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.
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.
Oh boy… sometimes people really make me wonder!
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 🙂
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.”
Yes, yes! Brilliant!
OHHHHH MYYYYYYYYY DOOOOGGGGGGGGGG!!!
Seriously!?! Seriously, people?!?! >_<
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*
*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.
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.
definitely go with the shock collar on the owner!
That really makes me sad. Poor dog.