We are writing this review as a warning to others considering one-to-one dog training services with Rob Metcalfe. Based on our experience, we strongly urge anyone looking into his services to conduct thorough research before committing.My friend required a psychiatric assistance dog to help with her mental health. We explored multiple trainers before coming across Rob Metcalfe, who assured us he could provide everything we needed. Unfortunately, our experience proved to be highly disappointing and concerning.Rob was meant to carry out residential training for the dog. However, it quickly became evident that the dog was not being trained as promised. Despite assurances of progress, there was no tangible evidence of any training taking place. Requests for updates and proof of training were met with vague responses or outright refusal. During the process of selecting a suitable assistance dog, we were introduced to a dog that Rob claimed had been working as a PTSD support dog for over a year and had turned its previous owner's life around. However, the previous owner had returned the dog, which was odd given Rob’s claims about how life-changing the dog had been. This raised serious doubts about the legitimacy of his statements. Alarmingly, this so-called “highly trained” dog bit my friend, further highlighting the inconsistencies in his claims and the lack of proper behavioural training.Throughout the process, we repeatedly requested veterinary documentation for the dog we were training with. Despite over two months of persistent requests, Rob refused to provide any such records. This lack of transparency was deeply concerning and made it impossible for us to verify the dog’s health, history, or suitability for assistance work.Beyond the training concerns, Rob’s professionalism was severely lacking. He was frequently and extensively late for scheduled meetings, demonstrating a disregard for our time and commitments. When we eventually submitted a formal complaint outlining our concerns and requested a written response for record-keeping, he failed to address any of the issues raised.Another alarming aspect of our experience was Rob’s use of slip collars in training. While technically legal, they cause harm to animals and are not permitted for any assessments that the dog needed to pass, as they are considered an aid. This raised serious ethical and practical concerns regarding his training methods and overall approach.We feel strongly that our experience should serve as a cautionary tale for others considering Rob Metcalfe’s services. The combination of unfulfilled promises, lack of transparency, questionable practices, and unprofessional behaviour makes us highly recommend seeking alternative, reputable trainers.Before committing to any training program, we encourage potential clients to thoroughly research their chosen trainer, ask for documentation upfront, and ensure they are dealing with a trustworthy professional. We regret our experience but hope that by sharing our story, we can prevent others from facing similar disappointment and frustration.
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