"Lifetime Guarantee" - is it an advertising gimmick, and are you really getting what you believe you are paying for?

Some ask me on the phone or email, do I offer a lifetime guarantee with my services, or guarantee I can fix their dog?  The short simple answer is, "no".

Firstly...have you ever seen a psychologist offer a lifetime guarantee on their services? No! And why not? Because it is not an exact science. However more to the point it is not financially viable to offer such a service. We are also dealing with way to many variables; genetics, breed characteristics, instincts, hardwired learned behaviour, owner/dog relationship, environmental considerations, and the possibility of health and medical reasons. There are some dog training and/or behaviour businesses trying to push for business by stating they offer a lifetime guarantee with their service. Try find any other in-home service where they will attend your home an unlimited number of times for life!

In the majority of cases a dogs behaviour can be modified, but to 100% guarantee that all dogs behaviour can be modified, is not possible. My success rate is very high, as all my behaviour modification is based on the dogs natural learning instincts. All clients I visit see changes in their dogs behaviour during my initial consultation. It is then up to the client to consistently follow through with the advice I have offered them. This is something I cannot guarantee will happen. I do not actually fix your dog, I explain to the client why their dog is displaying the behaviour it is, and what steps need to be taken, to modify it. What I offer is that if during my initial consultation you are not satisfied with my service, or the advice offered, there is no charge. You also only pay for the visits you use. Why pay someone an exorbitant fee if you are only going to need the one or two consultation(s)? More importantly what if you are not happy with their service?

No responsible 'professional' dog behaviourist can 'guarantee' that they can 'fix' your dog, especially without first observing the dog and its environment. Dog training franchises (read more on my opinion on these franchise companies) are usually the ones offering these socalled lifetime guarantee services, or businesses that have no other way of attracting business. I have been working professionally with dogs for over 30 years now, and I can tell you with full certainty, these lifetime guarantee's are a gimmick, and thats all. A way to convince you to part with your money and use their service.

 Be Careful and make sure you fully understand their socalled 'guarantee'. Looks good when you see it, but usually not so good when you understand what it actually means. These companies shouldn't use the term "lifetime guarantee" in my personal opinion, as nobody can make this guarantee. That should be obvious! They should use for example, unlimited home consultations for the life of your dog. Not offer it as a guarantee. However even this is in fact not true. Most that offer these lifetime guarantee's charge around $400.00+ for this service. How many home visits do you think they will offer you for this fee? On average a dog lives for 10 to 12 years, how many visits could you fit in during this period? Try getting them out 10 times for this fee, where they end up only charging $40 per visit. Or try booking them for a full obedience course of say 10 weekly lessons for this fee, and then attend your home as required for the life of your dog. Not going to happen! Howe can they even guarantee they will be in business in 10 years, let alone 1 year?

One way of testing this.. Next time you call a dog training company that offers in their advertising "Lifetime Guarantee". Ask them will they actually put in writing before you pay, that they guarantee to modify your dogs behaviour, and that it will be guaranteed for life, and that they WILL attend your home as many times as YOU wish to help with your dog, for its entire life? See what answer you do get. I guarantee (pun), they will inform you that all they guarantee is that they will keep offering you support (hmm and what type of support?) for the life of your dog..not fix the behaviour. They will say that they will attend as often as THEY deem necessary. Read down the bottom of this article why no dog training business could offer this service realistically.

I therefore never offer a lifetime guarantee for my services, it's just not possible, and in my personal opinion, in many instances giving the dogs owner a false sense of security, believing the company is offering them a guarantee that their dogs behaviour will change. Many gimmicks are used to get business..its all about marketing.

What I offer is that if during my initial home consultation you are not happy with my service or methods, there is no charge.  For my basic home consultations I offer a home consultation and a follow-up, and unlimited e-mail  support for 12 months. Further home consultations are at my normal hourly rate. What happens if you pay for a 'lifetime guarantee' with a dog training business and you are not happy with their service, or more importantly their methods do not work with you and your dog? Say goodbye to your money... Money down the drain!

Nowhere on my site will you see a lifetime guarantee to fix your dog... I cannot 'fix' your dog, I can only offer you sound advice on how to modify your dogs behaviour, and demonstrate how to do this. A dogs behaviour is in direct relationship with its environment and the relationship it has with its owners, including any of the variables listed above.

I could if I wanted to, put  a large sign on my site saying LIFETIME GUARANTEE! . This however would really only be an advertising gimmick to get your business and money. And that's how this type of advertising should be viewed in my personal opinion. Name any business other than a dog training business, that will offer you unlimited home support for the one fee?

Think about this!

A dog training business offers a 'lifetime guarantee'. Each week they sign up say 5 new clients. That is 20 clients per month. Now in 3 months they have signed up 60 clients at around $400.00 per client. Now this business must service these clients and offer their lifetime guarantee by attending these clients home whenever they need further assistance, to honour their lifetime guarantee. So now after 3 months not only must they service and sign up new clients, but must also service all those that signed up for the lifetime guarantee (60 clients). That could mean helping 60+ clients a month in the first 3 months of business. What about a company that has been operating for 1 year, or 10 years? How many clients must they virtually offer FREE home assistance too? You do the math! Also who do you think will get priority, new clients that pay a fee, or already signed up clients, that do not pay?

These business also work on statistics. Most clients will not call them back.. either because the client wasn't happy with their service or advice. Or in 'some' cases the behaviour was dealt with during the intial consultation! Why risk your money on these gimicks?

My suggestion is only select a dog behaviourist or trainer, that charges by the visit.. Why pay someone a large fee for a service you may never need, or more importantly will not get?