SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – An employee at a Sioux Falls dog training facility is raising concerns over the care of the dogs.
While on the job, the employee shot a video of a trainer at Paws Pet Resort in Sioux Falls. Out of fear of retaliation, they asked not to be identified but shared a statement with Dakota News Now.
“I’m currently employed at the company, and I’ve witnessed behavior that deeply disturbs me — behavior that continues to be brushed off as ‘training.’ These dogs are being mistreated, and they can’t speak for themselves. I’m coming forward because someone has to bring awareness to inappropriate training methods.
I’ve witnessed misuse of the training tools they offer to clients. There’s been multiple accounts of dogs anxiously whining and Sami Jo the head trainer, has said to correct them and to turn up the e-collars if they continued. It would get a point where the dogs would be in distress and high pitch whimpering around the yard.
Sami Jo has trained others to use harsh techniques of pulling on the dog’s ears, scruffing or pinching their skin folds by their thigh to correct them.
Sami Jo is the manager and head trainer at Paws (Pet Resort) and whatever she says goes. She mostly focuses on negative reinforcement so much that it strips the personality out of the dogs and makes the dogs fearful to make mistakes. Dogs are meant to be dogs. And the majority of our clients just want a well-behaved and not a robot.”
The employee is concerned that a power and control method of training could be damaging.
Dakota News Now spoke with another trainer, Missy John of Nerdy K9, who has a completely different approach.
“If I’m training with a dog, it is excitement and happiness and tail wagging because they’re going to get something great,” John said.
South Dakota doesn’t have any regulations for being a dog trainer, so it’s imperative to do research and be present.
“I don’t teach dogs most days. I teach the people how to teach their dogs, and if you’re not a part of that equation, there’s something that’s missing there,” John explained.
She had more advice for those looking for a trainer.
“What are your certifications? What agencies are you accredited with or associated with? What methods does the trainer use? Does the trainer use tools automatically? If you’re trying to train my dog something and they’re not understanding it. They’re not paying attention. What are you doing to fix that? ” John explained.
John also has training research documents and training certification papers and hopes other trainers do the same.
“What you see, and what you feel and having an interaction with your trainer and a relationship with your trainer can literally be life-saving for your dog,” John said.
A spokesperson from Paws Pet Resort released a statement to Dakota News Now.
“Paws South Dakota takes very seriously any inquiry into our dog training best practices. We encourage all of our associates to seek accreditation to enhance their professional development.
The number one reason for dogs in shelters is due to behavior issues that the pet owners do not know how to handle. We offer dog training so that all dogs who go through a training program are welcomed into their two-legged family. We subscribe to positive reinforcement techniques which is a proven training method. This method has the dogs’ good behavior awarded with praise as well as treats.
Our primary objective is to train the dogs and owners to live long and happy lives.”
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