TESTIMONIALS
3-Week Board and Train
Ringo, Schnauzer
Ringo joined our family in October 2020 when he was just eight weeks old. He was a member of the family from the very beginning. We took him everywhere – he camped with us, traveled with us to Disney hotels, and there were plenty of other pet-friendly hotels along the way. He was easy-going in his crate, sleeping all night in there without a single complaint.
But we learned early-on that Ringo had a high prey drive. He’d see fast moving bikes, joggers, strollers or running children and would lunge for them and become uncontrollable. The problem got worse as he got older. He bit and drew blood from my three teen and adult kids, as well as my husband and two of our family friends.
Life at home became stressful. Ringo had to be crated anytime we had visitors or my kids had friends over. He was miserable, our family was miserable, and my kids had grown to fear him. I worried that if he bit again, or bit the wrong person, someone might force us to put him down.
So in Fall of 2023, I reached out to Ridgeside K9. We met Jeff Aman and Ringo went to live with him for a three-week board and train. Throughout those weeks, Jeff sent daily updates and photos of Ringo’s progress.
The end result was literally a new lease on life for Ringo. It wasn’t just the new training and skills that Ringo came home with, we could tell that he was proud of himself – his tail was wagging again and his confidence had returned.
I’m still aware of Ringo’s challenges and remain vigilant. He will always be a reactive dog, but I now have the tools to manage his behavior. Jeff’s training provided us with a way to communicate clearly with Ringo.
He also has new freedoms thanks to his training. We trust his recall, so now he can run free in our yard and understands he needs to come back when he’s called. When we have visitors, I do set boundaries and they know to leave him be, but Ringo gets to stay free, out of his crate. He camps and travels with us again because we have the training in place to make sure it’s safe and fun for humans and dog.
I am so grateful to Jeff for his patience, training and consistency with Ringo. Being able to get him to this point literally saved his life.
3-Week Board and Train
Stanley, Lab Mix
Stanley (88lb B.Lab/G.Shepherd/Chow rescue) loved his stay at Ridgeside K9 Nashville. He already knew the basic commands (and silent hand signals, too), but he was too easily excited and distracted away from my commands when in public. I might have been a pain in the neck for Jeff, but he didn't show it. Before I handed my dog over to him I wanted to know more. First, the three of us rendezvoused in a public park, then we visited his facility, next Jeff came to my house before I was satisfied to let him leave with my dog -- I wanted to make sure he would train Stanley without dampening his spirit. Before training we set goals for Stanley. During training Jeff sent me a daily update with a photo or two. We can now go to Lowe's and other public places without my dog making a spectacle of himself. Jeff succeeded. The extras: Jeff hosts periodic Pack Walks in public parks; he also hosts gatherings with food and drinks at dog-friendly area patio restaurants; and he's happy to answer spur-of-the-moment questions. (I've called him several times). At his side always at these events is his wonderful business manager, Judy Barth. Conclusion: I'm 100% satisfied.
- Barry S
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