Canine Behavioral Development

I also wanted to add that this business is a fraud. He didn’t do any training at all, and when contacted for follow up training did not respond or schedule anything. I wish I could somehow file a fraud claim, as this was some time ago, but I definitely advise everyone to STAY AWAY.
ETA: I have filed a Rip Off Report. If you had a bad experience, please take the time to file one too. Even just copy and paste your review from Unilocal — the more visibility, the more people and dogs we can save from this imposter.

0 stars if possible… *DISCLAIMER: This is my review for Kevin Mendez, the dog «trainer». He has several different business names included but not limited to: Canine Behavioral Development and Balanced and Healthy Dogs. I guess he has to keep switching out the names as he commits fraud to everyone (and get the 1 star reviews).
Here’s my review:
We took our Bull Terrier named Oliver to Kevin’s re-​treat for a week to target aggression and basic obedience issues. When we got Oliver back, Kevin basically told us that we should use a spray bottle (water) to correct Oliver’s unwanted behaviors. For the first week or so it seemed to help, but after it just seemed to be triggering more aggression. I would also like to mention that when we got Oliver back from the re-​treat he had a small, red bald spot underneath his neck where a collar would be (I called Kevin to ask him about this as soon as I noticed, and he said it was from a «spray» collar that he put on Oliver. He told me his Mom came to visit for the weekend and since Oliver wouldn’t stop barking, he put a collar on Oliver that sprays out a bad scent every time the dog barks). Rather than trying to shut my dog up by putting a «spray» collar on him, shouldn’t the issue of Oliver’s barking be handled in a correct manner to correct the the actual bad behavior?
Then Kevin replied to us with this:
Comment from Kevin M. of Balanced & Healthy Dogs 6÷29÷2012:
The truth of the matter is Oliver has a neurological challenge and was the result of poor breeding. The owners did not fully disclose all of the information about Oliver’s history of aggression directed at them, moreover the length of time that they were able to afford for Retreat services was insufficient. Because I do not advocate shock collar use as they had already used I recommended spray bottle as a supplement to the training I provided them. I offered them complimentary phone counseling for an extended period of time. The owners both have very full schedules and did not put aside the right amount of time needed to deal with a dog such as Oliver. I have worked with thousands of people over the years and have an excellent track record working in both public, private and government sectors. Balanced and Healthy Dogs is no longer active due to writing contracts and a potential Reality TV show. All the best.
And the rest of our review:
The truth of the matter is Oliver does not have any neurological problems. Kevin had told us that Oliver was «wired incorrectly» and also mentioned that we may «…be best with a dog with a different temperament.» After countless trainers and even taking him to UC Davis’ animal behavior center, we have come up with a solution that works out for us.
RE: «…the length of time that they were able to afford for Retreat services was insufficient.»
Kevin was aware of our budget as we are both students. In fact, my boyfriend and I did feel that the amount of days we could afford for the retreat was insufficient, however, Kevin said that it will work. To quote him, he said, «I am confident I can make a substantial difference.»
We were left with a pup that was afraid of a water bottle, a lighter sized scar on his neck, and about 10 minutes worth of follow up. Though, it is true that he gave us advice over the phone at one point. His advice was to essentially to shield us if our dog were ever to attack us.
Kevin was not responsive AT ALL to texts and emails. Our experience with him was completely unprofessional AFTER he had our money.
My boyfriend and I feel like we can also blame ourselves for losing the amount of money we did with Kevin. We did inadequate research on trainers as we were looking for ANY help at the time. and I guess that’s what we received. As soon as we did not receive ANY CONTRACT/​AGREEMENT after giving Kevin our money, we should of stopped right there. Though, it seems as if Kevin has got the contract thing working out now hitting it Hollywood.
Perhaps Kevin may work for someone else, but he did not work for us. He was not rude by any means, but after working with other trainers (which are working out very well for us), we realized Kevin was unprofessional.
A word of advice for people looking for a trainer/​behaviorist: Really do your research. ANYONE can call themselves a behaviorist/​trainer and credentials can be misleading. Not one trainer will work for everyone and Kevin certainly did not work for us.
It’s hard to say what techniques Kevin uses as he just told us to use a water bottle anytime he barked. No advice on walking, socialization, etc. Oliver left for 10 days with Kevin and came back only being scared of water bottles.
To us, it was more like Kevin was a doggy daycare for us. The training didn’t really seem to be very apparent… and as a business, customer service was horrible.
Oh, and he still owes us a follow up.

I cannot stress enough what a horrible experience I had with Kevin. His lying and change of story several times throughout the course of my dog’s training is enough to prompt me to steer you away. His communication was poor and not what he said it would be. There were no behavior changes in my dog after 3 weeks of Kevin’s so-​called «board and «train».
I will also warn that my dog came home with 2 wounds (a puncture wound and an ulcer) so BEWARE of the lack of concern for your dog’s well being.
I was promised money back several times on this date then that date then he was «out of town» and couldn’t pay me. Needless to say, he has not returned any of the promised money.
I also received confirmation from the manager at Tyson Kennels that Kevin was boarding several dogs there during the time my dog was being «trained».
There are many many reputable dog trainers in the bay area. This is not one of them.
Other name: bay area dog behavior experts

no stars!!! This guy Kevin is a crummy fraud, thief, and a liar. He will steal your money and take your dog straight to the kennel never to train it. If you’ve used Kevin before, I’d advise getting a refund. Tyson Kennels in Menlo Park will verify how many dogs he boards at there facility on the regular and never picks the dog up to do any kind of training. Tyson Kennels are now aware of Kevin’s faulty business acts after Kevin boarded our dog for 30 days and took off with our money never to train our dog.

I have to agree with Christopher S. and his experience. Very unfortunate as we had high hopes this would help us out. Our dog spent a lot of time and we spent a lot of money with Kevin. He did not follow-​up as promised. The behavior did improve for a bit but he didn’t teach us how to maintain what he’d accomplished. Our dog has slipped back into her «bad» habits.
We’re going to try Steve and his One Day Dog Training session. 53 5 star reviews on Unilocal.Hopefully this will be the training we need to be a happy, well balanced pack.

I am so happy I found Kevin at Canine Behavioral Development. He changed my
dog from aggressive & anxious to a calm well behaved dog. I didn’t know what to
do and was at my wits end as to how to handle our dog. Kevin took him home to
reeducate him and to get a handle on why and how to stop these negative behaviors.
I am so happy just got my dog back yesterday and he is not barking at everyone.
We even went to the Dog Park and my dog was happy running with the other dogs and people.
Good Job Kevin! I would recommend him highly.

I have a white shepherd (Berger Blanc Suisse) that has a really really bad case of separation anxiety. «turn the contents of the house upside down» bad. He also lacked social skills which made him really shy around other dogs and other people to the point where he would pee in front of strangers. And because his breeder never vaccinated him, I had to start vaccinating him 5 weeks late, which led to a lack of house training. I didn’t want to take him out of the house because the vet told me not to, not until his vaccines are at least 80% done.
I live in San Francisco, and of course my first thought was to look for nearby trainers that could help me with my dog. I’ve been a fan of shepherds for as long as I could remember and so is my dad. We had a K9 shepherd whose only task was to keep me company and to guard me on walks when I was still a baby in a stroller and we’re just too in love with the breed to not always have one by our side. That said, we both have always had the philosophy of how a puppy should be professionally schooled, regardless of his behavior in the house. It builds social skills as well as maturity in a dog that I personally don’t think can be achieved with home/​class training.
After looking for a boarding school around San Francisco, I stumbled upon Canine Behavioral Development and I gave Kevin a call. He was really friendly and was really attentive to us, something that I never personally experienced with other trainers in my area.
Now, I know that some boarding services offer training, but there is a difference between boarders that train and trainers that board. And that difference was very much reflected in my dog after a 6 week boarding period. The only problem we have now is how to control myself from spoiling him so that he won’t regress!