joshuawithmartin
New member
Earlier this year I saw this news story making the rounds: "Missing-dog mystery sparks police investigation"
The TL;DR is that a trainer had a client's GSD for board and train, and when it came time to return the dog, she returned a different GSD (with the correct GSD's apple air tag collar on). Then the trainer claimed that she had left their dog with a sitter, and the dog broke out through a window screen in the night and was likely dead. The trainer disappeared from the area not long after that. Here is the missing dog post.
It turns out that trainer had moved cross country to Connecticut where she has just killed another dog: "North Reading dog dies at Connecticut training facility, trainer accused of scam."
Both clients had found the trainer on Thumbtack where she had good reviews. I just really want to caution folks that good reviews alone unfortunately do not mean much when it comes to dog trainers. The number of trainers and businesses that have rave reviews but provide poor care and service is very very high.
If you are seeking a dog training, please take care to vet carefully, ask questions, and take a look at this guide on how to find a qualified professional. Here is also a thread in our wiki here about Red Flags when Seeking A Trainer.
Additionally, it can go a long way to familiarize yourself with dog body language and stress signals and take a look at the trainers posted content. Here are parts one and two of a video series on body language from CDBC Kris Crestejo if you're looking for somewhere to get started. This is something worth doing anyways if you haven't already, but I remember when the news of the missing dog earlier this year first was making the rounds, the trainers original Thumbtack was still up with photos of the dogs she had worked with - they looked very concerning.
The TL;DR is that a trainer had a client's GSD for board and train, and when it came time to return the dog, she returned a different GSD (with the correct GSD's apple air tag collar on). Then the trainer claimed that she had left their dog with a sitter, and the dog broke out through a window screen in the night and was likely dead. The trainer disappeared from the area not long after that. Here is the missing dog post.
It turns out that trainer had moved cross country to Connecticut where she has just killed another dog: "North Reading dog dies at Connecticut training facility, trainer accused of scam."
Both clients had found the trainer on Thumbtack where she had good reviews. I just really want to caution folks that good reviews alone unfortunately do not mean much when it comes to dog trainers. The number of trainers and businesses that have rave reviews but provide poor care and service is very very high.
If you are seeking a dog training, please take care to vet carefully, ask questions, and take a look at this guide on how to find a qualified professional. Here is also a thread in our wiki here about Red Flags when Seeking A Trainer.
Additionally, it can go a long way to familiarize yourself with dog body language and stress signals and take a look at the trainers posted content. Here are parts one and two of a video series on body language from CDBC Kris Crestejo if you're looking for somewhere to get started. This is something worth doing anyways if you haven't already, but I remember when the news of the missing dog earlier this year first was making the rounds, the trainers original Thumbtack was still up with photos of the dogs she had worked with - they looked very concerning.