Beach For Dogs

I’ve gotten my dog groomed there several times and they have always been fantastic. Everyone is incredibly friendly, professional, and passionate. Prices are competitive (if not better) than Petsmart/​Petco and it doesnt feel like a grooming factory. All of the full grooming appointments have lasted about 2 hours. They obviously give the dogs the attention they deserve.

I cannot thank Steve and his team enough! They have completely saved my relationship with my boy Murphy and has made his nana not hate him anymore :)! The thing I love most about them is they take the time to train YOU, that’s right… you need training too people… and boy did our family need some training and boundaries! Not once does Steve make you feel bad or like you are the problem, he and his team are so caring and so educational! You cannot put a price on how amazing this team is at what they do. They never make you feel like you are a transaction, you become apart of the beach family! It truly makes my day when they check in with me and see how Murphy is doing. I didn’t stop at just the training, I still go back for daycare too! I cannot express how thankful I am for the Beach for Dogs team for making my relationship with my fur baby so peaceful and no longer a stress!

Upon getting my puppy in March of 2016 I knew that I wanted to have an extremely well trained dog– as our puppy will eventually be anywhere between 150−200lbs.- but also potentially pursue therapy dog training. Two of my «non negotiable» items were to have a dog who walked at perfect heel and also well socialized. I had just moved to the Wheaton area and was not sure where to start.
Our pup was no easy task as he suffered from severe separation anxiety and stubbornness– I should say complete defiance when being told to do anything! Especially walk on a leash nicely or walk at all.
My husband and I both currently work full time and knew how important it was to get started on the right foot! Although expensive, we decided we would ultimately spend the same amount of money on an extra large dog who was not well trained at some point in the future if there where an accident or etc. We decided to do both the basic training and off leash programs back to back. We have been dedicated and have conveniently dropped him every single morning before work, picked him up after work, and independently practiced the skills with him each day for at least an hour. (No messes to come home to!)
It has been 4 weeks of the 8 weeks we plan on attending and our pup has done a complete 180! Despite his 60lbs of pure puppy, he walks like perfect angel on a leash and will «sit» when I tell him to even if I’m across the room! He will never enter a doorway before any human– but rather afterwards. So much so that I’ve gotten stuck holding the door for patrons in our apartment complex while they walk around him sitting perfectly in the middle of the doorway. He also knows his «place» and will not leave him place until told– yes that means he sleeps there ALL NIGHT! He is famous in our complex for his good behavior and really a joy to walk and get out with!
When our little guy wasn’t feeling well all the trainers could tell and even helped me to find a more reliable vet. They have gone above and beyond to make it easier on me in every sense of the word– even feeding him a constantly changing diet!
I am excited to see how he does in off leash program and so glad we decided to go with BEACH as early as we did. Our family and friends are always asking for him to visit because he is so well behaved! I have confidence walking him and know he is great with other dogs.
Finally, it is nice to see the staff cleaning every single day when I pick him up! I know it is a clean and sanitary space for puppies!
I would recommend Steve and his family run establishment to anyone!

We love Beach for Dogs. Our 2-​year-​old dachshund had some major aggression issues. Steve and the Beach gang took her for a week of training. When she was returned to us the following week, she was a different dog entirely. She seemed much more calm and confident. She stopped going after our two other dogs in the house. She behaves nicely on walks. Truly the best money we’ve ever spent. Steve helped us restore order to our home. Instead of our mini-​pup dictating our every move … we are now the ones in control. What a difference and what a relief! Thank you, Beach for Dogs!

The Beach has completely saved my relationship with my puppy. They took my high energy, barky and bitey girl and transformed her in to an affectionate pup who listens and acts like a real dog instead of a robot tearing through the house!
Steve and Zach are great– there’s never a time when I pick up or drop off when they aren’t happy to see my girl and she is always beyond thrilled to see them. Even better is that they take the time to check in with me to see how she’s doing at home and are always able to answer my questions and give me the tools I need for keeping her on the right track when she’s not at the Beach.
Oh and I can’t forget to mention how spotless the place is– you would never know there are handfuls of dogs occupying the place by how clean they keep it! We love the Beach!

This review is long overdue. I have been bringing Pearl to Beach for Dogs since November 2015. I rescued my dog in June and subscribe to the same methods that the Beach uses. Exercise, discipline, and affection and rules, boundaries, and limitations. Above all, a dog handler’s energy is key. Steve and Zach have the calm, assertive energy that assured me I was leaving my dog in good hands. I signed Pearl up for off leash training and socialization since she is an only dog. She ADORES Steve and Zach. Recently, she and I were running around in a field (off leash) playing by my house and she started towards a bike rider. I called her back (I said Pearl come!), and she stopped mid run and came back to run with me. I almost cried but had to play it cool or else I would lose my leadership role. The socialization has been tremendous for Pearl. When I first got her, I tried to bring her around my friend’s Vizsla puppy and she could not stand to be around the hyper dog. She has since become more curious about the dog with her nose and tolerant of her puppy energy (which is really annoying). We had our first pack walk a couple of months ago! I love this place and, while I wish I could take my dog with me to Mexico in April, I know I am leaving her with family. Beach for Dogs is not only good for dogs but their humans because they understand that to dog rehabilitation is a team effort that begins with the human. *woof* Pearl agrees!

I am very pleased with the care and training received at Beach For Dogs. They are knowledgeable and compassionate. My dog has some fear issues and Steve and Zach have really been instrumental in helping her get over them.

I am thrilled to see the transformation of my lab puppy. I swear after 3 days, I saw a major improvement in my dogs behavior. He is so obedient now. My Louie is so excited to go there everyday and is wiped out at the end of the day. So happy that I met Steve and Gabi and they are very passionate and caring people. Lou is not even half way through his training and such awesome results in his behavior. Extremely pleased. I totally recommend Beach for Dogs.

We love The Beach. Totally saved us from having a negative relationship with our dog. We were completely fed up with him for his bad behavior. Counter surfing, stealing and chewing up things — iPhones, Bluetooth devices, sunglasses, kids shoes, mittens, underwear, books you name it. We were at our wits end. I stopped in and met with Steve and he was wonderful. Totally put me at ease and convinced me The Beach was great for my dog and I. The goal was that I wanted enjoy our dog as a part of our family. Five weeks later of daily training and discipline on our part our dog is wonderful. I love him more and more each day. I cannot thank them enough. The staff is friendly and helpful and puts you at ease. We do daycare now 1−2/x week and Steve reinforces things that my pup learned. Training is guaranteed for life. So the investment it worth it. Think it’s expensive? So is the $ 300 iPhone replacement, bluetooth device, books, textbooks, water bottles, endless food, and stress.

Beach for dogs provides great training in a very caring environment. Steve helped us and our 5 year old grandson be comfortable around our Great Dane. Beach for Dogs goes above and beyond!

On our way out to dinner one night, my fiancé and I stopped by their Geneva location. They actually were closed, but after seeing us peering through windows, the CEO, Steve, let us in and gave us a private tour of the place. We were amazed at what they offered. Their training seemed a little bit pricey for our budget at $ 995 for a month, but we resolved to think about it. After a bit, we decided to go with a more budget friendly option: Petsmart, but really liked that Beach offers daycare. Since our pup was only 3 months old at the time we knew she needed tons of socialization and with the weather, we didn’t really have tons of opportunities.
We signed up for daycare and dropped her off the first time, with no issue. Steve greeted us at the door and took me through everything. As a first time puppy mama, I was anxious to leave my baby, but I felt I was leaving her in very capable hands. When I picked her up 7 hours later, I was anxious to see her, but was surprised by a tête-​à-​tête with one of the workers. She outlined all the things that my dog needed such as, getting her face wiped, a new collar as well as us needing to switch her food. I have to admit, it caught me off guard, but not in the way one might expect. I’d had my dog for 3 weeks before bring her to Beach and these were all things I’d noticed myself and were already doing with her. Wiping her face was a work in a progress as any one with a 3 month old puppy knows. I’m lucky if I can get two wipes in before she skitters off. A walking harness had been ordered and was on the way, and the collar she was using a temp fix. I told the worker this, but felt as though she was more accusing me than anything else. She didn’t ask for background or for what we were already doing with our dog. She just started giving me a list of things I had to do with my dog. I felt a little put off, but took all their suggestions to heart.
I signed up my pup again after the holidays to try to get out some energy. She’d been couped up with the weather and so we decided she really needed to get out. Plus, at 5 months old, we were realizing she really needed socialization. I dropped her off to a very helpful young man. When I returned, I actually thought it would be different than last time. I thought I would just get my dog, pay and leave. Nope. They again began to dress me down over my dog. Granted, different things this time, but nonetheless. They insisted that she was socially awkward. Yes, I realize that, which is why I bring her. The only way to fix her according to them, was to bring her to their training program. While I was there, they gave the same speech to 3 other dog parents so it wasn’t just me. These people are amazing with dogs and I’m sure their $ 1000 program is amazing as well. It comes with a lifetime guarantee, but unfortunately, with other cheaper options available it is not in my budget. I will continue to take my dog to Petsmart for training but she will never go back to Beach. I wouldn’t recommend this place for daycare unless of course you are willing to to do their programs. If you don’t sign up for training, you will be subjected to a mini rant, every time you pick your dog up.