Lake Cumberland K-9 Training Center

I took my dog to LCK-9 Training Center & chose Option 2, which states: Bring your dog to my home for a three (3) week “Doggie Boot Camp“. ~ This option frees you up from the week to week process of doing obedience classes. I will train your dog fully and show you how to follow through with your dog’s obedience training, behavioral modifications, and socialization. This option is also for problems with housebreaking your dog. I will totally housebreak your dog to ring a bell on a door and show you how to follow through. ($1150, $1450 for dogs 60 lbs and up) Upon arriving, I was asked to checkmark & make a list of things that I prioritized for my dog to learn while she was there. My main concern was RECALL. When I picked her up 3 weeks later, the commands that were went over with me, that she had been "taught", included: Sit, lay down, stay, shake, high five, heel, off, leave it, and jumping through a hoop. (She already knew sit, lay, & shake). I included several others on the list that were not taught. Two days after pickup, I texted saying my dog was inconsistent with commands. The trainer told me to “make her” do them & that the leash should signal it’s time to work. I followed the advice, but nothing changed. Three days later, I followed up about recall—my main concern from the start. She told me to watch a video on her website. I explained I meant off-leash recall during outdoor play. She then proceeded to tell me: "basic obedience is everything on leash. I taught her to come in a controlled environment." This is not "recall" however. Recall is defined as: A dog's ability to come to their owner when called. It's a vital obedience skill for safety and control, particularly in off-leash situations. A reliable recall means the dog will consistently and enthusiastically come when called, even with distractions. At no point—either in the Option 2 description or in conversations with the trainer—was it made clear that the training was limited to **on-leash only**. When asked what to focus on, this limitation was never mentioned. I clearly communicated that off-leash recall was my top priority so my dog could safely play outdoors and return when called. Unfortunately, this was not taught. Side note (health concerns): The night I picked my dog up, she projectile vomited. I asked the trainer if she'd been sick during her stay, & was told “not one single time.” Concerned, I contacted my vet & shared that my dog had dropped from 51.8 lbs to 50 lbs over the 3 weeks, despite getting smiley faces on her eating chart. She appeared very thin—her ribs were visible—was eating grass, & had mushy stools. The trainer mentioned another dog there had a “stomach bug,” but my vet explained dogs don’t catch stomach bugs like humans. I’m now dealing with a vet visit, stool testing, & medication. When we picked our dog up from training, she didn’t seem like herself. She was skittish, withdrawn, & as if she expected to be punished during commands. This behavior continued at home, & she remained sick for weeks. After expressing our concerns to the trainer multiple times, she offered a free additional week of training. However, considering our dog’s condition & the fact that she hadn’t been taught what we originally requested, we didn’t feel comfortable sending her back. I’ve gone back & forth about posting this for the past three months. Since picking my dog up, I’ve been trying to teach her the skills I paid over $1,200 for at LCK9 Training Center—despite not being a dog trainer myself, which is why I sought professional help in the first place. Today, she was nearly hit by a car due to her lack of recall, a skill I made clear was my top priority. I'm sharing this now because I paid for a service, did not receive what was asked, and almost lost my dog today because of it. Response to her comment: It won’t allow me to write much, but everything I wrote still stands. I did NOT get the service I paid for. Btw, Remi was able to be fully recall trained OFF LEASH during a 10 DAY training - says a lot about the time you put in with her.

Last year, Alisa offered to give my son (who has developmental delays) a puppy she had trained. Doc has been an amazing addition to our family and is now an emotional support animal. If I have any questions or concerns, I text Alisa, and she immediately offers suggestions/guidance. We live in a condo, and our neighbors are always commenting on how well-behaved Doc is because he does not bark or jump on people.

I can’t say enough about Alisa and the impact she’s had on my dogs. She has been working with them since they were just puppies, and the results speak for themselves. Thanks to her consistent training, patience, and expertise, my dogs are some of the most well-behaved and well-mannered dogs you’ll ever meet. Because of Alisa’s guidance, my dogs have earned their AKC STAR Puppy and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certifications, and they’re already checking off milestones toward their AKC Community Canine, Urban Canine, and AKC Trick Dog titles. On top of that, they are both certified therapy pets through Love on a Leash, spreading joy and comfort everywhere they go. What makes Alisa the perfect trainer is that she is a true perfectionist. She notices every detail and never cuts corners, which is exactly why her dogs are so successful and well-rounded. If she feels a dog isn’t absolutely perfect before going home, she’ll gladly keep the dog longer to make sure everything is just right. That kind of dedication is rare, and it shows in every single dog she trains. Not only is Alisa an incredible trainer, but she is also a wonderful friend—the kind of person who will do anything for anybody. On top of that, her training facility is spotless, beautifully maintained, and welcoming. You can tell the moment you walk in that she takes pride not only in her dogs and her work, but in the environment she provides as well. Alisa has a true gift for bringing out the best in dogs. She doesn’t just train them—she nurtures their natural temperament and helps them shine. The calm, balanced, and loving nature my dogs have today is a direct reflection of her work. I would recommend Alisa to absolutely anyone looking for a trainer. Whether you’re starting with a puppy or working with an older dog, she has the skill, knowledge, and heart to help you and your dog succeed. She has truly been a blessing in my life and in my dogs’ lives! I have an added a couple photos of both of my dogs at Love on a Leash working as therapy pets!