Board & Train Testimonials

Deena Speaks Dog Board and Train program with a week of boarding first was a game changer for our puppy KODA …. And of course for us I’m not saying we are at the finish line…..as there really is no finish line….and we certainly still have work to do with KODA ongoing……But the progress from drop off to pick up is marked and to be acknowledged.

We of course had reasonable expectations going in, and Deena and her team kept that in check but that said our expectations were surpassed. I don’t think KODA’s issues were atypical for a then 10 month mini golden  doodle F1b puppy and he had some training all along since we took him home at 2 months ..however Deena’s board and train program sets itself apart from any weekly or biweekly program that we had seen.

A warm friendly environment backed with professional day in and day out training and behaviour management lead by Deena sets her apart..

We are forever grateful to Deena for not only her hard work and leadership but also for taking the time with us to feel comfortable with the process

- Lori

I wanted to write this review for Deena because we had such a positive experience boarding and training with her.  We have a high energy, loving golden doodle who is a little over a year old.  I envisioned her to be very well behaved, listening to my every command as well able to easily walk on a leash beside me.  Instead after the first year of training on my own I had a dog who rarely listened, knew very few commands, stole every shoe or accessory she could find, and although not a huge dog could pull you out of your shoes when on leash. Following a three week stay with Deena I have the same fun loving dog who can now easily walk on a leash without pulling. Follows commands and knows many more. She seems to be ready, eager and attentive to learn lots of new things. We have a basis for positive training that we now do daily to reinforce everything she has learned. I know our dog had a great experience as we went for a follow up weeks later and she was happy and excited to be back to see Deena.  I would highly recommended any of the services Deena provides based on our experience.

- Janis

We brought Layla home in October of 2020 and envisioned a calm family dog. However, Layla tested us to no end. It became very difficult to implement training for her on our own and we were not even able to take her out for a walk without being pulled in every direction. Crate training was next to impossible for us to implement as Layla made sure her voice was well heard until she came out of the crate. Layla did not listen to the many commands that we trained her with. Training Layla on our own became quite the task and we were worried that we would have to give her up to a loving home.

Unsure of what steps to take next, we came across Deena's webpage and learned more about her Board & Train program. Although it was difficult to process the thought of not seeing Layla for 3 weeks, we knew that this would be best for both Layla and ourselves.

To say that we are impressed with the training is a true understatement. After spending time with Deena, Layla's behaviours have significantly improved and we are amazed with the outcome. Layla has become a much calmer dog, listens to  her commands and will not make any fuss about being in her crate! She is that calm family dog that we envisioned back in October.

Deena was very pleasant to work with as well. From the very first meet and greet to learn more about how Deena trains each dog and where the dogs will be staying during their time with Deena, to picking up Layla after the 3 weeks where we were given very specific instructions and visuals on how to maintain the training with Layla, we could not have asked for anything more. Deena continues to work with us and is always available to answer any questions that we have.

We truly could not have asked for anything more or chosen anyone better than Deena to train our beautiful girl, Layla.

- Giulia

I bought my little dog Huckleberry a year ago. He was meant to blend smoothly into my pack of two, the oldest of which was very old: sixteen (Parsley). I wanted there to be a puppy for the middle dog (Gilly) to become friends with (back-up, to put it crudely) and asked the breeder for the quietest dog she had. Huckleberry, however, and however adorable, turned out to be the wildest little beast imaginable: affectionate, cheerful, clever as all get out… but wildly energetic: too much for a sixteen year old packmate to cope with.

I took all three dogs to spend some time with Deena, who agreed that Huckleberry was too much for his ancient friend to cope with. I was very distraught and could not imagine letting him go, however much he disrupted the household. I spoke with Deena about this (tears flowing) and she offered, at first to keep an eye out for someone who might be able to foster him for a while. She then phoned me later that day and told me she’d be willing to take him in herself. Huckleberry stayed with Deena for over two months during which time he began to settle down. I came to her house and spent an hour walking with him every day and between the two of us we taught him how to be the very good dog he is today. He loved the companionship of the other dogs and he was happy with her. He’s been home for a long time now and every bit the joy Deena and I knew he could be.

Dear Parsley had to be put down about a month ago. Gilly went into terrible mourning but Huckleberry has been her constant companion. As I write this I can hear them on the floor above, rioting and running between the rooms together.

- Barbie

Our two goldendoodles just "graduated" from a 2 week board and train with Deena Cooper (Deena Speaks Dog).  We have a 9 year old who needed a refresher course in her manners, and a 9 month old who is adorable, but a total goofball and a general mess.  We took the dogs over to her house (the training center and dog paradise) and handed Deena a list of issues that needed to be addressed.  We returned and picked them up on Sunday, and got a full demonstration of all of their new skills and had our first "training" lesson on how to be better dog parents.  My husband literally said it was getting different dogs back!  It used to be a struggle to put on their leashes, walk them to the park, answer the front door, or stop them from chewing on anything but their toys.  We realize that dog training is an ongoing process, but Deena has been fantastic and we are all much happier.  We would recommend Deena's board and train without any reservation.

- Katherine