CPT Trainers Perform Lunch & Learn Seminar at Ivy Hill Animal Hospital

April 2, 2008

On Wednesday, April 2, CPT Trainer/Owner Mark Spivak and Veterinary Relations Manager Connie Levy appeared at Ivy Hill Animal Hospital on Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek. Mark first explained CPT’s history and services, then assisted Doctors Donna Adams and Nell Tillis and the Hospital staff in resolving their pets’ behavioral and obedience problems, including consultations on jumping, doorway behavior, leash walking, basic obedience, barking excitedly at approaching dogs, and anxiety reduction. We also performed a live demonstration with Dr. Adams’ King Charles Spaniel, Alex, of how to eliminate jumping on visitors at the doorway by incorporating power positioning, denying attention or inadvertent rewards for moving or jumping, and positively reinforcing an appropriate replacement behavior (sitting). We then provided Dr. Adams’ with a follow-up homework program designed to encourage Alex to generalize sitting instead of jumping to any doorway or greeting activity. The attendees appreciated the insights of CPT’s professional trainers as well as CPT’s cognitive, personalized emphasis. Consequently, the Ivy Hill staff can now speak more knowledgably and confidently when recommending CPT for improving their clients’ behavioral and obedience issues.

Veterinary hospitals, such as Ivy Hill, realize that forming a relationship with CPT increases the productivity and profitability of the clinic. Happy dog owners with well trained pets do not return their pets to the breeder or shelter. Consequently, they remain clients of the veterinary practice and better enjoy their pet owning experience with their current pet, as well as future pets. Thus, they remain happy clients for many years.

Moreover, veterinarians prefer examining calm, obedient dogs versus fearful, aggressive, or overly exuberant dogs that require the assistance of one or more technicians. Calm, obedient dogs trained by CPT are more pleasant, safer clients. Furthermore, cooperative, well-behaved dogs lead to faster exams and less need to distract vet techs from other assignments, which reduces overtime and associated labor costs for the hospital. In addition, when exams progress more quickly and veterinarians are not burdened by communicating lengthy complimentary behavioral consultations on housebreaking, household manners, obedience, dominance or aggression, the veterinarian’s time is more productive and profitable. In contrast, when veterinarians have an expected 10-minute exam turn into a 30-minute exam, waiting clients often sit in the lobby an excess amount of time. Alternatively, referring the obedience, household manners, or behavioral consultation to CPT enables a trainer to perform the consultation at the client’s home, where it is often most beneficial, and improves customer service and client wait time at the hospital.

Atlanta area veterinary clinics desiring a similar presentation, should contact the CPT office by phone at 770-396-6433.