[nagdu] Follow-up

[Tracy Carcione]

The discussion about staff cutbacks got me thinking about follow-up 
services.  Some people said that in-person follow-up is really only needed 
for serious problems, and maybe some of us have gotten lazy and called out 
the field rep for something we could figure out ourselves.  I'm not sure I 
agree with these opinions.
I like follow-up, at least in the beginning of a new partnership. I always 
wonder if more prompt and effective follow-up would have saved my shepherd 
from having a nervous breakdown.  Perhaps I was asking more than he could 
give, but perhaps there were things I could have done differently.  I do 
know that a follow-up visit near the beginning of my relationship with Echo 
made a huge difference.  She was having a left tendency, and I asked if 
someone could come have a look.  Not a serious problem, but it was really 
bugging me.  A trainer came out and saw in 5 minutes that I wasn't holding 
the harness exactly over Echo's back, and it was confusing her.  He fixed my 
position; I practiced for an hour or so, and the problem was solved forever. 
I stopped being bugged with Echo, and our relationship got a lot happier and 
easier.
When I got Ben, I also had some follow-up at first.  It resolved some 
things, and not others, but I was glad to have a bit of help.  I haven't 
wanted any for years.  I may have someone come have a look, when I start to 
think Ben is saying he'd like to retire, just to be sure I'm not missing 
something.  Or I may not.
Anyway, I think follow-up at the beginning, even for problems that don't 
seem serious, can be really helpful.
Tracy