K-9 Top Performance

I can’t say enough good things about K-9 Top Performance. When I first got my dog, Ash, he was actually kicked out of another doggie daycare due to behavioral issues. K-9 Top Performance not only accepted him, but truly helped turn things around. Ash has now been going there for over 7 years, and the difference is incredible. Through their training and consistent care, they helped correct Ash’s behavior, which has given me the confidence to bring him to places with lots of people and other dogs. We even go on hikes now where he can safely be off-leash—something I never thought would be possible. Another huge plus is their hours. Most daycares don’t work well for people with standard work schedules, but K-9 Top Performance’s hours are perfect. On top of all that, the staff is always friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions or help with concerns. If you’re looking for a place that genuinely cares about dogs and delivers real results, K-9 Top Performance is the best choice.

There are a lot of red flags that potential clients should be aware of before bringing their dog here. Posting from an anonymous account for privacy reasons. At first, this place seemed promising. I genuinely had hope. However, I have been bringing my dog here since November, and his behavior has not improved in any measurable way. My in-laws and entire family have noticed absolutely no change. After nearly three months, it’s clear I have been throwing my money directly into the garbage. I was later told my dog was “close to CGC (Canine Good Citizen),” which I found shocking, considering there has been zero behavioral improvement. I was patient during the first month. Then we transitioned into E-collar training, which has now been going on for over a month. Despite this, the sessions remain focused on basic commands like sit, down, and place; commands my dog already knew before starting this program. Meanwhile, my dog was for some reason pulled out of training to “hang out” with the owner because he’s a “favorite.” I’ll repeat it: I’ve been paying to throw my money away. My dog’s actual issues: poor impulse control, insecurity, separation anxiety, excessive licking, constant following, and inappropriate greetings (jumping), have gone largely unaddressed. Instead, he’s relearning basic obedience… with a device. We have raised concerns about his jumping multiple times. The trainer advised turning our body or lifting a knee, paired with rewarding sits. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing. Today, when I dropped my dog off, he jumped directly on the trainer and the trainer allowed it. Not only that, he began petting my dog while he was actively jumping on him. Completely contradicting the guidance we were given. My dog technically had five sessions remaining. Frankly, I’m not sure what they would have been used for, given that nothing has changed in three months. Today was his last day. That moment was simply the final straw after a long list of ongoing issues. I am frustrated, burnt out, and feel completely cheated. I work extremely hard to advocate for my dog and set him up for success, yet his so-called “professional training” has yielded nothing. Cute dogs shouldn’t get favoritism, they should get effective training. Instead, problematic behaviors like jumping and dependency were actively reinforced by unnecessary office time and ignored concerns. I clearly communicated that my dog’s dependency issues were a problem. Being told my dog is in good hands while my concerns went unheard was unacceptable. We’ve since found a different trainer in Methuen with significantly more flexible drop-off and pick-up hours and far more professionalism. Good luck, K9 Top Performance. And for anyone reading this: the number of reviews mentioning unexplained cuts and bumps found on dogs after attending this facility is deeply concerning. That alone should give you pause.