Ridgeside K9 NorCal

After completing training at Ridgeside, my aggressive, separation anxiety, nonstop barking, out of control dog is now nearly perfectly behaved and the dog of my dreams! I’ve always adored my 10 year old rescue min-pin/chihuahua mix but she had such bad separation anxiety that she would literally bark nonstop for hours straight when left alone. I had to take her with me to grocery stores, work, restaurants, dentist appointments, etc. She lunged and barked at every dog on every walk. I was embarrassed, annoyed, but resigned to be shackled to her/a crazy dog lady, as she is also quite loving and sweet with me and I had spent thousands on 3 personal trainers and many group training sessions, over 9.5 years. I figured she was a hopelessly difficult case. Soon after I had a baby 9 months ago, she bit my husband and started barking for hours straight even while I was home, and would jump all over us all day. She was out of control around the baby. She slept in our bed every night, otherwise would bark nonstop. I knew I would miss my dog for 2 months of board and train, but I was so irritated and worried about my baby’s safety, I had considered trying to re-home her. I cannot recommend Ridgeside highly enough! It is a beautiful, clean facility with the most professional, responsive staff! The first person who answered my call was kind, polite, clearly an expert, and took the time to answer all my questions and explain the program to me for an hour. Kylie is an amazing trainer, kind, professional, and loving to my dog. She reassured and updated me regularly and whenever I texted. It has been 4 months since she completed her 2-month board and train and to this day, she no longer barks, whether I’m home or not! She quietly and calmly walks by other dogs on walks, so I finally enjoy them and am not stressed or embarrassed! I have freedom and leave her home while I do errands! I can sit inside at restaurants for once! She quietly sleeps in her crate at night! Most importantly, i feel my daughter is safe now. My dog is just as loving and sweet as always. She loved Kylie, I could tell. After the program, our relationship is highly improved as I am not mad at her all the time, like before. We have crystal clear communication about rules and boundaries. I wish I had known about this program 10 years ago and will send my future dogs here as puppies.

We recently completed the 4-week Board and Train program with Ridgeside K9 NorCal in Chico, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, the trainers were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about our dog's success. Throughout the program, they kept us updated with photos, videos, and progress reports, which gave us confidence that our dog was receiving excellent care and training. The transformation was remarkable—not only did our dog learn obedience and better manners, but we also gained the tools and knowledge needed to continue reinforcing those behaviors at home. The go-home session was thorough and made the transition back home smooth and easy. If you're considering a board and train program, we highly recommend Ridgeside K9 NorCal. The investment was absolutely worth it, and we're grateful for the positive impact they've had on both our dog and our family.

Toured the facility for potential daycare and boarding. Pros: -Friendly staff. -Seems like they try to keep everything sanitary. Daycare Cons: -The indoor play area is small with minimal items for engagement. -Dogs are only allowed to play for an hour or so at a time and then put into crates. -No cameras to check in on your dog. -Only available three days a week. Boarding Cons: -They put a shock collar on your dog if they deem your dog to be barking “excessively” (arbitrary term). They use shocks starting at level 1 and move up to level 10. They give you no advance notice or notification that they did this. They stated that taking your dog there means that you agree to their use of shocking your dog at their discretion. -Dogs are kept in small kennels upstairs with no staff (that I could see). There is a swamp cooler but it was warm and I imagine might get hot. -If your dog isn’t a candidate for daycare they are only taken out of the kennel every 3-4 hours to be moved to an even smaller kennel outdoors to go to the bathroom (although as stated above, daycare means they get crated, so I’m not sure how much better that is). -The outdoor potty kennels aren’t air conditioned obviously, and dogs can be left out there for about 30 minutes at a time (it’s shaded and there are misters). No staff stays out there. -If your dog isn’t a candidate for daycare, you may have noticed that this means your dog is simply being moved from a kennel to a potty kennel every few hours. No play, not much in the way of exercise, no real space, not much human interaction other than walking to and from kennels or getting fed. -You can ask them to walk your dog or put them on a treadmill for brief periods at $20 a walk. -Looks like the shelter. -They give dogs bones with no chewing supervision (choking hazard, at least for my dog). OTHER NOTES: -I didn’t ask if someone stays overnight with the dogs, but based on their other practices, I would imagine that they do not. -It smells heavily like urine in the parking lot. -I noticed that the dogs I saw there were wearing choke collars, a few of them prong collars. Staff walked dogs on tight leashes close to their sides and just moved them where they wanted them to go. I got the sense that this facility is more concerned with controlling dog behavior through force and confinement rather than providing a nice environment for the dogs while their people are away. -I used to take my dog to a cage-free daycare and boarding facility in San Diego where dogs roamed in a huge outdoor yard with canopies, fake grass, ponds, and play structures. They slept in a big room full of dog beds with a staff member sleeping in the same room. Dogs were kenneled only for feeding. Lots of human interaction and play time. Price is the same as Ridgeside. Edit: Thank you to the business owner for the response. It allowed me to find peace in my heart to leave 1 star.

I have taken the Group Class with my 7 month puppy and my 4 year old dog. The class was taught by Rich (the owner) and another lead trainer. I got both excellent instruction and one-on-one help when needed. The class gave me and my dog practice with the distraction of other dogs present and half of the classes were done in real life settings. The class follows a sequence of instruction that builds on each week. I came away with confidence and skills to continue training my dog so that we really can have fun together! Completion of the class also gave me access to the monthly drop in classes. I highly recommend the Group Class at Ridgeside K9 NorCal!