Top Paw K9 Academy — Local services in Denver

Where do I even begin…..Wally was only 11 months old when he was dropped off day 1 with Jennifer and Top Paw K9 Academy. Wally had previously been to a 7 day camp with another trainer. Before taking him for day 1 of his previous trainer I found Jennifer and had reached out to her. He was only 16 weeks old though and I just couldn’t see dropping him off during his early “puppy stage” and not being with him every day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks or however long we opted for. It wasn’t a NO because of Jennifer or what research I did on her and her training, I just wanted to enjoy that puppy stage. However, I feel Wally along with my family and I were setup for failure from the first day going forward with the “other” training program we had picked. We attended the weekly group training for 3 months after until it just didn’t feel right anymore and we stopped. Now we kept doing what we were taught at home and out and about with Wally until I came across another trainer talking about the use of the eCollar and I immediately became very discouraged and reached out to Jennifer yet again. She was so nice, helpful and understanding months back and she was still there to help out several months later.

We talked and discussed Wally’s progress and how he had been trained and what my family and I were taught. The FUNdamental 2 week Board & Train is what Jennifer recommended. We enrolled and counted down the days until Wally would be away learning. Even that, Jennifer was so helpful in making sure I had everything needed for success from the beginning. It was SO hard for me at drop off but I knew we were making the right decision. Through-out his 2 week stay the entire family was kept up to date with videos and texts about his progress. I believe it was the next day even that we got videos and how quickly you could see a difference and understand the small things to watch for to see that difference.

Nearing the 2 week mark we all got to come see Wally and do a bit of training. Jennifer got EVERYONE involved with the training. We all had our turn, she picked out the ones that Wally does well with and the ones that Wally is smarter then….I mean can figure out how to get free treats 😂 even though it was only about an hour it was SO helpful. It was also awesome just to see him, you could tell he missed everyone but he bonded with Jennifer so much it’s like to him the whole family was just getting together. When we were done, it was hard to watch him get back in the car with Jennifer but he happily walked with her and hopped right into the car.

Come pickup time, we got to meet at Lowe’s and do more training. Myself, Eryn and Grandma all got to train with him. Jennifer is FULL of knowledge and helpful tips and tricks. Wally did absolutely amazing and it was great to see his progress from an eCollar and being “zapped” for only doing wrong things to being just so happy to work for treats and do as he was asked. Well….he would even do as he wasn’t asked if we were just standing talking and he would sit or down. He found a LOT of courage

If anyone is every questioning whether or not Jennifer is the one…..well she is and Wally will be happy to tell you himself. If or when we get another dog, they will 100% be going to spend time with our newest Family member, Jennifer!!

P.S. She genuinely cares about your dog, there is no question about it. She wants nothing more then to see you and your dog succeed and have all the fun...

Run from this place. ZERO STARS!! I brought my Newfoundland puppies for the three-week board and train. I had red flags along the way, but Tiatiana is so convincing. I ended up pulling them out three days early. I did not get what I paid for. On top of that, Tiatiana told me multiple times they would help get my 140-pound Newfoundland in the car. But when I arrived and I pointed out to the only other so-called trainer "Kaz" that my dog hasn't been trained and why is she still jumping? Her reply is it takes time. Seriously? After being with them over two weeks? But let's not forget the video "Jen" posts about how easy it is to train a dog not to jump. Kaz gets upset and tells me the way I'm talking to her, she will not help me get my dogs in the car. The facility is in North Denver, busy street, if they cared for dogs, they would have let me in the back where the gate is where I could be safe. Instead I was left on a busy street by myself to manage my dogs with NO TRAINING! So be wise when selecting a facility. Don't go off of the training videos of Jen. Those are her own dogs. Look up certifications they have? Are Tiatiana and Kaz certified? Hmmm. Beware!! Oh, with all the good reviews, I wonder if they are real or you actually bought paid reviews. I've answered my own question.

Since I can't seem to reply to the owner, I will edit my post. I never emailed five or six times a day to T. I have my texts. I never called that many times. I have the call log. As far as picking up my dogs, I PAID YOU TO DO IT. You didn't do it out of being courteous. I PAID YOU. Again, for over two weeks you did nothing with my dogs. I have three letters from trainers now. And yes, people should check on you and your so-calleld trainers. I will get the video, trust me. I was never threatening. I told Koz she did not train my dogs and she gets offended because she cannot handle the truth. Just beware. Do not go to this place. Again, I paid for them to pick up my dogs. I was never threatening when I got there. But I expect you to use any excuse you can for the repulsive endangerment of my dogs!! You knew Duke wouldn't get in the car, so I PAID FOR YOU TO PICK THEM UP. You sure didn't want to lose the $6200 I paid or the training!!! Again, deflect and so I was irate and irrational. Plus Koz said she was the only one there that day, but yet your car, Jen, was parked in the back. They left my dogs in an unsafe environment, no training, lying now to cover their tracks. People, check references, check the certifications. Again, run. They are only out for money, which will be determined at another time. Again, the only erratic behavior comes from the so-called trainers. And if I'm not allowed in the back, why did Tee offer me to park there? Again, let's get to the gist of it. No training at all. Jen wants to play CYA, which is fine. Bottom line, I did not get what I paid for! Check on who is actually training your dog if you decide to go there. Check if you can park in back? Check on certifications. Oh, and why on the website is her name Tiatiana? Your groomer said everyone calls her T. Again proof you are deflecting. And if that's so important to you, learn to...

I got my Rottweiler puppy, Cersei when she was 12 weeks old from what I now know to be, a “backyard” breeder. She’s my first guard breed and at the time I definitely underestimated, and didn’t fully understand the consequences of poor breeding OR what good breeding looked like. Cersei and her parents are AKC certified, and from a champion blood line so I thought, “all good!”. Well, at only 12 weeks old, Cersei was already afraid of everything! She would physically recoil anytime someone came near her and find a corner to hide in. She didn’t even know how to play with a ball, she was so afraid of it. She had yeast all on her tummy and she was completely filthy. It looked like she was kept outside and never given a bath. When she turned 6 months, her fear turned into reactivity which was manageable at first but then she started getting strong, and her bark started to get scary. I was so afraid for her because I knew if she continued on this way, it would progress to aggression and she would do something that would put her in a situation that I can’t protect her from. At this point, I had become a helicopter mom and had never let her out of my sight! I was SO nervous about leaving her and worried that sending her away from her home and her human would just make her anxiety worse but I am SO glad I didn’t let my own fears win. Jennifer and her team have obviously taken such good care of Cersei. She lights up when they’re around and she absolutely ADORES them! During our last session, we went to a dog park and Cersei got to show off her new coping skills and I cannot be more thankful. The scary Rottweiler that used to lunge and growl and bark at leaves blowing in the wind is now completely chill and laying in the grass as reactive dogs are barking behind her and people are going by on scooters! Jennifer and John showed me some really great training tools and how to respond confidently and how to anticipate when Cersei might be becoming over-stimulated. I feel SO much better about taking her home and continuing to help her become her natural baddass self without the fear weighing her down. Considering her breed and the horrible stereotype attached as well as the actual power of these dogs, I don’t think it’s too dramatic to say, the time they spent on her might have helped to save her life. This time away from her as well as the drive back and forth from Houston were well worth it and I definitely plan to...