Dutch Shepherd Forum

alspyce wrote:
Yorkshire Terriers. (Big dogs in a little package.)

Penny thought she was a big dog too!

alspyce wrote:Shall we not forget the stupid owners who take fido home, give them a full bucket of water that he wolfs down out of excitement, and then throws it back up. even after you have warned them this sometimes happens, and that water should be offered sparingly until the joy of homecoming wears off a bit.
Of course it is now YOUR fault because the dog must have caught some horrible disease at your place, and of course you didn't give them enough water!!!!!!

My customer must have moved you to your neighborhood!
"I picked Fido up from your facility yesterday. What have you done with him?"
"pardon?"
"He came home, drank a bucket of water. Did you not offer water at your kennel?"
"We offer fresh water all the time ma'am. Check it all times of the day and refill at least twice with every kennel cleaning, then intermittently when we pick runs as needed"
"He is also hoarse"
"I can imagine that, yes. He stayed for 4 days and I never could get him to hush"
"He never barks at our house"
"He is a beagle ma'am. Are you sure he never barks? We tried our best to keep him quiet, but he was not having any of it, too much going on for his liking"
"He also slept for a straight 12 hours. Did you keep him awake?"
(by now, I am getting a little testy)
"No ma'am. But he sure kept us awake. Like I said, he barked and bounced non stop and I was unable to convince him to do otherwise"
"Well, I want my money back"
"I am very sorry that you feel that way. We took as good a care of him as your dog would allow. We can however, not be responsible for his personality. He kept him safe, warm, dry, clean, fed and watered and cared for. But there is no clause in the boarding contract that says we have to keep him from generally misbehaving during their stay. I know I tried to, but to no avail."
"I will never bring my dog to you again!"
"I am very sorry that you feel that way, but I understand." (thinking how lucky I was to receive that news)

That was a true conversation!!! (probably vaguely familiar to some of the pet-professionals on here)

Drizlaru wrote:Could always try the board & train route. Up here in Maine, a week of board & train is in the neighborhood of $700. A good week with 4 dogs, you can make some decent $$, and have time for your own dogs.

Not down here, not down where Denise is at. Our overhead is probably lower, but there is no way in the world you'd manage to rake that in. More like 1/10'th of that (Just kidding,.... sort of)

Judith, sounds like you and I need to move to Maine!! Dang that is nice cashola. It's all in what someone will pay. Last year, someone on the east coast paid $250,000 for a GSD. I know someone in Shreveport who just bought an IPOIII Mal and they paid $40,000. I've seen the dog work and it
cant hold a candle to a working K9 though, but it has the title.

I live in the heart of Bubbaland (ever watch Swamp People?). There are some local retriever boarding/training kennels who board the dogs for the entire year until the short hunting season when they go home and the owner can take them out to hunt and brag. The boarding facility only takes in on average $400/month per dog. Yeh,so this is the same mentality I'd have to compete with.

Didnt mean to pick on the Yorkies actually. It is the owners involved with these two who I dont care to deal with. They got these pretty little babies because of appearance and dont know a thing about dealing with the terrier aspect. I dont believe they would adhere to whatever I tell them to do after training.

Still thinking about the options here.....

Judith, the boarding facility I worked for would give 'calming' drops to the dogs that would not settle down. Not sure the owners were made aware.

Dutchringgirl wrote:

alspyce wrote:
Yorkshire Terriers. (Big dogs in a little package.)

Penny thought she was a big dog too!

That is why God made them that size!! Just think if they weighed 90+ lbs.

I do quite a bit of board and train. I charge $700 for 28 days, so $25 per day. That also includes follow ups. I also do it in conjunction with my friend in the Chicago area. I do the training and she does the follow ups. We just booked a client for $2500 for 4 weeks and that was lower than the going rate. So I think its very regional. What I like about it is that always have a "new dog" in the house that has to be worked and learn skills and boundaries. So when the new dog is occasionally a paying customer, it is awesome!!

I know of a very successful Board and Train facility in the Houston area. I can find out what they charge, I don't know right now. But I know they do very, very good work and have built quite a name for themselves.

does anyone know good trainers near me (Fishkill, NY) ? Seriously.........

felixone123 wrote:does anyone know good trainers near me (Fishkill, NY) ? Seriously.........

For Odin?

I can check around.

Christie M wrote:

felixone123 wrote:does anyone know good trainers near me (Fishkill, NY) ? Seriously.........

For Odin?

I can check around.

Yes, for Odin. We were using this really good master trainer for Dakota about 45 min from here, but he is so booked he didn't have any time avail on Sat for us for Odin.

If you could check around, we would greatly appreciate it!! and Thanks!!

GSDNanny wrote:Judith, the boarding facility I worked for would give 'calming' drops to the dogs that would not settle down. Not sure the owners were made aware.

Marco recommends Merlot.

Schlussdibusti wrote:

GSDNanny wrote:Judith, the boarding facility I worked for would give 'calming' drops to the dogs that would not settle down. Not sure the owners were made aware.

Marco recommends Merlot.

For the boarding kennel owner, or for the dog?