Behavior United Dog Behavior and Training

View Original

How to People Again

As social circles expand and reunions ensue, folks are refamiliarizing themselves with their emotional intelligence skill set. Politeness 101 brings us back to kindergarten basics. Say please and thank you. Be kind to yourself and others. Be patient. Wash your hands. Share. 

Ever-changing work schedules and public health protocols can certainly chip away at one’s patience. As stressors increase, oftentimes resilience and politeness decrease. Don’t be the cause of someone else’s stress. Make sure you decompress and call on your empathy to avoid treating others in an unkind manner. 

Folks working in the service industry are often the brunt of everyone’s bad day. When did poorly treating those in the service industry become the norm? The culmination of being everyone’s dumping ground has fallout, especially in the veterinary world. Thank you Not One More Vet for supporting veterinary teams who are disproportionately experiencing crisis. 

Due to the unprecedented number of pets joining families, pet professionals are busier now more than ever. Wondering if your potential pet professional is "the right fit"? Make sure to read websites, reviews, blog posts, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and look at social media presence before reaching out. Many pet professionals have streamlined the onboarding process to optimize services. Listen to their recommendations. Trust the process.

Whether speaking to a barista, teacher, healthcare worker, flight attendant, or your pet care team, please be patient, polite, and kind. Replace impulsivity with deep breaths, critical thinking, and mindfulness. Replace that rambling midnight text or voicemail to a pet professional with a thoughtful (preferably brief!) email the next morning. Many small business owners hustle to provide the best customer experience, oftentimes at the expense of their own family and pet time. Respect boundaries. 

Remember, we are all part of a community. Together, we can be each other’s greatest cheerleaders! Take care of your pet professionals so we can continue bringing our best selves to you and your pets.


Tips for Booking a Dog Training Session

1. Check the Website. Websites list training methods, experience, training services, and pricing. Have an idea about which service you want before reaching out.

2. Check Social Media. Get to know your trainer from their posts, blogs, and videos. That's what it's there for!

3. Email forms & inquiries first. Trainers are busy training. Fill out intake forms then email. Emails are typically answered within 24 hours.

4. Text second. If three days have gone by without an email response, text the trainer.

5. Call last. Trainers are busy training. Please be patient and kind.