Beechgrove Behaviour & Training Centre — Local services in Ireland

When looking for a qualified person to help me with my puppy - her website states that the ‘socialisation classes will be in small groups’. She states that the owners are there to learn along with their dog and that her job is to help them – Sounded Perfect!! My puppy was 6 months old when I started the classes, he’s now 15 months.

These classes have never been small!! In Jan 2020 the Saturday class dog numbers increased significantly – I was shocked and really concerned about this, I spoke to the owner and was told that some of these ‘new dogs’ would be attending her other classes, so it wouldn’t happen again. The next Saturday was a repeat - total mayhem! - I left early. Approx. 2 weeks later it happened for a third time - I thought I had the wrong day, I hardly reckonised anyone! - a new dog owner said she found it really stressful – I totally agreed with her!!! - I texted the owner to say that I could no longer attend the Saturday classes – she thought the last Saturday’s class was my dogs best one yet - he spent most of the time with me which was unheard off!, and the whites of his eye’s were bright red he was so stressed!

She accepted my decision and was happy for me to attend the Wednesday classes... UNTIL – she ‘talked’ to each and every owner individually the following Saturday about me!! – and then stated that I had been talking behind her back!! - its such a shame she couldn’t put all that energy into each and every session – I’ve gone weeks at a time with very little or no real one on one conversation with her.

The ‘false promise’ she made after the first big increase of dogs, stating that it wouldn’t happen again!

I’m now banned me from the Wednesday classes!

She says she spends a huge amount of work behind the scenes to make these classes work, I’m at a loss to ask on what? – the winter meets in the shed consists of everyone standing around talking, she throws a few toys into the mix and we may get the occasional 10 minute walk up the lane...

A text message she sent me last week:

Quote:

...its certain owners who allow week after week their dog to bark or annoy another, no matter how many times ive asked them not too, of course if your not comfortable then I get that,,, because of this lack of respect to other dogs and owners I have already reduced the numbers for this week, what I dont appreciate is talking behind backs, thats not nice or kind at all,,,

Unquote...

I have never bought up the issue of other dogs barking.

Ref. the barking - She is referring to approx. 4 owners who have all been there longer then me – these are regular customers who attend both the Wednesday and Saturday classes – she has taken their monies week in week out, month in month out...

It is HER FAULT that these owners are not taught properly on how to address their dogs barking issues!! - She says she’s good at her job - I challenge her to offer them FREE additional classes until this issue has been properly addressed and corrected…. - prove to them that her first and second priorities are about the owners and their dogs and not about the money…

At the end of the summer she was working a Wednesday class alone – she popped out of the enclosure – my dog got into a fight with another dog – one of her customers had to separate them!!...

She has said on a several occasions how great the owners and dogs are in her big breed classes - little dogs generally have completely different temperaments to big dogs!!

I have never been on any social media sites until I joined Facebook - with one view only – to be kept up to date on Beechgrove walking groups – Never did I expect to be ridiculed by the owner of Beechgrove Behaviour & Training Centre on the bags I was using to collect my dogs poo!!

I have had classes with Niki of the Beechgrove Doggy Park – she’s amazing with these wee dogs!!!...I just wish she could offer year round classes!!...

Footnote: The owner’s female assistant has always shown total integrity and...

Tyrone Husky Rescue ...I have been looking to leave a review for months ,only found this page by chance 🤗 🥳 .. I first contacted Louisa over 2 years ago with concerns over the behaviour and well being of one of our rescue dogs.. Louisa spent over an hour on the phone collecting as much information on the dog as possible , gave me step by step advice and guidance .. Kept in touch for regular updates on the said dog .. nothing was to much trouble !! A home visit was also offered free of charge (sorry louisa ) from then on I turned to Louisa for help with the rescue dogs on a very regular basis , and mostly this was done very late at night and sometimes into the early hours of the morning .. running the rescue and caring for dogs was 24/7 .. same for Louisa with her training and behaviour centre .. it’s not a 9-5 .. it’s a vocation and a way of life .. so much goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see or realise , I was so eager to learn as much as possible to help the dogs in my care.. Louisa has a wealth of knowledge above and beyond her years .. she took time and patience to explain everything to me ( anyone who knows me , knows I need step by step instructions lol ) Louisa has visited the rescue regularly to help me with 8 plus dogs over the last few years, and still refuses any sort of payment for her help and time 😬😬 I also have attended some of her social groups ( not as many as I would have liked to have attended ) and although nervous the first time I found them so beneficial for the dogs and also myself .. I realised the rescue dogs needed to be socialised with other dogs not just the rescue dogs .. I gained a lot of insight into dogs behaviour and needs just from that first night ( I loved it ) and the other owners were so lovely and kind to me !! Louisa has a great following and social groups spaces get snapped up very quickly but room was always made for a rescue dog 🐶 💕 ..Louisa is definitely my go to woman for help and advice with anything dog related ( not just behaviour , also health and well being ) I just want to say thank you for all the help you have given me and the dogs at the rescue , past , present & future .....

We went here on 2 occasions with our pup then later as a 2 year old dog. Our cockapoo is a very nervous dog around other dogs.

They allow them all to run together which is fine but then that's it.. There is no one on one.. Our dog was being jumped by another dog every few minutes and that was acceptable. He hated the experience and so did myself and wife. He actually went backwards after the few times we took him as a pup.

We then decided that we'd give them another go. We met them in the field at back of their location. We arrived to smart arse comments from one of the ladies then we spent an hour standing in a field with about 20 other dogs and again our dog was tortured and hated the experience. At no time did any of the support staff come over to offer advice or guidance.

That again was it.. Standing in a field with dogs running about. Felt more like a meet up for friends than dogs. The main lady loves the dogs and you can see this. But unfortunately experience and what it offers not for us. So I have to base it on solely our experiences however I always hear great things. We just wouldn't...