SmartDog Training & Consulting, Victoria Proper and North Saanich

I am very disappointed with this business. I enrolled my dog for training online during the pandemic. We completed the first course. These went ok but during one of the classes one of the trainers rolled her eyes at me. I mentioned it in an email and then was accidentally included on a reply that was dismissive and unprofessional. We also did socialisation classes and private training. We began the second level of courses and I could tell from the trainers facial expressions and actions that she found my dog exasperating. After the first class of the second course, I emailed to see if I could be credited for the course to take at a later date. I had just learned my husband had stage 4 cancer and would need another surgery, chemo. I have young children and was devastated and felt I could not cope with dog training and care for a possibly dying husband and young family. I was told that I could be credited to do this at a later date online. Almost 2 years later, after multiple inquiries this has not occurred and I have been brushed off at every contact. I have been told that the price for personal training is now more than twice what I used to pay and none of the money I paid for the second course could be credited for this or in person training.Had I known that this company would not honour their agreement, I would have done the second course despite my personal tragic circumstances. After having spent $800 plus I have nothing to show for it. My dog continues to have difficult behaviours. I find this company dishonest, dismissive and unable to support difficult dogs.

We have had wonderful training days with Smart Dog! We did the puppy class first and then the intermediate class. What a great way to spend Saturday morning. We all love it! And it taught us new skills for a happy life at home with our fabulous puppy. Thanks Sherry and your kind and knowledgeable training team. Our puppy is bigger and older, with new behaviours for us to navigate, so it is time to book a refresher intermediate class!

Set your dog up for success with training at SmartDog! Top notch training with Sherry and her team. Highly recommend if you are in the area. Love coming down from Nanaimo for events here and wish I lived closer.

Definitely on the very small list of dog trainers I trust in Victoria. Very knowledgeable, up to date and humane. I've seen improvements in my dog's behaviour and feel more confident in my ability to implement their homework. Can't go wrong with working with SmartDog.

Great training! Small classes with very skilled trainers who clearly explain and then demonstrate the ‘how to’. Lots of in-class opportunity to work with your dog while getting helpful feedback from the training team. They also provide great videos and training resources to help you work with your pooch in between classes. The approach is all about kindness and positive reinforcement—which is a perfect fit for my adult rescue pooch.

Excellent sessions! Sherry is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor, we learned something new on the very first class. We had a dog before but I feel we missed certain things at the time and we had conflicting recommendations for training from others. SmartDog sessions explain the incentive and reward-based training that I wish we had with our previous dog, and many times in the last few weeks we had an a-ha!" moment :) It's at a great location as well and I believe we'll take further training once we return from vacation. Highly recommended

I have a lovable, smart and headstrong westie-poodle. The team at Smart Dog have been with me from the start and at each milestone or challenge have provided guidance and support that is positive, expert and kind. Try the agility classes --- smart dogs, well-trained dogs, and tired dogs after a great romp in the barn.

I would like to let the manager know how incredibly impressive her team performed in the recent Puppy intermediate training course.Alex, Roberta and Marla provided our class and our puppies exceptional training. They were thoughtful, informative and very professional, taking special care with the individual puppies and their parents. Each of us have individual personalities and they tailored each training to each of us.I cannot say how much this level of service is appreciated.

So thankful for Sherry and her team at Smart Dog! Her agility classes are structured, personalized, and very educational. Rather than just teaching the dogs tricks"

Shari is an excellent trainer and she is very good at solving problems specific to you and your dog.