Woofbeach — Local services in Batavia Township

DO NOT GO HERE!!! I went here to get training for my 4 month old puppy. The trainer I was working with was named Nick. I came in for my consultation and Nick informed me all I needed was to sign the contract and place the deposit to hold her spot as she was too young to start training. He said the deposit is refundable if anything happens between contract signing and start date. Nick stated that once I pay in full then it would not be refunded whether I take the class or not. Nick stated email was best way to contact him and he would be with me in the meantime to help assist in training until her start date. This was not true. I emailed him and he never responded except when speaking about money. I figured ok maybe he wants the deposit before giving advice. Seems fair right? So I went in and paid the $600 deposit he again told me the deposit was refundable until I pay in full at her start date. In the process of all of this I witnessed the manager behind him Cameron. He was holding a dog training it when a little 3-5 pound dog got off its bed and walked by him. He grabbed the leash and dragged the dog with the spiked collar on as it cried out in pain fighting back all the way to the cot. Then I saw him with the bigger dog he was training lightly kicking the dog's back legs to get him to sit. I was starring at him with a look on my face and he stopped kicking the dog's legs. I reached out to Nick in email and in person looking for help on what he would call "puppy biting." I got zero response back. When I spoke to him in person he said oh she's too young to learn anything and puppy biting is normal. I said yes it is, but she isn't puppy biting she is attacking and ripping clothes. He completely ignored me and my questions and said we will fix it in training. I continued research at this point googling reviews, speaking to numerous people. After many discussions and research I came across one last review from an ex employee who stated the daycare employees are sent over to assist when needed and that they are told to shock the dog until they listen. States seeing cruel punishment. I then looked up Nick to see if I could find any credentials on him. They state he is a canine behavioral instructor. Nick stated he worked at a daycare prior to this. I found his Facebook which stated from him that this was the first full time job he has ever had and was an Apprentice. This was in 2021. I then called woofbeach to speak to him and the daycare employee picked up and said she had no idea about any training dates drop off times or really anything she's just answering the phone while they need help. Going back to my read reviews everything seemed to be in check with cruel punishment and a trainer that is in need of more training. This is not what I agreed to when signing my contract and my deposit I made. Woofbeach broke this contract by providing cruel punishment. At this point I had enough red flags to tell me I needed to not take my dog here and reach out to someone higher. I found the district managers email his name is Austin. I wrote an email to him explaining everything that has happened and how uncomfortable I was and I didn't want to make any waves I just wanted my refund for my deposit back. Austin refused to give me my deposit back stating the contract says he doesn't have to essentially. I explained to him his trainer insured me the deposit is refundable and even lied to Austin about some emails saying he didn't get until I had to forward them to Austin to prove they went through and were received. I told him I was uncomfortable seeing the punishment they gave with the prong collar. He still refused. He offered to go to another location however, I've seen how they train.How can I be comfortable going to another place after what I saw. I just wanted my refund and wanted to quietly move on with my life. But here we are. I'm still going to consult with legal to see about getting my deposit back seeing as how I didn't agree to that punishment in...

DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG HERE FOR TRAINING. MY EXPERIENCE AND THE OWNER’S RESPONSE Their training is a one-size-fits-all aversive method. If you are looking for a place where the professionals handle the brunt of training, WoofBeach is not be the ideal choice, as much of the responsibility falls on you to teach and reinforce commands outside their controlled environment. I recommend requesting a demonstration to assess suitability for your dog's temperament and consulting your vet if you have concerns. I strongly advise against choosing this facility, especially if your dog is a flat-faced breed. Also, WoofBeach does not offer refunds (full or partial) in the event of customer dissatisfaction.

I enrolled my 4-month-old poodle puppy at WoofBeach to get him leash trained due to an upcoming change in my living situation. Having already taken training classes at Petco, I explained my goal of reinforcing basic commands and building duration on the commands. The trainer assured me they could help.

After 4 weeks of training classes, during the demonstration, my dog struggled to heel without leash corrections. The trainer attributed it to me being his primary motivator. Post-training, my dog regressed, and basic commands became challenging. The trainer dismissed this as typical puppy behavior and encouraged me to continue with the training. I was reassured that my dog was happy when I expressed discomfort with the leash popping corrections.

I was assigned training tasks to be conducted at home, essentially regarded as "homework," with the expectation that I would independently train my dog.Despite improvement, my dog seemed to be shutting down and it seemed like I was doing the training under their guidance, not vice versa. The trainers attribute the issues to my handling.

Seeking a resolution, I suggested my dog attend more training classes, because I had time constraints. The manager got involved and it was basically the same thing with a different person.

After three months and a substantial financial investment, my dog still lacks proper leash manners and I am facing more challenges than when I initially enrolled in training.

UPDATE FROM THE OWNER’S RESPONSE

The manager, Austin, reached out to me regarding my initial review. To sum up our conversation, he seemed not to understand why their aversive training method is problematic and not applicable to all dogs. Additionally, he was unable to articulate alternative training approaches and insisted that I meet up with either him or another trainer. This lack of clarity raises doubts about their expertise. Like, come on, if you can't explain it, how can I trust you know what you're doing? I brought up the idea that they should've explored non-aversive methods earlier, not after the fact.

He kept pushing their lifetime support even though I had expressed and reiterated my discomfort with their approach.

In summary, a prong collar is applied to all dogs, and the leash is popped until the dog complies.

I asked for a refund , full or...

From the moment I stepped into Woofbeach Batavia, I knew my furry friend was in good hands. As a proud pet owner, I've had my fair share of experiences with various training facilities, but none have quite matched the expertise and dedication of Woofbeach, Batavia. It's clear that the staff genuinely care about the well-being of every dog that walks through their doors. The trainers Nick and Cameron are true professionals in every sense of the word. Their extensive knowledge of canine behavior and training techniques is evident in every session. They tailor their approach to suit the unique needs of each dog, ensuring effective results and a positive learning experience. So far we have had two of our dogs trained there over the past 10 years. They do not require a leash when walking outside. We still use one just for other dog owners sense of mind. What sets Woofbeach, Batavia apart is their commitment to using positive reinforcement techniques. They focus on building a strong bond between the owner and their dog, emphasizing communication and trust. It's refreshing to see a training facility that prioritizes reward-based methods over punitive measures. I've been amazed by the progress my dog has made since starting training at Woof Beach, Batavia. Not only have they addressed specific behavioral issues, but they've also equipped me with the tools and knowledge to continue reinforcing good behavior at home. The transformation in my dog's demeanor is truly remarkable, and I owe it all to the wonderful team. From scheduling appointments to follow-up consultations, the staff are always friendly, professional, and accommodating. They go above and beyond to ensure that both the owner and the dog feel supported every step of the way. I wholeheartedly recommend Woofbeach, Batavia to anyone in search of top-notch training for their beloved canine companion. With their expert trainers, positive reinforcement methods, and unwavering dedication to excellence, they've earned my trust and loyalty as a lifelong customer. We have just signed up to have our new...