Calling A Professional - How Many Visits Will My Dog Need?

The number one question I get asked when someone calls to inquire about help with their dog is "how many visits will it take". While I certainly understand the reason for such a question, it's not one with a definitive answer. While somebody having a problem with a dog just wants the problem fixed, dealing with living creatures is not like fixing a flat tire. My usual answer to this inquiry is that after an initial visit I'll be better prepared to venture an estimate - but even then, it's only an estimate. Every dog and family is unique, and so too will be their progress. To give readers here some additional insight, I'd like to offer some variables involved in changing a dog's behavior.

First there's the dog. How long has the problem been occurring? What type of personality does the dog have? How responsive is the dog to working with people? Does the dog understand it's role in the family? Does the dog have any anxieties, socialization needs, or health issues that could be contributing to the problem? What is the dog's size?

Then there are owner variables. How willing is the family to work with the dog? Do they understand the amount of work involved and the need for consistent teaching with their dog? How capable are they at learning and implementing handling techniques? Are their capabilities adequate for the needs of the dog? Is the home environment conducive to learning?

Finally, what exactly do the owners want to accomplish? Do they need help with a single problem? multiple problems? Do they want the dog trained? to what level? How much time are they willing to spend working with their dog to reach their goals?

The primary reason I have maintained a "pay-as-you-go" approach is it allow owners to use my service without long-term commitments. This provides a uniquely economical solution for many, and allows everyone to evaluate results before committing to further sessions. It also allows me to give the most honest answer possible to the question of how many visits - "I don't know, but I'll be happy to help you work toward your goals."