Sabrina S.
Injured untrained doggo
I waited a while to write this review because I genuinely hoped Juan would make things right—but unfortunately, he has not. I'm now left with an untrained dog, serious behavioral setbacks, and I am emotionally and financially exhausted. If you don’t read the whole review, here’s my advice: Get all expectations in writing before you drop off your dog. When you pick them up, do a full head-to-toe health check. Especially the neck! If Juan is as reputable as he claims, he should have no issue documenting what he says he’ll deliver. Why I Hired Doggo I initially contacted Juan to train a new foster dog I had for six weeks, named Charlie. I told him upfront that Charlie had crate anxiety, leash reactivity to other dogs, and poor obedience in public. Juan told me these issues couldn’t be handled in the 3-week program, so I paid for the 5-week board-and-train. Charlie already knew basic obedience—sit, down, heel—but couldn’t do it under distraction. In the first week, Juan worked on things Charlie never struggled with, like potty training and jumping. By week two, I noticed he wasn’t training Charlie in public, even though that was part of the deal. When I raised this, he called me and said, “Trust the process,” claiming that public training comes after private progress. Throughout the five weeks, Juan sent nothing but positive updates: “Charlie is doing amazing.” “He’s very dog friendly.” “He’s excelling.” But when I picked Charlie up, the tone changed. Juan said Charlie was “stubborn and hard” and admitted “he bit me.” This was never communicated before. Once home, I saw little to no improvement. When I reached out again, Juan said I wouldn't see results for two more weeks—that’s why he doesn’t check in right away. But Charlie’s behavior was out of control. I told Juan I was considering leaving a review, and instead of addressing my concerns, he offered to pick Charlie back up for three more weeks of “advanced” training. I agreed, hoping he would finally follow through on what he promised. What Happened Next Three weeks later, Juan returned Charlie to me at a Home Depot. During the go-home session, every time I used the e-collar, Charlie yelped loudly. Juan said: “He fakes it to get out of training. Keep using it.” I followed his instructions. But after a few days of consistent yelping, I checked and found two wounds on Charlie’s neck—one of them actively infected. The vet later confirmed these were caused by prolonged or improper use of the e-collar. I stopped contacting Juan until I had confirmation from the vet. Then, I asked him for a partial refund—not even the full $4,000 I paid. I asked for $1,400 (for the “advanced” training) and $300 (for the vet bill). He never responded again. I had to go through a third party to get a single response—he defended the training results but offered no accountability for the injury or lack of transparency (I added his response and my counter response). Where We Are Now Charlie has now: Bit four people since the training—something he had never done before. Seen multiple professional trainers and behaviorists who agree he’s a difficult case because of anxiety and fear, not stubbornness. Been in weekly day training, private sessions, and obedience classes—all of which I pay out-of-pocket. I don’t blame Juan for Charlie’s anxiety, but I do hold him responsible for: Injuring my dog and dismissing it. Hiding behavioral red flags during training. Ghosting me after I asked for accountability. Selling me basic obedience while claiming to handle behavioral cases. I asked Juan for an in-person consultation before starting the program, and he refused—telling me he’d trained dogs for years and knew exactly what Charlie needed. I trusted that. I shouldn't have. Final Thoughts If you have a fearful or anxious dog—work with a certified behaviorist, not a board-and-train obedience program. I learned that the hard way. I'm not out for revenge, but I don’t want others to waste their money or risk their dog being harmed like I did. Feel free to contact me directly (Email Tabletop03 at gmail)—I will share every email, vet bill, and message I have. I wish I had known better, and I hope this saves someone else from the pain I've gone through.