Billy from US-K9 showed up at my door, as he heard through a friend I needed help with my 3 year old Rottweiler/Chow mix, Hercules. Hercules loves to run, and when the fence is open, he will not stop or come when I call him, he just takes off.
Billy told me training Hercules off leash would be no problem. The next day, I had four guys from US-K9 in my house in fatigues, guaranteeing they could train my dog in six weeks, for $900, which they said was a great discount. They guaranteed they could train him off leash, so that when I called, he would listen, and I would never have to worry about him running the neighborhood again. And since I couldn't pay the entire amount up front, as a single mom and the sole support of two children, they said they would even take payments. After getting a reference from my friend, I let them take Hercules.
I visited the first weekend, at their so-called kennel, in Phelan.in actuality, it's not a facility, it's Bob Taylor's house. But, I was still open-minded, and had faith that they could do what they said. I visited with Hercules, and left him there.
I called intermittently throughout the next few weeks to check on his progress, they assured me he was right where he was supposed to be. At no time did anyone tell me Hercules was a problem or that his training was not being completed.
During my visit at week six, in which I took my children, I inquired as to when we could take Hercules home. One of the trainers, Eddie, spent some time with me and my kids showing us hand signals, and having us work with Hercules. But, I did not see a difference in my dog. They said they needed him for a few more weeks.
Finally, when the day arrived for us to go get Hercules, I was shocked to see that my dog was not ready at all. The trainer, Billy, could not even take Hercules off his leash. And, in fact, I watched Hercules snap at him and Eddie, who supposedly worked closely with him, to the point where neither one of them could handle him.
Then, Billy came out with a shock collar, and my daughter yelled at him to get away from our dog. At no time, did I ever authroize the use of a shock collar on my dog. Furthermore, the US-K9 website and literature emphasizes only punishment and correction free forms of training.
I intervened, and took my dog home. I told Billy I wanted my $600 (I had not yet made the final payment), or I would take them to court.
I talked to the owner, who was very apologetic, and acted as if all this had trasnpired without his knowledge. He asked me to give Hercules back to him for two more weeks, after the holidays, and he would train him off leash personally.
However, while, I was considering this, Hercules bit my daughter. I was in shock. We have had Hercules since he was a puppy, for three years, and after being with US-K9 for 8 weeks, he was now showing aggression.
I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, not only requesting a refund, but requesting US-K9 pay for a trainer of my choosing to undo the damage they did.
I am writing a letter to the editor of the Mountaineer Progress, the local Phelan paper. I am also writing a letter of intent notifying Bob Taylor I will be taking action in Small Claims court.
And this rip off report is only the beginning. I also plan on finding an animal rights group interested in investigating the facility out there, to see if there is more than just my dog being abused.
If you know anyone who is considering US-K9, please warn them. I would not want anyone else to have to consider putting down their family pet because of US-K9's incompetence.
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