WARNING: I would not use this trainer. I would give zero stars if I could.
***Update to his response at end of my review.
Very disappointing and alarming experience with Phil, the trainer/owner. I brought my 15-month-old Samoyed puppy for his first training session. My puppy is a sweet, friendly, loving dog who gets along with everyone. He is simply young, energetic, and still learning.
The most alarming part of the session involved stairs. My puppy has never used stairs because we live in a ranch home, and Phil knew this. Despite my expressing concern, he forced my puppy to the stairs instead of gently leading, took my puppy higher up the stairs and then let go of his leash. My puppy jumped down at least six concrete steps onto a concrete surface and landed awkwardly on his leg. He was clearly frightened and panicking. I also had to tell Phil that he was standing on my puppy's back paw.
Phil also knew that my puppy had been dealing with separation anxiety and that we had been actively working on it. When my puppy became excited and barked, Phil placed him alone in a utility/closet area. When my puppy panicked, Phil said, "There is the separation anxiety coming out," and then turned off the light and left him locked in the dark room.
I also had concerns about the facility, including the availability and condition of drinking water, slippery flooring, and whether vaccination status was actually being verified for all dogs attending.
Based on what I personally witnessed, I was extremely uncomfortable with the handling and training methods and did not feel that my puppy was in the hands of someone I could trust. I will not be returning or continuing training with Phil.
MY RESPONSE TO PHIL' S RESPONSE:
His response does not address the specific conduct I described or the reason I will never bring my puppy back to this facility.
He explains his "general" approach to stairs, but that is not what happened. He knew my puppy had never used stairs. I expressed my concern. He took him higher up the stairs, and then RELEASED HIS LEASH. My puppy subsequently jumped down at least six concrete steps onto a concrete floor and landed awkwardly on his leg while clearly frightened and panicking. I also had to tell him he was standing on his back paw. Saying that he used this procedure with "countless puppies and dogs" does not change what he did to my puppy.
Likewise, his description of his training philosophy does not address the most disturbing part of the session. He knew my PUPPY had separation anxiety and that we had been actively working on it. When he became distressed after being isolated IN A UTILITY CLOSET BY PHIL who thought this was a good way to teach him to stop barking when he was excited, he identified it as his separation anxiety and then TURNED OFF THE LIGHT AND LEFT HIM LOCKED IN A DARK UTILITY ROOM WHILE HE WAS PANICKING AND AFRAID. That is exactly what I witnessed and is completely inconsistent with how I expect ANY puppy or dog with known separation anxiety or not to be handled. OUTRAGEOUS AND CRUEL!
Regarding water and vaccinations, my review accurately described my personal observations and concerns at the facility and what I was and was not asked to provide. THERE WAS NO FRESH WATER FOR THE DOGS AND NO VACCINATION RECORDS WERE CHECKED OR VERIFIED.
This review is not about whether he uses choke collars, e-collars, pinch collars, yelling, or leash corrections. I did not accuse him of using those things. The issue is POOR JUDGEMENT, handling, and how Phil responded to a young, inexperienced dog who was frightened and whose known anxiety had been disclosed to him in advance.
He refunded my payment, but a refund DOES NOT CHANGE what occurred during the session or my resulting loss of confidence in his ability to safely handle ANY PUPPY OR DOG.
I stand by my review. I witnessed what I described, I made my concerns clear at the time, and based on that experience, I chose not to return. read more
