A desperate call came to my home phone recently and went something like this:
ME: "Hello".
DOG OWNER: "My vet gave me your number. You a behaviorist, right?!
ME: "I'm a.."
DOG OWNER: "Oh thank GOD! I really need one. He's out of control"
ME: "Who? Your vet?"
I called back from my office phone where I could listen, access my computer and my telephone intake form. The main concern was that the 12-week-old golden-doodle puppy refused to walk on the leash when it was time to go back home. He just sat down and refused to move. The owner had to drag him behind or just carry him. Dog-savvy friends had been called in for advice and to help, but he wouldn't walk home for them, either. "Nothing works," the owner said. Not even hot dogs could lure the puppy that last block home. The puppy spent much of his time in the kitchen because he was not reliably house trained and chewed throw rugs and furniture. He also ate rocks, dirt, sticks - and throw rugs. He went outdoors to potty, but otherwise, didn't spend much time outdoors except for the walk. The owner had researched the breed and carefully chose a good breeder. The parents and litter mates had no medical or behavior issues. But this puppy was apparently not right in the head and the owner was beginning to think he would need to be re-homed.
DOG OWNER: "I just don't know what is wrong with him. My herding dog never acted like this!"
ME: What kind of herding dog did you have"?
DOG OWNER: "A Sheltie. I never had to tell her twice to do something".
ME: "Oh, I love Shelties. Shelties are easy to train, aren't they? Welcome to the world of real dog training! How long has it been since you had a puppy?"
DOG OWNER: "19 years".
After a half hour of questions and answers on the pbone, I was reasonably sure that the owner did not need a veterinarian or a behavior specialist, just a good trainer to help get off to the right start - and some realistic expectations for the new puppy who had been in the home 3 weeks.
We all tend to have selective memories when it comes to a loved one and sometimes the "ghost" of a beloved dog gets in the way of our ability to bond with a new dog. Even the beautifully trained Sheltie was once a puppy. But, that was a long time ago. The owner only remembered the joys of puppyhood, and the unique bond that came from years of sharing life with a well-mannered best friend.
I was relieved when the owner called the next day to cancel the two back-to-back appointments made with me at the end of the phone call out of desperation and frustration. Although I could not personally recommend a trainer in the new town where they were moving, I provided the APDT website address for a trainer directory (in the links section of this website) and a good website for training tips by like-minded trainers to get the owner and puppy some help until a trainer was selected.
Some people would call that bad business. Which brings me back to the topic of expectations. I expected income to be generated from the phone call for help. What about the time I'd spent on the phone with the owner while she was in "crisis"? The expertise I'd provided? Many consultants charge for that time upfront. I expected to have another satisfied client who would report back to the vet. Instead, I had to revise my own expectations.
I expect that owner, armed with some encouragement, valuable knowledge and understanding, will see the puppy in a new light. I expect them to be off to a beautiful relationship. After all, it is the magic of that special canine-human bond that we all expect.