Training Consultation
by
Video
Gwen and
I have finally admitted that we don't have the room on our farm
or the time to work with all the llamas that may come our way.
We have also been frustrated, as have many other trainers, when
we train or rehabilitate a llama , only to find that the handler
is unable to follow through afterward. We hit on the idea that
we might help llamas and their people more effectively -- and
make better use of our our time -- by changing the emphasis of
our consultation service to using video.
Can videotape training consultation
help me?
Do you have questions about training your
llama? Would you like help training your llama to pack, drive,
or work off lead? Do you need help for a special llama with basics
such as standing, haltering, leading, or picking up feet? We
can help you get through training blocks, assess when your llama
is ready to move on to the next step, and more. You will have
the satisfaction of learning to train yourself, but with the
support and safety of our experience.
Does your llama have some problem you'd rather
s/he didn't have? We can help you deal effectively with kicking,
spitting, and other aggressive tendencies. We can guide you through
the sometimes difficult and touchy work of reclaiming an abused
or frightened lama. Every "problem llama" is different,
and we've found that in-person or video assessment is the only
humane and effective way to help these animals.
Does your llama do something that puzzles
or worries you? If you are not sure what a given behavior means
or what may be causing it, we can often clarify or confirm the
llama's intent and the potential ramifications for you. You can
then formulate responses and use techniques that won't create
or aggrevate problems.
How does it work?
We usually find it best to communicate first
(by e-mail or phone) with prospective clients to get a general
idea of what the situation is, whether or not it would be appropriate
for this format, and then make suggestions for what kind of video
footage would be most useful for us to get a clear idea of what
is occurring in each unique situation. Sometimes a couple of
quick suggestions over the phone may be all that is needed to
address someone's concerns.
If initial suggestions don't result in a "fix,"
the next step is to take a video that includes our suggestions
to create scenarios that are most likely to illustrate clearly
the relevant aspects of the situation. This may include responses
from the llama, other llamas, and all humans involved. Quality
of presentation or format isn't important as long as the picture
is clear and enough footage is present to provide an accurate
representation of what is occurring. We do emphasize that the
humans act in exactly the manner they usually do when normally
working with their llama(s). All our clients are given complete
confidentiality, so you won't have to be concerned about how
others may perceive your actions.
After receipt and review of your videotape,
we will provide a detailed written analysis of the situation
based on what we have seen. We also provide detailed recommendations
of how we would proceed to train, or to control or eliminate
undesirable behavior. We then send back your videotape with some
footage of our own (if appropriate), illustrating anything that
we feel would help you to gain a better understanding of the
specific situation or of training procedures.
What does it cost? How long
will it take?
Cost is $35 per consultation for a specific
problem or training lesson. (That is, one problem on one tape).
Additional consultations for the same llama are then $15 per
consult. Once we have provided our analysis and/or tape of a
specific problem, all verbal and email clarification of the consultation
regarding that particular problem is free. This is a unique type
of service, and we are trying to keep the rates modest to encourage
folk to seek help when they get stuck. As time goes on, time
and/or our expenses may warrant changing these rates.
Multiple problems are the rule with difficult
llamas and for llamas in rehabilitation. For those llamas, we
charge a flat fee of $60 for an initial videotape consultation
and $25 for follow-ups of the same llama.
The turnaround time is variable, depending
on how complicated the problem is and how many other consultations
are pending at that time. And because we continue to show and
pack with our own llamas, we may not be able to work on video
analyses immediately if the timing is "bad." However,
any llama with severe problems that may mean danger for llama
or owner are given top priority. We do try to get our response
back within no more than 30 days (preferrably within 15 days)
of receipt of the videotape.
Does it work?
This is a relatively new endeavour for us,
but the results have been very promising. We observe strict client
confidentiality, and therefore cannot provide names for you to
use as references. We can, however, tell you if we have dealt
with similar situations in the past and what the eventual outcome
was. We do provide a money-back guarantee if you are not
completely satisfied with our input. As yet, no one has asked
for their money back -- so we must be doing something right!
Again, one of the key advantages of this system
is our ability to bring your behavior and actions to your conscious
attention as well as using our extensive llama training experience
to detect what might be motivating (or failing to motivate) your
llama.
Handler
follow-through is an essential, key component
in the ongoing process of llama training.
This system emphasizes that component, and
increases your own abilities and confidence. As a result, success
comes much more frequently than with the common conventional
methods of books, weekend group clinics, and sending the llama
off to be trained -- and best of all, the successes last when
you have learned yourself how to achieve them.
For more information, or for your llama's initial
consultation
Return to Lost
Creek Llamas home page
|