Challenging Dog Behavior Cases: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
All dog trainers know how difficult it is to turn down a job, especially when that person desperately needs our help, or, alternatively, you desperately need the money.
There are times when we’re asked to take on cases that are far outside our comfort zones. If we’re wise, we decline them…knowing that the person seeking our help would be better served by another.
On the other hand, there are times when it’s beneficial to step a wee bit outside of our comfort zones.
From time to time, we must challenge ourselves. That’s the only way to expand our skills, abilities, and knowledge. We need to reach a little bit and attempt new endeavors, so that we can do our best work for our clients and their pets.
And there’s no better way to learn than by doing.
The first few years of my dog training career were incredibly challenging…a constant struggle to create a sustainable business within a highly competitive environment.
Figuring out the best way to market myself and my business took an insane amount of time and money, and unfortunately, many of my attempts at self-promotion fell flat.
I often thought of myself as an “imposter.” After all, I was just starting out, and didn’t have the name recognition and credibility that my competitors did.
I’d practically convinced myself that I’d never make it as a trainer.
And then, one day, something happened that changed everything…
A Plea for Help
I received a call from someone who’d been referred to me. She was desperate for help, and she needed it yesterday.
She explained that the family had recently decided to bring a second dog into their “pack.” However, within the first few minutes of introducing the dogs, horrible, vicious fighting broke out between the dogs.
Blood had been drawn on more than one occasion, which meant these were serious fights, and the situation was getting worse by the day.
This couple had hired two trainers before me, and they were at their wit’s end. The owners feared they’d have to give their dog up if they couldn’t get the problem resolved.
Their kids, however, had already fallen in love with the new dog, and so the parents were willing to try one last time.
I Was their Last Hope (No Worries, No Pressure :D)
Though they urgently needed help, I didn’t immediately accept the job. I needed a couple of days to think about it.
Truth be told, I wasn’t so sure I could change the dysfunctional dynamics, stop the incessant fights, and help these dogs like get along, much less be in the same room together.
I was worried I’d fail, just as the previous trainers had. I was concerned about failing the dogs, but I was also concerned about failing the family. I didn’t want to be the one to have to tell those kids they’d have to find a new home for their dog.
But I also knew that if I didn’t accept this case, the dog would be re-homed within the week…and so… reluctantly, I accepted the job.
The Best Way to Learn is By Doing
I had the herculean task of “training a dragon.” I knew I was out of my element, but I also knew I had to take this on.
SO, I pulled out all the stops. I was determined to figure this out.
I bought lunch for a couple of local trainers I respected so that I could pick their brains.
I consumed five training books in a two-week period.
I even completed a video course!
This case took everything I had. It wasn’t easy, and there were many times when I questioned my approach, but I stayed the course.
And then, after four weeks of training (both the dogs and the owners), to my surprise, things took a turn for the better!
I swore I was witnessing a miracle.
The dogs stopped vying for dominance and fighting with each other, and over the next several weeks, even became quite chummy. They began spending more and more time together, playing with each other, and enjoying each other’s company.
Everyone in the family, dogs included, breathed a sigh of relief. There was finally peace and harmony in the home…and the kids, who were already so attached to this little dog could rest assured, knowing they wouldn’t have to give her up.
I was overjoyed, and I felt a sense of deep satisfaction from a job well done.
I said my goodbyes, and just as I turned to go, the husband walked over to me, stuffed a hundred-dollar bill in my hand, and thanked me with tears of gratitude in his eyes.
I’ll never forget his words: “Thank you for keeping our family together. We couldn’t have done it without your expert help.”
And in that one moment, for the very first time, I fully understood just how important and necessary my work was, and how much of a difference it made in the lives of the dogs, and in the lives of the people who love them.
With renewed vision and determination, I set back to work. I was going to make my business a success…whatever it took. There was no turning back.
Fast Forward 20 Years
I look forward to the difficult cases…the super challenging dogs in desperate situations that other trainers pass up.
I often work with dogs that exhibit the most serious, entrenched behavior concerns: separation anxiety, situational fear and anxiety, dirty dog syndrome, resource guarding, protective aggression, leash reactivity, and much more.
Being able to positively impact the dog’s quality of life and create more peace and tranquility within the home is deeply rewarding.
Tackling these challenges isn’t easy. Sometimes I take on more than I bargain for, but with each new challenge, I expand my knowledge, sharpen my skills, gain more confidence, and become a better trainer.
And that makes it all worthwhile. :D
