Kenneth Lui
I am updating my rating from the 5 stars I gave this location 8 years ago when it operated as Cooperhaus K9, which I loved, to 2 stars based on my recent experience with Urban Dog House. The biggest shift is the atmosphere and methodology. The previous training style was defined by effective, positive lessons led by a passionate trainer. However, the current style, led by the same trainer (now owner), has changed the experience entirely. It has shifted from a learning-based style to one that focuses more on pack-leadership driven by authority, which I felt relied too heavily on forced corrective measures and compliance. (It is important to note that this review is based on my primary lessons with the owner-trainer. I had one substitute lesson with Steve, whose positive style I found excellent, and which I believe reflects the positive feedback others have shared.) My experience highlighted three main factors influencing my rating change: -- Atmosphere: The training environment was tense, always involving a loudspeaker, and felt unnecessarily high-pressure for both dog and owner. The lessons were short on patience and often had a blaming tone on the owners. -- Instructional Consistency: I received conflicting guidance, such as being told to use treats for motivation one moment and then being questioned / challenged for using them right the next lesson. The quality and tone of the training were noticeably inconsistent, creating significant unpredictability from one lesson to the next. -- Blanket approach. There is little knowledge shared or applied on breed-specific traits or behaviors, with all dogs being trained the same way, often defaulting to heavy reliance on prong collar corrections. On the positive side, I found some of the techniques shared to be helpful, and it remains an effective place for dog socialization and calming reactivity. There are some instances of positive enforcement, but again, corrective measures using the prong-collar seems to be the predominant method. Overall, the current training appears to prioritize absolute authority and obedience. I sincerely hope the facility can return to the balanced, effective training approach I valued in the past, one that builds a positive, consistent and lasting working relationship with your dog.
