DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. If you value the safety of your home, your family, or your pet, stay far away from Off Leash K9.
Reviews look too good to be true? It’s because they are. This company knowingly puts dogs and owners in danger.
I hired Off Leash K9 two months ago to address fear based aggression because my dog had developed anxiety around his harness and lead. I specifically asked if their aggression programme was right for this. They said yes. That was my first mistake.
At the consultation the trainer said my dog was dominant and told us to be more assertive at home. I was uneasy with this review but trusted their supposed expertise. When I asked about muzzle training they said this was not necessary even though my dog had bitten us before.
On the consultation they brought an e collar, but the trainer said it would not suit our dog due to him being scared of his harness and she took it away. But by the next session, the e collar was back. I questioned how we would ever be able use it on a dog who couldn’t even tolerate a harness but this was brushed off - (I think head office was forcing the trainer to use e-collar).
During the second lesson they introduced a slip lead. I asked how we would remove it safely without getting bitten and the trainer told me I needed to be brave and accept that I would be bitten. We did as instructed. The moment the lesson ended my dog’s behavior collapsed. He growled, avoided us, and became visibly terrified. The next day he lashed out during another attempt of the slip lead and on a simple walk he turned violent, snarling and biting my arms and legs, something he had never done before. I came home shaking and crying.
It then took two of us twenty minutes to remove the slip lead safely. When I informed the trainer they said to “stick with it”, and that he was “fighting the system”, and to “ride the wave”. This was a shock to hear, especially as I had highlighted things were progressively getting worse.
By the third lesson things had spiralled. The trainer insisted on using the slip lead again. My dog tried to bite her when removing it, then retreated to his crate in fear. The trainer said to keep going and the next day we did the slip lead training again. BIG MISTAKE. Our once manageable dog was now extremely aggressive, fearful, and unpredictable, a direct result of this company’s so called training. We sent videos to the trainer because we couldn’t believe how bad he had gotten and she said “I’m working my brain to the max to think of solutions”. Meaning she had no idea what to do.
We paid over one thousand pounds for this. For a service that not only failed but caused lasting harm. When I consulted a qualified behaviorist and our vet they were horrified. They confirmed everything Off Leash K9 did was wrong.
• Slip leads should never be used on dogs fearful of restraint.
• E collars should never be used on fear based aggression.
• Labeling a scared dog as dominant is outdated and dangerous.
When I complained to Ben from customer care he admitted both he and the trainer had spoken and agreed the programme was inappropriate and promised to get things sorted. (I requested a refund for 5 remaining lessons). But once management in America got involved they refused to give me my money back.
This company sells a one size fits all method and applies it blindly regardless of the dog’s emotional or behavioral needs. They took my money, ignored every warning sign, and left me with a traumatised animal and a more dangerous home.
It is terrifying that they are allowed to continue operating. If we had children in the home the consequences could have been unthinkable.
Check their Instagram. There are no comments on any post. They have clearly blocked every negative word to silence unhappy clients.
Do not make the same mistake I did. Off Leash K9 destroyed my dog’s trust and turned a manageable issue into something dangerous. They are not experts. They are reckless, careless, and unsafe. If you care about your pet, your family, or your peace of mind, avoid them completely.