ACA CENTER Dog Training & Boarding

Thank you so much Sidney , for sharing Penny’s journey with us. <br><br><br>Seeing her go from being reactive and difficult to walk to becoming more confident, responsive, and comfortable in everyday situations has been very rewarding for our team.<br><br>We’re especially happy to hear that you also feel more confident as her handler.<br><br>Penny worked hard through her six training sessions and group classes, and your consistency outside of class clearly made a difference.<br><br>We hope to see you soon!

As Owner and Director of ACA Center, I am responding directly because this review contains serious statements about our professional conduct, evaluation procedures, and treatment of dogs that do not match the documented record of this appointment.<br>This visit was specifically requested as an evaluation for possible Service Dog training. It was not a routine obedience lesson, and the dog was never enrolled in a training program with ACA Center.<br>A Service Dog evaluation is intended to objectively assess control, handler relationship, response to distractions and other dogs, recovery, social behavior, previous training foundation, and readiness for specialized work. It is not designed simply to confirm an owner’s expectations.<br>The entire visit is documented through our facility’s security and monitoring system, from arrival through departure. We therefore have a contemporaneous record of the events described in this review.<br>At the beginning of the assessment, the dog was wearing a prong collar. It was temporarily removed so our staff could observe the dog’s responsiveness and the handler’s ability to manage the dog without relying on corrective equipment. The dog then required additional redirection, which was relevant to the evaluation.<br>We also reject the allegation that our staff yelled at or mistreated the dog. The video record and the personnel present do not support that characterization. Clear and firm verbal redirection is not abuse.<br>Likewise, another dog was not placed “in your dog’s face.” Our demonstration dog remained under handler control and at a physical distance. A brief, controlled bark was given on command to observe the evaluated dog’s reaction and recovery. There was no charge, no loose aggressive dog, and no uncontrolled confrontation.<br><br>The claim that our demonstration dog was frightened and running with its ears and tail tucked is also inconsistent with the footage. The dog is shown willingly participating, focused on its handler, moving normally, and displaying an active body posture.<br>During the evaluation, a puppy being moved from another classroom to the kennel area briefly passed and greeted the evaluated dog normally before continuing with its handler. The interaction was supervised and uneventful.<br>The review also references cost before any Service Dog training program was ever contracted. The client paid for an evaluation only. Specialized Service Dog training can require months of progressive work depending on the dog’s age, existing foundation, stability, handler control, and the tasks required. Any assumption regarding the total cost of a program that was never contracted is therefore an expectation, not an actual experience with our training services.<br>ACA Center will not alter a professional assessment simply because its findings may disappoint a prospective client. When deficiencies in foundation training, control, focus, or readiness are observed, our responsibility is to communicate them directly.<br>We respect legitimate criticism. We will not leave unanswered public allegations of mistreatment, unsafe practices, or reckless handling when the documented record does not support those claims.<br>ACA Center stands behind the evaluation performed, the personnel involved, the safety procedures used, and the humane treatment of every dog present during this appointment.

Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting ACA Center with Denji. We are very happy to hear how much progress he made throughout the six sessions.<br>Seeing him go from being nervous and reactive to becoming more confident, manageable, and excited to come to training is a great reflection of the work you also put in as his owner.<br>It was a pleasure working with both of you, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see Denji again in the future for his next level of training.

Thank you, Anthony, for your review and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in ACA CENTER. Our team is committed to providing professional, effective dog training and a positive experience for every dog and family we serve in Doral and Miami-Dade.