Sit! Stay! Down!

Having trouble getting Fido or Fluffy to understand basic commands? What a Great Dog Training Center has a manners class for that.

The business, owned by Maureen and Howard Patin, has focused on training dogs of all ages and obedience levels since its founding in 2007 in Prosper. The couple moved the business to Frisco in 2012.

“It’s within 5 miles of our old location, and we were so successful there we knew we would capture the same demographic and more,” said Business Manager Kenna Sloan, Maureen’s sister.

The facility includes an 8,000-square-foot agility ring, two 2,000-square-foot training rings and a a retail store.

Maureen said the staff of 13 dog trainers holds about 90 group classes per week, and WAGD has about 700 active clients at any given time. WAGD works with owners and their dogs together—there are no drop-off training services.

Trainers are Certified Professional Dog Trainers or are in the process of receiving certification.

The puppy classes are so popular there is a waiting list, Maureen said.

“We’ve got to be one of the busiest [dog training facilities] in the country,” Maureen said.

She said there are two types of clients who use WAGD. The first type, about 60 percent of WAGD’s clientele, are typical dog owners who get a new puppy or rescue a dog and simply want a well-trained pet.

The second group, about 40 percent of the WAGD clientele, are those who have chosen dog training and possibly competing as an ongoing hobby.

In addition to basic pet manners classes, WAGD also offers classes in therapy work as well as competitive areas including agility and obedience.

“Some of [our clients] didn’t even realize when they came for manners classes that they could do more with their family pet,” Sloan said.

Maureen said the demographic of clients at WAGD ranges from moms who attend classes while their kids are at school, to retired people using it as a hobby that gives both them and their dogs exercise, to people with regular work schedules who take classes as a way to decompress.

“[Dog owners] make friends and find an activity they enjoy—it allows them to connect with other like-minded dog owners,” Maureen said.