Absolute K-9

We recently had our two girls at Absolute K9/​Snug for 8+ weeks of training, what we called «Doggy Boot Camp».
And WOW! What a difference! The dogs we dropped off were skittish, incessantly barky, jumped nonstop, and just WILD. After training, not only are our girls more confident and relaxed in public, but they actually LISTEN to us! I read a prior review and was shocked to read that trainers were supposedly violent with the animals; Shannon trained our girls and was incredible. She was gentle but firm with them, and was patient with us when sharing her training techniques with us. Our dogs didn’t come back scarred, emotionally or physically; rather, they came back as freaking super-​stars! Completely different dogs! Happy and I can actually walk them down the street without them pulling my arm off (not that I’d have to, because they’re off-​leash trained).
I could rave for pages about the training they offer here. We are so glad we decided to have our girls trained here. We are looking forward to our follow-​up training sessions. =)

Love this place so much. My dogs get so exited every time they get to stay here. They love being the center of attention and being worked by one of the best trainers I have ever come across. Josh Z has got“IT“when it comes to training. Toni and Nicole run a tight ship which makes every process go smooth with my little guys. My dogs love to be groomed and smell so good when they come home. If anything comes up health wise I am alerted by the vet staff Katie and John. Such a professional establishment. I am very impressed.

We brought two of our dogs to Absolute K9 for training a few years ago. From our first meeting with Toni, we knew we were in good hands. I’ll admit that I’m a neurotic dog mom — I worry about my dogs to the point where I’m sure I’m making them neurotic, too. :) As a result, they were a bit high strung and not as well behaved as they should have been.
Toni worked with our dogs as well as with us and taught us how to be the leader of the pack. Once I realized that it was okay for me to be in charge, our life with our dogs became so much more relaxed and enjoyable. We were able to take them out in public and they were so well behaved. It was a complete turnaround from how they had been before.
To this day, all of my dogs love to see Toni, and if we ever need a tune-​up, we know where to go.

It’s absolutely disheartening to see how Absolute K9 has prospered over the years after grabbing onto some celebrity coat tails and that the same complaints still surface. In my opinion they don’t care about animals and don’t know the meaning of «pet.» Don’t EVER leave your pet for in-​kennel training there. In fact, I would never leave my pet alone with them period! Any reputable kennel makes you send proof of up-​to-​date vaccinations before even attempting to walk your pet through the door, it’s all about the money.
I know this is long, but if you have a pet that you love and that is a member of your family think twice about subjecting your pet to this place.
Here’s an excerpt from a letter threatening legal action that prompted a refund. I was promised help with socializing my German Shepherd who had already been obedience trained but what I think they did was let him ‘stew’ alone in a kennel for over a week, then let him out and showed him who was «boss.»
«Dear Mike: … I expressed concern when you still suggested in-​kennel training stating that I needed just as much training as the dog and I didn’t „believe“ in in-​kennel training. You assured me that in-​kennel training was the best thing for him and that it would save me money by helping you and the other trainers get familiar with the dog. You assured me that when he came back you would assist me at public places with other dogs for „as long as it takes“. To date I have just been invited to attend group obedience classes with your other clients where socialization is not permitted. On two occasions when I expressed concern over progress, you came to my house and spent not more than 15 minutes during each visit watching me work the dog at obedience.
Not only have I acquired a negative and uncomfortable feeling about the whole situation, I have very serious concerns about the safety and humane treatment of my dog at Absolute K9 considering:
* I was not allowed to check on him during in-​kennel training.
* He came back with what looked like nickel-​sized shaved spots in the exact same place on both legs. The hair is still in the process of growing back. Was he forced to stay in a cage that was too small? Or worse, was that the result of a cruel training method?
* You pounded him on the head when he didn’t respond quickly enough and encouraged me to do the same.
* I watched you swing a small dog around in circles, hung by the neck for misbehaving. There must be a more humane method than that.
* My dog is the only one that you greet cautiously with „you be nice to me and I’ll be nice to you“. I’m not sure what that means exactly, but it sounds as if there was some type of altercation.
* He was attacked without provocation by one of your dogs at class, which easily could have been my leg the dog sunk his teeth into. In fact I question why you would sell an aggressive Rottweiler to an older couple. The dog had an electronic collar on him but the owner abandoned the remote.
* After the attack, no one returned my phone call for advice on what to do for the wound. Only after I called again a week later did Toni express concern after finding out it was one of your dogs that attacked him.
* A dog that is extremely comfortable around and undaunted by humans is noticeably uncomfortable and tense with your presence.
I have had my dog for 3 years and my opinion and assumed ability to read and understand my dog should have some merit. If you were not going to provide the exact services that I requested, whether it be because you don’t offer those particular services or your philosophy didn’t agree with my request, you should not have taken my money and worked with my dog. I also made it clear during the first interview that I do not hit or yell at my dog, nor did I ever play tug of war or other acts that might promote aggressive behavior. If your training consisted of other means, then I should have been told up front. From the evidence that has surfaced over the last couple months, it is obvious that the only thing my dog was taught was strict obedience by avoiding pain. »