Andrew Fedyk and Madeleine White say they paid $10,000 to enroll two Bernese mountain dogs in a four-week board-and-train program at Smart Dogs Training Academy; one dog, Dunkin, died two days after the program began while in the academy's care. After Fedyk went public, other owners contacted him with allegations involving owner Jeff Todd and an assistant, reporting deaths or severe mistreatment. Slate documented multiple claims including pets left in hot vehicles, returned malnourished, or euthanized without consent, and at least seven families are reported to have reached out. Local authorities and animal-welfare groups are investigating, though legal remedies for owners can be limited because pets are often treated as property.
California Couple Says $10,000 Dog-Training Stay Ended With Dog's Death; Multiple Owners Raise Similar Allegations
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A California couple says they paid $10,000 to enroll their two Bernese mountain dogs in a four-week board-and-train program, only to be told one of the dogs died two days into the program. The incident has prompted other owners to come forward with similar complaints about Smart Dogs Training Academy and its owner, Jeff Todd.
What Happened
Andrew Fedyk and Madeleine White, who recently welcomed a baby in June, placed their dogs Dunkin and Poutine in Smart Dogs Training Academy's program. Fedyk says Dunkin died in late August while under the academy's care. The family says the business initially told them Dunkin had overheated at a park.
Other Allegations Reported
After Fedyk went public with his account, other pet owners contacted him with similar claims involving Smart Dogs owner Jeff Todd and an assistant identified as Jalen Hicks. Reporting by Slate collected multiple allegations, including:
- A 10-month-old service-dog-in-training golden retriever who reportedly died after being left inside a hot van.
- A dog named Leo who was allegedly returned so emaciated that he died three days later.
- A pet called Dobie that owners say was euthanized without their permission.
Slate reported that at least seven families reached out with comparable complaints.
Red Flags and Provider Statements
Fedyk says there were warning signs he overlooked at the time, including disabled AirTags and Todd's reported refusal to show clients where dogs were being boarded. Todd's public materials claim he has trained 25,000 dogs over 25 years and present him as an elite trainer with celebrity and K-9 credentials. On television, Todd defended his business, saying,
"At my company Smart Dogs, what we try to do is make sure that every dog comes in, number one, we make sure it's safe. If we're just going to train the dog or board the dog, we have to keep the dog safe."
Legal And Regulatory Context
Legal experts note owners seeking accountability face limits in civil court because pets are often treated as property. David Rosengard, managing attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, told Slate that deaths at boarding and training businesses are not uncommon and that owners frequently extend a basic level of trust to those services.
Fedyk, White and other owners are reportedly working with Los Angeles Animal Services as they explore possible criminal charges. Rosengard said incidents involving extreme heat could potentially be pursued under animal-cruelty negligence statutes, though prosecutors ultimately decide whether to file charges.
Slate also noted that no U.S. state licenses dog trainers, though Los Angeles requires kennels to hold both a license and a permit.
Expert Advice For Pet Owners
Dog training expert Tom Davis advised prospective clients to treat selecting a trainer like an interview: ask direct questions about where dogs will be kept, how temperature and ventilation are controlled, and request to see the facility. "It's kind of a dating scenario. Like if you're uncomfortable and it's not your vibe, then you go somewhere else," Davis said.
Broader Concerns
Advocates say this episode is not isolated. Recent U.S. animal-neglect stories include the discovery of the remains of 117 dogs at a facility that had billed itself as a no-kill shelter in California, a rescued dog revealed to be a survivor of a trailer cruelty case, and legislative efforts in New York to strengthen animal-protection laws.
Families affected by the Smart Dogs allegations are working with local authorities and animal-services agencies as they await possible civil or criminal actions. The case highlights how gaps in oversight and legal protections can leave grieving owners with limited remedies.
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