Stupid people rant

[Horsefeathers!]

Tell me, someone, anyone, how you are expected so socialize a dog other than taking the dog out into social situations? :x

We took Devin (Lhasa) and Peanut (little Poodlet) to another outdoor function today. Peanut loves people, so we don't worry about her behavior. Devin is our other dog that we've worked on some aggression issues with. He's actually very well mannered in public, a dream on a leash, and doesn't mind people and social situations. However, he can become overwhelmed and defensive if overzealous people approach him. We are fully aware that everyone isn't dog savvy, so we don't mind giving friendly advice on how to approach Devin, or just totally keeping Devin out of reach of people we feel might not "listen." It's good for his social skills, right?

Anyway, hubby and I and the dogs were sitting on some benches waiting for a band to start. Devin was laying in my husband's lap, trying to nap. This little boy (about ten-ish, so not SO little) kept calling to Devin and trying to approach him. We tried politely telling him that the doggy was trying to nap, so let's just let him be. The kid kept on and on and on while his mother just ignored him. I think she was hoping we'd entertain him while she "entertained" her boyfriend, if you get my drift. Anyway, he became more and more pushy and I finally told him, still politely, that this little doggy isn't always very friendly and might try to bite if he kept trying to disturb him. It isn't like Devin was lunging and snapping. He was trying to sleep and we were trying to be responsible by keeping the kid away from him.

Anyway, that's when the mother FINALLY called her kid away and I thought that was the end of that.

I found out AFTERWARD that the mother was talking plenty of sh*t about how it was so wrong for us to have Devin in public if he might bite someone. I had heard her rattling on and on about something, but the music was loud and I really didn't pay her any attention. My husband is the one that heard her and, in his wisdom(?), just didn't pass it on to me until afterward. He said she kept going on and on about how irresponsible it was for us to have a "bad" dog in public. Devin slept through the whole show, so it isn't like he was bothering anyone. My husband said the woman was all but making a scene. I just didn't pay it any attention. He just wanted to watch the show.

Anyway, I just can't help wondering how you go about socializing a dog if not for taking them into social situations? He was on a leash, behaved very well, didn't bother anyone. I think this gal should have had her KID on a leash. I think she was just p*ssed off because I basically told him to naff off. Sorry, but I am not the public babysitter. I don't mind being polite and courteous (and I was!), but I don't think I was out of line by telling this kid not to virtually assault a strange, sleeping dog.

A good thing that happened, though. After all this had taken place, a lady sat down with her white GSD by all of us. This dog was obviously quite nervous, but was behaving fairly well. The mother of the kid said quite loudly, "hey, that dog isn't going to bite, is it? I mean, I don't want my baby near a biting dog..." (I did hear this, but didn't think much of it since I didn't hear her whole tirade before) and the GSD owner said, "no, he's a pretty good dog, just doesn't like strangers rushing him... we're just trying to socialize him... I'm sure you already know it's not a good thing to just let your kid run up to a strange dog, anyway, right...?" Bless the GSD owner's heart because she didn't even know what had happened earlier and the mother was left looking like a fool.

So... opinions? Should "iffy" dogs be allowed in public? How should they be socialized? If I had a dog that was an obvious threat, one intent on doing serious harm and one capable of taking my control, I'm sure I wouldn't. However, Devin isn't uncontrollable and the socialization does him good. I'm just curious what other dog owners think.

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

HF you are WAY too nice!! I have been in that situation many times with Re-Run and I am polite to most people but some people you just know are idiots. It's awful and I wasn't brought up this way but I've put up with parents who are oblivious to their "darling" children long enough. Re-Run doesn't like strange people getting in his face and certain kids feel they must. I will now walk past the parents of these darlings, holding Re-Run, and tell them in a nice calm voice, "My dog is leashed why aren't your kids? Keep them away from me please, they're bothering me". I've never had anyone say anything back and I've done it three times. No, I don't look back at them.

I don't feel guilty because I'm worried about what Re will do, probably nothing, but you never know....

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

Sorry, to answer your question, yes, you have to put a dog in social situations to socialize them. If not, please let me know how else to do it

[Mutt_Lady]

I think you had every right to have Devin there.

As K grows in age, she's becoming more and more of a hermit. She likes staying close to home and she's not a big fan of strangers. However, I do almost exactly the same thing as you do. I think anyone who's approaching her that there is a fair possibility that she may bite or nip them. Basically, it's best not to approach unless K's having a really good day.

That woman is an idiot! You behaved way better than I would have. Lately, I've been blowing gaskets on people who won't socialize their children. Honestly, put that kid on a leash. I hate little brats who have no boundaries because their parents are too selfish to do so. That lady should have called her son back, understandingly, and not said a word.

As if it's your fault that she wants to get down and dirty with her boyfriend. :roll: Seriously, if she doesn't know how to handle her kid than don't take him out in public. I think you, your hubby and Devin all acted famously. That woman deserves a backhand. :P

[kendalyn]

It is sort of a catch 22. The only way to socialize a dog with problem behavior is to get them in the situation that triggers the behavior.

I have this problem with Buck. He is dog aggressive to some dogs and while I don't mind that he can't be trusted to play with just any dog in the park, I won't tolerate maniac behavior around strange dogs. The only way to work on this is to GET AROUND strange dogs!

But it's very difficult when people see the "friendly" lab and just let their dogs approach him without even paying attention. Than I look like the bad guy when Buck wants to eat them or even if he's being good and I have to ask them to please get their dog away from mine.

Of course you're being responsible and doing a great job with Devin. It's a credit to you that he behaved so well. :-)

[JackieMaya]

You did the exact thing you needed to do to get your dogs socialized, and you did it in the exact way it should be done! You have nothing to wonder about, other than the woman's lack of intelligence. The only way to socialize dogs is to get them out around people.

Talking about stupid people, I was showing my big hot Thoroughbred horse at the state fair one year, and a lady started to push her baby buggy WITH the baby in it underneath my horse! I immediately said "Don't do that! Do you want your kid to get hurt or killed?" And she called ME a bitch! I don't show my horses at the state fair any more because of all the stupid non-horse people that just don't have a clue how to approach or not approach a horse.

So you keep socializing your dogs the way you're doing!

[abker17]

Talking about stupid people, I was showing my big hot Thoroughbred horse at the state fair one year, and a lady started to push her baby buggy WITH the baby in it underneath my horse! I immediately said "Don't do that! Do you want your kid to get hurt or killed?" And she called ME a bitch!

That's insane. :o Seems like the exact opposite of common sense to me. Geez, some people.


Devin wasn't doing anything but sleeping. The mother was definitely in the wrong here. I do think that dogs need to be taken out and solialized, unless they are too dangerous to be controlled.
Some people just like to bitch about anything and everything. :roll:

[ObedienceGrrl]

Oh, HF....you know that we deal with the same issues!!

We take Shasta (my parent's Lhasa) to a lot of outdoor functions. Old car shows and the like.

Well....typical Lhasa, after about an hour, she's cranky, crabby, and wants to go home. Now she's fine as long as she's not touched by someone who gets in her face. If she wants to go up to someone, that is different. But how many Lhasas do you know that run up to a stranger? Few and far between!!

They are such funny dogs, but I could never imagine being without her! Jeremy doesn't understand them at all. They are super smart dogs that EXCELL in obedience but I know it will be years before I can convince him of that! He thinks they are all mean! They are affectionate dogs, just not cuddlers. Maybe to one or two people in their 'family'. But not just anyone gets that privledge!

So....I think you did fine with Devin. You know him better then anyone else out there!

[kittygirl109]

I would have handled it differently. :lol:

"Excuse me, Mam' but my dog isn't comforable around your child, and I advise you get him to stay near you. Its not the best idea to let him get near my dog. Your child is pestering him."

:lol: :lol:

Anyways, I think its fine to have your dog in public, because that's the best way, as you said, to socialize him. However, I think you should allow him in dog events, such as dog parks. People there would hopefully be a bit more educated.

I think its so funny what happened in the end. :lol: She had it coming. :wink:

[ShatteringGlass]

People really can be stupid :roll: I take Sydney to as many places as I can, and she's come a long way, but she gets nervous when strangers just run up to her, which they try to do all the time. I can sense whether the person is going to listen to me if I tell them to go slow with her and not just stick your hand on the dog, so I just walk Sydney away from those people. And the people that I can tell will listen, I just tell them she's shy and to let her smell them first.

Although, one time, in Petco, I walk in the store at a steady pace, and all of a sudden this little kid, is literally chasing Sydney and I, trying to grab her tail and back end! And where's the mother? Over looking at fish and not even noticing that her child is chasing strange dogs :roll: I was almost to the back end of the store until the lady finally realized her kid ran off. IDIOT

[kittygirl109]

kendalyn napisał(a):

It is sort of a catch 22. The only way to socialize a dog with problem behavior is to get them in the situation that triggers the behavior.

I have this problem with Buck. He is dog aggressive to some dogs and while I don't mind that he can't be trusted to play with just any dog in the park, I won't tolerate maniac behavior around strange dogs. The only way to work on this is to GET AROUND strange dogs!

But it's very difficult when people see the "friendly" lab and just let their dogs approach him without even paying attention. Than I look like the bad guy when Buck wants to eat them or even if he's being good and I have to ask them to please get their dog away from mine.

Of course you're being responsible and doing a great job with Devin. It's a credit to you that he behaved so well. :-)

I know how you feel! Ugh! People come up to me in STRICT LEASH LAW PARKS with their dogs OFF LEASH. The dog attacks Caeser, and makes him scared out of his mind. Then Caeser tries his best to defend himself.

I say "Get your dog away from my bbay at once! Do you want me to have to report you?!"

I can't stand that.

[Canis erectus]

I've decided a while back now that I'm no longer going to take the responsible approach about educating the mentally incapacited about petting strange dogs. Instead I offer these flipant alternatives:

Just tell the little buggers your dog had just been running through poison oak/ivy. This of course won't work during the winter months, so during the cold season tell them your dog has rabies instead. :D (Note: This tactic won't work well with children under age 8, whom typically aren't yet able to understand english.)

And for adults who can't seem to keep their hooks off of strange dogs (yes, there are plenty), just say that your dog has ringworm. This will usually elicite a 10 foot jump backward on their part, and perhaps a snicker from you.

[pollysmith]

What ever happened to basic teachings like; don't touch a hot stove , look both ways before crossing a street, dobn't approach a dog if the owner says no... I knew these things since I could walk basically and if at ten I had annoyed a dog and got bitten I probably would have been spanked after the first aid was over! Why don't parents understand that

[courtnek]

oh HF I feel for you. everyone and their brother seems to think Free is a petting post because she looks like a Lab. I tell them(sometimes repeatedly, mothers with kids are the worst offenders) "She is not comfortable around strangers. Please do not approach her head on. If you want to pet her, come to the side where I can stand between and introduce you"

and what do they say? "Why is she so nasty? Labs are nice dogs. has she been beaten?'

SHES A LAB MIX...and NO she hasnt been beaten.

on the other hand, they all seem afraid of Lore, who is scared of everybody and wouldnt hurt a fly....

*sigh*

[DogPaddle]

IMO if you have control of your dog and he/she isn't salivating, lunging and freaking out there is no problem with socializing an iffy dog in a public place. You just have to be aware of the dog, your surroundings and idiot people doing idiot things.

[pyrless]

why does child and family services frown so upon leash laws for kids.... :D
anyway. you held your calm pretty well. sometimes i wish some kids WOULD get bit so they would learn. however, that is usually how "bad breed" press starts...
anyway. Sasha is hella shy. Pyrs are aloof by nature, but she has an extreme reserve. Unfortunately, idiot people see a big fluffy white dog and think she is a stuffed animal and want to hug her and pet her and they wave their arms in front of her face going "ooooo she is so BYOOOOOTEEEEEFULLLLLL!" now wouldn't that freak YOU out? :wink:
You need to simply learn what the dog's limitations are and respect them. Sasha is fine on a leash walk thru the neighborhood, but I can't take her to rescue functions, it is too much for her, it stresses her out and she won't let anyone pet her. She is too big and potentially too dangerous to "make" her do these things.
The problem is, sometimes people get offended that she doesn't wish to be slobbered over and hugged (HUGGED! talk about bad HUMAN behavior) by strange people. I have had several folks snort in disgust when I told them that she is shy.
Good luck. You did the RIGHT things by your dog!

[Guest Anonymous]

Kiani is very shy out in public. She's good around kids until there's too many then she wants to get away. Women, she's a little unsure of, but will sit camly for a little pet. And men, forget it, she's behind my legs with her tail between hers. At the dog park, she just wants to run and play with other dogs but generally doesn't like to be bothered by people, unless I call her over and pet her also.
But what I find to work great against stranger is a halti. Dog owners generally know what a muzzle is and what a training collar looks like. Since most people only associate training collars with choker collars. So they all think a halti is a muzzle, and if some one wants to pet her, they generally will ask what it is, I explain to them that she's shy but you can pet her, and no she doesn't bite. She just likes to pull my arm out of my socket with out it on if we go for a walk (well not quite but feels like it sometimes). But always always always, when a stranger pets her, I have to pet her also and let her know she's a good girl.