Animal Learning Systems

I was very hopeful when Jim came to my home to help with my dog's crate training and attachment issues. However, I quickly learned how unprofessional and dishonest this company truly is. Jim's visit cost $245. I had to ask him to view areas of our home as he never moved from his seat. He stated that the had ideas to help our dog but only wanted to focus on crate training as this was our biggest issue at the time. His plan consisted of a piece of notepad paper, strict water diet and typical crate training procedure, most of which we had already tried from a simple Google search. He instructed us to follow the routine for a few weeks and then to email him our dog's accident history, as he said he may find a pattern. My husband and I followed this plan, even hiring a dog walker to let our dog out midday to strengthen his puppy bladder, and I emailed Jim in hopes to receive the next steps or insight into his accident pattern. Instead, I got an email from his secretary scheduling - without even asking - another in house meeting for "only $180!" I was in absolute shock as no one had never mentioned a follow up meeting or any additional fees. I was also upset that Jim specifically withheld information at our first meeting and NEVER spoke of another meeting, only email. His lack of transparency, and withholding of such information allowed his to elongate the process of addressing our issues and put an ongoing financial burden on our family. Had this model been presented to us when we asked (numerous times) he evaded our questions with words like, "let's just focus on this one thing right now." When I called Jim's office to discuss this matter, I only spoke to Jim's secretary who said she was solely following his notes and she had no idea why I was so upset. I asked to speak to Jim and she simply said she would give him the message. Without anymore communication from the company, I called the next day asking for Jim. The secretary answered again and stated that she talked to Jim who planned to never email or call me back. She also went on to state that she did not know why I was calling as our crate training issues have been solved. Obviously they didn't even to bother reading our email since we outlined numerous occurrences of our dog messing in his crate. I ended the phone call in tears as I specifically spoke to Jim about my concerns with my dog's attachment issues as I am pregnant. This was received in a cold and obvious unprofessional manner as I was never going to receive a follow-up phone call or simple communication. My recommendation is to simply save your money or go to a behaviorist who will truly help. Hiring Jim is like paying $245 to search Google, and another $180 for each subsequent search. Jim WILL NOT help you or communicate with you without more money being sent his way, despite promises to do so. The worst part is that he will blatantly state he is withholding information from you only for you to find out you will have to pay more money to receive it. Here we are $245 later without a single issue resolved and most not even addressed.