Monday Ch 4 Dogs -Their secret lives

[kimthecat]

on at 8 pm

The original programme about dogs home alone was aired in October last year and proved very popular. This is an update and I'm looking forward to watching it .

[Kimmikins]

Ooh, I watched that last year! Will Sky+ it, thanks

[kristina]

Will record it and watch tomoz.Kristina

[Adrianne]

will go to my bed early and watch that ...been a busy day ..did 3 clients and bumped into two.
thank you for the reminder x

[crinklecats]

I watched this programme last night - it was so sad - we have so much to learn.

[kimthecat]

It was sad but Í think it left a hopeful message that we can help our pets with their problems if we have the right advice.
I think pet owners often feel helpless as they dont know how to tackle their pets problems and feel nothing can be done or receive the wrong advice that can make problems worse.

 Alison

[Kimmikins]

It's recorded, waiting to be watched once OH finishes work. When we took Sara for a walk to the shopping centre, a woman stopped to give her a fuss and started talking about the programme, so it must really have an impact.

CC, you're absolutely right, we have so much to learn. And I wish it were easier to learn, especially about things like separation anxiety - Adrianne and other brilliant people in the behaviourist field do such fantastic work, I wish there was more knowledge floating around!

[Adrianne]

..thank you that was really nice of you to say...the trouble is, there are enough of us with more tan enough knowledge- its just that people don't think of using us!
everyone assumes that we are all expensive ..and some are ...one I know charges £750 for sep.anx cases, some charge more realistically by the hour...but my sessions can be 4 to 5 hours each sometimes..It takes a dog on average 20 mins to calm (hormone level takes 20 min for 1/2 life to disperse) so a visitor comes to the house and 20 mins of that is unworkable! so hourly charges are unfair..whats more at the £45-£60 an hour bracket (same as a motor mechanic) we just wouldn't get hired by the sort of hardworking families that live in the area I cover.
I charge that sort of fee by the session, and make it clear that some troubles can be up to 6 sessions...most take 3 (I don't do myself any favours cos I could do less hours in a session and therefore need more sessions) but if a client struggled to find funds and treatment lay unfinished .. it would be my name getting called mud when people remember a behaviourist was called out and the dog is still having problems.

some would rather put up with the problem than put in the hard work too..methods can take a long time..we have to make descisions sometimes not only in the dogs interest but in that of the owner, if I know that I can turn a dog around, but it will be about a 6 months, lets say the dog is aggressive.., its not worth the risk if there is a child in the house, I could work faster..but then what if they are not financially able to support that? answer ..they don't get advice..the dog gets rehomed. And sad as that sounds .. it may get rehomed to a better place..if they didn't have the time for it to be trained..
some people will go to the ends of the earth for their dogs, would never give up on them as they are part of the family,(I have worked for no fee with some of them for that very reason, just did that this morning because I had a day off!) others want a magic wand waved for free!

[Kimmikins]

Gosh, I hope if ever I had to call in a behaviourist they'd be like that! There were a few times when I wondered whether we were the best place for Sara, but we decided to try puppy classes first (she was a big puppy!) and see if it helped. The trainer was great, and so understanding of Sara - once she got into a snarl off with a newcomer, and the trainer took both dogs and owners outside to give them some distance to get used to each other, and then kept us separate for the rest of the class. I'm sure many would have asked one of us to leave for ease, but she knew Sara's history and was really good.

Thankfully the classes helped a lot. She still has issues, and if I were still at my last job I'd get in a behaviourist to polish off the rough edges when it comes to other dogs, but she's at least manageable. And such a gorgeous spirit that we can put up with her...um, quirks!

I think even if more supervised walks were available, maybe at the price you'd pay a dog walker, that would help the dog population massively. Or, if they are available, publicised more!

[Adrianne]

I think you are right..i don't take a fee...I would be walking my dogs anyway...sometimes we take a collection for a charity or sponsor something and I like to think that it is my way of giving to charities.
The walks certainly break down barriers, with owners as well as dogs, I think both gain confidence too.
not everyone wants to be social, most of my 'packwalkers' cringe at the idea of joining in a 'group activity'  I find a lot of 'dog people' are not 'people people' but convinced to give it a go, I find that they come back,  its actually quite nice to have like minded people get together for the dogs.. a good number of the dogs have also had a few fears and worries about greeting others and play, a few pack walks down the line and they become confident and tolerant, they even make little friendships of their own.
I am always careful not to walk where there are too many other country park users .. a pack of 18 or so dogs coming towards you could scare you to bits ..but the park we use is not family friendly ..I have used it for about 10 years and it is only used by dog walkers, mountain bikes and runners...there are no facilities or playparks, so we have never had a complaint ..in fact some walkers join in.
its a shame more trainers don't offer something similar..its good for business to let clients 'try before they buy' and so many dogs could be getting off leash running with more dogs than some even know exist.

[kristina]

Right now I would give my eye teeth to be able to afford just some one like Adrianne to come on a walk with me and Xena as I know that it's me that needs the teaching as well as my pup,years of just having freedom and no worries about roads and leads ex; It's hard to go back to basics again.

I found the programme sad too and guess thats why some  dogs are now in rescues,even sadder I feel. Kristina

[Kimmikins]

We finally watched it the other night. I was a bit disappointed TBH! It was just a re-run with some bits tacked on the end. It was good to see the updates...even if we had to sit through the whole thing again!

Sad to think of how many dogs are experiencing SA in some form or another. Is it better to have a dog left alone for longer than ideal but be loved when their owners get home? Do people even realise their dogs get anxious when they're gone?

[Adrianne]

I do question sometimes the dog that suffers SA but is in a loving home compared to owners who surrender the dog and the stress of life in a shelter.
the good thing is that it is mostly treatable..and people are aware that it is a dog that is suffering - not a naughty dog

I too was disappointed ..nothing that even my husband didn't already know and mostly a re-run of the previous showing.