I have wanted to write this for a long time. It is a little venty, but i hope that you read it with an open mind. We are all guilty of these rude behaviors, including me, but we can only be better if we are aware that we need to change. Being a good client gets you better attention, better service and extras! Here are some things that make great clients.

• Check the time before you call or text.

  In a world that seems to have no time anymore, it is polite to use patience and self control when contacting a business.I still think of business hours as 9am-5pm. Calling or texting between those hours is the most polite. I have learned to shut off my notifications because messages have come in as early as 5:30am and as late as 1am. Once I received a call on Thanksgiving. I ignored it. She called again. I left my family to counsel this person because she was a previous client. She had a crisis on Thanksgiving. There was nothing I could do because it was done. The dog bit someone. I told her to put the dog away, tend to the wound and call me the following day for a session. I never heard back from her. I get it. She was emotional and wanted the relief of speaking to me, but she took time from me. I regret picking up. Generally, we will return messages the same day.

• Contact a business in the format that the business tells you is best. We love a phonecall if you have questions. You can schedule an appointment on the website and find out just about anything you need there too.

  The fastest way to speak to someone is to call. By cooperating, you are using the system that is in place to best serve you. We have a system to provide checks and balances, create a paper trail of notes and information, and to stay organized. If you bypass the system, you can be forgotten and fall off our radar. Don’t take for granted how many clients contact us daily. When you text us and don’t drop your name, we have no idea who you are. We have five dogs named Scooter, too.

• If you want to be friends outside of the business relationship, it is polite to ask. Boundaries protect my energy.

  I have a business page and a personal page on social media and they are different on purpose. Every friendship that I have had with a client ends with me giving free training to that person. Ask me if it’s ok to change our relationship. It can be very awkward for me when a client crosses the line into my personal life. Once we are friends, I can’t go back to being your paid trainer. It feels weird. Don’t mistake my kindness with friendship. I care about my clients, but rarely want to be friends. I get the short end of these relationships. My best advice to you, is get all your dog training done and then ask if we can be friends! And know that talking about your dog is my job. Always.

• Free advice is tricky. The more polite you are, the more I will give.

  The worst is when it begins with, “quick question”….well yes, your question is quick, but my answer is not. Don’t diminish what you are asking me. You are asking for free time, free advice and minimizing the whole thing. It is polite to start with, “I have a question and will gladly make an appointment if that is appropriate, just let me know.” I make money by giving advice. Ask yourself if you would message another business and expect something for free? And if you get an answer, say THANK YOU!

• I do not want to read a page long email or message, even if you think the information will help me.

  Writing VERY long emails with your dog’s history wastes your time and mine. We have a form that you fill out where all that info goes. By writing a long email, you take my time. I have to read it to figure out what you want from me. That’s not fair. Become a client and then ask me to read your very long history. If you have lots to say, calling is wise. This way we can direct you and tell you what information IS helpful to us.

• It is not my job to find your vet, groomer or pet sitter.

  You are asking me because I have a qualified opinion and know a lot of people. I am sharing valuable information with you, saving you time and giving you my time by responding. If you are a client, you can ask me anything during an appointment. If you aren’t a client, you can easily find out who I recommend by checking my social media or website. I make it very obvious who I like and support.

• Don’t be an ask-hole or a link-hole. My time is important too.

  If you are asking me for advice, you should take it. If you have a question and I send you a link open it. The answer is there. Be aware of wasting other people’s time.