Call of the day: Short Circuit

by | Thursday | July 8, 2010 | 12 comments

Receptionist: Hello, how can I help you?

Owner: Hi there, this is Slinky’s owner. I have a question.

Receptionist: Oh, hi! Didn’t we just start her on medication for seizures? How is she?

Owner: Oh, that’s going great. No seizures at all.

Receptionist: Wonderful! So how can we help you?

Owner: I wanted to know if you think shock collar training would be ok for her.

(technician grabs the phone)

Tech: Hi there- were you asking if we recommended shock collar training for your epileptic dog?

Owner: Yes, is that a bad idea?

Tech: What trainer are you using?

Owner: Oh, I don’t use a trainer. I just do it myself.

Tech: Don’t put a shock collar on your dog. Do you need some recommendations for some good local trainers?

Owner: Nah. I have it under control. *click*

If he thought to ask, at least some part of him must have sensed this wasn’t the best idea. I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Filed: Daily Life
  • http://www.trainwithjenn.net Jenn D.

    As a trainer, I’m not down with the healthiest of healthy dogs being shock trained. Add in epilepsy and you get *headdesk* from me at the very least.

  • Melissa

    Oh boy… sometimes people really make me wonder!

  • pikachu

    The owner needs to wear a shock collar and get buzzed everytime they come up with a ridiculous question. LOL, Sorry, this get filed under major OMG for me .LOLOL :-)

    • http://www.pawcurious.com Dr. V

      You know, I think you’re on to something. “Yes, Dr V will answer your questions for free, but she gets to press this button if she doesn’t like what you asked. Here, put this on and she’ll be right in.”

      • http://www.biscuitsbylambchop.com Annette Frey

        Yes, yes! Brilliant!

  • http://opcatchat.blogspot.com caren gittleman

    OHHHHH MYYYYYYYYY DOOOOGGGGGGGGGG!!!

  • Olga

    Seriously!?! Seriously, people?!?! >_<

  • Leigh

    AHHHH! I HATE shock collars and choke or prong collars. They don’t work!!! I wish the pet stores would quit selling them…
    Yesterday we had a client whose dog was choking himself to the point of gagging on his choke chain and leash. (So obviously it’s not working because he is not refraining from pulling…)
    Me: “Have you ever tried a Gentle Leader?”
    Him: “Yeah, I have it at home. I don’t like it.”
    Me: “Why don’t you like it?”
    Him: “Because someone asked me if it was a muzzle.”
    Me: “But did your dog pull and choke with it?”
    Him: “No, she didn’t pull with it.”
    Me: “So would you like to to make sure the Gentle Leader is fitted properly so you can use it instead of this collar? Then your dog won’t choke and gag.”
    Him: “No, I don’t like it.”

    *smacks head*

  • http://www.championofmyheart.com Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart

    *sigh* — I’m headed out in a bit for a mtg with my colleagues at the humane society where we adopted Lilly. We’re meeting about how my upcoming Be the Change campaign against shock/pinch/choke collars might dovetail with theirs.

    • http://fur-licity.blogspot.com Barbara and Daisy

      Roxanne, I’m so glad that you are actually organizing to educate people. I’d love to hear more and think it will be a good subject for Daisy to blog about.

  • Sheila

    definitely go with the shock collar on the owner!

  • http://fidoandwino.com/ Shauna (Fido & Wino)

    That really makes me sad. Poor dog.