K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Funny, she doesn't look like the anti-christ

Friday, June 5, 2009

Funny, she doesn't look like the anti-christ

At work the other day I had one of the most frustrating phone calls. Thankfully it is rare to be treated really badly but this woman was clearly not happy. I have dealt with her by phone one other time as well with very similar results. She gets angry and rude and in turn makes me angry by the end of the interaction. The difference between us is that I have to ignore it and be professional but she gets to keep acting like an ass. I warned the Doctor of the conversation in case she made a complaint and found out she has yelled at him in the past as well. So it clearly isn't about me. When I finally saw her face to face she acted very normal. Perhaps she does her best bullying by phone. With two black marks beside her name in my book I will be sure to remember her the next time she calls. Lord help me if she ever calls me for training help. I may be tempted to refuse service based on her rude behavior and lack of patience. I guess I just don't understand why some people will be so awful to someone who is trying to help them?? She's certainly not making many friends at our office.

2 comments:

Jan said...: I worked for a while in newspaper advertising and once in a while someone would come in angry and get even angrier no matter how much we tried to help them.

We let them have their way and it always ended up that they paid more and got less by doing it their way.; June 5, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Barb said...: You see this everywhere - like you said fortunately it is actually pretty rare but it is always the assholes who stick in your brain! :-)

It's amazing that these people don't get what most of us DO understand - that you will always get better service if you don't piss off the person that you want help from. Usually at a better price, too.; June 7, 2009 at 2:34 AM

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My Story

In 1992, after serving for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, I decided to settle down in my hometown in Mid-Coast Maine. I got my first dog, (as a bona-fide adult) an akita, and joined the local kennel club. I also joined akita rescue and learned alot about the breed. In turn I began helping educate others. This taught me how important training is for ALL dogs. Thus began my (unofficial) foray into the world of dog training.

I worked for a few years at a local veterinarians office and then began working at our local humane society. While there I saw many dogs being given up for simple training issues. About that time the kennel club began looking for a new trainer to teach group obedience classes. I decided I might be able to handle that challenge once I had more official training of my own.

MY TRAINING:

I found an excellent trainer to mentor with and in October of 2001 after a year of hands on training and study I completed my apprenticeship under Lloyd Williams of Bear Brook Kennels. During that apprenticeship, in addition to learning all the basics, I got to assist in the training of police dogs in narcotics, tracking and cadaver dogs with the medical examiners office.

Not only did I learn how to be a dog trainer, more importantly, I learned how to teach owners how they could communicate more effectively with their dogs. I consider that training just the beginning in my canine education. I continue to attend seminars and keep current through reading about recent advancements in dog training methods. I am a former member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

My training was sponsored by The Humane Society of Knox County and The Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine.

MY METHODS:

I use positive reinforcement methods whenever possible during training sessions. Positive reinforcement helps make the training experience more enjoyable for both the dog and owner, producing a better learning environment. I also utilize hand signals in my training which is very useful with deaf dogs as well as hearing ones. My methods include lure/reward and marker training. (with or without a clicker depending on owner preference)

MY GOALS:

My goal in training is to help pet owners develop a better relationship with their dogs. Many times that includes teaching about canine communication and behavior. I also like to help dogs stay out of the shelters and in their homes whenever possible. Training for those unruly dogs can make that a reality for some families.

MY OTHER JOBS:

I am currently the trainer for the HSKC's K-9 Corrections program. I also work as a receptionist at a local veterinary hospital.

MY FAMILY:

I am happily married and the mother of two fabulous children.

Dog Training and Behavior Seminars Attended

11-09 Self Control and Focus Games with Dee Ganley CPDT/CABC/CDBC
6-09 Dog to Dog Aggression with Patricia McConnell PhD
7-08 Debunking the Dominance Myth in Training with Jean Donaldson
6-08 PitBull Education Seminar with Drayton Michaels
3-08 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders with Dr. Nicholas Dodman
4-07 How to Talk Dog with Sarah Kalnajs
6-06 Understanding Canine Body Language with Trish King
4-06 Aggression in Dogs 2 Day Seminar with Brenda Aloff
10-05 Play with Me and Feisty Fidos with Pia Silvani CPDT,CABC
2005 Canine Communication, Meet your Match and and Intro to "Safer" Training with Emily Weiss PhD