Kennel owner: Just wait. Your pups will sprout devil horns

[KurtNYC]

I don't know what it is like to have 2 children in China but I know what it is like to have 2 dogs and a landlord. I adopted 2 littermates back in August, they are Lab and Golden mix, mostly Lab. The mother was nearly killed by the pregnancy and her owner was in somewhat of a hurry to get rid of all the pups. Basically selling to anyone who plunked down $200. The pups were incredible, as was the mother and I have had 2 dogs before so I got 2. Not sure that I would keep both but it has turned out that way.

Housebreaking went well after they were 12 weeks old or so. Before that I really think the female didn't have the bladder control. The male would run back to the pee area, but the female would just squat and look embarrassed. So I went to THE local trainer here. $85 for one hour. She asks a lot of questions, watches the pups, waits till they pee then tells me 'well, you need to create a penned area in your home and put them in until they pee' and this would have to happen about 10 times a day. She also told me some gossip about me that she could only have gotten from my downstairs neighbor. So after her expensive session I get a call from my landlord: 'I understand you have 2 dogs living with you and they are destroying the apartment. Lease says 'no more than one cat or dog'...

So this frickin' trainer person told my neighbor what my session was about and the neighbor tells the landlord. Great! $85 and she is going to get me booted from my apartment. I assure the landlord there is no damage but I get a list of demands from them: dogs must be crated, dogs can't enter the whole front half of the apartment, dogs can't use the front stairs, etc. The good news is there is no damage to the apartment. Julia would pee on the hardwood and I would clean it up. Just got impatient with her progress and went for some help. About 10 days after the session, Julia was housebroken. The landlord also told me "you can't raise littermates together, they will fight, be overly aggressive, they will bond with each other and be untrainable."

So it has been 3 months and the landlord backed off. I'm busy so I need help walking the dogs during the week (would prefer they run actually). A local guy calls me says he heard from someone (won't say who, gotta love this little gossipy town) that I am looking for a dogwalker. Yes.

So I ask "what is your background with dogs?" A: I've been around dogs all my life (he's 20), no formal training, no certification.

What are your fees? A: $18 for a 30 min walk with one dog +$5 for the second dog; $25/hour walk plus $5 for 2nd dog.

I had to tell him: 'I have my own business and put in some 12 hour days and honestly if I do the math, I am not making $30 an hour.'

So then I called a kennel/trainer. She will lock your dogs in a 3 x 10 run, walk them for 10 mins each twice a day. Let them out of the run while they clean it once a day. $27/day. Does field training and obedience. Either is $50 hour, no charge for 2nd dog. We go on to 'what kind of dogs are they?' Lab with golden 'So they're mutts!' Me: "oh yes, they're great" And what ages are they? Me: Both 7 months. they're littermates. Her:"You can't raise littermates together, they will fight, be untrainable, they will stay puppies. Me: 'That really hasn't been my experience so far." Her: 'Well just wait, they will sprout devil horns." etc.

Someone else said "pets bring out the crazy in some people" and boy is that true. I don't mind the good crazy so much (hopefully that is what I am) but the other. Some people are so convinced that they are experts and you are doing something wrong and their advice contradicts each other. For example some say feed only processed dry dog food, others say all dry dog food, regardless of price, is basically crap (puffed corn sprayed with grease and preservatives). And I don't mind that people have opinions and strong ones but what makes them think they can be rude about it? Or charge $30 to $85/hour to be unprofessional ?

So far in my life, only dentists have been ruder service providers than dog trainers/walkers. Dentists seem always to tell you how bad you were to your teeth, every visit. 'Look at the cavity you naughty boy that's going to cost you...'

So... I'm staying home with my dogs. I will walk them myself and try to forget the horrible predictions and prejudice that some have against them.

[Lucinda]

1. Well they OBVIOUSLY know better than you

you only LIVE with them :P

I'm glad you were able to keep both, though. And, in a year's time people will be talking about what a "miracle" is it that the pups turned out so well adjusted. :) More fuel for the gossips.

[elleng]

2. Sorry to hear this awful story; I was ready to sue your 'trainer!'

Suggestion: find students who would do walks. Post/advertise in targetted places. If you're in NYC or thereabouts there are zillions, I'm sure.

:thumbsup:

[KurtNYC]

3. thanks for that tips

I have an assistant who walks for me. He is/was away on break for the holiday. He seems like quite a bargain now and does a great job.