Unhappy with dog behaviourist service

WackieO

We got a Romanian rescue during lockdown and have had quite a lot to work with since we got him.  He is getting better when out and about but still have issues at home to work with, mainly trying to get him to be calmer when visitors or deliveries come to the house. 
We have already seen a number of behaviourists but I came across another one when looking through a local chat and because they had specifically worked with foreign rescue dogs decided to approach them as a last resort. 
I met the behaviourist last week and the plan includes 3 hours with Behaviourist (2 sessions), training plan and handouts and email and telephone support.
However, after a few days after the first session, I feel quite downhearted about trying to achieve what we need  as it is difficult to get all family members onboard and the difficulty managing our rescue alongside our other dog who wants to get in on the act when treats are involved. Also, I didn't feel I gelled with the trainer. 
I have emailed the trainer to say that I felt it would be a long road to see any improvement and that it would be difficult to achieve results and basically asked for a partial refund as I don't think a follow-up session would be beneficial and just wondered if I had any rights regarding refund.  Obviously I signed up to their terms and conditions but if I'm unhappy with a service or change my mind, can this be waived? 

Thanks in advance.

sheramber

Basically, it is a change of mind.

You have not used the whole service you paid for so you cannot say his advice would not work.

There are no quick fixes. It takes dedication and hard work and consistency .

But, if the whole family are not on board to follow the advice you are up against  it. 

That is not the behaviourist's fault.

WackieO

Thanks... I realise it's not the behaviourist's fault but when you take out some financial products, there's a cool off period - thinking about it now, I think it had been one of those challenging weeks when I booked the service and the thought of having our dog for another 10 years reacting like he does filled me with dread!  I will be working on some of the suggestions, although it's nothing I haven't heard before, but don't want the second appointment. 

lisyloo

Sorry, but none of this sounds like the behavourist has done anything wrong.
I understand you want to find someone you "gel" with.
In this case it might be better to do a trial session or pay as you go.
Sorry but I don't think you have any rights to a refund if you've decided a service is not for you.
The 14 day cooling off period sometimes only applies if you don't start using a product,

WackieO

I'm annoyed at myself as this was the most expensive I've paid for this type of service - haven't even told my other half how much it cost, especially at a time when we have a lot of expenditure.  Will definitely think twice before doing something like this again. 

MikeJXE

You would be unwise to give up now you have paid for a service

You cannot train a dog in a few hours especially if it's not a very young pup

My granddaughter bought a rescue dog from Bosnia 2 Christmases ago and it was a nightmare.

They didn't have a trainer but spent as much time with it as they could including long walks.

You need to remember they don't recognise our language or our landscape 

She has another dog and they get on well, the other dog barks but the new one doesn't 

It's as good as gold now although it still jumps up at my face when I visit at weekends, 

Savvy_Sue

Call me naive, and I'm certainly no behaviourist, but is there a problem if the other dog gets in on the act? Will that not help Romanian dog learn what's expected?

MikeJXE

Savvy_Sue said:

Call me naive, and I'm certainly no behaviourist, but is there a problem if the other dog gets in on the act? Will that not help Romanian dog learn what's expected?

Sometimes

I remember when we had 2 Irish Setters who when the lead was unclipped ran like the wind to the nearest hedge and wouldn't come back till they were ready 

My son had a German Shepherd that would stand on his head if you asked him to, very obedient 

We took him with us hoping our 2 would learn 

Funnily enough he shot off too lol 

sheramber

Your thread title implied the behaviourist's service was not good enough.

Unfortunately, tv programmes show a dog's behaviour improving in a 15  or thirty minute programme. They do not tell you how many visits were made over what length of time. 

It is certainly not in the short time shown in the programme.

If what you have been advised is not working then that is what he second visit should  cover- why is not working and is there an alternative.

You have paid for the behaviourists services so might as well use them.y from the existing dog. 

When I brought a new dog into the home I trained that dog separately from the resident dog.

I shut the resident one in another room or took the new one into the garden leaving the resident dog inside. 

I took the new dog to a training class on its own .

Once the new dog knew the cue and responded to it then I introduced the resident dog  to the session as the dogs need to learn to respond when together. 

Nothing wrong with brushing up the resident dog's training  at these times.

When I ran training classes I was often asked- usually on the second training night- how long does it take train a dog? 

My answer- was that I never stop reinforcing my dog's training.  My 15 year old still got praised for responding.

WackieO

Savvy_Sue said:

Call me naive, and I'm certainly no behaviourist, but is there a problem if the other dog gets in on the act? Will that not help Romanian dog learn what's expected?

The other dog gets in the way and the advice was to have them go to separate beds.  The other dog is an old dog and although still spritely, his hearing isn't good!   Last time we tried this approach a couple of years back, the old dog cottoned on quickly and was rushing to the mat well before the rescue.  

WackieO

sheramber said:

Your thread title implied the behaviourist's service was not good enough.

Unfortunately, tv programmes show a dog's behaviour improving in a 15  or thirty minute programme. They do not tell you how many visits were made over what length of time. 

It is certainly not in the short time shown in the programme.

If what you have been advised is not working then that is what he second visit should  cover- why is not working and is there an alternative.

You have paid for the behaviourists services so might as well use them.y from the existing dog. 

When I brought a new dog into the home I trained that dog separately from the resident dog.

I shut the resident one in another room or took the new one into the garden leaving the resident dog inside. 

I took the new dog to a training class on its own .

Once the new dog knew the cue and responded to it then I introduced the resident dog  to the session as the dogs need to learn to respond when together. 

Nothing wrong with brushing up the resident dog's training  at these times.

When I ran training classes I was often asked- usually on the second training night- how long does it take train a dog? 

My answer- was that I never stop reinforcing my dog's training.  My 15 year old still got praised for responding.

I think it was my initial feeling following the appointment as I was given the advice but not shown how to implement it and it was proving difficult to put into action. 

As I can't get a refund, I will see how things go and hopefully the rescue will start to pick up that he has to go to his mat when we say the word and hopefully will do that when there's someone at the door and not continue kicking off!