Plot Twist!

Can we say "small claims court"? 

yep.

Ready for the story, cause its a long one. 

It all started back when I was still an intern. we (and when I say "we" I mean I sat in and my mentor conducted the consult) had a consult with a prospective new client. This guy had two very over weight pit bulls, one that was dog aggressive. He asked all the right questions your supposed to ask when looking for a dog trainer. He had a list a mile long of things he wanted fixed about his dogs, he wanted them to not be aggressive tword other dogs, not counter surf, get along with cats, walk nicely on leash, come when called... and on and on... my mentor promised him she could do all of that an charged him $3000.00. He agreed to the training and when he dropped off the two dogs she handed me the leashes. I did the best I could with the two dogs on my own. He called every week to ask if they were finished ( this sort  of thing even today makes me feel rushed an nervous) Even when I asked I was not given any help with them, nor where they ever exposed to cats. She has indoor cats, I dont my husband is very allergic. I did how ever get them around other dogs and had them walking perfectly on leash. Now when dogs are sent home they are offered 3 free lessons. Once these dogs went home I did not hear from the owner for 3 months and at that point it was to complain that his dogs were not trained and that he wanted his money back. I told him I would take them back into training no cost. I will admit I did a much better job the second time around. And when they went home I made sure that we scheduled a lesson two weeks later. When I went out to visit the dogs, he was asking them to do things they were never taught, such as being released from the door by name, something we never even talked about! But for the most part while I was there the dogs were fine. Now that was the last I had heard of the guy, keep in mind he still had 5 unused private lessons! 

Then I got a letter saying he was taking me to small claims court because he did not receive the training he felt he payed for.Well no shit Sherlock! First of all if it had been ME doing the consult. you would have gone with a different trainer. Cause I dont lie to clients, I try very had to make sure the dogs I take are within my abilities. I NEVER tell prospective clients that I will make there dogs like other dogs, never, for a few reasons, first and foremost I dont like doing it, the dogs dont like do it and its just not for some dogs. Also the cat thing seemed to be a big deal for you. And I get it, it wasnt worked on at all. Another thing I would have never promised, again because I dont have cats. I can how ever show you how to do it, and in fact I believe I offered that to you... again for free and you never once took advantage of it. As far as you money goes I basically trained your dogs for free and never saw a dime of that $3000.00. So Im not that one you should be complaining to, go find the girl that screwed us both over for alot of money and left the state. 

Now Im moving on. 

New Client

So I LOVE my new client.

Her and her husband were referred to me by my previous training client. They have a young herding breed, with a lack of basic obedience who is fearful of some people and new situations. The pup spend a week with me for to get the basics down and now they are doing 3 days a week of daycare and train.

On his second day of D&T (daycare and train) I decided to take him with me on some dog friendly errands. We went to a few places and it became very apparent that the little guy was very afraid of mostly everything and would give a fearful bark at most people (mostly men). Luckily the bark was easy to correct.

When the owner came that evening to pick up the pup we talked for about an hour charting out a plan for the guy. She admitted that when they got him they took him straight to a 5 day a week doggie daycare. Which when I think about was very good for him, being naturally fearful, he does have very good dog skills. But he was only taken to the daycare and his home. The little guy never went anywhere else. So this already fearful guy was just not socialized enough with the outside world. Thankfully they got a trainer while he was still young.

I then decided that it will be very important that the pup gets out to as many places as possible while having as many good experiences in new situations, he can be corrected for the barking. But every adventure should be super positive with lots of treats : )

When I told this all to the client she was very excited, as most are, that was had a plan and she she would start taking him out. We talked about different places he could go, how he should meet people, and when to reward and how and when to correct. I have similar conversations with clients all the time. " This is what needs to be done, here's how to do it" , and when they come back the next day and I will ask what they did and most chickened out or were to busy so nothing was done. But this time was different! She took him out and did EVERYTHING RIGHT! I almost hugged her! Seriously it is so freaken refreshing to have a client that will actually do what I tell them to do!

I am so excited about everything having to do with this pups training, I bought a "IN TRAINING" vest ( been meaning to get one for a while) and DOOG Walkie Belt and I got a "in training, please ask to pet" bandanna that I will give her to use when they go out.

Tattoo

I'd say I have been VERY responsible with my month in the last year. I have succeded in not being kicked out of the house, although there were nights were I bought dog food over people food and had my card rejected due to lack of funds a few times. Im still here! Im making money and people are happy! So I went out last night and got myself a tattoo! An image of my little heart dogs paw. I absolutely love it! It not only represents her and how important she will always be to me but it represents a year of blood, sweat and tears.  And despite what people thought I did succeed and I did survive.

I got bit.

This isnt my first bite. But it is the worst.

The first was when I was interning, I neglected to keep a stressed Jack Russel moving in a high stress situation he went to bit another dog that past by and got my inside thigh. It barely broke the skin.

The second, was very scary. I had a very large In Kennel Training dog. He had attacked and nearly killed his house mate. I knew how to help him. But once he was with me and away from his owners he was terrified. I kept him outside as much as possible,  it was on his 3rd or 4th day I went out in the evening to get him and bring him in. And I could tell he was not in the best of moods. I took my time and got a slip lead on him, it took me a half hour. Once the lead was on I took slow steps to the gate. Every step I took he growled or lunged at me, every time I held my ground, not wanting him to think I was afraid of him. Finally he lunged up and put a puncture in my shoulder. He was aiming for my face. That was the scariest part. I remember I was able to get him in for the night, but I dont remember how long it took or how I did it. With this one I feel I did alot of things right. But my mistake was not putting my dogs  away or taking my cell out with me. If I had put my dogs away it would lessened his stress because they were on the other side of the fence barking. If I had brought my cell phone out I could have call my husband out to help me. He was home but in the garage where even if I called to him he wouldnt have heard me. I sent that dog home.

My third surprisingly came from my own dog. He was chasing the leaf blower missed and and nailed my leg. That was his very first come to God moment. Now I dont hit my dogs. But they need to know that putting their teeth on me is not ok. And I understand it was an accident, but he should know where he is putting his teeth.

Then there was this one. The third.

I had three dogs in a yard getting them ready to go to an adoption event. One a yellow lab is a little selective in which dogs he gets along with but he is great 99% of the time. A second a German Shepherd. Was thought to be aggressive but I had ran him threw some tests, with no aggression, and he and the lab had been running in daycare for weeks with no issues. It was very early saturday morning and the three dogs had been out for about an hour I was walking threw the yard, and the next thing I knew the two where fighting. I remember looking at the two and not being able to see a good opportunity to to grab collars, so I grabbed the hip of the shepherd, that's when he turned around and got a mouth full of my wrist, after that I dont know what happened some how I got a very deep laceration on my left hand, blood every were... eventually the fight stopped. Both dogs are fine. The lab has a few punctures but nothing bad at all. In the end my right wrist has 4 shallow lacerations. And my left middle finger the deep inch long laceration. Both hands swelled and I eventually went to the minute clinic and the doc said I should have gotten stitches. I have been soaking them in Epson salt and warm water ( to prevent infection ) , putting Vitamin E oil on them ( to prevent scaring ) and taking antibiotics. Three days later the swelling is down but both hands are very sore. What I should have done.I have a spray I had just recently bought that brakes up dog fights I keep it out in the yard on a fence. Its more of a habit to grab my stock stick and brake up a fight that way, but I didnt have that out there and in the commotion I forgot about the spray.


ETA: I take it back, the Jack was not my first bite. My first one was when I was a groomer and I was bathing a cat (ugh, yes a cat) I had it soaking in the tub when the other groomer turned on the blow dryer the cat got scared and made a run for it so I grabbed the first thing I could, its tail, it turned around and put 4 punctures in the palm of my hand. It hurt. Alot.

One Year.

This past weekend marks the one year anniversary of my business. It was at this time last year I was struggling for cash, not knowing from one month to the next if I would have a place to live, and looking down the barrel of a 7 month deployment. But I made it. Yes I had to barrow money. Yes there were some nights the dogs ate and I didnt. Now, as of today I would not call myself successful, but I think I have things at least figured out.

Things I have learned....

I'd say the biggest lesson I learned in the past year is that you can't trust people. You cant trust them to pay you. To be on time. To call. Or even to pick up their beloved family pet. Just the other weekend I hosted a big Instinct Test Day for a local group. One lady came up to me pleading to allow me to let her pay later and that she was trustworthy, she claimed that she didnt know I was charging for this event, when it is clearly written on the website. A year ago I would have let her. But this year, I kindly directed her to the nearest ATM .... she left and never came back. This morning I had an appointment with someone who wanted to check the property. I got up early to have the kennel cleaned ( something I normally wait to do till the evening) and he didnt show. At 10:15am he called me while I was at another appointment to say he had to be at a meeting at 9am and that he was sitting in my driveway ready to take a look at the facility. Well dude you missed your appointment by an hour and 15min, Im sorry I do not sit at the house all day and wait around for people.Just imagine that response in a more polite manor.

I've also learned that you can not please everyone. With as many people as I work with not everyone is going to be happy. I can have this facility spotless. And it will just not be right for someone. Its nothing against me personally. But not everyone wants there dog to stay in a concrete dog run and play in the dirt all day. I get it, no worries. Whats really irritating is when people make reservations and then dont show. Because I really depend on the money and I saved that space for them. I think people assume I will be offended if they go somewhere else. But in I'd rather people be honest with me. Last weekend I have a massive training event. We had 106 dogs and even more people. Out of everyone, only 2 people were unhappy, I call that pretty darn successful! And unlike last year when I would have dwelt on those two people this year, I know I worked hard and I did the best I could and thats all that matters in the end.

I've toughened up alot in the last year. I'm at a point where I love my work, I just hate that its my job. I've realized that if I could do this same job and not be the one responsible for the rent I would love everything about it. But now thats not the case. And for the moment I'll be making the best of it.

One of those nights....

Im sure everyone has them.. its just a night, where my thoughts get the best of me. I hate my life, I hate my job. I cant stand my dogs. I want nothing more then to move away and start new. Id pack up tomorrow if I could....

Do you want my dog?

I get asked at least once a month if I can take someones dogs as my own. Because they dont want to put in the work the dog requires and at one point I told them how much I loved there dog. Which isnt a total lie. I do have a special place in my heart for each and every dog I work with. This does not mean I want your dog in my house. Im a dog trainer, that runs a kennel I already have a 24hr a day 7 days a week no holidays job, so in the little bit of down time I get I rarely want to spend it training my own dogs ( unless it has to do with agility or herding ) let alone your basket case.

The trainer who lived on this property before me at one point hat 13 dogs that had been left here or she took in, then abandoned. They lived in a kennel, similar to being in a shelter. Its not a life. 

Taking in a dog is one thing... but when an owner abandons a dog with you is another. I feel that people think that if they just leave a dog with a trainer or at a boarding facility they will be well taken care of and the trainer will find them the perfect home, This is not always true. Ive had two people leave dogs with me. The first was a german shepherd. The I cut the owner some slack because she gave me this sob store and she promised she would return for the dog the following friday. When friday came and went and I had not heard from her I called. I called from my work number, my personal number and I sent a few emails. Nothing. I was able to find him a home. The second was a pit. The owner was a Marine wife, husband was deployed at the time she had a baby, and these two pits. The female was giving her the most trouble. She would go nuts at the end of the leash when she would see another dog. I spent 2 hours with her the first time I met her, and the owner sent her with me that day for some inkennel training. I was able to get $300 in cash from her that day. Beyond that I was going to let her pay me $500 a week till she payed me in full. I got threw 2 weeks of payment then they stopped. I contacted her and nothing. I continued to train her dog for a few weeks after till I just gave up. Her dog who had a home and a family. She now lives in a kennel. she gets out to potty in the am and again after dark. I wonder if it was premeditated, or she got used to life with out the trouble maker and decided it was much easier and that the dog would have a better life with me. And its not true. She does not handle kennel life well. And her and the other no home dogs get out after everyone else. Its sad and I hate keeping her here. 

She didnt make it...

My Ewe pasted that night. She was old and I really didnt expect her to live much longer.

She was of the last 4 (now down to 3) of my first little flock of about 10 other ewes, everyone else had been sold off due to ether the purchasing of younger sheep or to "budget cuts".

That being said. I'm still fairly new to this whole live stock thing. That night I had been texting my friend (who has had sheep for awhile) about what I should be doing to help this old ewe. I did what I could. When I checked on her in the morning I stood there staring at her for a few minutes. I'd look around, then back at her. What on earth do you do with the body? Considering I dont live out in the middle of nowhere. So I sent a text to my friend. "she didnt make it" her response " I'll be there in 30" She loaded up her 2 toddlers, at 7:30am on a weekday and came out and helped me deal with it. Later that day I couldnt help but think of one of those silly quote you read on the internet. "There are friends that will help you move, then there are friends that will help you move a dead body" and I just had to giggle. I dont have a ton of friends. But she really is the only one that would do that for me.

Sheep Down

One my 4 ewes was down last night and refused dinner. I gave her some baking soda. Im afraid to out and check on her this morning, she didnt look good when I left her last night....

Busy Day

Yesterday I was ungodly busy .... not training dogs. I had an appointment with my horse trainer who also happens to be my neighbor so the lesson kept being delayed which is fine because she is practically training my horse for free and I am eternally grateful to her. But it did set my day back an hour. I had to water my sheep, rush two golden retrievers home. And as I had them packed up and just about to hop in the car and leave, a client apperied and wanted a tour of the facility. Which if you have an appointment is fine. But she didnt, now I spend 75% of my day these days maintaining this property, picking up poop, cleaning the kennel, battling the weeds, feeding/watering everyone, picking up food, answering emails, talking on the phone with clients. So I explained to this lady that I was just about to leave and I was already running an hour behind and I couldnt give her the tour but if she wanted to come by in a hour and half Id be back and happy to show her around. She was fine with that and said she'd be back around 5pm, perfect I thought because that would give me time to clean up. Well at 4pm just as I was about to head over to clean the kennel. My door bell rang. Awesome. I had to give her the tour with a dirty kennel. She was supposed to drop off her dogs this morning before 8am well its almost 9am and nothing. I would love to have the time to keep that kennel space spotless all the time but I run an entire business by myself. Everything that needs to be done is done by me. So oh well.

ETA: She never did show up....

I spend my life waiting

Today is one of those days were I will spend all day waiting on other people. I had to wait for day care drop offs this morning till 10am, I had an appointment at 11 at 12 I had a dog being dropped off, that didnt show up till 1220. A pick up at 1:30pm ( at the moment its almost 2 and they still havent shown up) Between 3 and 5 I have to wait around for daycare pick ups. Then between 5 and 6 another dog is being dropped off. Im am great-full for such a busy day but I just wish people would be on time so I could have a chance to get to the store the bank and the feed store.

Communication

A lack of communication is a huge pet peeve of mine. While some of my clients are really great about it, others dont and some ( like what happened this morning ) are random.
I have a puppy that has been super consistent with daycare monday threw thursday if something comes up the owner would email me right away and let me know. Super nice considering he drops off at 7am. But this morning, nothing. He didnt show up, no email, no phone call, nothing. So this means I got up and dress before the sun for nothing. It leave me wondering, will he be here tomorrow? Will I every see them again?Are they ok? Did I do something wrong? I wish people would just tell me that they decided to do something else.Then at least I know, and if I did something wrong that they would let me know. At least then I could fix it.
I have another client. They drop off at 6:30 am but they dont ever call, text or email they just show up. Luckily everytime I just happen to be up at that hour.
The worst though are the people that make a boarding reservation then dont show up at all. Ive had whole days with drop off spread out over the course of the day and have had NO ONE show up.... so then I am stuck at the house waiting around for people that and no reason as to why. I would much rather know you decided to go with someone else, that your trip was canceled, that you just didnt like me or the property. Seriously it wont hurt my feelings, I depend on that money for rent and food, I'd much rather people be honest with me and be able to fill that kennel with another dog then to have it empty.
I've started to tell people there are solid times for pick ups and drop off with fines if they are late, BUT if they communicate with me I am totally flexible. We'll see how that works out in the long run....

Catching up..

When I started this blog my husband was just about to deploy and I was looking for a way to help myself cope with the loneliness by writing out my emotions. Well as it turns out I didnt write as much (or at all) as I had planned.  Well its been about 7 or so months sense I last wrote something. DH is home and it was a hell of a deployment, seriously. Everything that could have gone wrong did... sometimes twice, and for the the first time in about 50 years airwingers had to engage in combat. Awesome, huh? Not really. And while he said it was "way cool" it was for me, one of those bad days I will never forget as long as I live, . But on the up side he's alive, home and we are happy to be together. 

The business is doing OK, their were a few months I needed help paying for rent and those were really hard times. But in the past few months Ive been getting by on my own. I haven't had a training dog sense November and that dog is STILL HERE cause her owner stopped responding to my phone calls, my text messages and my emails. I dont quite know what to do about that one. So not having a training dog in a few months means Ive been getting by on just daycare, boarding and private lessons. Which is a struggle and a constant worry to say the least. I hate it. Everything about my job I hate. We've been in this house for a year now, and I wake up everyday hating life. As I type that it seems harsh, especially because on the out side my life looks like a dream come true. I get to be home all the time ( means I NEVER get a day off cause I can not leave these dogs alone for to long or people get mad and if I do leave I worry constantly about what might be happening inside that kennel) I have my own little flock of sheep and get to work my dog whenever I want ( the location of my arena is very public meaning if I dont one little thing wrong with those sheep people complain) I get to play with dogs all day ( no. I WORK with dogs, I clean poop, clean kennels, clean yards, and deal with owners) ... so on the outside yes "hate" seems harsh, but I wake up every morning wondering what on earth I may have done wrong now, its an awful feeling, to know that everyday you work your ass off and its never enough, that your husband is miserable in this house and its all because of you. But Im going to fix it. Alot of people are going to be upset when we move but I value my marriage more then I value this job, even if it was a supposed to be this "dream job".