What to ask the referral:

General questions:

How do you know the consultant, behaviorist or trainer ?
How long have you known the consultant, behaviorist or trainer ?
Are you familiar with his/her mode of work?
Do you know of any other clients or professionals that I can talk to about the consultant, behaviorist or trainer ?

If the referral is a past client:

Ask for the dog’s background and the problem that he was treated for.
How long was the dog with the consultant, behaviorist or trainer if he was in a facility, otherwise how long was the trainer or behaviorist consulted for?
How was the dog trained?
How were the owners trained?
How is the dog today?
How did you keep in touch with the consultant, behaviorist or trainer ? (email, phone, in person etc.)
Did the consultant, behaviorist or trainer respond to you in a timely manner?
What kind of condition was the dog in when he was returned to you if he spent time in a facility? (i.e. weight loss, subdued, etc.)
What were the best things about your experience?
What were the worse things?

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If the referral is a vet:

Are the consultant, behaviorist or trainer ’s clients dogs your patients?
Have you witnessed the dog’s behavior both before and after? Please discuss in detail.
Does the consultant, behaviorist or trainer consult with you over medical issues or pharmaceutical interventions?
Do you have a background in or any kind of knowledge of behavioral medicine?
Is there anyone else you would recommend?

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If the referral is another consultant, behaviorist or trainer or other professional:

Do you take on dogs once the consultant, behaviorist or trainer has seen them or does your association with the dog end with the referral?
If so, have you personally witnessed the dog’s behavior both before and after (and how long after)? Please discuss in detail.
What is your background as a consultant, behaviorist or trainer , what kind of training do you have?
Is there anyone else you would recommend?

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Remember, a person will only refer you to people who will speak highly of him or her. If you can try to also speak to other people who have knowledge, but not referred by the consultant, behaviorist or trainer for a more realistic view.

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