Getting Ready For an "Evaluation"

[shelly]

I'm actually pretty excited.  The first trainer is coming on Wednesday for a consultation/evaluation on Tori.  She sent me a four page questionnaire to fill out about Tori from her eating habits right down to her behavior.  I thought this was great since NO ONE has ever asked such questions before a training session....In my conversation with her on the phone to set up the appointment, she said she does NOT have a dog of her own... What does everyone think about that.... I really didn't give it much thought until I mentioned it to my friend, and she thought that was odd.... after all, I feel a teacher can be a great teacher even if one does not have kids of their own, a doctor can determine a sickness even if he/she has never HAD the sickness before... right?  I'd like to know what experiences anyone has had with trainers.  I do still have to get in touch with 2 others, so I really don't have to stick with the first one that comes.  I always feel bad telling people "Thanks, but I will be going with someone else"..... but after all it's MY dog and MY dollar - right????

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I have never worked with a trainer that does not have at least one dog. :-)
That said....I'd suggest interviewing all the trainers you can. Go with the one you feel most comfortable with - their personality, their methods, etc. Your rapport with your trainer will effect the success of Tori's training program. If you aren't comfortable with someone, keep talking with people until you find someone you feel really good about.

Why a four-page questionnaire? Is Tori having behavioral problems? Is she special needs? Is this training for basic obedience or something more specialized?

I tried several ppl until I found just the right fit for Connor's training. We have stayed with Melody through all of Connor's training (he's now a certified therapy dog) and she has worked with Simon from Beginner's thru Advanced. I didn't find it difficult to tell someone, while their methods may work for some dogs, I don't think it will work with mine. But thanks for their input.

[Adrienne Shapiro]

What I love about my trainer is that he learned through observation. He has his own pack. His lives and breathes dogs. His home is his work. He has a working kennel, 24/7 rehab. for dogs to be euthanized for aggression, he volunteers his services, he has full time staff, his place is available to beeen sen anytime by his clients and most of all he has certificates from the Better Business Bureau, he has son the Best Training Facility Award in the Area and he is personable. In 20 minutes, you can see a difference in the dog! This trainer goes by the psdeo name "dog whisperer". I would look for quick results. Our trainer has rehab. dogs in brief amounts of time with severe issues. He is no nonsense, no gimicks. Look for someone who is ALPHA...just like Cesar Milan...less like Victoria....Just my opinion. Trust your insticts.....4 pages is a great start....If there are issues....Don't you have a barking issue? Yes, you do...I just re-read it...this is your focus...trust me, I know my trainer can solve this easily with a no bark collar...he talks about this on his radio show all the time...right now not doing anything is stressing your Tori out badly.....much worse than the static shock will...trust me...read on..
When my dog barked outside, when she was young, when I was gone, I purchased an ultra-sound device at Petsmart, looks like a birdhouse...she barked, she heard a high pitched sound ONCE, and never barked again!! and that was after the police came one night to my door, and I live in the country~ Prior to that, for the house, I got a bark collar, used it a couple of times, a static shock, she hated it, she stopped, I returned the device and she stopped ALL barking!!! Her barking can cause ANXIETY in dogs and nervous disorders more than the static shock you might feel was unkind....and in the end...she is a happy, well adjusted, loving dog. Hope this helps... By the way, I am a reading teacher, I have no kids, and I am a FABULOUS teacher because I WAS A KID with reading issues.....and I love kids in the CLASSROOM...and Dogs and cats and HOME..LOL

[Nugget's Family]

All of the trainers I know do have dogs. HOWEVER, I agree with your teacher and doctor analogies: they can be expert practitioners without "living the life". I think it will come down to how you and your dog feel with the trainer. If it is an easy fit and you feel well-matched, then it will work. So, you need to try to be as relaxed as possible during your first visit so that you're open to being able to tell if your personalities work well together. Also, if you're relaxed, Tori will most likely have a better first session, too. I know this is easier said than done. I remember when we first met our trainer, I was all stressed-out that he would think that we were doing everything wrong. But, as I got to know him and we all worked together more, the sessions went better because we trusted him and so did Nugget. Good luck! Please keep us posted.

Susan

[shelly]

Thanks everyone! Deborah - yes... my biggest issue with Tori is her barking and 'stalking' visitors to our home. She herds my youngest nephew. Other than that she is truly wonderful!

Thanks Adrienne ~ I will look into the collar as a possibility. I don't want her to stop barking all together. I do like that she warns us that someone is here, but I DO want her to stop when I say.. and her frantic pacing when they leave is unbelievable. I do have to post a video of it.There actually is a guy that I am trying to get a hold of here known as the NEW YORK Dog Whisperer - lol ... On a side note... I too am a teacher - I teach second grade in not the best of areas on Long Island. And oddly enough I have one son who is in all honors classes in high school and a middle school son (8thgr) with a learning disability in reading and I KNOW how difficult your job is - AND you have really just proved my point...hope it holds true w/ this trainer!

Susan ~ You hit the nail right on the head! I am afraid that they will look at Tori and say (as my DH says) she's not trained well enough and what was this wacky lady doing? So I will try to remember to stay calm...

[Adina P]

The fact she doesn't currently have a dog is not a huge issue...if she HAS had dogs in the past and has experience training MANY dogs or at least the few she's trained she's trained to very high levels.

[shelly]

Yes... I will also ask for references

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think it depends upon why she doesn't currently have a dog. But I do feel that she needs to have been a dog owner in order to be a good trainer. Both my husband and I were teachers before kids and we were good teachers then, but when you have your own children, it puts a new dimension into teaching that made us much better and more understanding of the real world of kids. I think it would be the same for dog trainers. Keep us posted.

[shelly]

I will Nancy, thanks! See, small little tidbits like this bother me...It'll nag at me until I know why....You wouldn't hink someone just wakes up one day and says... I want to be a dog trainer without having dogs... I'm going to go back and see if three's anything on her website....

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I do think that actually. Recently I have been seeing ads for training in the career of dog training by tech schools! Maybe because I am a special ed. teacher, I was impressed with the four page questionnaire so that you had to evaluate your specific issues and concerns, and the trainer has lots of information to form a training plan that isn't based on what they remember you might have said. Now if only they are also experienced AND have ideas that work with your real life.

[shelly]

Ha ~ that's so funny Nancy! I just told my friend that I had to fill out a CLOPS form for Tori - that's what our district uses pre-testing and pre - IEP( Individual Education Plan - for non-teachers)... hmmm... more to think about... I tired to google her - but nothing.... still have 2 more to get in contact with - just in case!

[Adrienne Shapiro]

Shelly, I wouln't be surprised if you might be trying to reach my trainer, I know he works a lot out on Long Island. He recently just had a few dogs from there. He took the ferry from Here to there to pick up some dogs and he also has a great reputation....name is Jeff Gellman...try his web site blog or read his site..www.solidk9training.com it is all very interesting reading....he explains all his training in details and you can call in on his radio station on Sat. a.m. or email....it is great!! A wonderful resource...a kind and gentle soul, though he kids that everyone hates him and that he is mean...actually everyone who knows him LOVES him..read the references and his results too. By the way, My dog BARKS, when there is a stranger, or a noise, BUT, it STOPS when I say ENOUGH...that is normal barking...outside though,there is NO barking because of the ultrasound she would get....but another dog visiting, it didn't bother him at all...just a note..this might not work for all dogs, or it wasn't adjusted on the right setting for that dog.

[shelly]

Adrienne - I did see his site! I looked at it again just now... it's weird... I know the guy I have been trying to reach is named Jeff, but his last name starts with a "K". why did he pick up dogs to bring there? As a show? ... the behavior profile sheet your Jeff has is almost exactly like the one I received from the woman coming here tomorrow. I will definitely look at his videos, sheets, etc....Right now my "little angel with horns" is laying down too full to move... as I was trying to do some 'training' last night and I was using tiny pieces of bread, and you guessed it.... I got diverted, which I should have ignored (BAD MOMMY - why I didn't put the bag away where it belonged?? and left the bag too close on the counter) - and she got about 5 slices of white bread. She has NOT counter surfed in well over a year! And she was doing so well too... huh- two steps forward one step back!