I'm still trying to figure how productive that could be for repeat customers....not to metion retaining staff.

Just so you know, Cameron at Universal K-9 is a good guy and runs an honest business.

I wouldn't let Florida K-9 even *walk* my dog, much less train them. They're complete and utter frauds and you'll be a whole lot happier not having anything to do with them - trust me on this, I am *not* kidding here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Darrin,
I sent you a more detailed E mail regarding the problems with Florida K9.
Good luck!

Will
Is this FL-K9 ACADEMY in Loxahatchee FL? I lived across the street from them for awhile and worked there breifly. Just wondering if it is the same place you guys are talking about.

No, they're in Sanford.
http://www.floridak9services.com/index.htm

Scam artists extraordinaire..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I'm assuming this is the Florida K9 that Darrin was talking about...if not...never mind, but it's still a good message for folks to avoid them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'm retired Air Force, 21 of my 23 years were with the dog program, including 13 of them as an instuctor at the dog school. The last 17, after my retirement, have been in the law enforcement community I did not have a problem getting a job in the dog world and have been offered several jobs within the past couple of years. (I'm just not as adventurous as I once was)
I agree the dog business if a funny business. Although I don't see the difficulty some see in training, it certainly is not rocket science, and it's not smoke and mirrors, I suspect it's mostly ego. Many feel they are the best and other or different methods (different meaning it isn't theirs) are just not worth the time it takes to listen. One can see pretty much the same attitude among federal agencies as well. The 3 largest federal programs other than the military, don't always play well and get along with others. Differences are also evident in some of the certification organizations as well. The best we can do, is do what we know is right. As far as answering your question "intimidating or Not wanted" I really don't feel that is so much the problem as is the possibility of you being a threat to some trainer by bringing in fresh knowledge.

DFrost

Will, Speaking from experience...Cameron at universal K9 sometimes has his priorities screwed up. We have purchased dogs and equipment from him, and as far as that goes...he's everything you say about him.

Howard

For me, honesty as a vendor is the first priority. And different people can handle different dogs, that's just a fact of training.

My buddy and I went down last year to pick up a new import Mal, PH1 which my buddy ( the business owner and a National class handler and trainer, he's *great* ) wanted to compete with. The dog was sent by a broker who had provided previous dogs to the business. He made it know that the dog was tough but assured my friend that he could handle it.
So.....we are picking up the dog at Orlando Airport and have some time to kill and stop by Universal K9 to gab with Cameron. Cameron is sporting some new scars on his hand and wrist, and procedes to show us his healing injuries ( a few dozen sutures total ) from a prospective K9 from Holland that scraped out due to handler aggression. It turned out that the police officer in training with the dog was bitten more severely, no permanent damage, but bad bites all the same. Finally after all that discussion it turns out that the very dog that did all that damage ( and was wisely returned to Holland ) was the same dog that we were picking up in an hour. Super, just super.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

It took *a lot* of hard work to fix that handler aggression problem, but my friend never gives up and as I said, is one of the best trainers in the country. I spent a lot of fun sessions in my bite suit being that dogs punching bag and whining for my momma, but the end result was a great dog. But only a few people in the country would have attempted it.

I agree Cameron is good at matching dogs to handlers. He is also honest in evaluating a prospective customer so that he makes a good match. Some people you just cant tell anything to though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I hope your friend stays in one piece. You too for that matter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> We recently purchased a new bite suit from him for our last 400 hr school. It was pretty much garbage and I was the unfortunate soul to have to endure the abuse for the most part (Still healing 6 months later). We called Cameron to B**ch and he replaced the suit as soon as the new guys were done abusing me. Seems the red dye caused the material to deteriorate. No complaints here.

Sorry about getting us off topic.

Howard

No problem, that was good to know. All my experiences with him are with the dogs, I've never bought equipment from him.
With the dogs that we're training, an equipment failure could result in a real serious injury, so we're *real* careful there.