I have used them for training (wolfhounds and a mix breed) as well as boarding when I have traveled overseas and within the U.S. The training has been both classes and a boarding and training program they run.
I have used Alex Brooks for training and boarding for ten years and can't say enough about their professionalism and service, as well as the care they give the animals and the humans they train. They have trained my Irish wolfhounds, which is a very difficult breed to train once they decide they are not interested in parking their butts for a sit or stay, etc. Their patience in working with the lazy lugs is fantastic. From the basic training to taking them places for socialization, they applied their training techniques for the breed's learning style. In the past, before Alex Brooks, I'd taken my various wolfhounds to training where the instructor expected them to react like a German Shepherd or Poodle, with joy, obedience, and a love of the training. Alex and Mike, the two trainers I've had, know the wolfhound breed and their expectations were on par with what the dog could and would do, rather than expecting them to be an A plus dog student. I also had a mixed breed dog trained at the school. He had a lot of issues which included nipping my 18 month old granddaughter. I was about to put him down since he started trying to bite her whenever he saw her, and thought "why not see what they can do with him". So they trained him, but more importantly they trained me, and Max is so much better. He really loves obedience unlike the wolfhounds! He just loves to attend class there and see his buddies and friends. I also have boarded my dogs here and they have treated them as they would their own. My elderly female wolfhound (12 years, which is very old for a wolfhound) died on them the day before I was due to pick her up, heart most likely gave out. I could tell when Alex personally called me in the morning at 7:30 AM that she had passed since his voice was shaking and he was tearing up in the message he left. I had kennel and training staff in tears telling me how wonderful she was. They took care of getting her to my vet for cremation and making sure I was okay, as well as making sure my other dog understood that Kenya, my old girl, wouldn't be coming home again. One of the things I really appreciated was the love they showed her. She was always leaning against the staff wanting her ears scratched or wanting petted. They told me the night she died, she had eaten dinner and seemed fine when she settled to sleep down around 8:30. The head of the kennel went around 9:30 to give her her nightly rubdown, which she loved, and discovered she was gone. I know from the many kennels that I have used over the course of 30 or more years, that in the majority of them she would not have been found until morning. So I was so thankful he found her early and was able to give her the respect and care I would have. The entire staff came in to comfort each other. And over the next week they in turn comforted me. They gave me more sympathy, hugs, and tears than most of my friends and family did! So like I said, I love this place! But more importantly the dogs love it too.
