Hi guys,

I just wanted to see if anyone out there has heard anything (bad/good) about Bark Avenue Day Camp or its trainer, Matt Covey? This place was recommended to my parents who adopted a 3 year old lab mix after it attacked my sisters dog, unprovoked, and caused some pretty good gashes on its muzzle. Rather than give up on the dog and bring him back to the foster family they adopted him from, they want to give him another chance. Basically, this trainer will take the dog for two weeks and in that time, determine what issues he has, etc. and work with him to get over those issues so that he can be less aggressive. Also, basic obedience will be taught.

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of giving a dog to somebody for any amount of time, but I don't think my parents know what to do. It's $1200 for the two weeks. The foster family has said they will give $600 toward the training so my parents would be stuck with the remaining $600 bill. The training is somehow "guaranteed". I don't have any details on that guarantee though.

There is no history on this dog. All they know is that he was found walking the streets and is approximately 3 years old. He's an otherwise very affectionate dog, but the unprovoked attack has got my paretns spooked. Any thoughts on this. Is it worth a shot for the dogs sake? Any info on the trainer? The facility? Thanks for all your help.

Here's a link to the website. It's in Illinois, suburban Chicago area.

http://www.barkavenuedaycamp.com/

I dont have feedback on them but it's odd that there's also a Bark Avenue Playcare in Chicago.

I'll also add that I have seen this guy's work and have heard nothing but good things about him. http://www.chicagocanineacademy.com/

Thanks Angie.

I'd say there is rarely an unprovoked attack for any dog toward anyone or dog. Everyone just missed the cues.
Has this dog ever gone after another dog before while in the care of your parents?
How long have they had the dog? How do they handle the dog?

I think sending the dog off is a bad idea. If they don't handle the dog now, they will have to when the dog gets back any ways. If they don't, it'll be back to square one.
They can save themselves a ton of money by working with the dog under the direction from a one on one trainer and solve the problem. Because one, who knows what may be done to the dog when not under their care, and two they have to carry on with the work anyways.

If my vote counts, I say no to sending the dog off anywhere.

Randy, I wasn't there when this happened, so I can only go by what my parents and my sister told me. From what they told me, the dogs were both on lead, in front of my parents house. My parents dog lunged and grabbed my sisters dog by the muzzle. My Dad yanked the leash so the dog would release, and that was it. No growling before hand, no withers up, nothing that would indicate that this isn't a good idea. It was their first time meeting. He has never attacked another animal/person while in my parents house (6 weeks or so).

Thanks for your input.

Sorry Will,
I know you didn't ask for that kind of imput. I felt like I just had to say something.

I wish your parents good luck, Will.
Really, I hope it works out for them. Wish I could offer more.

Will, what about a trainer coming to the house to work with your parents and the dog, together? Randy's point is a good one...

(According to his website, he does offer in-home training.)

Yes, I mentioned that to my parents as well. My Dad is suppossed to talk again with the trainer tonight, so hopefully, all our questions/concerns will be answered. I don't know if there are any legitimate advantages to having the dog stay at the facility for two weeks, but we'll see what the trainer says and I'll post back once I know more.

the trainer will likely advocate you sending the dog to him, i mean, he is offering that service, and getting more money for it...

for my self, i am a huge hands on person. I learn by watching, talking back and forth, and mirroring movements. I would think that sending my dog away would be bad for me. I would get back a dog that was all trained up(hopefully thats the case), and i would be left feeling like a blundering idiot, because i wasn't sure how to handle the dog.
I know many places will do a few hours of work with the owner, after the dog is trained, but that seems, i dont know, impersonal(between owner and dog). I enjoy learning with my dogs. Sure, there are TONS of times where my frustration level rises, and i wish someone would take them, train them, and hand me back perfect angels, but i always take it back(well, not always, lol).

another unpleasent, but very real thing to consider is, you(or your parents) have NO idea exactly HOW this person is getting your dog to comply. They may "tell" you what they will do, and give "updates", but well, not everyone is honest. Time is money to many people, and just because a person is workign with animals doesn't mean they become immune to that. If a dog is not showing the results they *think* it should be, instead of backing up, and assesing what they may be unclear on, they can resort to some rather, well, bullyish methods to get the dog to obey. Don't misunderstand me, not every board and train place is like this, there are soem great ones out there. But it seems like, why risk it, when you can do classes or in-home sessions with your own dogs, where you learn as they are learning.

 Quote: angie stark

I dont have feedback on them but it's odd that there's also a Bark Avenue Playcare in Chicago.

I'll also add that I have seen this guy's work and have heard nothing but good things about him. http://www.chicagocanineacademy.com/

Yes, there is an actual Bark Avenue Playcare, which i find odd too. Actually, when i saw the post, and the training place name, and then saw the trainers name, i was especially confused. im like, "wait, theres no one there by that name!!"

if you are interested, it is a pretty darn good training place, i go there for PSA training, and have watched some of their puppy and OB classes, and was pleased. It may be worth looking into.