Bad Experience with a Dog Trainer

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Case Study Two

In her own words:

"Our dogs became too much for us to handle so we were searching out trainers. I tried regular obedience from at least 3 different trainers, but, with no success.

I read a two page article in the XXXX (local newspaper)on a dog aggression specialist by the name of XXXXX. I was completely impressed. For the record, my daughter is involved in our dogs as much as I am, so, after we both read the article, we decided to make the phone call. It sounded too good to be true, and, unfortunately it was.

We attended a seminar with (our dogs). When XXXXX saw the reaction of our dogs at the end of his seminar, which was aggression towards other dogs, he said they should spend some time at his farm. After talking to a couple of people who had experienced "the farm", plus the newspaper article & 1 training class, we decided to take our dogs there.

I will not go into the different things that happened that upset us while they were there. We just accepted the fact that we were "wimpy" dog owners and pampered our dogs too much, because of comments that were made to us when we would question what was and was not happening with our dogs.

Not to make a very long story here, we ended the farm stay with a very serious situation.

We went to the farm for a "workshop" after they had been there for 8 weeks. At the end of the workshop, one of XXXXX's dogs by the name of (deleted dog's name to protect the owner), followed us down the driveway. We were in our car. We had to stop at the end to open the gate to go out. We were calling to her to come to us so that she didn't get out to the road when we opened the gate, but she wouldn't come. (Deleted dog's name) jumped through a hole in the gate and ran straight out into the roadway and was JUST missed being hit by a vehicle that was doing at least, 80kmp, which is the speed limit. I was so upset but managed with the help of my daughter and husband, to call her back to us. I got her to run alongside of me back up the driveway and I took her and placed her in the house.

I immediately went to XXXXX and explained to him that (Deleted dog's name) had just narrowly missed being struck by a vehicle and described what happened. I just wanted him to be aware that (Deleted dog's name) could get through the hole in the gate. My impression was that I should not have interrupted him for something that wasn't important when he was talking to another client. The workshop WAS over at the farm but we were all headed into town for a walking exercise, part of the training.

Anyway, this led to a post in XXXXX's egroup, which I have a copy of, stating that XXXXX was tired of the clients who were overly concerned about their dogs not getting the care that they should while at the farm and, the concern being shown for his own dogs. I in turn, posted another note to the group, explaining where I had come from with my comments to him re (Deleted dog's name) .

This in turn led to XXXXX having his assistant call me at home and tell me to come and get my dog (deleted), immediately. (We had taken (deleted) home on the Saturday, for 1 week, and to go back the next weekend and do a switch with the dogs). I said that was not possible because at this point it was 8:30 at night and it was a 2 1/2 hr. drive from my home to his farm. His assistant was adamant that XXXXX insisted. I said no, and I hung up. The phone rang about 5 min. later and my daughter answered it, oblivious to what had transpired earlier. XXXXX was not happy and really not coherent about what had happened and then, he abruptly said he couldn't deal with it right now, and hung up on her.
She came to me and asked what had happened and I explained it to her. She went out after that to have a coffee with a friend. At approx. 9:15, the phone rang again and it was XXXXX once again. He asked for me, announced who he was, and then proceeded to literally scream in my ear about how he couldn't understand dog owners.

I will not go into the entire conversation, BUT, in that conversation, he proceeded to state to me that: 1) if I didn't go to the farm and immediately get Sasha, (and I had to be there at midnight, no later and this was approx. 9:30 p:m), she would be going to the pound first thing in the morning, 2) that it would be posted on his egroup for all the world to see, that I had abandoned Sasha and he was looking for a new home for her, and 3) the worst, that he was going to B.C. the next morning and he would be taking Sasha with him and I would NEVER see my dog again. (Also, it was posted in the group, that he was going to B.C. and taking Sasha with him, with no explanation as to why.)

At this point, I couldn't believe what I was hearing and I got stressed and hung up. I phoned my daughter on her cell & told her what happened. At this point I was hysterical. My husband called him back to say that we would be leaving to come and get Sasha, when my daughter arrived home and spoke to XXXXX herself. She remained on neutral territory in his eyes and allowed him to believe we were not coming that night to get (deleted), that she believed him when he said everything was ok with (deleted).

We immediately left and did the 2 1/2 hr. drive to Seaforth area to pick up our dog. He refused to give (deleted) back to us. All hell broke loose, and we were forced to call the police to assist us. The police arrived, XXXXX insisted I sign a release for (deleted), which I would have done anyway, (and, in our contract,which we still have, it was stated we could take our dog out of the program at any time we wished to), and we left with (delelted).

By this time, it was something like between 1:30 and 2:00 a:m. and the police were concerned about the drive that was facing us to go back home, they were very sympathetic. The next morning I get up to see a post (which I still have a copy of), with lies about things that never happened!!!! and to think, this is WWW! I was NOT amused to say the least.

Then, a couple of days later, he posted another note with the subject title of "New (name has been removed) Rules for the Farm" and proceeded with changes he was planning on implementing, because of my "so called interference". I have opted to post this now because of the previous posts from a couple of people re his program, I would like to make people aware that "BUYER BE WARE", (this was also the police officer's last comment that fateful night), before they enter into anything, especially with something as precious as our pets.

XXXXX made it very clear in his own egroup, via his own posts, that he was constantly facing clients that were out to sue him. (WHY???) Maybe, part of it was due to the fact that someone like myself was concerned about our dog's health as well as behavior. I was told to ONLY be concerned about my dogs' aggression.

Also, we were VERBALLY guaranteed a "lifetime" of training from XXXXX and free farm time if needed after training was supposedly completed which of course, we are not receiving. We are NOT the only clients in this situation.

I would also like to mention that before the farm program, (deleted) nor (deleted) had any aggression towards food. After they returned home, this is a problem we had to deal with. They became vicious with each other at meal times. Why?? Also, they both lost a dramatic amount of weight, and (delelted)'s muscle mass was gone (documented with the vet). So needless to say, I now believe (and it is MY belief) that deprivation methods were used....

I have been told that many of XXXXX's clients are referrals by trainers, so therefore, this is the biggest reason I wanted to step forward and speak out............"

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