanks to Great Lakes, their staff and especially Leo's trainer, Tyler! Leo is doing amazingly well. He is much calmer, and he really aims to please to follow our commands. He walks so nicely in the neighborhood and works hard not to let distractions bother him. He is still the same lovable dog and enjoys his belly rubs galore. We missed him so much while he was away, but the daily emails, texts and videos kept us in the loop of Leo's progress every step of the way. We are thrilled to have our Leo back home. Now Leo has a happy play place when we board him in the future, and we will have a better peace of mind that he is being well cared for. Thanks so much, Mindy and Alan N

I strongly urge you to reconsider if you plan to entrust your dogs to Great Lakes Dog Training. I dropped off my two dogs for a two-week board and train in December. One of my dogs is fear aggressive and suffers from severe anxiety; he is a 16-pound Chihuahua mix on anxiety meds. The other is a friendly and affectionate 32 pound rescue, who just needed some discipline and confidence. On the 12th day of training, I received a photo update stating that my Chihuahua mix had developed a mass on his back. I immediately picked up my dogs to take them to the vet. The Chihuahua was dirty and smelled horrific, and my schnauzer mix was bleeding from her rectum the following morning. The vet recommended removal of the mass, which developed quickly over the 12 days. A biopsy revealed that there was no cancer or infection and the veterinarian suspected trauma. Additionally, when I picked up my dogs, I discovered that my anxious pup had not been given his medication. I knew this because I had counted out the pills he would need for his stay and noticed that only a few were missing when I picked him up. I contacted Liz immediately, who initially denied that medication had been withheld, but finally admitted that her employees neglected to give my dog his medication, which resulted in extremely negative side effects; this medication must be weaned slowly. She then offered to refund me the veterinary bills, which were $1300, if I provided her with a letter from our veterinarian, which I did. Liz did refund the training fees, but then stopped responding when I submitted all test results and invoices along with the vet’s letter, which specifically sights trauma as the likely cause of his fast growing mass. Additionally, he was highly stressed, reactive towards having his any objects near his face and was attacking his grooming brush, which he previously enjoyed. Lastly, I found what looks like a burn black burn mark on his neck. I am outraged that my dogs suffered for 12 days in their care. I have no idea what happened to them, but I suspect that they were abused and or at the very least, neglected. I did report the incident to Saginaw County’s Animal Services, will also be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, as well as consulting with an attorney regarding civil litigation. It should also be noted that my friendly dog came home timid and cowering, and that both dog’s leash reactivity did not improve at all; many of the videos I received were of the dogs leash walking inside the barn with no distractions and while wearing a shock collar. Take your dog to a balanced trainer and attend it with them. Do not leave your dog with this company. The owner is a liar.

Liz and Jacob have been gifted with their abilities to train dogs and people. They have proven invaluable in our dog training journey with both our dogs and now our new puppy. I highly recommend Great Lakes Dog Training Company to anyone who wants honest advice and training for their dog. Along with Great Lakes dog training company community support once you’ve become a part of the training family.