Waterdogs K9 Center

Janet at Waterdogs was great to work with. We had a 5-session private training course for Sunny, our Bernedoodle, and it was well worth it. Janet is very knowledgeable and my husband and I felt like we were also learning from her as we went through the session. Clean facility, well equipped and close to an outdoor walking area for advanced training and doggy socialization. We would highly recommend Janet and Waterdogs to anyone dealing with training issues or any sort of behavioral challenges. Thanks Janet!

I cannot say enough about Janet and her K9 Waterdogs team! We rescued a 7ish year old GSD about a year ago now - who had a lot of old hard to change habits. With the help of Janet we are better educated and equipped to help him so he can continue to enjoy his life more as a calm, well mannered, dork of all dorks.We also feel so much comfort knowing that when boarding him at “dog camp” he is in their safe trustworthy care - and I know he has the best time there as he starts warbling with excitement at the mere suggestion of driving near or around any previous drop off location. 1000% recommend !

We are having a great experience training our first puppy Maisie! Her personality has come with a few challenges (such as fear aggression of humans) but with Janet’s help we have been able to train and keep training her with confidence. About to start pack walks and couldn’t be more excited. Thanks Janet for all that you do!

We heard about Janet and Waterdogs through a mutual friend who has their GSD go through the program. Our boy is 6 years old. We've been through several different programs, have used many different methods of training - we figured maybe we just need to throw every style of training at him, and see what sticks. We knew we had a smart dog (I swear some days I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up to find him making breakfast and singing), and his obedience was good, but he could NOT relax. He was always 'on'. Like REALLY 'on. Like every noise, every movement, every person, every blowing leaf, every FREAKING raindrop was a potential threat that he needed to alert us to and protect us from. People told us that would never go away, and they were partially right. People told us that 'he's a German Shepherd, it's what they do', but something told me that no, that can't be right. We watched our dog pant and pace and whine with emotion and nerves. He wasn't being 'protective', he was losing his mind, because he couldn't relax. Things like the doorbell would turn him into a hurricane of noise and saliva. You would think a known mass murderer was on the other side of every door. Walking was great, until another dog (or sometimes another human) walked by. Again, he'd react as if the person had literally threated to harm us. It's frustrating, it's embarassing, and it took a toll on us too. We became nervous parents, and of course he picked up on that. He was a nervous dog; we thought we had failed him somehow. A nervous dog can also be a dangerous dog, and though we've been fortunate, we've had some close calls. His anxiety translated to fear, not 'protectiveness'. On our own, through six years of dedicated attention and training, we weren't able to successfully teach him to check in with us before you decide what's dangerous and what's not. Fast forward to Janet. Our boy spent over 6 weeks with her (at no extra charge). She promised to give us back a dog who was a better version of himself, and she delivered. She was patient with him, never pushing too hard, knowing what he could and could not handle. She got into his head, she learned his language, she gained his trust (and ours), and she taught our 'tough guy' that it's OK (and required) to chill out. She tightened up his basic commands, and taught him new ones, including 'Place' (which in dog language means 'park your butt, and don't move until I tell you to). It's different than stay, or down, and it's fabulous. We are thrilled with the progress that Roog made while he was with Janet and her pack. He's still a work in progress, and like any 'teenager', he tests his new way of life almost daily, to see if we'll let him get away with any of the unwanted behaviours. We are quick to correct, and he is quick to respond. When we feel frustrated, Janet is quick to respond with suggestions and reminders of how to keep things right on track. She's invested in our dog, and her deep dedication him is evident. She worked hard, and it shows. The ground work on redirecting his energy and attitude has been done; it's up to us as dog parents to continue with what Janet has so brilliantly instilled in him: confidence, obedience and best of all, the ability to actually enjoy life a little more. Our dog's 'job' in his mind is no longer to be the loudest and most obnoxious thing in the room; he's been relieved of those duties, and though old habits may die hard, he's got so many new ones that we are proud to be a part of. We can't recommend the Board & Train program enough - invest in your dog - after all, he's family! <3

WOW! I wish I found Janet years ago! I brought my 9.5 YEAR old bullmastiff in for training - I had spoiled him his whole life and never asked him for much. We completed the 4 sessions using the E-collar & now my boy walks like a true gentleman, recalls, & follows through with commands! Janet has not only taught my dog, she has taught me & I am forever thankful. If you are like me, worried that asking something of your dog will make him love you less... it doesn't, the bond you share will only get stronger & I will highly recommend Janet time & time again.

My beautiful Kali is a wonderful 7 year old dog, but she's shown aggression to other dogs. Then last fall she chased a squirrel in the woods while we were walking and travelled several miles before someone found her and called the phone number on her tag. I knew I had to do something. After several months of training under Janet's tutelage I now have a dog who recalls immediately and who I can absolutely control around other dogs. I can't thank Waterdogs enough and would recommend Janet in a heartbeat. She's made my life with Kali really enjoyable whether we're at home or we're out.

I adopted a Jack Russell - Chihuahua puppy in 2017, who fell in love with adults, kids and other dogs. He loved his grooming sessions at Pet Smart in Barrie's south end until one day, when a groomer mishandled him and he attacked" her. She was fired shortly thereafter but of course

Janet is an amazing trainer who has a tremendous amount of hands on knowledge of dogs and their mannerisms. During the consultation prior to starting classes she really listens to where you want the training to take you in your relationship with your pup. She then sets you and your dog up for success with classes relative to the areas you want to improve. Prior to finding Janet I had taken Willow to another trainer and had taken part In both private and group classes. Even after completing these classes I still had a dog that acted crazy on walks thinking everyone and every dog we met wanted her to jump all over them. Janet gave us the tools and knowledge to make walking Willow daily an enjoyable experience. She is now good on her recall and will only improve as we continue using Janet’s methods to continue her training. I can take Willow anywhere now and know that she will listen and be a pleasure to have with us rather than be embarrassed by her over zealous actions. Janet gives you clear commands to use when training your dog so that they learn these commands and follow them. With Janet’s help we went from having a wild child dog that we were not sure what we were going to do with to a dog that now listens making life more enjoyable for her and us. Janet taught us how to help Willow deal with everyday things that frightened her and triggered her into barking and lunging. Willow now knows what is expected of her and is a calmer, more relaxed dog because of it. Janet taught us how to get Willow to leave treasures that she found and shouldn’t have without nipping and growling at us when forced to give them up. The private classes have changed both how Willow acts and how we work with Willow and has made for a much better and happier relationship. I can’t thank Janet enough for helping us make Willow a wonderful dog to be around and highly recommend her program.

Waterdogs was recommended to us after we were struggling to gain control of our big, strong, boy, Bronson, in various situations. While not aggressive, at over a year he still acted like an over excited puppy when greeting people (jumping up) and with other dogs. He also always seemed “on” and unable to fully relax unless he was in his crate. Walking him was not a very pleasant experience as he could pull the lead out of our hands/pull us over. We had tried some online training courses but the suggested techniques didn’t work for Bronson, even though we did training with him daily.After 5 private sessions with Janet and Curtis we were amazed at what we have all learned and how Bronson has responded. We now know how to use the e-collar correctly as a communication tool to reinforce our commands. The “place” command has been invaluable keeping him in a designated spot when you don’t want him to run for the door when someone arrives or keeping his nose off the table at meal times.Walking him is much more pleasurable and while the recall command is still a work in progress, we have become more confident in our ability to respond/react in a way that helps Bronson be a good listener and gain our trust in any scenario. We have also noticed he is a more relaxed and confident boy.We are now looking forward to going on Adventure walks with other Waterdogs trainees.Thanks again Janet and Curtis for all your expertise, for helping us to become better owners and be able to enjoy our big lovable dude even more!