My new "nightmare" client (I need advice)

I'd feel at least as strongly about this as you do. I don't think I'd even take on the job of walking them in the neighborhood but if I did, it'd be with each one separately. As the owner of 2 large dogs that have had fights, I know how tough it can be to break them up. It's also really scary and you could easily have been hurt. Nope - I wouldn't touch this one with a 10 foot pole and shame on the owners for a) not warning you and b) being so casual about the whole experience - ugh!!

I agree with Cakana. I would tell the owners that you are only up to walking them seperately....with seperate fee's of course. They need to understand these dogs are a liability to them and that you are put off by the fact they witheld some critical information.

You can say it in a nice way so they understand the severity, like "gosh I wish I would have known about this" and let them know that the other dog DIDN"T seem ok and he was visibly shaken up. They don't need to be crated to be seperated.

Sorry you had to deal with these two poor dogs today but I hope you are able to work something out with the owners. It sounds like these dogs need exercise and stimualtion......to say the least.

 I agree with the others, I'd only walk them separately and I'd also tell the owners that I'd only get the dogs for walks if they're kept separate before you come so you can get to each one without the other one being a problem.  No sense (or requirement) for you to have to enter their house and break up a fight or deal with another one!  Sheesh, some people!  I can't believe they didn't even offer to pay for your gate!

AuroraLove

Sorry you had to deal with these two poor dogs today but I hope you are able to work something out with the owners. It sounds like these dogs need exercise and stimualtion......to say the least.

Exactly....to say the least! The Pyr/Lab is literally bouncing off the walls/barking at anything and everything, the house cleaners told me she charged at them so they won't clean the house unless the dog is crated or in a seperate room. She's only 9months old, can you imagine a couple years from now???. But, the BMD doesn't seem too energetic, he's a real sweetie and seems a bit on the timid side, poor guy.

BCMixs

I can't believe they didn't even offer to pay for your gate!

Nope, they didn't even say "sorry"...the gate was $100 :( and is now in the trash

I would put them on the "former" client list. What else have they failed to mention or glossed over? What if you go for a walk and find out the 175lb sweetheart is terrified of motor scooters and he suddenly freaks out . You're taken by surprise and he drags the two of you behind a car that is backing out of a driveway...yeah I'm "doom and gloom" but I would not want to be responsible for two dogs whose owners have so badly misrepresented their behavior. I wouldn't trust the humans at ALL.

Sorry about your barrier :(

Honestly, I think the same way "doom and gloom", but then sometimes I second guess myself because I don't want to over react. I told them during the first meeting I needed to know everything about the dogs...are the OK with kids? Small dogs? Intact male dogs? etc, etc...who knows what else they lied about, or "forgot" to tell me. I think they're going to be former clients, I'm still waiting for them to call me back to talk about this more.

polarexpress

I would put them on the "former" client list.

Oh No ....and maybe this is the idealist in my speaking but despite these uneducated owners the dogs still deserve some guidance. I know BlackLabbie isnt getting paid nearly enough to try and make a complete change but these are breeds known for their love, smarts and good nature. Who's to say if they have something to look forward to it might ease some of their anxiety.....I mean the one is only 9 months, poor guy.

Personally I'd say its worth a shot but then again I havnt faced these snarling creatures, LOL

Keep us posted!

I don't think I would be afraid of walking them together.  Most likely it was the stress of the car ride and both dogs being in such close quarters - these owners probably never take them in the car.  As an owner of 140 pound Swissy I know how difficult it is to make car rides pleasurable for him.  He likes them, but comfort is difficult.

The BMD is huge...tall, long, and FAT. They free feed both dogs, and it looks like the BDM has taken full advantage of this. I feel bad for the poor guy.
Also, the BMD is a neutered male, the Pyr/Lab is a spayed female. She seems to be the one who is a little "off".

Honestly, it isn't the dogs as much as it's the owners. I want to trust the owners, and I want them to trust me. IMO, this begins with being open in the first meeting. When they don't disclose info about their dogs it puts me as well as other people and dogs in danger.

luvmyswissy

I bet many people who own two dogs of the same sex would say they have had their dogs squabble at least once.

I guess because I do have 2 that squabble and not just once, I'm more cautious than most people. I would love to see this work out, but I think I'd still proceed slowly. Perhaps take them for walks individually and see how they do. Close quarters in a car could've certainly caused the ruckus (been there too) but so could many other things. One of mine went after the other recently because ????...well, maybe because the neighbor's dogs were going at each other, but we can't know for certain. There's a lot that can trigger stress and anxiety on a walk and unless you've got realllyyyyy long arms, they're going to be walking close enough to tangle up again. I'd just think this thru and err on the side of caution for the sake of the dogs and yourself.

BlackLabbie

The BMD is huge...tall, long, and FAT. They free feed both dogs, and it looks like the BDM has taken full advantage of this. I feel bad for the poor guy.
Also, the BMD is a neutered male, the Pyr/Lab is a spayed female. She seems to be the one who is a little "off".

Honestly, it isn't the dogs as much as it's the owners. I want to trust the owners, and I want them to trust me. IMO, this begins with being open in the first meeting. When they don't disclose info about their dogs it puts me as well as other people and dogs in danger.

I couldn't agree more!!  And by the way (I just looked it up) the standard weight is 85-110 I over stated the weight so this dog must be fat!  Being big is one thing but being 65 pounds over standard must be a weight issue. The fact they are male and female would lead me to beleive that fighing probably won't be a problem.

Good luck to you if you continue and I hope the Berner dosen't develop any hip problems, they are just a sweet breed - sad that people can't see it when they allow simple things weight to go overboard.  They probably love to flaunt their "BIG DOGS" and don't know what health issues they are nurturing.

 If I were you, I would tell them that you had the dog gate replaced, that it cost $100, and you would appreciate it if they could contribute. You can also politely say that the reason you ask for a FULL profile of the dogs is so you can avoid situations like that, and you really would have preferred if they had shared that the two dogs had issues with each other.

I think you can also use this as a learning experience for yourself - never trust an owner's assessment of their animals! Get as much info from then as you can, but then do some sort of basic interview/assessment before you put yourself in a situation where you could get hurt.

I learned this principle very early when riding horses - if someone tells you to ride a horse that's "very good," don't be at all surprised if the horse tries to throw you to the ground while the owner shrugs and says something like, "Oh, yeah, he does that some times. Silly boy!"
 

I'm still waiting for them to call me back...

I'm scheduled to walk them tomorrow, but I really want to talk to the owners first!