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Helping Owners Find Time
Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some input from this wonderful group regarding high energy dogs and puppies who are adopted to busy families with little time. I am finding that many of my new clients have very busy lives and not always the best set-up for their dogs. For example, a family with young children and two working parents who don’t have time to properly exercise the dog while the kids are too young for the responsibility. Or a newly pregnant couple without the means for a fenced yard who have two under socialized dogs who are large, high energy, reactive, and too much for the female owner to handle on her own. I do a lot of work and research to help them add appropriate enrichment, work on SEED needs, and find creative ways to enhance the dogs physical and mental stimulation in low maintenance ways. But many times, the owner’s lives or emotional bank accounts won’t allow for implementation. They’re good people, but can’t comply for varied reasons. How do you work with these situations when the dog is staying in the home but problems continue to arise due to lack of follow through? I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s input! Please enjoy this picture of my dog’s cute buns as tax.
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2 Replies
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@LisaOMy First off. What a cute picture:)❤️
I often think this is a hard question myself. I think most people are so busy today and get “too much” of a dog breed for their lifestyle. You bring up amazing points with enrichment etc. I was thinking what about a dog walker to come to the households to help out. I can’t wait to see what others say, I just feel like this is such a common issue!!
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This is a very real-life topic that seems to be the norm. It seems that many people want dogs but do not want the full responsibility that comes with it, regardless of how “nice” or “good” the people are. Human lives will usually take the priority and the dog(s) will be put on the wait list.
For me, how I approach the situation depends on the situation. If they have a puppy that they are not wanting to socialize or train or can’t, I will offer options as I am sure you have, such as day care, dog walker, a friend, family member etc.
As with any plan/training etc. I will have a professional conversation with them and explain the importance of and potential consequences if not. I try to ask questions to get them to answer so they can hear what they are saying vs me telling them.
Sometimes it is hard and we will never get through.
<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>My personal recent experiences; </font>
<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>I have a new person/”client” who trains with me for periodically for one specific aspect but, has been with a trainer for their last 3 dogs and, has the same issues and can not resolve them. Their frustration is so high but they can not change due to their mindset holding them hostage. They are also influenced by others they associate with how to train. It is a crazy situation but, my goal is to help the dog in my small way and, hopefully one day help the human see differently. Potentially a losing battle but my ethics won’t let me “fire” this client knowing they are (</font>internally<font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>) screaming for help for their dog and themselves. </font>
I also just had a client with a 5 month old puppy purchase 8 sessions up front. Last week was our 3rd session out of 8. The BF told me about and showed me the GF purchased a shock collar. He has no idea why and does not want to use it on his “baby”. I sent a professional email to the GF inquiring and asking questions including what her goals were with it, etc. I sent peer-reviewed research studies to inform her. I know she did not read it, as she replied with a simple “THANK YOU!”. It was not an email to be excited about , it had questions for her to answer so we could move forward with what they had originally wanted or at least explain why she was de-railing off the track we were on.
I think just as we can’t “save them all” when talking behavior about dogs, we can’t save all the humans; and change their behavior. We can only do our best in each situation and, know that we are doing our best and did our best.
I leave a paper trail of facts, questions, answers and information etc. so if there is any question of breaching a contract or abandonment, it will always be on the client’s side.
I wish you the best!
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