So we left our 2 dogs (Both Italian Mastiffs) with Derek, along with a list of issues and an $1100 check. Our FIRST dog was to be left with Derek for 2 weeks, and then bring my SECOND dog in on the third week to be trained TOGETHER. They were supposed to be there for 3 weeks TOTAL; they ended up being there for 5 weeks!
Derek stated that he had this “miracle dog” training sessions in his house; to leave our dog there for 3 weeks and her issues would be addressed. As the 3 weeks went by he decided he needed to keep her longer and needed an additional 2 weeks, he was difficult to get in contact with and was rather rude and sarcastic with his replies. All we needed was an explanation as to why we could NOT pick up our dogs and why he was NOT responding, so we decided to email
[email protected] and copied his email
[email protected], we FINALLY received a rather rude response stating he had been away getting married and on his honeymoon! Where were our dogs??! They were NOT getting trained nor were they staying at his house as he promised! After finally receiving a response he stated we could pick them up in another week. He said they needed more training (What have they been doing??).
After finally getting our dogs back, we went to pick them up at his house (conveniently), our dogs were emaciated and downright boney (they are Italian Mastiffs---not a boney breed). We kept asking why her bones were showing and he stated “I run them”----REALLY???!! Look up Italian Mastiffs and see they are not emaciated dogs. We called the police and made a police report concerning their emaciated bodies and informed the police officer of the “training” they received from Barkspace. The police also informed us to take them BOTH to the vet to make sure they are fine.
After getting them home, we had to feed them rice and gravy to gain (police officer stated this) their weight back. It doesn’t stop here, they have all the same issues as they did prior to the training (minus two things, they are now able to walk on a leash (halfass) and they now know the “wait” command, also halfass). Now is this worth $1100???!! NOWAY! The MAJOR issues we were, and STILL ARE having, is that our dogs are getting into the trash and grabbing things from all counters (bathroom counter/kitchen counter/tables—basically anything they could get a hold of including plants etc), and tearing up their doggy beds (to name a very few of the issues). NONE of these issues were addressed; this “miracle dog” training is nonexistent to say the least. And as far as I’m concerned the reviews are also lies that may have been posted by the employees and/or friends.
I have contacted Derek several times and as always receiving nothing but sarcasm and now NO response at all. I have asked Derek who I should talk to concerning a refund and I receive NO response. VERY PROFESSIONAL DEREK. I chose Derek based on reviews and people mentioning he is a dog whisperer, I came from out of town to bring them to Derek in hopes of receiving training and having a trainer who actually cares for their dogs---BOY WAS I WRONG! I do believe we should receive a refund for practically NO training received and picking up emaciated dogs. There was NO service here, only headaches and stress, and only to be back at square one with untrained dogs. Barkspace is crap---don’t ask them train your dogs—he is NO dog whisperer. It is basically just a dog motel wanting to suck the money out of you while DEREK goes on vacation.
