A few times a year, every trainer finds himself or herself in a difficult situation. A new client has a dog with one or more behavioral issues but after speaking with the client and evaluating the dog and the dog’s environment, the trainer comes to the conclusion that the likelihood of getting the dog to a level of safety and behavioral reliability is iffy at best. These often become very emotionally difficult situations.
Most often, people form close, loving bonds with their dog and want to do everything they can to find a solution. But sometimes it’s just not possible. The trainer is forced to be professionally responsible but at the same time, be empathetic and sensitive. It’s a tough balancing act.
There are five criteria that can be reviewed in order to help the decision-making process along and to do what’s best for the dog and his or her human family.
Almost always, unwanted or problem behaviors can be changed, that is, “it’s doable.” A trainer will demonstrate the exact training methods that need to be learned and practiced and will set up a step-by-step program to give the family an idea of what’s in store. But training is only one aspect. Whether the dog’s behavior can be appreciably modified is based on five criteria that determine whether the situation is “realistically doable.“
These five criteria are:
Time
Does the family have the time to spend training their dog, playing with their dog, socializing their dog? In the busy, fast-paced, hectic lifestyle that we live in, sometimes it is virtually impossible for people to set aside the time necessary for any appreciable behavioral changes to take root. A classic example: People who are away from home 10 to 12 hours a day will have a difficult time raising any dog…especially a puppy.
And as to how long it will take, when people are told that a particular behavioral issue can take up to a year, and sometimes longer to get resolved, that can really be a jolt.
Money
Working with a skilled, competent professional costs money as well as time. Depending on the behavioral problem being addressed, the amount of money spent on training sessions can add up. Money is also a prime consideration if there are behavioral issues relating to the dog’s health to consider. Vet visits get pricey too.
Emotional Commitment
It is emotionally draining if a person is spending hours during the day worrying about whether a living room is being destroyed because of their dog’s separation anxiety or if there’s poop all over the floor or whether the older incumbent dog is finding it difficult adjusting to the new reactive dog or if the neighbors are calling the apartment’s landlord because of the incessant barking or if there’s no money for medical bills or whether the dog is going to bite someone. The list goes on and on and the emotional stress on the family takes a toll and can begin to affect our relationships at work and at home.
Skills
I am horrible with anything having to do with computers. I’m not a mechanic, a doctor, lawyer or opera singer. My skills are in the dog training world. And just like I can never become the least bit proficient in any of those other walks of life, many people simply cannot become skilled trainers. My dad was a great example. He loved our dogs but could not, for the life of him, be proactive in his training. And his timing was terrible. Yet he was a great firefighter, carpenter, electrician and baseball player. He loved dogs, but his skills in using prevention and management and teaching a dog basic behaviors was something he never grasped. None of our family dogs lived past the age of seven.
Environment
People who live in apartments and adopt a serially vocal dog with separation anxiety are often given 30 days to fix the problem or else. People who adopt large reactive dogs with hair-trigger sound and motion sensitivity don’t fit in well with a family who has three children under the age of five. If the family already has an older dog who has hip problems, it makes for a stressful environment when a younger more reactive dog is brought into the home. And living space is a definite consideration as to whether a training program will be effective. I once visited a client who was a hoarder. Things were piled in every room with only small walk ways leading from one room to another. And the outside was the same. There was no place for the dog to play, no place for training and no room for human or dog guests to visit which could help the dog’s socialization.
Hoping for the best possible outcome, any decision made must factor in what is best for the dog. Changing a dog’s behavior is almost always do-able. But if three or more of the five criteria cannot be addressed, providing a dog with the training, socialization, play and medical care he or she needs is not realistically do-able. In those situations, the emotionally difficult choice of rehoming is an option that should be seriously considered.
Can you please help us? We are desperate – to stay out of jail bec of dog, & to keep them from putting her down! I have a 4 yr old pure bred Red Heeler. She only weighs 30 lbs. She is sweet and loving with all people, and my 8 yr old cat, BUT she doesn’t get along w/other dogs. Anytime she sees another dog she goes into a zone – barking and if she can, she will fight. She has gotten away 3 times and all very bad outcomes. It has cost me a lot of money and potential jail time – we have to be on good behavior until end of Jan. But I don’t want to continue to avoid other dogs, & as result avoid people too 🙁 PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US. I saw your info on the beyondcesarmillan site. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to help her get better. Thank you.
Hope we were able to help!
We have a black labrador retriever that we got from a rescue organization. We were told she was not good with young children…she had bee mis treated by them ( I don’t understand why people let children or others mis treat animals) anyway we realize she is aggressive with our grandchildren ( 11-13 yrs.) in
growling and horrible barking….even with adults who come to our house. We have put a muzzle on her which helps but we would like to know how to elevate this problem. Otherwise she is a very sweet dog just as our other dogs have been. Thank you
Hi,
I am a dog walker. I had to let go of a client who was hitting her dog. Her pitbull was 6 years old, extremely uninterested in most things, and on meds for separation anxiety. He would get very tired after a 20 minute walk. He gets hours in the crate, and barks when he’s alone. I don’t think the owner is right for this dog. She was very nasty to me when I said I wouldn’t use force with her dog. She told me to walk chihuahuas that I’m not a strong enough leader for her pitbull. I felt really bad for him. He just stares at the window, and when we go out he has no energy. She uses excessive force when the dog doesn’t listen to a command. She made Cesar Millan look soft. She said she rescued him at first. Turns out she rescued him from her brother, who would also crate the dog a lot as a puppy.
I’ve heard of shelters that can try to convince her to give up the dog. Do you think that’s the best thing for the dog? I don’t think she’s willing to put in the time to help this dog. She’s more concerned with always being right, and yelling at others to demonstrate her power.