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If you don't rescue ...

DON'T BREED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you don't rescue ...

DON'T BREED!
 

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


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