Complaint Review: Ridgeside K9 - Winchester VA

I wanted to reach out and report an incident with a local business, Rideside K9 www.ridgesidek9.com

 

Based in Winchester, this dog training service is run by former military vets and police officers. A google searh of the company's VA headquarters-- 19971 Ridgeside Rd, Bluemont VA, is a residential property, which appears to be associated with the company's owner, Aaron Taylor. 

Ridgeside K9's website claims 20+ experience, and also 10+ expereince in dog training (both 20 years and 10+ years' experience are claimed on the same webpage). Needless to say, Rideside claims extensive exerptise in dog trainng.

The company's website states: 

"Ridgeside K9 employs numerous active and retired police K9 trainers and military veterans that now specialize in obedience and control on household pets." 

When I first reached out to a representative of the company, I was told that the trainer had extensive experience with dobermans as part of former law enforcement work. 

I was told by a company representative: 

"He is truly an amazing person and a world-class dog trainer. Aaron has known and worked with him for many years as they were both K9 officers at the same time (just different departments)." (direct quote from email communication)

Thrilled to have the opportuity to have our dog trained by a "world class dog trainer," we paid $3,300 to send our pure-bred doberman pup to Ridegside for 3 weeks of on-site training.

As background, an important part of caring for dobermans involves posting of the dog's ears, so they are trained to stand erect.

 

When I reached out to the trainer to point out that our dog's ears were still be posted,  he said he was entirely comfortable caring for our dogs' ears while training. I had no reason to dount his competence, as the company claims specific expertise with this breed of dog.

In any case, when the trainer arrived to our home to pick up our dog, I demonstrated how to post. I showed  him process, which involves loosely applying 3 small pieces of tape to the ears. 

 

When our dog came back from 3 weeks of training, and I unwrapped the tape, his ears were maimed (I can provide photos, vet details etc). Too much tape was applied-- and it was wrapped way too tight-- which cut off circulation in his ears. He came back with large gaping open wounds on his ears. We had to pay for emergency care, antibiotic and inflammatory meds. Moreover, the scar tissue that is forming from these ijuries will permanently disfigure his ears. 

 

When the trainer sent a text asking how our dog is doing with follow-up training, I indicaed that we could not train at home, owing to the injuries and the fact that the dog has his head in a plstic cone, which makes using an e-collar difficult. The trainer refused to take any accountability for his injuries, which are severe. 

A few days later, I received a call from a man which I later understood to be the owner, Aaron Taylor. He told me that the dog's ears are "my responsibility," and that "we aren't a dog grooming company," and none of this is their problem-- even though the injuries occurred during their care. And, even though, as you can see on their website, they claim to be experts with these types of dogs. 

 

Subsequently, in a text, Taylor says he "listened back" to our conversation-- he recorded our call, without my consent-- which is illegal recording. Maryland requires 2-way consent to recording private conversations. I can provide the text exchange between us, where Taylor states he "listened back to our conversation" while at the same time refusing to confirm his name and association with the company. 

 

This company claims to have deep background in dog training, yet they severely injured our dog and are not taking any responsibility for their actions. 

 

Our family has suffered incredible emotional distress, we are still caring for our dog and hoping he can fully recover, and of course we are laden with medical bills assocaited with his care.