The Lodge Dog Day Care Leon Towers Trainer/Behaviouralist
Leon Towers originally from Maryport (Cumbria) a dog 'behaviouralist' but now lives in Witcombe, nr. Brockworth (between Cheltenham and Gloucester) with his partner, Dean Benjamin. Leon was commissioned to begin 1-1 training with my Doberman (Shadow). Wouldn't you expect a professional service when you've paid £350 for it? I paid him the £350 four months ago. There was a consultation and they then had my dog for one "Daycare" session (about 7 hours) running around in their field, for which Leon said would be to "assess" him. (Leon told me that the 'daycare' costs £25 per day). Shadow was due to have another three sessions in their field for basic training, then 1-1 training, followed by ongoing support with further visits if necessary, all inclusive. After that 1st 'Daycare' on 25th November. On 28th Nov. Leon cancelled what was supposed to be a 2nd session. I didn't hear anything until 10th December and I asked if he will do the 1-1 with my dog. 17th Dec he replied "Yes, of course". I then didn't hear from him until 12th February. Since he took my money 4 months ago my attempts to contact him have been consistently ignored and gaslighted apart from a couple of meaningless responses.
Leon knew very well that my wife (and my support dog) hadn't long died and he just took advantage. He and his partner Dean (Benjamin) Bailey have basically gaslighted me for those four months.
I understandably lost all confidence in them and asked for a refund, which was also ignored. His partner Dean then replied to my (many) messages and falsely alleged that my dog had two sessions in their field. Shadow in fact had one. Leon cancelled after that and wouldn't respond to me. Dean also stated that although they are only 4 miles from me, the money had been used up with a "45 minute phone call" (didn't happen), "travelling to locations", and "time spent discussing issues". He then stated that "the 'daycare' costs are offered free of charge as respite".
Dean added that "there was an issue with the food that Leon recommended" would "calm" my dog (Natural Instinct raw). I did follow the recommendation for a month but Shadow was consistently vomiting several times a day for four weeks on it. So I contacted Leon about 'DARF' compressed raw food. I said that suited Shadow much better, no vomiting and now has solid poo's. (No response even after several messages).
Dean then said that if I didn't "follow the advice a refund is not applicable" (recommended food). I informed him that I had attempted to contact Leon about it it but Leon wasn't responding. He then said they would refund half the money (£175). I said that I am totally dissatisfied with the total lack of communication and their gaslighting, and I would agree to forfeit £100 (£75 for the consultation and £25 for the one day daycare). So I wanted £250 refund. I think I'm being very reasonable due to their total lack of engagement, lack of communication and cancelling of appointments, Leon's partner Dean phoned me today (18th March) with an extremely rude and aggressive manner, intimidating tone of voice, very 'overtalking' and admitted that he hadn't even read the messages between myself and Leon. If he hasn't even read them how can he be so arrogantly rude and make a decision based on ignorance? As far as I, and Trading Standards are concerned, even though I'm willing to forfeit £100, I'm fully entitled to a full refund.
18 March 2025
Unprompted review