FAQs
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Everything from leash skills and door manners to dog-on-dog reactivity and "aggressive" behavior. Some are very simple to address, and some require a great amount of skill for it to be accomplished in a safe manner for all involved. Each one is unique, and all are treated with the same dignity and respect. Your pit who greets everyone with (too much!) enthusiasm is given just as much time and focus as the Jack Russell who feels the need to snap and growl at your guests.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Be careful of the "all positive" reinforcement claims. Children cannot be raised with strictly positive reinforcement, neither can dogs. In order to find your place in the world, you need both latitude and longitude, left and right. Communicating with a dog strictly through food is not communication at all, it's bribery. True communication requires no such gimmicks. There is a time and place for positive reinforcement, and it's not always and everywhere! Stay far away from anyone who uses scare tactics or "machismo" style training: they obviously have something to prove and the dog is going to be their vehicle. If the words "prong collar" or "shock collar" are mentioned, ask yourself why that would possibly be necessary - dogs don't communicate with each other like that, why should you? Anger should never be a part of training. Frustration happens, but it should never happen around your dog when you are working with them. Walk away, reboot, and start fresh rather than venting your frustration on your dog.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
It is very hard work, and requires a lot of concentration, especially when dealing with reactive dogs, and I have to make it look easy so you have confidence in me. The whole time I am working with you, part of my attention is on you, part of my attention is focused on the dog, and part is focused on how to help you both learn to communicate in a harmonious fashion. Some dogs may be fearful of new people, or I may be called in for an aggressive dog. My attention can never waver from that dog, but I am fielding questions and teaching you communication skills with your dog. Your mind must be able to follow several paths at any given moment.