I am not a regular reader of or contributor to Reddit.com. But somehow I started receiving “digest” emails concerning dogs – it’s possible I subscribed for some reason that I can’t remember. I guess I can unsubscribe; I hardly ever read them. But every so often, I see a “subject” headline on the email that tempts me into clicking on the digest. Things like:
“Is it possible?”
“Please help, I’m desperate.”
“My vet said she has never seen anything like this in 20 years of practice.”
But it never takes long to click away from the post and all the advice that is offered by (mostly) well-meaning Redditors. Again and again, I find myself mumbling, “Oh for dog’s sake, please hire a trainer!” or “Why are they asking ordinary humans? Why are they not taking that dog to a veterinarian (or another veterinarian)??”
I see this on Facebook, too – people asking for free advice about their dogs on pages devoted to dog training or health. And more recently, I’ve begun seeing dog trainers of unknown education or experience posting training advice for dog behavior problems on Tiktok.
There is a lot of terrific support to be had online and on social media sites – but advice concerning a specific dog’s health, behavior, or general well being that is offered by people without credentials or references should be taken with a block of salt. On any given post, you’ll find (at best) a mixture of (often) conflicting information: good advice (often badly described) side by side with terrible, potentially dangerous advice. Sometimes, commenters will weigh in, “voting” for which tactics seem best and arguing with people voting for the conflicting tactics. Yikes!
I would just like to say: Please don’t solicit advice from the general public about your dog’s health or behavior! It’s rare that genuinely qualified people will offer sound advice for free on the internet – and what’s more, a well educated, experienced professional wouldn’t be caught dead handing out advice to someone without a thorough and individualized intake process that includes many questions tailored to that specific dog and his situation.
If your dog has a mysterious lump or strange response to a food, it’s your responsibility to get him to a veterinarian! If his behavior isn’t what you’d like it to be, don’t ask your friends for advice, but for a referral to a canine behavior professional. Ask why they hired a trainer and whether the trainer’s approach worked to improve their dog’s problem behavior, and whether the dog liked the trainer and the tactics or exercises prescribed by the trainer. And then ask for the trainer’s professional qualifications and experience. It should be more than just professional affiliations; a good trainer will have actual credentials and/or certifications.
This blog has a great information love it.
That makes sense but I live in an area where there are not any dog behavorists. I’ve tried dog trainers and I feel they have made some of my dog’s issues worse. They don’t seem to get some behavior issues. I’m willing to put in the work I just can’t find the professionals. So what does one do?
This blog is really very helpful. Also, can use these links to get the professional help.
What a minefield it is. Just like the horse world, the dog world is jam packed with ‘experts’ who know sometimes are brilliant and sometimes know diddly. I am very fortunate in that I know at least two extremely experience people who I trust to call on as well as reading a great deal from other behaviourists and trainers. I am also a relatively experienced dog owner. However, there are ‘behaviourists’ and so called trainers out there who are not only very young (sorry but I believe to be any use you have to have the experience of many years and many dogs under your belt) but who have done online training or very short courses without practical experience. I have also realised that vets vary and not always giving the best advice. There are good and bad ‘experts’ and all any dog owner can do is inform themselves, be intelligent about their dog care and use their own experience and understanding to make the best choices for their animals.
We would ALL be racing to the best vet in the region with our complex issues IF WE COULD AFFORD IT!!!! Last time I had a blood-in-vomit ER visit they gave me a bill for $1300 before a diagnosis!?!!! Who can afford that??? My own health isn’t that great. On the other hand I recall years ago wishing someone had just told me to give my dog benedryl for the bee stings on his face. Instead it was $500 for anesthesia to cut the seams of her ears cuz they blew up. Thankfully that vet noticed diphenhydramine was working & nixed the surgery. But I still had to pay $500. Benadryl is 25 cents! Times are tough out here for a lot of people. Give ppl a break for asking if someone has ever seen this or that, or are trying to get info. Sometimes just knowing your dog isn’t the only one helps a ton. Thanks!