Alpha & Omega Working Dogs - Dog Training — Local services in Moorestown Township

Editing my review to update, since I've now been training here for over two years.

I was given hardly any instruction during group classes for either of my dogs. When confronted about it, I was told that group classes were 'support', which I explained I didn't feel supported. It left classes feeling frustrating. And them saying that the group classes weren't for instruction, made it seem like I was just renting a very expensive space for thirty minutes twice a week.

Private classes are rarely private. The trainers are usually at least double booked. Occasionally you'll be one on one with the trainer, but more often than not, you won't be.

In April, I asked about my dog going to advanced. Karli, the one owner, said that he's not going to move up because he mouthed my hand for treats. I explained that he was in training for 6 months already in intermediate, and he was ready. And I asked why no one brought this stuff up. She said the trainers were too nervous to correct anyone and she was working on it. These were trainers who have been at this place for at least the two years that I've been there. I explained that had I been told, I would have worked on it months ago. But I would be having to pay extra now for someone else's mistake. She offered an evaultion.

The one owner, Ray, did a private training with my dog and agreed that he should be placed in advance class. When I explained to Karli, she still continued to argue , until I was insistent.

Now, in advanced, the head trainer said he should be graduating. However, when she spoke with Karli, she disagreed. Because he hasn't been in advanced for 6 months only 5. So he couldn't graduate with the Sept class, he'd have to go an extra two months for December.

I brought up that other dogs snap in the advanced class, and some dogs are incredibly uncomfortable with the e collars and no one is helping them. That i had to fight for my dog to get into a class because he was mouthy and other dogs are snapping.

So, come to find out later, I also was dupped. Not technically illegal or a scam. But like kissing your cousin, it feels ick.

She has me on a monthly plan, but didn't explain that it was going to cost me significantly more than everyone else. She framed it as helping me. There was never a cap when I reached the price everyone else was paying. I have ended up paying double.

Even with her knowing me and my kids lost everything in a house fire in July.

They'll get you with saying they're all a family, but trust me when I say that any company saying that is a red flag 🚩.

I attempted to find a reasonable solution, to put forward the exorbitant amount that I paid extra, when my dog wasn't even given his own pace for this 'monthly plan', where he was given a 15 month graduation date for a 12 month program that he excelled at. She did not see that paying double for it was a problem, and basically have me a...

When you sign up at Alpha and Omega, you get more than just a dog trainer; you become part of a family. Ray and Karli become your support system, friend, therapist, and of course trainers. My two daughters and I wanted a dog in our lives again, and it was time. We ended up with Maggie, a beautiful seven week old GSD, we’ve had dogs before but never a puppy. You read the abundance of information out there, one article contradicting the other, you buy all the toys, and treats, crates, food, etc…. you get your cute little puppy home everyone’s happy. Then it starts, all the behaviors you think you’re ready for, but your not. In our case, it was the aggressive biting, not the shoe’s, or other inanimate items, but biting us. We started reaching out for help, friends, more contradicting articles, so-called experts, and the problem just got worse. My daughters began to fear and hide from this cute little land shark. Then one night a good friend, tells me about Ray and Karli, and how impressed he was with they’re knowledge, caring attitude, and just overall desire to help, I called later that night. When I spoke to Karli and explained what was happening on cue Maggie started her attack. Karli heard me over the phone, acted on the spot and told me what to do. I immediately got a reaction from Maggie. Karli’s next words were, “I need to get Ray over there ASAP, are you available tomorrow night or the next?” From the first conversation, they have been there for us, with texts, visits, phone calls, complete re-scheduling of the schedule we just laid out, nothing is an issue for them, accommodating doesn’t cover it. You can’t help but want to be a part of it. The dog training is the easy part; they take care of the humans. We took part in the A&O boot camp, where Maggie who was slated to stay for 7 days, stayed for 11 because I got stuck on a business trip. With one call to Karli, it was no problem for them to keep her and adjust their schedule. She came home a different dog, and the humans trained in how to interact with her and continue her training. I’m happy to say that today Maggie is an 18 week old lovable, playful, obedient puppy, that my daughters play with every day, and not run away from. I’ve become so enthralled with what A&O offers that I’m hooked on the dog training life. Andrew and Audrey who are trainers at A&O are just as dedicated and accommodating, as well as the friends of A&O, a group of people that like myself, want to be part of something special. (Amy) They've helped me understand basic nutrition for Maggie, helped with creating a raw food diet and answered my endless questions. My youngest has taken to dog training because of the welcoming environment Ray and Karli have created, she looks forward to the classes, it's become a great bonding experience for us. We can't thank you enough for all you've done and...

10/09/22 Update: Since the posting of my review (see below) on 9/18/22, Alpha and Omega Working Dogs has done the following:

1. Directly interfered with the training of my dog with a separate organization that subleases space from AO. Note that this training was to help treat my dog's hip dysplasia and was approved by my veterinarian.

2. Formally banned me from their premises starting on a given date of their choosing, and yet told their staff (without notifying me) that the ban was effective immediately for Suite C of their location. Despite their motto, AO does not in fact have your six.

Simply put DO NOT get your service dog trained here. They are not VA or ADI accredited; their proofing is subpar, and even if they verbally tell you something, unless you have it in writing good luck trying to hold them to it. Airport proofing? Nope. Train proofing? Nope. Outdoor proofing? Nope* ( *I had to repeatedly bring up concerns in order for them to schedule an outdoor environmental session). Their version of environmental training is going primarily to the Cherry Hill and Moorestown malls. If you don't have a visible disability, have fun having to justify any tasks you're looking to get your dog trained in - Ray's favorite response is "Why? Why do you need that?" They will also request a note from your doctor that states your specific diagnosis (upon further investigation I've learned this is completely inappropriate. You should only provide a note that states you need a service dog to mitigate your disability). They will mention training dogs to heel - what they fail to mention is that this is a guided heel, requiring two hands to correct the dog using a martingale collar, as opposed to a freehand heel. There's an overreliance on training tools to compensate for inadequate training (in a meeting where I was talking about troubles grocery shopping with my service dog, I was repeatedly asked if I was using the hands free leash properly). In their response to this, I'm sure they'll mention their work with Paws for Healing Heroes - I'd be amazed to find someone willing to complain about receiving a free service dog / training.

It took me meeting other Service Dog Handlers and other Service Dog Organizations to realize that I was being gaslighted and essentially swindled. Hopefully this review will prevent people from making the same mistake.

This review is based off my own personal experiences during the time I interacted with Alpha and Omega...