Client comes in for a meet and greet so I can determine if her 2.5 year old dog is a good fit for our board and train program.
They (husband/wife) get out of the car and the dog is just wild, on a choke chain that is about 2 times too big and backwards and it was like a scene out of a comedy, dog just dragging him to the barn and she is following, her arm in a sling from falling the previous day.
Them: Hi! We are here to meet Becky for a meet and greet?
Me: That would be me! Welcome!" So when was he neutered?
Them: Oh, just a few months ago.
Me: So, what exactly have you done as far as training in the last 2.4 months?
Them: Well, we acatully emailed you at first but never followed up, we talked to Petco but never went, considered PetSmart but just didn't follow through, and then all our relitives gave us a lot of training books for Christmas but we didn't read them....sorry"
Me: Oh, it's ok, this is why you are here, he needs some training. Lets put him in the field to play with my dogs. (We do, he's fine in a recently neutered way)
Me: So, is there some special reason you did not neuter him for 2 years?
Mom: Well, actually, and I know this is rather embarrassing but our 10 year old daughter didn't want to so we didn't.
Me: Ah, now I'm remembering the conversation with you over a year ago telling you that he has to be neutered and you saying your 10 year old daughter would not allow it...yes, for sure I do recall that one! Listen, I have to be honest here. It's a waste of time for you to train him here unless the whole family is involved and to be honest I have concerns, as I did over a year ago that you would let a 10 year old dictate how you raise your male dog who was having behavorial problems. Not that she does not love him but I will need her to listen to me for this to succeed. So I guess I just want to know that your daughter can be coached and be "ok" with his being here.
Mom: Oh, I agree completely! We don't let her dictate to us about him anymore at ALL! As a matter of fact, she is the one that insisted we bring him to you.
LOL!!!! OY!
This should be a fun 30 days!
I actually liked them and the dog but I just had to laugh that she just had no idea that the daughter really is still calling the shots.
They (husband/wife) get out of the car and the dog is just wild, on a choke chain that is about 2 times too big and backwards and it was like a scene out of a comedy, dog just dragging him to the barn and she is following, her arm in a sling from falling the previous day.
Them: Hi! We are here to meet Becky for a meet and greet?
Me: That would be me! Welcome!" So when was he neutered?
Them: Oh, just a few months ago.
Me: So, what exactly have you done as far as training in the last 2.4 months?
Them: Well, we acatully emailed you at first but never followed up, we talked to Petco but never went, considered PetSmart but just didn't follow through, and then all our relitives gave us a lot of training books for Christmas but we didn't read them....sorry"
Me: Oh, it's ok, this is why you are here, he needs some training. Lets put him in the field to play with my dogs. (We do, he's fine in a recently neutered way)
Me: So, is there some special reason you did not neuter him for 2 years?
Mom: Well, actually, and I know this is rather embarrassing but our 10 year old daughter didn't want to so we didn't.
Me: Ah, now I'm remembering the conversation with you over a year ago telling you that he has to be neutered and you saying your 10 year old daughter would not allow it...yes, for sure I do recall that one! Listen, I have to be honest here. It's a waste of time for you to train him here unless the whole family is involved and to be honest I have concerns, as I did over a year ago that you would let a 10 year old dictate how you raise your male dog who was having behavorial problems. Not that she does not love him but I will need her to listen to me for this to succeed. So I guess I just want to know that your daughter can be coached and be "ok" with his being here.
Mom: Oh, I agree completely! We don't let her dictate to us about him anymore at ALL! As a matter of fact, she is the one that insisted we bring him to you.
LOL!!!! OY!
This should be a fun 30 days!
I actually liked them and the dog but I just had to laugh that she just had no idea that the daughter really is still calling the shots.
