skinnydipper
Well-Known Member
Would you mind if I have a bit of a rant? You don't have to read it.
I was very sad today.
A man parked next to me this morning as I was returning to the dog bus. He had a GSD in his car and was about to let him out so I asked if he would mind waiting until I had the big fella stowed away and he was kind enough to do.
The dog was pulling the owner towards me, full of youthful exuberance and jumping all over me, not ideal on a muddy day but never mind.
We chatted and he told me the dog, which he had had from a puppy, had become very barky around other dogs. He is 7 months old. I explained about fear periods and that this was probably what his dog was experiencing. I said the pup just needs reassurance that there is nothing to be worried about and not to make too big a deal of it. I didn't say so but I felt obedience training would have been an advantage as he was unable to get the dog's attention or to sit, even with repeated requests to sit, sit-down, sit, down, and so on and yanking on its choke chain. The dog was a star and sat for me for a treat. I was really taken with him, he was lovely dog.
He told me that he was taking the dog to a trainer who had recommended castration (he always does, it's his answer to everything - that and a shock collar). Not only is the dog too young for castration but, as you all know, if he is fearful then it is a really bad idea. I told him that taking the dog's balls off is not the answer to his barking but sadly I was too late, he was castrated 2 days ago. I did stress he was not to allow the use of the collar.
I know it's silly but it got to me and I was really upset when I drove home. There was so much wrong with this situation and I couldn't help thinking 'well there's another dog spoilt'.
I could chunter on here every day; the owner that can't see his dog is being bullied, the one that can't see his dog is a bully, my neighbour who allows his whippet to nip at dogs to get them to run and then complained about the bull lurcher who bit it. The ones that expect their dog to know a command without it having being taught and keep repeating the useless, meaningless words louder and louder. I could go on.
Do you think dogs should come with a manual?
We hardly go a day without somebody's dog being a pest but the following was a pearler.
A couple of days ago big lad and I were meandering along minding our own business. About 50 yards ahead was a woman with 2 Bichons. The dogs had clocked us and started approaching. I paused, S came and sat at my side, and we waited for her to get things under control. She was obviously worried he was going to swallow one of them (I get stupid comments like "Fluffy, he'll eat you for breakfast) and she started screeching their names, no useful commands like Come, just their names. She managed to catch one of them but the other kept coming. I realised the situation was hopeless and turned to walk the other way but the little (put any expletive you like in here) kept coming and was intent on getting up S's behind. She was still screeching the dog's name. I thought I should take action so I turned and very firmly told it "no", it paused then continued. I told it again, forcefully, to do one, it hesitated and she said to me "tell him again". I couldn't believe it, so I pointed out, rather coldly, that "I shouldn't have to".
There, I feel better for getting that off my chest.
Signed: whingy dog lover.
I was very sad today.
A man parked next to me this morning as I was returning to the dog bus. He had a GSD in his car and was about to let him out so I asked if he would mind waiting until I had the big fella stowed away and he was kind enough to do.
The dog was pulling the owner towards me, full of youthful exuberance and jumping all over me, not ideal on a muddy day but never mind.
We chatted and he told me the dog, which he had had from a puppy, had become very barky around other dogs. He is 7 months old. I explained about fear periods and that this was probably what his dog was experiencing. I said the pup just needs reassurance that there is nothing to be worried about and not to make too big a deal of it. I didn't say so but I felt obedience training would have been an advantage as he was unable to get the dog's attention or to sit, even with repeated requests to sit, sit-down, sit, down, and so on and yanking on its choke chain. The dog was a star and sat for me for a treat. I was really taken with him, he was lovely dog.
He told me that he was taking the dog to a trainer who had recommended castration (he always does, it's his answer to everything - that and a shock collar). Not only is the dog too young for castration but, as you all know, if he is fearful then it is a really bad idea. I told him that taking the dog's balls off is not the answer to his barking but sadly I was too late, he was castrated 2 days ago. I did stress he was not to allow the use of the collar.
I know it's silly but it got to me and I was really upset when I drove home. There was so much wrong with this situation and I couldn't help thinking 'well there's another dog spoilt'.
I could chunter on here every day; the owner that can't see his dog is being bullied, the one that can't see his dog is a bully, my neighbour who allows his whippet to nip at dogs to get them to run and then complained about the bull lurcher who bit it. The ones that expect their dog to know a command without it having being taught and keep repeating the useless, meaningless words louder and louder. I could go on.
Do you think dogs should come with a manual?
We hardly go a day without somebody's dog being a pest but the following was a pearler.
A couple of days ago big lad and I were meandering along minding our own business. About 50 yards ahead was a woman with 2 Bichons. The dogs had clocked us and started approaching. I paused, S came and sat at my side, and we waited for her to get things under control. She was obviously worried he was going to swallow one of them (I get stupid comments like "Fluffy, he'll eat you for breakfast) and she started screeching their names, no useful commands like Come, just their names. She managed to catch one of them but the other kept coming. I realised the situation was hopeless and turned to walk the other way but the little (put any expletive you like in here) kept coming and was intent on getting up S's behind. She was still screeching the dog's name. I thought I should take action so I turned and very firmly told it "no", it paused then continued. I told it again, forcefully, to do one, it hesitated and she said to me "tell him again". I couldn't believe it, so I pointed out, rather coldly, that "I shouldn't have to".
There, I feel better for getting that off my chest.
Signed: whingy dog lover.
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