Phone Consultations
Owners outside the Los Angeles area interested in phone consultation services should contact Dr. Polsky by via email. In the email, please describe the main problem and all secondary behavioral problems in as succinct manner as possible. Please limit e-mail correspondence to 250 words.
Based on the information you provide, in his return correspondence, Dr. Polsky will indicate if this is a case he would be willing to help with, and if so, the cost of the services. Generally, phone consultation services cost between $175 - $375, depending on the complexity of the problem. Pre-payment is required prior to the commencement of services.
The initial phone consultation lasts between 1 - 1.5 hrs. A behavior training program will be developed during the consultation. Written instructions summarizing training recommendations will be provided shortly after the telephone consultation. Depending on the nature of the problem, subsequent follow-up, at no extra charge is provided, and this is included in the services. Follow-up to monitor the progress of a case is made by e-mail (e.g. simple cases) or by telephone when needed.
Note, that not all problems are amenable to phone consultation services. However, recenty published findings from the Tuffs School of Veterinary Medicine suggest that in many cases phone consultation with an animal behaviorist is just as effective as a house call or office visit. Example of behavioral problems where phone consultation might be appropriate include aggression between household dogs, and litter box problems in cats. For basic obedience training, contact a local dog trainer. Please email Dr. Polsky with your questions.