Verified Company
I called and talked to them and explained the dog had SEVERE anxiety/separation anxiety. Asked if this was something they could assist with. They said yes, suggested a training program and I signed him up. At intake they had a trainers off leash dog inside the office, my dog and that dog got into a fight. I was able to get control of my dog because he was on a leash, it took their handler a bit to control his dog because GRIM was NOT on a leash. As a training/boarding facility I find it extremely unprofessional to have unleashed dogs where incoming dogs come in as the dogs coming in are coming for training for multiple reasons. After about 5 weeks my dog came back, he then started going after (attacking) my other dog which had never happened before. His anxiety was still there. I sent him back for about 2 more weeks to another trainer at the same site. When I got my dog back he still had the same anxiety he had when I initially sent him. I'd called the trainer and spoke with him, he'd suggested I put him in the kennel and anytime he moved hit the training collar. This just made his fear of the kennel and anxiety worse long term. I called and spoke with the owner of Ridgeside and explained my concerns about the training not being effective and asked for assistance, this conversation took place the day before Thanksgiving. It is now January 8th and he has not called me back with any solutions, suggestions etc. when on the phone he explained that some dogs just have it and can't get rid of it, but he'd think on I and call me back. My problem with that is the amount of money I spent on training that comes with a "lifetime" warranty but the training never helped! I've since been working with another trainer and in the 3 weeks I've been working with him my dog has completely turned around! Shocking dogs into submission may work for some but the reality is it didn't work for mine! If you want you dog to do basic commands maybe this place will work for you but if it has anxiety do NOT waste your money!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thanks Billie for your honest feedback. We’re sorry our anxiety management didn’t meet expectations. At Ridgeside K9 Knoxville, we strive for excellent board and train and appreciate you helping us improve. Please reach out at (865) 509-8848 so we can make this right.
Julio saved my German Shepherd. We adopted/rescued him at age 2 from a “breeder” and found out we had a “biter”. We called the vet to “do what had to be done” and she recommended Ridgeside K9. A miracle ensued. My life, my marriage and this dog will never be the same. THANK YOU JULIO! Get ready… I have more dogs coming your way!!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thanks Betsy! We’re glad you enjoyed our board and train at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville. We work hard to deliver top-tier dog training and it means a lot that you noticed. Looking forward to helping you again with Dog boarding with training, Dog grooming, Dog bathing and blow dry, Dog full service grooming, Dog training, Dog nail trimming.
Julio and Lisa have worked a miracle with our Labrador puppy. We can’t wait to see what this dog is capable of now that he has the foundation it takes to teach him anything. Look out ducks… Bear and I are coming for you.
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thanks Maxwell! We’re glad you enjoyed dog training at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville. We work hard to deliver top-tier dog training and it means a lot that you noticed. Looking forward to helping you again with dog board and train, and dog training
My experience with Ridgeside K9 was very informative taught me and my dog how to work together as a team. Sammy is my trainer. She’s wonderful. The staff is very professional very nice and very family orientated. I highly recommend Ridgeside K9 for all the different services they offer.
Thank you Sammi for your support, patience and your knowledge in training.
Susan Henry
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thank you Susan! Glad you had a great experience with dog training at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville.
Professional,attentive,open communication,results!! We adopted 'Buddy' a Malinois with some behavioral and aggression problems.He could pull you off your feet on a leash.We left him for training and said that little girl is going to be his trainer(Erica)?Well the proof is in the results.Way to go Erica,so proud of you and Buddy.We can take him to the park no problem and he seems happier just learning what behavior is acceptable and what is not.Thank you Ridgeside K9 and especially Erica! I encourage folks to go for the owner training session to understand how to implement and continue what your pet has been taught.
Dan & Sandy Wiles
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thanks Sandy! We’re glad you enjoyed dog board and train at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville. We work hard to deliver top-tier dog training and it means a lot that you noticed. Looking forward to helping you again with Dog boarding with training, Dog bathing and blow dry, Dog training.
We had adopted a dog, Oreo, from a shelter and while she is a sweet dog, we were having a hard time getting her out of the house for anything. It was always a huge, traumatic thing. Nor could we bathe her easily. Erica worked with Oreo and it had made life so much easier for us! While Oreo is still shy around people, we are able to take her out for walks and get her in and out of our vehicle so much easier now! There are no more battles that end in a terrified dog and pee and poop all over our house or cars! I am so grateful to Erica and the whole Ridgeside team for their hard work!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2026.01.15
Thank you Linda! Glad you had a great experience with dog board and train at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville.
We had a plott/cur before. Never really had any issues with her listening, tearing things up and was kinda self trained. This time we got a full plott (Luna) it was night and day! We tried the at home training with a trainer. It helped alittle. But we just couldn't keep her from getting into things all the time! Then proceeded to tearing it apart.. she would never lay down. Walks were impossible. She would walk us. We could never relax bc we were chasing her the whole time. Getting into a crate when we left was a half day event. Last year we put no xmas decorations up bc it would turn into a snatch n grab. So we finally decided enough was enough bc we were not gonna give her away. My wife told them we're going to have 2 Xmas trees up.. that will be their test.. Sammie worked with Luna and sent us a video once a week with updates. This dog with just the 3week course was a different dog! Luna left the trees alone and just a simple No she'd walk on. Getting into the crate is no hassle at all. We can eat dinner like normal people lol. Luna will still test us.. I highly recommend the E collar.. its like A TENS . No shocking..I can't say enough what an awesome job Sammie did AND after a few weeks she came to the house with a follow up. They want thier dog to succeed and Sammie is just a phone call away for any issues. I don't think thier is a dog she can't train.. she owns Malinios herself .. Highly recommend. we plan on in the future to do the additional off leash training course
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.29
Thanks Gerald! We’re glad you enjoyed our Board and Train at Ridgeside K9 Knoxville. We work hard to deliver top-tier board and train and it means a lot that you noticed. Looking forward to helping you again with obedience training.
I sent my dog Moon to Ridgeside for training on recall and jumping and I am very pleased with the results! I loved Moons trainer Samantha and can tell Moon loved her too! She even sent me some Christmas photos of Moon when I was missing him. Samantha made sure to answer any questions I had and that I was well prepared to utilize all of Moons new training skills. I would highly recommend Samantha and Ridgeside K9 for training!!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you so much!!! Moon is such a great dog.
Erica was absolutely amazing! I brought in my 4-month-old Doberman that I had already started training on my own, and after just one session, I noticed an immediate difference in my pup.
The facility is spotless and provides such a positive, supportive learning environment—for both the dogs and their owners. They truly understand the highs and lows that come with training a puppy and guide you through it with patience and expertise.
I chose the 1-on-1 lessons because I wanted personalized support, and Erica exceeded every expectation. She paired knowledge with encouragement and met us exactly where we were.
Thank you, RIDGESIDE K9, for your help, guidance, and continued support throughout this journey. You have played a truly significant and impactful role in our lives, and I’m so grateful.
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you very much. Erica is fantastic and we are so happy that we were able to work with you and Ghost.
After months of attempting to train our one-year-old GSP at home—struggling with recall and overly aggressive play—we knew something had to change.
Ridgeside K9 and trainer Julio truly shifted our perspective on obedience training, and we are incredibly grateful. Following the six-week board-and-train program, our pup is now obedient, responsive, and has learned to be more comfortable on his own (which any GSP owner knows is a big win).
The overall experience was just as impressive as the results. Leaving your dog for six weeks is never easy, but Ridgeside made the process seamless with weekly training videos and consistent text updates that kept us informed and at ease throughout.
We could not recommend Julio and the entire Ridgeside K9 team more — absolutely worth it!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you so much!!! We are so happy that we could help.
Ridgeline K9 is very professional. We tried another dog training service with a total lack of results, and took a chance on Ridgeline. So far, great results and pretty confident these people will deliver on their promises. Our boy's trainer is Erica, she knows what she's doing, very pleased with what she's done for us so far. Their grooming service is excellent as well. Thankful we gave them a call.
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you so much!!!!
I can’t say enough good things about Ridgeside and their staff. Over the last year and a half they have taken care of my border collie, Cooper and my wild granddog, Knox. They were a life saver during wedding preparations when we had a wild, 6 month old German shepherd puppy, Knox (my son and daughter in laws) that stayed with us for 3 weeks. He loved being at Ridgeside and our border collie, has thrived under their care while boarding during holidays and enjoying daycare. They are kind, attentive, and truly care about each of our dogs and getting to know them. Whether leaving Cooper while we are on vacation or just doggy daycare, they are amazing and I would highly recommend! Knox would still be coming, but he’s now in Dallas. Thank you to all the staff at Ridgeside for taking such great care of Cooper and Knox! They are like family!
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you so much. We love us some Cooper and Knox.
Truly can’t say enough great things about this place. We did the 3 week training program with our 8 month out catahoula, and oh my goodness what an impact it made. I had decent expectations, but Erica exceeded every single expectation my wife and I had. We were extremely impressed by her thoroughness, communication, and professionalism in what she does. She also sent us pictures and videos of our dog while he was being trained- and explained in the videos what she was doing! Talk about going above and beyond!! I am so glad Erica was the one who trained our dog for us. Next time anyone asks me where to train their dog, I am sending them straight to Erica @ K9 Ridgeside!! This place does it right.
Reply from RSK9 TN
2025.12.20
Thank you!!! We think Erica rocks.