Quote: Cameron Feathers

The woman did this because she felt my dog needed more socialization. All in all, there were many things that were done that had NO business being done. I haven't decided what I (if anythign) will do about this other than the refund that I got today.

This woman is insane! How old are her kids? You could always report her to social services for knowingly putting her kids in harm's way....though it probably wouldn't do much good...but savor the thoughts of retribution!

Unfortunately I don't think there is a lot you can do. Other than maybe report her to the better business bureau and the local Humane Society. Why waste your time? Go play with your girl she's waiting for you

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

Why waste your time? Go play with your girl she's waiting for you

Actually, she is sound asleep drooling, but I plan on it tomorrow ;-)

Cameron, reading what you have written does some weird things to my insides; I can't imagine the anger you must have been feeling when you got the full picture of what had been done to your girl.
I would write a letter to the BBB; at least they will have it on file then.
I wonder how common this scenario is?
I had kenneled my pup at my vets when she was about 5 months old; one of the kennel workers there said when I dropped her off, 'I can work on some obedience with her, if you want'. I politely declined, but I really have no what he might have done w/ her. Scary...

First off did she let you see the tapes, and if not I would assume that she bet my dog and call the cops. Tell them I want to press charges. The reason I am so mean is if she want let you see then there is something she doesnt want you to see. Next I am trully sorry for what was done to your pup. Now with this said get a video cammera and so that you have evdence of how your dog is acting. I hope you have some tape of what she was like before you took her. Sit down think of the number of hours you spent working with her to get her to the point yall were at. Now put a dollar amount to this you said you are a trainer how much do you get paid, next add in the price you paid for your dog then the amount of hours you looked to find her in the first place, last if you can fix her and get her to like it didnt happen how many hours do you think that will take add in the price. Now I feel that you realize just how much she cost you sue her, her moma, and her damn kids if you can convince your laywer to do it.

Also I know you are in the south just like me we dont always have the best animal curelty law and I am not a proponet of geting better ones, But all animals in my state are personal property have her arested for destruction of personal property. You would do it if she keyed your car why not for what she did to your dog.

Also think of the other people that have had this done to them and just trusted that she was right, because they didnt know any better. My stepdad managed a store in my town the employees didnt know he was my stepdad I would go in and one of them would be ruid to me and I would report them my stepdad would chew their ass you might ask why with just one offence he always said that I was the only one that knew who to tell.

Now what if your City had kenneled its K9 unit there and she did this dont your think they would have just sent her a bill, and said pay or have your bussiness lisence revoked.

I know I am hatfull and that I should be nicer.
I also know I didnt read that she voluntered her time to fix the mess she made.

I agree with Michael - pursue this, make sure they have NO DOUBT that they made a BIG MISTAKE in handling your dog at all beyond the basic care that they were HIRED TO DO. I own a boarding kennel, and I have many dogs here every day of the week, some trained, some not trained, some nice, some not so nice. I couldn't care less if the dog is "resource guarding" or if it's "good with kids" - NOT MY DOG, NOT MY PROBLEM. I let the dog out, let it in, walk if necessary, clean the kennel, feed and water. THAT'S IT. The dogs are cared for while the owner is gone. They are safe, fed, warm and comfortable.
I do train dogs but the owners know they are paying for the week of training and know what I'm going to work on (normally walking nicely on a leash, sit or stay etc) - behavior training - I may think about it if the owner requests I work with some problem. Take it upon myself to work with a dog with issues? NOPE. Not my business to do so.

I would also press charges for these people hitting your dog. Your months of training went down the drain in one weekend - your dog may be permanently affected. Refund is fine but that doesn't give you back the dog that walked into their facility. Press charges, spread the word everywhere you can about this kennel, name names and do whatever you can to 'train them' that what they did was a BIG MISTAKE.
I would be beyond furious - I would be blowing my top if this happened to one of my dogs.

molly

So Cameron,
I'm with a couple of others here, what of these tapes?
So far I've heard you've twice asked to look at them, and twice you've been put off of seeing them with more dialog.
Before you pursue anything else go in and demand to see those tapes and don't be put off by any conversation they want to engage you with. The time they keep them will be limited and may have already gone by. If your going to make a case you'll need those tapes.
Don't be put off. Demand a viewing and a copy.

On top of needing the tapes to pursuing a case if you so choose, seeing how the dog was 'trained' may help you with bringing her back to her old 'untrained' self.

Randy

Edited by randy allen (05/14/2008 11:25 AM)
Edit reason: added thought

Edited by Connie Sutherland (05/14/2008 11:41 AM)
Edit reason: add note about new post

OK! I just got back from the place for the last time. This time I talked with the OWNER (not the MANAGER, which is his daughter)
MADE HUGE PROGRESS. I called him last night and this morning he asked me to come by to talk and also said he had the tape for me to see if I chose.
I didn't see anyone hitting my dog at all on the tape, but I did see a lot of rough handling. When she would sit or down but stare at the person they would yank her onto her back in a "submissive take down" I never once saw my dog "guarding" or, after the "take down" aggressive. In fact, she was very reserved and aloof with them afterwards! Everytime they can into her kennel she would immediately sit and look up at them, then get taken down for "staring" There was audio too, so I could kind of hear what was being said to her. She never did stop making eye contact with them (good) but they took her down a lot for it (pissed about that) One time (the first day) I saw the lady in her kennel initiating play with a ball, and my dog went for the ball with her usual gusto and intensity. It probably hurt her hand and I am glad for that because she shouldn't have been teasing my dog with it in the first place. I am not glad that she spent about 15 minutes correcting her with a gentle leader (of all things!) for lunging at a ball she was being teased with. I also saw her 14 year old taking my dog out of the kennel (on lead with a gentle leader again) but that was about it. The owner gave me a huge apology and said that he was going to be making some changes to how things were being done. He told me that he has never had this issue yet, but since it is a new business (less than a year) There are some things that must have been overlooked. He was not aware that his granddaughter was being allowed to help with the dogs at all and was furious about that himself. All in all, I won't be going back there, but the reaction from the guy who owns the business was helpful. He asked me to give him a chance to sort out the issues and address them so that it won't happen to anyone else's dog rather than taking his business down. I agreed, but told him if I hear of it happening to anyone else that I will spread the word, which he felt was a fair response. The only reason I even went with the kennel in the first place is because it was new and not the crank and yank old school places that are around here. Also, the woman has worked with a vet that I know for years and there were nothing but good things said about her by that vet. Lesson learned for me, and I will be a lot wiser the next time for it. I feel bad for my dog because she did not deserve to be put in this situation by me at all. I didn't know, but it is still my responsibility.
One a side note... the owner had very strong opinions about how his daughter trains with her "new fangled bullsh*t methods and bullsh*t gimmick contraptions" And when we were watching the tape he yelled at the tv when she corrected my dog for watching her with a "that dog is paying better attention than any of her dogs ever could and she is punishing it? What the hell is she thinking?" That was when the apology came from him.

Edited by Cameron Feathers (05/14/2008 01:28 PM)
Edit reason: adding info

GOOD at least the owner seems to be on your side. However, how could this have happened in the first place? Who was this lady to take a dog in for BOARDING, NOT TRAINING, and correct her by throwing her on the ground, for giving her the attention/eye contact that YOU HAVE TRAINED HER TO GIVE??????? I am still absolutely furious for you - knowing that this could happen to anyone's dog. Just absolutely unforgiveable. I would still press charges - if not on the business than on the lady herself who handled your dog in this manner. Noone asked her to train your dog - or even play ball with her - correcting her for lunging at the ball - who asked her to do this? And the dog was only there for 4 days. 4 days of terrible handling and abuse. Stupid lady - she would never work in a kennel again if I had anything to say about it. Boarding kennel = FOR BOARDING. Somewhere you can keep your dog while you are out of town and know that he is safe and comfortable while you are gone. PERIOD. No training unless it is arranged by you. No corrections given to YOUR DOG. grrrr!!!!

GRRRRR!!!!

molly

It's up to you what you want to do Cameron, but off hand I'd say whom ever was trying to 'train' your dog is very lucky she (your dog) is a soft animal. With a different dog it could have gotten very ugly.
Still all around, it bites big time.

Hows your pooch coming out of it?

Randy