Woofbeach Shore

I contacted this location about my interest in having my dog attend training to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. The manager told me to bring my dog in for an assessment and they would see what he knows and needs to work on and make a recommendation about training from there I brought my dog in for the assessment which ended up being a 30 minute sales pitch for their basic training package. At the end of the sales pitch, I questioned why my dog, who was trained as a service dog for a person in a wheel chair, would start in the basic program and was told thats just how they do it and that if he knows a lot, hell just move through the, fifteen hundred dollar!, training faster and I can then purchase the advanced training package (which doesnt address the requirements for Canine Good Citizen) As I was coming in for an assessment I thought they would assess what my dog knows before recommending a training program but that was not the case. If your dog doesnt know anything, then this place might be a good fit for you. However, if you are looking to refine what your dog already knows, then I recommend not wasting your time, skipping the sales pitch, and looking elsewhere for a more customizable program. (A good boy on our way home in a down/stay on a busy street with a truck coming up behind him and a dog barking across the road)
May 5th, 2023

Feb 21st, 2023

I love Woof Beach and so does Milo!! Nick is such a great trainer, not only for my boxer but me also. Hes been so patient with me and is very good at what he does. He makes sure I completely understand what I need to do and that Im comfortable with it. Ive hired several different trainers throughout the years and still couldnt get my dogs to listen to me. None of them compare to Woof Beach. Woof beach is great at training the human as well and thats so important. I would recommend them and Nick to everyone with a dog. Taylir is pretty awesome too.
Feb 5th, 2023

Ive been taking my dog here for the past two years for his nails and I can hands down say i love their work!! Thank you to Woofbeach Shore for taking care of my Max. Hes not the easiest to deal with at first, but hes been well taken care of. Highly recommend, they care for your pet and make sure your dog is comfortable!
Jan 23rd, 2023

I paid $2,800 for advanced off leash training. My dog was said to be completed with training at the end of 2 months, yet still could not walk on a leash without pulling. I was advised to keep a pinch collar on my dog all day, except for when shes in a cage. I set my expectation prior to signing Woof Beachs contract that my dog would not need to be trained with a pinch collar, but found out after 2 months that is what they were using. I attempted to use the collar as instructed and my dog became lethargic that same day, vomited, and had diarrhea the next morning, so I then did my research on what theyre using. Trainers refer to their collars as herm collars, but the reality is, they are pinch/prong collars manufactured by the brand Herm Sprenger. With a quick google search on, the correct way to use a pinch collar, it is black and white how long dogs should wear these collars, which is no longer than a training session- 15 minutes to an hour. Yet they advise these to be worn all day. There is endless information, published research, and professional opinion that is firmly against this everywhere you can search, or if you consult with an outside professional trainer first hand. I was told by a manager of 6 different locations around the Chicagoland area that my dog becoming ill was normal. The extensive use of these collars was justified with light hearted analogies, but the words dont align with best practices found anywhere. The lead trainer at the location where my dog attended did not know he was using a pinch collar on my dog when asked. He denied Woof Beach uses them, and said that they use herm collars. It was shocking and concerning for a lead trainer to not know what type of collar these are, yet is being trusted to use it on peoples dogs correctly. This is training equipment, may I mention, that is so controversial it is illegal in different countries. And again, trainers dont even realize theyre using it. I have asked 3 different managers how long dogs spend in pinch collars during the 2 months of group training my dog attended, which were classes up to 8 hours a day, and not one could produce a clear or confident answer beyond, not the whole time. That is far from good enough when there are strict guidelines for the appropriate time dogs should train in a pinch collar. Its shocking the training my dog went through against my wishes and by such inappropriate methods. Other pets should not experience what mine has, unless owners are in full understanding and agreement. I was not given that opportunity. This review details what I feel others should know to avoid being blindsided in the way I was and to hopefully not accept if their dog shows negative changes in behavior as normal. These methods are not normal. There are unfortunately more details of the lies I was told prior to signing Woof Beachs contract, and more information on what a negative experience this has been. Response to Owner 3/10/23 I came back ONE time being willing to try other solutions given that I did pay $2,800 after all. And Ive never spoke of my disappointment in picking up my dog 7 hours later still wearing the pinch collar I left her with that morning, even after I let managers know she would not train in a pinch collar for anymore than an hour at a time. It is so cruel and disgusting owners leave their dogs in your care and you keep them in pinch collars for countless hours.
Mar 19th, 2023