So my dog Lucy is a complete menace. I’m talking about a 65-pound Golden Retriever who thinks she’s still a puppy and acts like she’s never heard the word “no” in her entire three years of life. She barks at everything, pulls me down the street like I’m water skiing, and last week she ate half my couch cushion while I was at work for four hours.
I was honestly starting to think I’d failed as a dog owner. My neighbor suggested this thing called Waggy Wonders after watching me get dragged to the mailbox for the hundredth time. I figured what the hell, right? I’d already tried everything else.
Why Everything Else I Tried Was a Complete Disaster
Before I get into this Waggy Wonders thing, let me tell you about all the money I wasted on other “solutions.” I hired this expensive trainer who came to my house twice and basically told me Lucy needed to “respect my authority.” Great advice, except Lucy didn’t get the memo.
Then I tried those YouTube videos everyone talks about. Spent hours watching some guy with perfect dogs demonstrate techniques that looked easy until I tried them with Lucy. Spoiler alert: my living room is not a controlled environment.
This Waggy Wonders program is different though. Instead of just teaching you commands that work in perfect conditions, it actually accounts for the fact that your dog lives in the real world where there are squirrels, doorbells, and food dropping on the kitchen floor.
- They use actual science instead of just yelling “alpha” at everything
- It builds on itself so you’re not just teaching random tricks
- It focuses on your relationship with your dog, not just making them obey
- Everything can be customized because apparently not all dogs are exactly the same (who knew?)
The whole thing is designed to actually communicate with your dog instead of just hoping they figure out what you want through trial and error.
They’ve Got Two Ways to Learn This Stuff
The Online Course (For People Like Me Who Need to See It)
I went with their online course because I’m one of those people who needs to actually watch someone do something before I can figure it out myself. Reading instructions and then trying to translate that into real life? Not my strong suit.
Here’s What You Actually Get:
- 8 different training sections that cover basically everything your dog could possibly do wrong
- 45+ videos showing you exactly how to do each thing (and what not to do)
- Troubleshooting stuff for when your dog acts nothing like the dogs in the videos
- Access to a private group where you can ask questions when you’re stuck
- Updates when they figure out new stuff which is nice because I paid once and don’t want to keep buying more
The videos are actually helpful because they show you what it looks like when things go wrong, not just the perfect final result. Plus you can rewatch the parts where you zone out, which happens to me a lot.
Click Here to Check Out the Online Course →
The Book Version (For People Who Like Old School)
My mom got the book version from Amazon because she’s 67 and still prints out emails. But honestly, after looking through it, I can see why some people would prefer it. You can take it outside with you, highlight the important parts, and you don’t have to worry about your phone dying in the middle of a training session.
What’s in the Book:
- The same training methods but written out step by step
- Pictures and diagrams showing proper technique
- Flowcharts for problem-solving which is actually pretty clever
- Quick reference sections for when you need to look something up fast
- Places to track your progress if you’re into that kind of organization
A lot of people apparently get both – watch the videos to learn it, then keep the book handy when they’re actually training. Makes sense to me.
What Makes This Different from All the Other Crap Out There
After trying so many different approaches with Lucy, I can actually tell you why this one works better. It’s not just one thing – it’s how they put everything together:
1. It’s About Your Relationship, Not Just Commands
Instead of just teaching your dog to sit and stay, this whole thing is about building trust. Lucy listens to me now because she actually wants to, not because she’s scared of getting in trouble. It’s weird but it works way better.
2. Everything Has to Make Sense
Dogs apparently need consistency, which I was terrible at before. This program gives you a framework so you’re not just making up rules as you go along. Lucy finally knows what I expect from her instead of guessing.
3. Positive Reinforcement That Actually Works
I thought I was doing positive reinforcement before, but turns out I was doing it all wrong. There’s a right time and way to reward your dog, and when you get it right, they learn so much faster. Who knew timing mattered so much?
4. You Build Skills Instead of Just Teaching Tricks
Each lesson builds on the previous one, so by the end your dog actually understands how to behave in general, not just how to do specific commands when you’re holding treats.
5. It Works in Real Life
This is the big one for me. The techniques actually work when there are distractions around. Lucy can now walk past other dogs without losing her mind, which seemed impossible three months ago.
All the Annoying Stuff This Program Fixes
Lucy had basically every problem a dog could have, and this program addressed all of them:
Basic Disobedience:
- Completely ignoring you when you call them
- Only listening when they feel like it
- Bolting out the door every chance they get
- Stealing food off counters
- Acting like they’ve never heard their name before
Aggressive Behavior:
- Going crazy on the leash when they see other dogs
- Guarding their food or toys
- Getting territorial about the house or yard
- Snapping when they’re scared
- Losing their minds over specific triggers
Anxiety Issues:
- Freaking out when you leave
- Barking at everything that moves
- Destroying stuff when they’re bored or anxious
- Obsessive behaviors like tail chasing
- Being terrified of normal stuff like vacuum cleaners
Social Problems:
- Jumping all over visitors
- Not knowing how to act around other dogs
- Playing too rough
- Getting way too excited in social situations
- Being weird around strangers
The program has specific plans for each of these issues, and they adjust based on what kind of dog you have and what their personality is like.
Real People Getting Real Results
I was skeptical about the success stories at first because they always sound too good to be true, but after being in the private Facebook group for a few months, I can tell you these are real people with real problems getting actual results:
“I was about ready to rehome my German Shepherd rescue because his leash reactivity was so bad I couldn’t take him anywhere. After two weeks of following this program, we had our first normal walk. Three months later, he’s like a different dog entirely.” – Jennifer T.
“My Lab puppy was a tornado of destruction. The book gave me a clear plan to follow instead of just hoping he’d grow out of it. Now at 8 months, he’s better behaved than most adult dogs I see.” – Michael R.
“As a senior with arthritis, my Goldendoodle’s pulling was becoming dangerous. The gentle techniques in this program fixed our leash problems in 10 days. I love that they include adaptations for people with physical limitations.” – Eleanor M.
Which Version Should You Get?
Both the online course and the Amazon book have the same training info, but they work better for different people:
Get the Online Course If:
- You need to see someone actually doing the techniques
- You want to be able to ask questions when you get stuck
- You like getting updates when they improve the program
- You prefer learning in short chunks
- You like tracking your progress online
Get the Book If:
- You prefer reading instructions instead of watching videos
- You want something you can take outside during training
- You like highlighting and making notes
- You don’t want to depend on internet access
- You prefer paying once and being done
Or Just Get Both Like a Lot of People Do
Honestly, if you can afford it, getting both makes sense. Watch the videos to learn the techniques properly, then keep the book nearby when you’re actually training so you don’t have to keep pausing and rewinding.
Questions People Always Ask
How fast will I see results?
Most people notice changes within a few days, but real lasting improvement takes 2-3 weeks of being consistent. If your dog has serious issues like aggression, it’ll take longer but you should see gradual improvement the whole time.
Will this work for my specific breed?
Yeah, they tested this on all different types of dogs and include specific advice for different breed characteristics. My Golden is different from my friend’s Border Collie, and they both responded well to the program.
My dog is already old – is it too late?
Not at all. Older dogs actually sometimes learn faster because they can focus better and aren’t as hyper as puppies. They have specific sections for training older dogs too.
I’ve tried other programs and failed – why would this be different?
This program gives you multiple ways to teach the same thing, so if one approach doesn’t work with your dog, you can try another. Plus they actually help you figure out why something isn’t working instead of just telling you to “be consistent.”
Do I need special equipment?
Nope. Just a regular leash, collar or harness, and some treats. You might want a treat pouch eventually but you can start with what you already have.
What if I get stuck?
The online course people get access to a private community where trainers answer questions. Book readers can check their support page for help with common problems.
Should You Actually Try This?
Look, I’m not gonna lie and say this is magic. You still have to put in the work, and some dogs take longer than others. But after months of Lucy actually listening to me and our walks being enjoyable instead of a wrestling match, I think it’s worth trying.
Every day you put off training is another day of being frustrated with your dog instead of enjoying them. Lucy and I have a completely different relationship now, and I actually look forward to spending time with her instead of dreading it.
Pick whichever format works better for you:
Transform Your Dog With the Online Course →
Both you and your dog deserve to actually enjoy each other’s company. This program can help you get there, but you have to actually follow through with it. Lucy’s proof that even the most stubborn dogs can learn – and so can their humans.
