[KBLover]

I was just sitting with Wally near the entrance of a 7-Eleven trying to get him more socialized to people coming and going and figured this would be a good spot.

So some guy walks near by, Wally was just looking at him and sniffing the air around him and he says, "The MFer don't bite does it? I'll kick that S***?"

What the heck? First of all, he was sniffing - not even showing any teeth. I've never heard of anyone confusing a sniffing dog as one that might bite... and second? So nasty about it?

I wasn't in the mood anymore so we just got up and left and finished off our evening long exercise walk.

 

[agility collie mom]

I won't worry about someone like that. Seems to me Wally has more brain cells than that person so..... Don't let someone like him deter you from socializing Wally. You are doing a wonderful job! (I think I may have been tempted to tell him that Wally doesn't bite but I do. lol)

 

[Elana55]

Oh I train in front of the Grocery store.. better quality customers.. LOL

I get crap in front of the Dollar Store and the Gas Stations.

You will find there are a lot of ignorant people in the world. They can't help but let you knwo they exist because they open their mouths. Trust me on this: Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!

One of the fellows I work with here has a Spaniel. He and his wife do a LOT of hiking with their dog. When someone comes the dog goes into heel position automatically. He used to have to be told to Heel until one day someone actually went out of their way to ATTACK the dog as he was coming into heel. The dog never even saw it coming.. this guy kicked the dog who moved at the last minute (so it was glancing).. then the guy went off on how he hates pets! Can you spell off his nut???

Good thing for the guy the spaniel was even tempered. If it had been a different dog, the guy might have lost his leg..... The owner was completely taken off guard by all this. He told the guy to leave his dog alone and he would be reporting the incident to the Conservation Officer (they receive similar training to the State Police here).

 

[Independent George]

I was in the elevator one day, and a guy commented on what a pretty dog I had. He asks what breed she was; I answer that she's a mutt, and then he mentions that he trains dogs in his spare time. He then proceeds to start agitating my dog with head feints until she starts growling and barking at him. While I'm stepping in and trying to calm my freaked-out dog, he smiles and casually says, "she's a good guard dog."

I was ready to wrap my leash around his neck. What kind of idiot agitates a strange dog? What if she attacked what she thought was an aggressive human? Honestly, if that happened, I probably wouldn't pull her off; I'd join in.

 

[deege39]

Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!

Very well put!

Some people want you to think they're bada$$ and will say anything to make you think as such! It's obvious for the scenario in which he said it; Your dog wasn't even acting aggressive! Now if your dog had been growling or had his ears back and shying away, something that would show he's uneasy, then yeah- maybe the jerk could have asked about your dog biting, it still wouldn't call for him to cuss at your dog and ask in such a rude manner!

Karma comes around. : P

 

[baorb]

Because he is a human (very very stupid one), not a dog.

 

[LeRoymydog]

SOme people have to blow your candle out to make theirs glow brighter...

I'd just ignore people like that. It's not even worth wasting a breath on them.

 

[lucyloo2]

Some people are just so rude and ignorant! I wouldn't worry too much about somebody like that, I think you handled it well by just leaving. There's no point in arguing with people like that.

 

[poofywoof]

Sounds like Mr. BadA$$ was scared of your little doggy! Kudos to you for not saying something rude back. I've always wished I could respond to something like that with something like this: "my dog only bites dumbA$$es, wanna take the test?"

 

[Curbside Prophet]

As funny as this may sound, I think it's great that you're socializing your dog to all types of people. If this were my dog she'd have earned a large payout for tolerating such a type.

 

[Inga]

Trust me on this: Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!

Oh yes, Isn't that the truth? lol

As funny as this may sound, I think it's great that you're socializing your dog to all types of people. If this were my dog she'd have earned a large payout for tolerating such a type.

I agree completely. BIG TREATS for being smarter then the silly human.
I do not give reply to people that say things like that to me either. What would be the point? On occasion I might whisper into my dogs ears that I appreciate that they have better sense then some people though.

 

[Lois_Lane]

Good for Wally and you for not saying anything rude back. It shows how much smarter you both were to the neanderthal. I never could understand anyone that doesn't just absolutely ADORE all dogs. Have you ever seen the movie "Good Boy"? I is a wonderful movie and pays homage to the relationship between man and his best friend.
Keep up the good work Wally!

 

[KBLover]

Yeah, I should have given Wally more treats for that - should have given him at least 5 for that guy.

It did sound funny, CP, but I understand what you mean. So far, the only people he's ever been around are those that love dogs (myself, my mother, other dog owners, and kids who love anything fuzzy and furry), so it was a bit of a different experience for him to be near someone with that kind of energy.

He handled it very (and surprisingly) well. It won't deter me from socializing him. That goal's too far up on the scale to be deterred by an idiot or three especially after the progress I see each day.

 

[Elana55]

The more I read of your posts KB.. the more I really like you and Wally. We may not always agree on METHOD or even APROACH but you really work your @$$ off with this dog.

I admire your tenacity and your focus. You are making Wally into a really Good Dog as a result!

 

[KBLover]

Thank you, Elana

Trying to be one of the "good guys" in the dog world, and trying to educate myself as much as I am Wally (which those debates/discussions often do). I know Wally will be my reflection on that (you're only as good as your dog) so I take his (re-)education seriously, even if that's just whatever I can find on places like this and books like CU.

Every ounce of praise Wally earns - every kid that compliments how soft his hair is, every mutter of "I wish you could do that" an owner gives her dog from across the street, and every "how do you get him to chase stuff only when you say" makes me feel good for him and his growth

Yeah, sometimes we disagree on our view of training and such - but really I use pretty much some of everyone's I've learned since being here. I think I just differ in that my views don't really line up with strict behaviorism/standard training terms (see the leader vs partner thing), or that I don't hold one method over the other - except based on Wally's response and the situation and task at hand.

I don't have a style - unless pragmatic hodgepodge (yeah, I made that up LOL) counts.

 

[wvasko]

KB
You should have Sissy-Slapped the dude. Never mind we do not want to set a bad example for Wally. As usual you were thinking of your dog.

 

[TxRider]

One of the fellows I work with here has a Spaniel. He and his wife do a LOT of hiking with their dog. When someone comes the dog goes into heel position automatically. He used to have to be told to Heel until one day someone actually went out of their way to ATTACK the dog as he was coming into heel. The dog never even saw it coming.. this guy kicked the dog who moved at the last minute (so it was glancing).. then the guy went off on how he hates pets! Can you spell off his nut???

There are few times I would ever smack a person, that might just be one of them. Got a feeling I would have decked that individual had it been my dog.

 

[ar3151]

because the general public lacks knowledge. since they dont they tend to act like kids.

why would someone say "im going to kick your dog"