Amanda Gagnon Dog Training

Where to start? I got a new puppy three months ago and I could not have done it (or still be doing it) without the group of amazing and caring experts at Amanda Gagnon who clearly love, and care for, my puppy. I think I have tried every service they offer - virtual kindergarten, puppy playgroup, puppy day school, leash walking and now we are about to start adolescent day school and adolescent play group (I am signed up for every single class they offer through June). We did 1:1 virtual training with Gwen who is just terrific. Taylor couldn't love our dog more. Justine and Esther teach Sadie lots of great skills. Amanda is teaching our leash class and we have already improved. And the all around guru, Matt seems to keep the place churning (and my puppy is obsessed with him!). Honestly I couldn't recommend this place more and I hope they keep adding more services (e.g., teenage school, walking services, daycare). We will use them!

My puppy, Sora, and I have been going to AGDT since he was about 11-12 weeks old and we've tried out all different classes they've had, including Puppy Socials, Puppy Day School, Leash Training. He even learned to walk on leash indoors for the first time with AGDT's leash training class (with Gwen Moyer)! We love working with Gwen and Matt!!! And now that he's an adolescent (8 months old), we started doing their Adolescent Social and Adolescent Day School. The trainers and staff have been absolutely amazing and wonderful. They have been very patient and responsive to my puppy and me and are always very eager to help. Sora LOVES this place and is always so excited to go to class. We definitely recommend this place!

Update: Our puppy developed symptoms of kennel cough 4 days after we went to the puppy social. The vet treated her for upper respiratory infection (confirmation of kennel cough required a lab test that we opted out of). She had not been around other puppies other than at AGDT, so we have strong suspicion that she acquired it there. I see that other reviewers also experienced the same. A $40 puppy social turned into $240. Pup owners beware!!! We took our puppy here for a puppy social. No one greeted us when we walked or asked us to check in or even verify what class we were there for. When the trainer came out to pick her up, she didn’t even ask for our names or introduce herself, which I thought was odd. She asked if this was our first puppy social and we said yes. Due to Covid social distancing we couldn’t go in the back with her, which we totally understood. When we came at pick up, the trainer didn’t have anything much to say other than “she did well.” She also didn’t take any pictures or videos. This was very disappointing since this is was not just our first time at AGDT, but first social ever! Come on! We walked out of there feeling bewildered. We just dropped off our puppy with complete strangers, we have no idea what the place looked like, or even what she did there. We literally have no idea what we just spent $40 on!! Based on the rave reviews, we trusted that this was a reputable place that had trustworthy trainers. I don’t want to assume the worst unless I have evidence to do so. But unfortunately, we will not be coming back. Also they have a very strict late policy - Locked doors after 5 min late for drop off and $25 fee for EVERY additional 5 min you are late at pickup. This is completely unrealistic. This made us very stressed trying to get a squirming puppy across town in rush hour. Side note: Most dog training facilities require that owners get a note from a vet with record of first vaccines before any puppy social. AGDT does not require this. We felt less worried because our pup has all her vaccines. But other owners with younger puppies might want to be cautious about this place.