Things to be concerned about: warning signs

Choosing a consultant

After your dog has returned from a board & train facility

Choosing a consultant

Dealing with an aggressive dog has its emotional baggage. There are some people who will exploit this vulnerability so that you will take on their services. Often owners of aggressive dogs are pressured by their circumstances to choose the first person they talk to. This is what some scam artists are counting on. You should also bear in mind that dog training attracts certain kinds of individuals. For some scam artists it is not all about the money. There are trainers out there who enjoy the power and control they have over both dogs and owners.

Ideally you want to be clear headed and objective so you can pick the best person qualified to help your dog. Here are some things to keep your eye on.

The consultant claims to have years of experience, but there is no real proof. Many people claim to have years of experience without mentioning the majority of those years were with their own dogs.
The consultant has no real credentials or you can't confirm the creditials he claims to have are real.
The consultant subtly (or not) suggests the dog will be put down, etc. if you do not change your dog’s aggression. While this may be true if you are not sensible about keeping your dog from harming others, it can also be designed to create an anxiety in getting your dog help right now. This puts pressure on you to make a fast (and rash) decision.
The consultant talks as if he/she's the only one who can help your dog. There is the idea that no trainer wants to deal with an aggressive dog – they would be crazy to. This is just untrue - there are people who can help
The consultant uses terminology that makes him/her sound like he/she can ‘save” your dog from inevitable death. This is designed to take advantage of your vulnerability. Your dog won’t be put down if you keep people and other animals safe from it.
The consultant suggests that your dog aggressive dog may become people aggressive that your dog may turn on you. There is no evidence to suggests a correlation between dog and people aggression if the dog is healthy.
The consultant puts down other trainers or consultants. This is designed to make the consultant look knowledgeable while undermining the credibility of others.
The consultant makes you feel you are not to blame for your dog’s behavior.
While this is generally true and everyone needs some empathy when dealing with an aggressive dog, some people know to exploit an owner’s guilty feelings. Reassurance is important, and desirable, but scam artists will take advantage. You need to be objective.
The consultant feels you should not use a muzzle. The truth is if your dog is potentially dangerous, saftey must come first. A muzzle won’t prevent aggression or traumatizing another dog or person, but it will prevent bites. Head halters can give you more control as well as being humane.

If they are being used to put dogs into a situation they are not ready for, or as a way to avoid treatment, then this is obviously not good. However we have reports of one "expert" suggesting that muzzles shouldn't be used. This makes the client dependent on the traiiner to "fix" their dog even more.
The consultant looks down on people who “cope” with, or manage" their dog’s behavior. This is a way to exploit your guilt and/or make you feel better than others for doing something about it. Good management is essential for any aggressive dog.
The consultant claims to train differently than the majority or the consultant claims to have pioneered a new way of different training (his usually goes hand in hand with putting down other consultants). This is a big warning sign and should be viewed with suspicion. Discuss these methods in detail with a veterinary or applied behaviorist.
Additionally, this tactic of appearing to be unique is designed to make the consultant appear as if he is the only one you should be talking to. These are the sort of consultants others people describe as "magic" (or words to that effect). They are often the sort of consultants that seem to work in mysterious ways thereby ensuring your dependence of them. The reason why there the majority of consultants use particular methods is because they work, or they are easy. The methods that works are not new.
The consultant guarantees or implies that the dog will be “fixed” or made ”perfect”. No person can guarantee this.
The consultant guarantees satisfaction or he will rehome the dog for you if you can't manage the him or he. Beware of this offer. Will they take your money and then take your dog? Taking your dog to the pound would probably be a cheaper way to get the same result. It may seem like a good solution to your problem when putting your dog down seems like the only option, but is probably just a method to drum up business, or cover up the inability to effectively treat an aggressive dog.
The consultant discusses his own problems with his clients.
The consultant makes big complaints about other owners/clients. While consultants are understandable frustrated by owners lack of compliance to their programs, often it indicates a potential for personal conflict.
On the consultant Internet dog training group, he/she talks more about him/herself more than training dogs in general.
The consultant’s web site, brochures or other material appears grandiose to you.
The consultant name drops to impress you.
The consultant speaks in such a way to make you feel stupid or small. This may be an unpleasant personality tick or it may indicate a problem with future communication
The contract is not detailed or is excessively detailed.
The contract includes spelling mistakes, or doesn't look professional
The consultant claims not to have any copies of the contract at the moment, or “forgets” to get you a copy a head of time.
The consultant's references do not return your calls, emails or other forms of communication.
The consultant's references describe the consultant as eccentric, magic, gifted, etc. Find out what this means. Chances are a past client who hasn't been referred to may have a different word for eccentricity - one less charming. Anyone who used such words as magic or gifted most likely was not well educated b the consultant. Any kind of training is not magic. The skill a consultant offers is in accurate diagnosis, sound knowledge of dog behavior and treatment, the development a clear plan to follow, and offers comprehensive follow-up.
The referral describes the consultant in overly glowing terms, or claims they are specially gifted with dogs. This is not going to help you, and it could be the the referral is dependent on the consultant on some level.
The referral doesn't return your calls or attempts to contact them.
The consultant tries to separate you from your dog convincing you things like:
- your dogs will do better without you being around, or
- you and your dog need a time of separation, or
- you need time away from the “stress” of owning an aggressive dog.
- He/she can get the job done faster
- He/she will need to live with your dog awhile to really understand his problem. This is a little like a therapist suggestiing he needs to live with your child to understand him. While dog aggression is not simple, a good behaviorist should be able to get to the root the nature of your dog’s problems, through consultations, viewing the dog's behavior if possible and doing an in-depth interviews with you. It make take some repeated consulations, but living with the dog is suspect.
The events in the consultant’s life are full of drama, and seems to deal with a lot of conflicts with extreme people.
The consultant is reluctant to let you take the contract home to read it over thoroughly before leaving your dog.
The consultant does not return phone calls, emails, etc., in a timely, professional manner.
The consultant is inconsistent, forgetful, manipulative or highly emotional.

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After your dog has returned from a board & train facility

Always take your dog to the vet for thorough check up when your dog is returned to you.

Enforced immobility has a negative effect on bones, joints, and muscles. Since many board and train services really just involve enforced kenneling, regardless of what they claim or what you may see on a visit, you should pay particular attention to this, and inform your vet during the follow-up examination after your dog is returned.

Observe:

Does your dog appear healthy, alert, active? Or does your dog seemed subdued, lethargic or depressed?

Eyes

Clarity and expressiveness of the eyes is a good indicator of general health. This should not be confused with non-eye contact, sometimes demonstrated by dogs raised as subordinate to people.

Posture

Ill or distressed dogs may appear lethargic or cower in the rear of the cage or kennel. Abnormal gait or the carrying of a limb is suggestive of a localized trauma or infection.

Hair coat and skin

Ill or chronically distressed dogs will often manifest a rough, unkempt hair coat. Self-grooming may be absent.

Check for bare patches, scarring, etc.

Stool

Presence of diarrhea, or stool with mucus, blood, or helminths (worm-like endoparasites) should be questioned.

Appetite

Loss of appetite or too-rapid ingestion of food should be questioned; sudden changes in weight, drinking or eating behavior should also be questioned and investigated.

House Soiling

Sometimes being confined for too long, can undermine established house training. Bladder infections can be brought on by this treatment as well as sleeping in unclean conditions. If you suspect this has happened it's wise to make a call to your local society against cruelty towards animals (SPCAs) where they have the authority to look in to make sure everything is okay. Sometimes this will go a long way towards cleaning up their acts.

However there are a variety of medical conditions that can bring on inappropriate urination and defecation, so you must take your dog to a vet and let them know what has happened. Additionally there are other reasons for inappropriate urination and defecation such as anxiety, attention seeking behavior, etc., which can also be a result of what they have experienced at the facility.

If there is any suspicion that your dog may have suffered some form of abuse or neglect, make sure you retain paper work from your vet (ask for the vet's observations in writing), and contact your local animal services, or when in doubt the police (they are usually happy to tell you who you should contact). This is very important because animal abuse is very difficult to catch, and if one animal is abused, you can bet there will be several more incidence in the future.

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