dogs in public places...minor rant/whine
As some of you know, I make my living (especially in summer) selling my artwork at various art & crafts shows. One of the fairs we decided to do this year is something called The Anchorage Market and Festival, which is held every Saturday and Sunday all through the summer. We signed up for all of May, June and most of July, as well as a few days in September. During August, we'll be traveling, doing other shows...but were talking a pretty big commitment of time to this one show. We requested to be in a certain spot, so as to be next to some good friends. We are in this same spot all summer. One of the reasons we chose to do this particular fair, is it is VERY dog friendly. The organizers even supply name tags (matching the ones the booth owners wear) for artist's dogs, and free biscuits! 
All hunky-dory, except that one day when I wandered into my friend's booth (to scam some free samples of their yummy food product  their employee (who was working alone that morning) took me aside to complain bitterly about my dogs presence at the fair!   Her complaints, which I latter found out she had also approached my husband with, were all very bizarre, and centered around her belief that children at the fair were in constant danger of being bitten or knocked down and hurt 
I am VERY conscientious about keeping my dogs under control, instructing kids who approach about how to be gentle, and making sure that they dont bark, or do anything else that might annoy shoppers or other booth folks....so Im just bewildered by this. I dont want to tell her bosses (my friends) about this, because its really not their fault, and I dont want to make anyone uncomfortable. On the other hand, I am now very nervous that she might complain to the fair organizers about my dogs (even though weve broken NO rules). My only other option, is to ask to be moved, but I hate to do that, as I love my location, and Id certainly have to explain my reason for moving to my friends. *Sigh*  any ideas??? |
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| Forget it, I'd tell your friends so they can set her straight. Be honest with them - it's not that you have a problem with her, but she clearly doesn't understand that it's a very dog-friendly venue and they have acted perfectly fine. Let them know you're a little concerned she's going to make things worse.
If you had an employee working your booth who did that to your friends, wouldn't you want to know? |
Oh that sucks. I usually don't think anyone is more conscientious about their dogs than me, but I always thought you were on top of things before your dogs knew what they were about to do 
I think if it were me, I'd keep my dogs in my booth and totally avoid her booth when you take them out to wander (going in the opposite direction). I'd also be afraid of her saying something to higher powers and them saying my dogs can no longer come at all. Maybe if they continue to be good, she'd see maybe she over-reacted and they're no harm to anyone. Your dogs are very well behaved. |
| I think the problem is that not all dog
owners are paying attention to what their dogs are doing.... Like those retractable leashes that people let all the way out so their dog can wrap around everything!!
JMHO but, I love dog friendly venues! |
Joahaeyo wrote: I think if it were me, I'd keep my dogs in my booth and totally avoid her booth when you take them out to wander (going in the opposite direction). I'd also be afraid of her saying something to higher powers and them saying my dogs can no longer come at all. Maybe if they continue to be good, she'd see maybe she over-reacted and they're no harm to anyone. Your dogs are very well behaved. This has pretty much been my response over the last 2 weekends ...That, and adding a baby gate at the back of my booth where before, the dogs could poke their nose through into the back of the neighbors booth (although the only reason they were doing THAT was because Mike (the booth's actual owner) was feeding them tidbits of his product! 
Believe it or not, I was actually planning on hiring this same person to help me at the State Fair this year...I had approached her about it before our weird dog confrontation, and she actually had the nerve to walk up to me later that same day to ask me what days/hours I needed her for I told her I had rethought my need of her help, thanks anyhow |
| Some people are just a pain in the a$$. I would think if she approached the powers that be, it would not be hard to refute her accusations. Well behaved dogs are wonderful ambassadors, and the owners should be praised for their efforts. I wonder if she is afraid of dogs? Or maybe she is just one of THOSE people. |
Donner's Mom wrote: I think the problem is that not all dog
owners are paying attention to what their dogs are doing.... Like those retractable leashes that people let all the way out so their dog can wrap around everything!! JMHO but, I love dog friendly venues! ditto. |
ravenmoonart wrote: Believe it or not, I was actually planning on hiring this same person to help me at the State Fair this year...I had approached her about it before our weird dog confrontation, and she actually had the nerve to walk up to me later that same day to ask me what days/hours I needed her for
I told her I had rethought my need of her help, thanks anyhow
Some people are really incredibly stupid. At least you were quick thinking enough to give her an appropriate answer to her request. It sounds like the fair is dog friendly and has not had problems in the past. Honestly, I think the best bet is just to keep your dogs away from her. Your friends might even notice and inquire as to why. As far as "some people" not monitoring their dogs the best thing you can do is monitor yours and set a good example. There is always someone ruining it for the majority. Sometimes I am amazed at how incredibly bad behaved HUMANS can be at people only events and yet we are not able to ban them from participating. Oh how I wish we could. |
SheepieMommy wrote: As far as "some people" not monitoring their dogs the best thing you can do is monitor yours and set a good example. There is always someone ruining it for the majority. Sometimes I am amazed at how incredibly bad behaved HUMANS can be at people only events and yet we are not able to ban them from participating. Oh how I wish we could. Something Ive unfortunately noticed over the years, is that no matter how careful and responsible I try to be, sheepdogs are very noticeable, memorable dogs, and so somehow my dogs always get brought up in any discussion of "dog issues" that arises at public venue. The last time this happened, it was an issue at the Tanana State Fair in Fairbanks (where we spend 2 weeks in August) with another vendor who allowed their large German Shepard to poop all over the place, and never cleaned up. Even though I am always very careful to clean up after my dogs, and even took it upon myself to clean up any other dog's poo that I came across, I still got blamed....basically because everybody remembered seeing my dogs! This got resolved by the fair organizer pointing out to people that I had been bringing my dogs to the fair for years, and there had never previously been a problem. The GSD guy got his dog banned from the grounds, both for the poo problem, and because it barked constantly...and that should have been the end of it....however....2 years later, (at last year's fair) I still sometimes got yelled at and cussed out while walking my dogs on the grounds
Its partially because of this^^^that Im so paranoid about my current problem! |
| So good to see you back on the forum Raven. (can't remember if you want your first name used here...lol)
Had to come out of lerk mode to talk on this topic. Maybe everyone has noticed that I'm now in the USA(since Dec. 2007) and Carl is in Canada. The main reason for our weird situation is because if we didn't split our doggers up we would have had to get rid of some of them to stay in the house we built. (Very long, maddening story that I'll tell to anyone that will listen...lol) Let's face it. Because our dogs are very visible AND memorable when people have a dog complaint it is OURS that come to mind. Like Raven we have gone so far as to pick up other dog's poop and take a bucket, brush and cleaner out and clean the road after a tummy upset. I'm with those that said to tell your friends. I'd sure want to know if one of my employees were insinuating my good friends were irresponsible dog owners! PS....I really need to "pick your brain" about fairs but understand about being on the computer too much with the headaches. Once again so glad to see ya back! HUGS |
rdf wrote: Forget it, I'd tell your friends so they can set her straight. Be honest with them - it's not that you have a problem with her, but she clearly doesn't understand that it's a very dog-friendly venue and they have acted perfectly fine. Let them know you're a little concerned she's going to make things worse.
If you had an employee working your booth who did that to your friends, wouldn't you want to know? I agree completely. |
Valerie wrote: rdf wrote: Forget it, I'd tell your friends so they can set her straight. Be honest with them - it's not that you have a problem with her, but she clearly doesn't understand that it's a very dog-friendly venue and they have acted perfectly fine. Let them know you're a little concerned she's going to make things worse. If you had an employee working your booth who did that to your friends, wouldn't you want to know? I agree completely. I agree with the agree
This person is an EMPLOYEE of the booth not the vendor. I would make sure they know. If the employee is uncomfortable working in the already established atmosphere then perhaps she needs another line of work. |
| Hi Raven,
Good "seeing" you again! I am an expert at things clawing on my brain - except in your case you let her know you were reconsidering hiring her..ahhh that must have felt good. 
On the other hand, I dislike it so much when one person's views wreck the fun and enjoyment for others. For you, this is your livihood and your dogs are very much part of it. No one wants to worry about what the organizers would say and even planting that seed of doubt in their minds would cause you to worry. So what to do? I think, I would tell your friends about what happened or perhaps speak to the woman again first. Sometimes people say things without thinking of the consequences of their words or actions and she may not have realized how much your furkids are part of your life and their importance to you. Let us know what happens and I'm sorry this happened to you. Marianne |
Tasker'sMom wrote: Valerie wrote: rdf wrote: Forget it, I'd tell your friends so they can set her straight. Be honest with them - it's not that you have a problem with her, but she clearly doesn't understand that it's a very dog-friendly venue and they have acted perfectly fine. Let them know you're a little concerned she's going to make things worse. If you had an employee working your booth who did that to your friends, wouldn't you want to know? I agree completely. I agree with the agree This person is an EMPLOYEE of the booth not the vendor. I would make sure they know. If the employee is uncomfortable working in the already established atmosphere then perhaps she needs another line of work. I think you guys have some really valid points...but I should maybe explain why Ive been reluctant to say anything to the booth's owners so far...The fair circuit in Alaska is a very small, and very tight-knit community. This same person (the employee) also works for 3 other craftspeople (that Im aware of) at various other shows through-out the year. While these friends, and this show are likely to sympathize with me, in a months time Im going to be 2 booths down from another booth she works at...at a show that only reluctantly allows dogs. Im feeling like I need to figure out a way to get through to her (amicably) on the dog issue, so that I dont wind up with her complaining about my dogs at the State Fair also
Ive had some truly odd experiences with dog complaints in the past...Ill tell this one just for the entertainment value: a few years ago (at the State Fair in Fairbanks, once again) I had the organizers relaying complaint after complaint to me from this one woman who ran a food booth. She had no specific complaint...she just didnt like it that I (and a few other folks) had our dogs with us. Finally, I took her aside and asked her what the problem was...it turns out, she was convinced that dogs were not actually allowed, and thought we were all just breaking to rules. Her upset was over the "fact" that she couldnt bring her dog, so it wasnt fair that we were! Once it was pointed out to her that she was free to bring her dog to the show, she was perfectly happy, and her little Yorkie has come with every year since! |
| i also do art shows and i think she might jst not be selling and sees you are !! |
suzptcruise wrote: i also do art shows and i think she might jst not be selling and sees you are !!
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| I always like to throw it back to the person doing the complaining in situations such as these...
"So you are worried about my dogs biting/ nipping/ jumping on children? Tell me about specific behaviors you have observed that makes you worry" Maybe she was bitten by an animal in the past, or has had a bad experience herself. All in all -- I think it is best to throw it back in her lap , than you fretting all summer. From all your stories and posts, I would trust your babies anywhere, AMD trust you to make sure they behave!  |
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