What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
It's pretty straightforward.- I work by the hour. You only pay me for the exact amount of time I'm at your place, (and I tend to work pretty fast)...so it doesn't make sense to me, to charge dog owners an exorbitant "package" fee for my service,
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My first visit is almost always somewhere around two hours. Many times (depending on the situation of course) that's the only time a dog owner needs to see me. This is 'usually' the case with puppy kindergarten and dog behavioral problems. - Basic obedience is generally a series of visits an hour or less each, about a week apart, but starts with a two hour session as well. - If you are a good student, things will move fast, and you will get an amazing result from what I bring to your situation.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Although I do have a certification from Animal Behavior and Training Associates of Los Angeles California, that's not what makes me good at my job. - I have a gift. I love dogs and our relationships with dogs. And I understand them on a deeper level. As a natural born teacher and communicator, I have an ability to convey that information to humans in a way they will understand. The other thing that sets me apart, is over 30 years of experience in dog behavior. At this point in my career, there's nothing I haven't dealt with many times. And sometimes because of the often vast differences in my clients, I have to be creative when it comes to effecting a solution that will really work for them.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
When I was a child, my uncle trained his German Shepherd 'Dutch', completely on hand signals. That stuck with me. We always had dogs but they could never come in the house, so I was the one who was outside, hanging out with them! - I know now that I have a gift, but it started to grow during this period, as I was coming to understand how dogs communicate and learn. - By the time I was 30, I had developed my own style of working with dogs, and was helping friends and family on an informal basis. - In the late 90s, I started working with dogs and their people part time, but it wasn't long before I was doing it full time. - My reputation in Louisiana grew pretty fast among veterinarians and rescue groups. Besides the column I write for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, I wrote a column in Louisiana for over 15 years. I moved to the west coast of Florida in 2009. - I cover the whole West Coast of Florida from Naples to north of Clearwater.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I have worked with everyone from 85-year-old widows to 20 year old young men, families, children, professional athletes, businessmen and women...
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I've only been on thumbtack a very short while, but as a behaviorist, I have recently been working with a dog who has severe separation anxiety. (Like he rips his house up when his mommy and daddy are gone.) - This is a process that will take over all, a number of weeks, but we are well on our way. In just 2 weeks, the couple who own this dog, has made great strides, and I'm very happy with their progress. It's only a matter of time before this issue is history. - [I have a list of thrilled clients going back years, as long as your leg.]
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
You're looking for experience, and I've pretty much got everybody beat in that area, since I'm an old man, and I've been doing this for over 30 years. Lol - Additionally, anybody can teach a dog to "sit". It's far more difficult however to teach a dog owner how their dog thinks and how to motivate their dog to do what they want. - I teach dogs and train people. (And the dog is always the easy part.)
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
You want to know how long somebody has been doing this work, and listen carefully to their answer when you ask them about their experience, and "what makes them good at their job".
Unfortunately, in the last 13 years in Florida, I have made a career out of following behind many so called "dog trainers" who really were out of their element when it comes to taking care of problems they reasonably should've been able to address with the client.
Anyone who recommends "prong collars" or electric shock of any variety, should be summarily disqualified, as these methods are absolutely unnecessary, and anyone who relies on this approach, does not know what they're doing, guaranteed. - And even though I am not "inexpensive", you get what you pay for, and I know that my fee is equitable, commensurate with my experience and skill. - Anyone who charges very much less (or a whole lot more), may not be what you're looking for...
