The Pet Republic

Christina Stephens Malloy

My experience here was disappointing. I signed my dog up for a one-on-one consult so I cannot comment on the classes they offer. I have a small older dog that shows reactivity towards other dogs, and I was hoping to learn some techniques to help curb this behavior. First, I was disappointed that the trainer did not do an assessment of my dog’s behavior to determine if her reactivity is fear based or just social aggression. I’ve been around dogs long enough to know a training plan should be built around the individual dog’s needs, not just a blanket plan. Second, I felt like the trainer spoke to me like I was clueless. I worked in vet med for 7 years, have two dogs, and am now a therapist, so I’d say I have a better than average understand of both dogs and behavior. But I am not an expert, and I was there to learn new techniques to help my dog. The training methods here use A LOT of treats. Your dog does anything? Treats! I felt this went way beyond traditional positive reinforcement methods. She also didn’t encourage any corrective training methods which is I guess is dependent on the trainer. When I questioned giving my dog treats after showing reactivity towards another dog, she told me that you cannot reinforce fear-based behaviors. This is frankly not true AND she never even determined if my dog’s behavior was fear based. I shared this comment with another trainer, and they were shocked another trainer would say this. The training plan included a lot of games (AKA more treats), enrichment activities, and a “reactive vacation” to keep my dog away from others for two weeks. Nothing in the plan to help/correct her reactive behaviors. Overall, I just feel the methods here don’t align with my or my dog’s needs. Another review said they don’t seem to like small dogs and treat your dog as a problem rather than meeting them where they are. While I’m sure that’s not the intention of the trainer, I felt the same way after our consult. I had another consult with a different trainer (not here) shortly after this and learned a lot more about my dog’s behavior and learned training techniques that my dog has been responding well too. If you feel this place isn’t right for you, it may not be a good fit. I also want to share that I arrived at my appointment 10 minutes early and the trainer told me that we needed to wait outside. It was 90 degrees out, and there were no other people/dogs inside when we arrived. It was HOT and I almost left because who makes a senior dog wait outside in the heat like that? Their client care could use some improvement.

sophia helverson

I echo Maura's review completely. I took my terrier here for a series of training classes, and repeatedly had my questions brushed off--they don't offer one-on-one help in these sessions, or any kind of coaching if you ask for help. The solution to all problems? more treats. I would say coming here set us back in training, because I became a "high value treat" ATM and these treats lost all value. Some of my concerns--which I was told by pet republic were irresolvable--were eradicated within days when I started working with a new trainer. My puppy was less than 6mos old, and they treated him like a lost cause, and treated me like a fool. I came for help, and got mostly scorn. Now, he gets treats when it is appropriate, not every step of every walk. This place is a lot of money for very little results. Go elsewhere.

Elissa Davis

👍🏻 Highly recommend! Very nice staff

Lisa Butler

Highly recommended for training your dog/puppy. We took puppy class, level 1, 2, and currently in level 3. If you want a well behaved pup, to build a relationship with your dog, and have fun in the process- come to pet Republic.