It's 5:30 in the afternoon, my cell phone rings, a number I don't recognize. I answer it, and can barely make out the caller saying:
How much do you charge?
Well it depends, I say. What's your name?
**Billie.
Can you tell me what you are looking for?
Her version: She has a mixed breed dog that, she says, needs "training." Right away.
My perception: She has a dog with a serious behavior problem and history of multiple bites. There is little pattern to the behavior, and it has been going on for close to a year.
My recommendation is an initial evaluation; I tell her how that works, how long it takes, and how much I charge. And what some possible next steps would be, depending on the evaluation, ranging from medical work-up to behavior modification.
But she just needs some training.
You said, the dog is muzzled full-time, right? Has this dog bitten you? Do you have any children in your home? Are you afraid of your dog? It sounds to me like this dog has a serious behavior problem. I'd like to see if I can help you; would you like to schedule an appointment?
She says she might call back next week.
**not her real name - if she actually gave it to me.
How much do you charge?
Well it depends, I say. What's your name?
**Billie.
Can you tell me what you are looking for?
Her version: She has a mixed breed dog that, she says, needs "training." Right away.
My perception: She has a dog with a serious behavior problem and history of multiple bites. There is little pattern to the behavior, and it has been going on for close to a year.
My recommendation is an initial evaluation; I tell her how that works, how long it takes, and how much I charge. And what some possible next steps would be, depending on the evaluation, ranging from medical work-up to behavior modification.
But she just needs some training.
You said, the dog is muzzled full-time, right? Has this dog bitten you? Do you have any children in your home? Are you afraid of your dog? It sounds to me like this dog has a serious behavior problem. I'd like to see if I can help you; would you like to schedule an appointment?
She says she might call back next week.
**not her real name - if she actually gave it to me.
