ridgeside k9 central Florida Reviews

Julie Heffelfinger 2025.12.06

     

We are incredibly happy to have finally found a trainer we could trust who loves our pets as we do and get amazing results! Ridgeside K9 Central Florida has proven to be the best trainer you could ever go to. We have used at least 7 other board and train businesses over the years with little success, and our 3.5 year old german shepherd has been to 3 other trainers for board a train and came home every time with the same reactivity to other pups. We were desperate for help because we wanted our german shepherd to live a full life with confidence, calm walks and fun with other pups - we finally got everything we asked for and more with Jay, Nikki, Kendall and others at Ridgeside K9 Central Florida (and at a reasonable price!). Our shepherd is now happy, peaceful, calm, confident and obedient without reactivity. Not only did they train our german shepherd and give us the tools through our own education to continue the success, they also trained our 3.5 pound 3 month old pup and gave her the foundation to have a happy and fun life as a well behaved pup. Through training, we found out our german shepherd is a big baby who just didn’t know how to socialize. He loves to play with other pups!! Ridgeside K9 Central Florida gave him the skills and structure he needed to help him learn socialization and he’s loving it. We are extremely grateful to have found Ridgeside K9 of Central Florida. We will never use anyone else and recommend you skip all the other trainers and only go to Ridgeside K9 of Central Florida.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.12.06

Thank so much!! We loved having both of them and look forward to seeing them soon for boarding!!! Thank you for trusting us with your babies and their training!

Will Rodriguez 2025.12.04

     

I don’t know where to start. Massive thank you to the team at Ridgeside K9 and a HUGE shoutout to Kendall for taking my baby in as her own. I inquired with growing concerns of reactivity with my Rottweiler (Berto :P) and other temperament issues. I was swiftly contacted back and scheduled for a meeting/assessment (Thank you Nikki !!!) . Mr. Jay and the team met Berto and explained what specifically he could do to help Berto be the best version of himself. By the next week we were able to get Berto in for his board and train program and I truthfully feel like I made the best decision I could have. They will send you several videos and pictures of your baby throughout the program showcasing their progress. Pick up day is very educational and everything you need to continue training at home. Overall very pleasant people and a great place to get your dog trained!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.12.06

Thank you Will! We loved having Berto! We are so proud of him and the progress he made! Can’t wait to see you guys grow together!

Nicole Torres 2025.11.25

     

You pay for what you get, and if you won't keep up with the training, your dog won't either. We had our 2.5 year old pit/chow mix, Marcie, go for their 4 week basic training program and will definitely be back anytime we need boarding services or if we decide to do an advanced program. It was so hard to be without her but so rewarding seeing the hard work that Charles had put in to really solidify a foundation for us to build on. She was essentially ready to go home only about 2 weeks into the program, but Charles recognized her want to work and took the extra mile with things you don't typically get with the basic obedience program so we could have the 4 weeks of training we paid for. Marcie started off as a very good girl who just struggled with boundaries, jumping, understanding the response we are looking for, over excitement/excitement nipping, being intrusive, and overall not the greatest manners. She came home cool, calm, and disciplined but she is still the same loving, snuggly girl that we fell in love with at the shelter. Playtime is easier, commands are easier, and day to day living is easier. We opted to bring home an e collar and pay the value they get it for(so no profits on their part for getting one), which comes equipped with tone, vibration, and "shock". My husband and I both tested out the levels we would use while there and best described as pinch tickle. Something that gets your attention but causes no true pain, similar to a tens unit. We have only had to use "shock" a few times at a very low setting to reestablish the BIG NO boundaries in our home. With their training processes the tone is more than enough for her to recognize, "oh yeah, I'm not supposed to do that". It's only been 1 day since she's been home and I'm so excited to continue off of everything Charles and Ridgeside K9 has provided us. It really is like a family here, after your training you are provided with the trainer's direct cellphone for any questions or concerns you have for as long as you have them, from a couple of days to years down the road. For the price of $3,495, we got 4 weeks of training where our dog became ingrained with Charles and his family becoming part of their household and receiving so much love and high quality training, a dog bed to use as "home base", a pinch collar and leash for walks, e collar, and so much compassion that you don't get to find in most places. Thank you so much, Jay, Nikki, and Charles for helping us with our baby Marcie. We will be sure to send you all the photos of our adventures now with our well behaved baby.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.26

We are so proud of Marcie and you guys as well! Thank you for trusting us with your baby, if you need anything we are here! Keep up the structure and love!

Vessie Whitlock 2025.11.16

     

We sent our puppy Radar to Ridgeside for board-and-train with Amado, and the experience was absolutely fantastic. Radar came home more confident, better behaved, and with solid foundations we can continue building on. It was clear that Amado and the Ridgeside team knew exactly what they were doing. Highly recommend Ridgeside and Amado to anyone looking for professional, reliable puppy training. We’re so grateful for the care and attention Radar received!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.16

He was absolutely adored while he was with us. We are so proud of him and so grateful that you trusted us with his training. We look forward to helping you guys more in the future.

Kacy Sallusto 2025.11.14

     

We are so thankful that Ridgeside K9 was able to put the time and energy, that we didn’t have to give, into our pups. They did a wonderful job and truly cared just as much as we do. Our puppies now fit perfectly with our family ❤️

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.16

We absolutely loved helping you with your pups. Seeing them back together with your family makes us very happy. We are always here for you guys and look forward to helping you in the future. Thank you again for trusting us with your pups.

Julia Culberson 2025.11.14

     

We just picked up our second dog from Ridgeside K9 and we’re beyond pleased. Kendall worked with our 6 month old rescue who struggled with major impulse control issues and lack of confidence. By the time we picked her up, she was a different dog. Kendall instilled a fantastic foundation for her and we look forward to continuing to work with her and the rest of Ridgeside K9.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.16

Koa was an absolute joy to have with us! We are so proud of how much she accomplished while she was with us. We appreciate you trusting us with her and if we can be of any help to her and Amber in the future, don’t hesitate to call.

virginia parks 2025.11.09

     

They trained my 7yr old dog to help me get a better handle on his reactivity. I can’t express the gratitude I have for them. I was at a loss with knowing the next thing to try with him and thankfully I went with their program. Gave me and him the confidence to be around other dogs and public places. It has been a game changer!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.09

Thank you for trusting us! We are always here!

Kimberly Rose 2025.11.08

     

I can’t say enough great things about the team over at Ridgeside K9. We sent our pup Remus, over to them for four weeks of boarding and training to help us with some psychological issues we were running into. He was frightful of anything new and struggled with separation anxiety as well as some obedience/behavioral training. I’m really happy to say since his time spent there he has made plenty of new friends, is so much more confident and open to the world around him. I want to thank Kendall for all of her hard work with him and just her overall love and compassion for all of the doggies brought in for help in the things they struggle with. I highly recommend the ridgeside k9 for all of your training needs and concerns. They all really do care so much about the wellbeing of your dog and even help us as owners show up in ways that make these new skills last a lifetime. ❤️ 🐶

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.09

Thank you so much! We are so proud of the progress he made and the genuine change in his confidence! ❤️❤️ Thank you for trusting us with your boy!

Erica Gill 2025.11.01

     

We sent our dog Willis to Ridgeside K9 as a desperate attempt to help him with some behavioral issues. He is a rescue, and since we did not know much about his background, we really needed expert help. I spent hours researching training options all over Florida, and as soon as I found Ridgeside’s website, I knew this was the answer to my prayers. Many places can train easier breeds of dogs, but I needed someone who truly understood pit bulls. From the very first call, Nikki answered all my dog mom questions with patience and knowledge, and I immediately felt confident this was the right place. When I arrived and was greeted by Jay, my heart was at ease. His extensive K9 training experience and clear passion for dogs showed right away. Willis instantly connected with Kendall, one of their amazing trainers, and I could tell she truly cared about him. When we went to pick him up, Kendall and Taylor took so much time walking us through everything they worked on, explaining not just what they did but why, so we could continue it at home. They treated Willis like he was one of their own, and it showed in how happy and confident he was when we brought him home. I could not be more pleased with our experience at Ridgeside K9. I would recommend them to absolutely anyone who wants to help their dog and themselves live a better, more balanced life.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.01

Erica, we can not thank you enough for your kind words and trusting us with Willis. He was a very special boy and we absolutely fell in love with watching him transform into the dog he was meant to be. We can’t wait to see him again when he comes for boarding!

Cylie Reeder 2025.10.31

     

Zuko attended the 4-week Board and Train program through Ridgeside K9 and ended up staying for an extra week because they wanted to make sure he was truly ready before coming home. I’m so thankful they took as much time as needed to ensure he was completely prepared — that level of care and dedication says everything about how much they love what they do. Not only did I get back a well-behaved dog, but I also gained what feels like a new family who loves my dog just as much as I do. Even after picking him up, I’ve had questions, and they’ve answered every single one — giving thoughtful feedback and guidance each time. Before training, I couldn’t even walk him without being dragged toward every person or dog we passed, and he’d bark and jump anytime we were on the patio. NOW he’s so calm, obedient, and confident — an amazing walker and an even better dog! It’s the best feeling being able to walk him in front of people without him reacting, barking, or jumping. Because of his breed and size, many people assume he’s intimidating, but now I can proudly show off his training and prove that his breed shouldn’t be judged by appearance. Kendall, Jay, Nikki, and Taylor were absolutely incredible! They sent me regular updates and photos, cared for Zuko like he was their own, and spent hands-on time educating me at pickup. They even sent him home with thoughtful goodies and clear training instructions. I can’t thank the Ridgeside K9 team enough for taking care of my boy and giving me the tools to continue his progress. I 100% recommend them!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.11.01

We absolutely love Zuko and love the progress he made even more! Thank you both so much for being amazing dog owners and giving him an amazing life!

Nicole Cagan 2025.10.12

     

My family and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Ridgeside K-9. We chose to work with them after adopting our black lab mix, Cole, from the Sumter County Shelter. Cole came to us with a difficult past and needed some extra TLC. He struggled with confidence, would hunker down when overwhelmed, and had trouble walking on a leash or coping with unfamiliar sounds. We knew we needed help to give him the best chance to thrive. From my very first call with Nikki, I knew we were in good hands. She clearly explained the training process, took the time to understand Cole’s specific needs, and made us feel supported from the start. When we arrived at their facility, the entire team treated us like family and introduced us to Cole’s trainer, Amado Amado did an incredible job with Cole. Our once timid dog now walks proudly with his tail wagging high and full of confidence. Throughout Cole’s five weeks of training, Nikki and Amado kept us updated with weekly photos and videos, which made the time apart much easier. Choosing Ridgeside K-9 was one of the best decisions we’ve made for our dog. If you’re on the fence about enrolling your pup, do it! They treat every dog like family with love, compassion, and expertise. They truly understand that every dog is unique and create individualized plans to help each one reach their full potential!!!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.10.13

Cole is such an amazing boy and we are not only grateful you trusted us to help you and trusted us with his wellbeing while he was with us, be we are also grateful for your family’s heart for not only saving Cole, but giving him an amazing new lease on life!

Felicita Rivera 2025.10.09

     

I signed up my black German Shepherd Max (9 1/2 months 70lbs) for the 30 days Boarding and Training. My goal was for Max to be trained on fundamental obedience and recall. As a high drive and high energy by natural instincts dog, Max, was strenuous for me. I expressed to Jay Nix, Owner of Ridgeside K9 Central Florida, my challenges with Max. As the expert, and professional person that he is, educated me on realistic expectations to transform Max into an organically obedient dog. Upon my reunion with Max, after the training was completed, I was astounded to see Max, at a recall return immediately!! Jay explained that he and his staff (Taylor and Kendall) all worked repeatedly with Max until they accomplished it. At his recommendation, using an e-collar was an effective tool. And, crucial for safety. My, absolute need, was to get Max back, at a recall command immediately... In order to, avoid imminent danger, risk or threat (i.e, car, injury, harm to others, aggressive animal, etc.) was a priority for me. While at Ridgeside K9 Training Max received excellent care. Max returned to me organically obedient, bigger, stronger, overall happy & healthy/shiny coat. I endorse, Jay Nix... He is "the BEST of the BEST, nevermind the rest!!!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.07.17

Remember, it’s about the clear communication. Any tool we use is only as good as the communication we couple it with. Proper use of the training tool, paired with realistic expectations that are communicated clearly, can give you a freedom and relationship with your dog you never thought possible. We are looking forward to seeing what you two accomplish together on your training journey. Thank for trusting us!

Sherri E 2025.10.08

     

I could write a book about how wonderful our experience with Ridgeside K9 Central Florida has been… our breeder and friend recommended Jay, so we decided to check them out. We had checked into a couple other trainers and they just didn’t “feel right”. Our initial meet and greet was supposed to be 20 minutes, and ended up being two hours! Jay is a teacher at heart, and I’m a question asker so it was a dangerous combo lol. He covered many topics and we learned so much. One of the other trainers, Kendall, was also there during the initial meeting. She would be helping to train our boy, and I adored her immediately. She talked about how she started out being a client, much like us, so related greatly with all our concerns. Our minds were put totally at ease seeing where our boy Bogie would be staying (in their house, not a kennel), and train on their beautiful fully fenced in property (more good feelings!). I could tell Kendall would be one to give lots of love and affection, which was an important component for us as well. The dogs there in training get to be in real life situations since they stay in the home, which was also an important aspect. They are well socialized, as they get to interact with lots of other dogs and a revolving door of people. Bogie was there for a month and we got consistent updates with pictures/videos from Taylor (another amazing trainer!) and Kendall, which was awesome - it made his time away from us a bit easier… seeing him run and play with the other dogs or getting praised for doing well in his training. It really meant a lot to us to have the updates (we are needy pet parents) and Taylor and Kendall went above and beyond to make sure to take care of us too :) Bogie has only been home for a few days and he’s doing great! We’ve taken him out to places and he’s calm and patient and walks like a pro. Mind you he is only 7.5 months old! His recall has been fantastic. We could not be happier with the training Bogie has received, and how we were treated as clients. And also, let’s not forget Nikki… she was amazing from that first phone call, and managing all of the details in getting everything lined up for us and supporting us the whole way through. You simply cannot go wrong with Ridgeview K9 Central Florida, I could not recommend them more!

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Wendy Spillman 2025.10.07

     

Kendall & Taylor did an amazing job with our Ava girl! We are very pleased with her outcome. Would highly recommend.

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Evette Zimmerman 2025.10.04

     

Our dog Ozzy was a rescue who warmed our hearts immediately. He lacked social ability, manners in the house and ability to be around other dogs. It was hard at first to choose for him to go to training without fear after only having him for 3 weeks that he may forget us.. I was reassured by Nikki and Jay that he would indeed remember us, and they were absolutely right. When training was finished and we were able to see him, fears were gone. He was totally excited to see me and my son. Lots of doggie kisses. Thanks to Everyone including the the great training from Taylor and Kendal, your training has given Ozzy a chance to be a loving, well manered addition to our family. He is now comfortable in his surroundings and new lease on enjoying his life. I would reccomend Ridgeside K9 to anyone and rest assured your dog will not forget you.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.10.04

Thank you so much for trusting us with Ozzy! We are so excited for him to start his forever life with you and Ed as a well behaved boy! Welcome to the RSK9 Family!

Edward Zimmerman 2025.10.03

     

I had a wonderful experience with a fantastic group that truly loves dogs. Their welcoming felt like family to my mother and me, and they are dedicated to ensuring that your needs are met. My dog, Ozzy, is a rescue who spent time living on the streets before being taken in by my mother and me. This group did a fantastic job training him to be social. They taught him not to jump on things or bark at people, and how to avoid other undesirable behaviors. Ozzy had to fend for himself on the streets, so these training basics were essential! I cannot praise this group enough. They are incredibly knowledgeable about dogs, and I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed. Ozzy is now demonstrating his newly learned behavior—he doesn’t run out of the house, jump on counters, and his obedience has dramatically improved. Thank you, J, Nikki, Taylor, and Kendall! I will definitely spread the word to anyone who needs help with their dogs. 🐕

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.10.04

Ed, thank you so much for your kind words. We enjoyed getting to know you and your mom and of course we loved our time helping Ozzy get to his new life in a well behaved way! Thank you for trusting us with your boy!

Terri M 2025.10.03

     

My sweet 5-year old Lab, Kayleigh, completed the 4 week board and train program about 3 weeks ago. Typical Lab, she needed to learn manners (leash walking/not jumping on people) and impulse control. She loved the training (in every video, her tail never stopped madly wagging!) and Charles transformed her into the dog I can take everywhere with confidence. At the time of pick up, he spent several hours explaining her training and how I could best work with her to continue and expand her progress. When I travel and cannot take her with, I also now use Ridgeside's boarding service which is great peace of mind knowing she is well cared for and loved in my absence. Thanks to Charles and Ridgeside K9, Kayleigh and I are looking forward to many fun adventures together!

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.10.04

Thank you so much for trusting us with your girl. We know just what she means to you and we are so honored to help your husband’s girl be a much more well behaved version of herself.

Steve Lovely 2025.09.29

     

We are extremely satisfied with the training Ridgeside did, we brought our German shepherd there mostly because she barked at every dog she saw an additional to that she would never come to us when we called her, we just just came back from a walk where we went by no less than 4 dogs and she just walked past them like they weren’t there, we are so happy to have our dog act normal around other dogs, also about her recall, wow we just say her name and she darts back to us like a bullet, I can’t say enough on how impressed we are and I urge anyone looking for training to speak with them, we found the entire team to be extremely honest with real dog knowledge, I suspect that comes from the owners and trainers were former k9 police officers, try them, you will not be disappointed

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.10.02

Thank you for trusting us with your baby! We are always here if you need us, don’t ever hesitate to reach out.

Jennifer Starling 2025.09.21

     

We missed our pup for the 4 weeks he was gone, and bringing home a 6 year old dog who had been a 'bad boy' and is now the best boy was amazing. During the time he was gone we received videos and pictures of the training.. We got to see what his bad behaviors looked like and what his training accomplished. Picking him up, they spent the day with us teaching us to use the collars and commands. I found the entire team knowledgeable, patient, and kind. They love what they do. It was clearly something they do for the joy of being with dogs and getting to know them. Getting bear back and introducing him to family and other pets and having my 86 year old dad walk him was the goal we set and thanks to this team of trainers, they made sure we were able to do that. I may have texted and called every other day at first with questions and worried how to use what we were taught, but they were so accepting and patient with us.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.09.17

Thank you so much for trusting us with your boys training and care! We are super proud of him and his progress!

Kathy Mark Rickert 2025.09.18

     

We had the absolute best experience with Ridgeside K-9! Our 15-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, Cooper, trained with them and the results have been incredible. From the very beginning, Nikki, Jay, Charles, and the entire staff were amazing—professional, knowledgeable, and so kind. They treated Cooper like one of their own and gave us so much confidence as new puppy parents. Not only did they teach Cooper important skills, but they also helped us understand how to keep building on that foundation at home. It’s clear they truly care about the dogs and their families. Cooper came home happy, well-mannered, and more confident, and we could not be more grateful. If you’re looking for training that’s effective, compassionate, and tailored to your dog, I can’t recommend Ridgeside K-9 enough. We are so thankful to Nikki, Jay, Charles, and the entire team for giving Cooper (and us!) such a wonderful start.

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Reply from ridgeside k9 central Florida 2025.09.18

Cooper, is such an amazing dog and we were so proud of him. Your words mean the world to us and we appreciate you trusting us with your boy!