Want a magic pill to solve your pet behavior training problem?
Seriously, there is no such thing as a magic pill for animal behavior training issues.
When it comes to animal behavior modification or training there isn’t a “one pill cures all” or “one answer for your X problem.”
Contrary to popular belief behavior training consultants are not magicians but rather trained professionals who take a methodic, scientific, and sometimes intuitive approach to such matters.
However, that doesn’t stop people from asking for a quick solution–thinking that one answer could be that supernatural solution.
As a professional, it is frustrating because it happens all the time. If you adept in a particular specialty, or have an area of expertise, you probably have experienced the same thing.
But here’s the thing about solving a pet behavior training problem, there isn’t a pat answer.
A good solution requires a good analysis of what might be actually be going on so that the right protocol can be assigned and the problem can be extinguished.
Along with the background of the owners and animals, a complete assessment includes taking a history of how long the problem has existed, the nuances of the environment, diet, social dynamics, veterinary medical background, daily regime, and a whole lot more.
So asking, “How do I solve this problem?” might sound like it is a simple question.
The reality is that most true professionals are not going to give you a simple response because it requires some background to come to a proper assessment.
However, people ask for free advice all the time and think nothing of it.
For instance, not too long ago I was on a social visit with a neighbor.
She introduced me to her dog and then, she breached good protocol and asked me THE question, “How do I…?”
I took a moment, and then said, “You know, I’d be happy to help you solve the issue, but I am not working right now so feel free to call and make an appointment.”
She briskly said, “It was just a simple question!”
But actually it wasn’t.
I found it interesting that she took offense at my refusal to give professional advice without an appointment.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I do give away a lot of my time and talent. You can also find my advice in my books or in my articles–but for some reason people believe that if you work with animals you should do so just for the love of it.
Well, I do it for the love of it but the reality is I have to pay bills just like everyone else.
Now you might not love your job like I do mine, but I am sure you don’t head over to your job to work for nothing.
However, her reaction made me take some time to ponder the matter and how I felt about it.
The truth is, this questioning isn’t something that happens once in a while, people cross this line ALL the time and my response varies.
And I have to tell you, it gets old because the questions don’t ever have a “simple answer.”
If there was an easy answer, she’d have solved the problem herself.
Let me share another example.
I attended a memorial service for a friend and had carpooled with some other people to and from the event.
During lunch, after the event and on a stop on the way home, one of the people at the table mentioned my background and I started getting a multitude of questions.
Fortunately, someone realized what was happening and intervened on my behalf–but it was like I was struck by a tsunami.
Everyone had almost finished their meals but answering questions prevented me from doing the same.
The flood of questions are never conducive to any sort of balanced conversation and I was left further exhausted by the interaction.
So, my review resulted in a hypothesis about what happens.
I think that since people really love their animals, they passionately desire to connect at a deeper level that many professionals are able to.
Overzealous, they cross the line and become oblivious to anything else but their desire to get an answer to solve their problem, understand their animal better, and get a hold of that elusive pill or elixir.
So, I wonder–do you have this happen to you? Have you done this yourself? Take a moment to answer in the comments, or if they are closed, drop over to my Facebook community to chat.
Photo Credit: E-magic
