Why are people so rude?
When I walked Hudson we didn't see a single dog. I trade him for Rudy and the road is full. Okay, this is good practice. We can't correct behaviours if we don't experience the mistakes. Rudy did well. He didn't freak out over any dogs in the distance or who were walking ahead or behind in the same direction, and completely ignored five or six crazy ones barking and snarling through fences as we went by. Then, an older couple with a yorkie approached. (I don't think it was THE yorkie from last month, who was off leash and jumped on him.) Rudy did really well. When he began to stare at it I corrected him and he snapped out of it, and we got way closer to passing without incident than ever before. Just as we passed (I was on one side of the street and they were on the other, about ten feet away) Rudy barked and started jumping (no snarling, but I get why he seemed scary). I wasn't surprised. He's never made it successfully past a dog that walks toward us on the street yet. That's like our holy grail for Rudy. I was firm but calm. He was never out of my control. It took less than ten seconds to get him sitting quietly and looking at me. I'd consider that a win. For Rudy, it's progress. As soon as he's sitting and calm the lady (who is now well past us) turns around (the husband keeps walking) and yells, "Nice dog you've got there. Why would anyone keep a dog like that? Yeah, he's a keeper." I said, "Pardon me? I didn't catch that." And she turned tail and ran to catch up to her husband. I guess she was only brave when she thought I'd be afraid of her. Now, clearly I'm working with this dog. He's got his weighted pack on, elaborate collar, was never out of my control, the "outburst" was easily redirected, and we were never less than ten feet away. Why was it necessary to be so rude? I know it's petty but prior to the outburst Rudy was walking beautifully beside me, no pulling, at my side or behind at all times. We've been working on that. Her yorkie was pulling them along down the street. Isn't there a saying about glass houses? So once again, dogs I love...I'm finding it harder and harder to like most people. She's on my ever growing list of people I hope to never see again. Or if I do see her again, people I'd like to bite myself.  |
|
|
| Tracie - I feel your pain. I am constantly working to educate people! I'll get all my little head banging dudes out there now..........  Little dog owners are chronically blind to their dog's behaviors. My #1 mantra to them in class is "would you accept that behavior if your dog weighed 70#???" I never stop pointing out that their dog's behavior is JUST as out of control and unacceptable as the classmate struggling with their lunging 80 pound lab pup. And the second factor is too many people are part of the throw away society. Rescue is alive and thriving in part because of humans who don't commit. And not everyone is up to rehabbing other people's mistakes. Thirdly - some people just don't get the fact that training is more than a luxury or only for people with show dogs. They just don't get it - that you can use training to make your dog more of a pleasure to live with. The rest are just plain lazy...... and I guess I need a few more |
| Ugh, Tracie I know where you're coming from. I'm sorry that jerk was so rude to you and Rudy. Rudy's really coming along and you should be so proud of him! You did much better than I. I would have gone red-faced and the Irish woman would have come out in me. Let's just say it would have gotten very heated. What a jerk!! |
| Before I start ranting, I'll admit that many small dog owners are great responsible dog owners and I know many here also have small dogs along with their sheepies.... BUT There is too often something really wrong with small dog owners. At our local dog park, often people will bring their small dogs to walk around the border of the park, they don't want their small dogs to interact with all the dogs playing. Sometimes, some of the more social dogs will bound off to say hello to the little dogs, and WOOSH, the small dog owners swoop up their little precious fragile dogs  into their arms to protect them from the ravenous vicious gang of large dogs. That is the worst thing to do! Acting fearful and paranoid just makes your small dog fearful and paranoid, and then they're surprised when their small dog becomes a vicious little yipping thing that will bite other dogs and/or small children. When Dawn (the sheepdog, not the poster  ) came to meet Mady at the park, Dawn did just this, bounded off barking playfully towards some little dogs, and the owners swept them up in such a panic. It was ridiculous, are you seriously afraid of this giant bouncing fluffball in ponytails? You're just giving your little dogs complexes, learn about dog behaviour! Small dogs are dogs, and like all dogs, they need just as much exercise, discipline, and structure as big dogs. Now your case is slightly different, in that yes, Rudie does have some behavioural issues, but any reasonable person (especially another dog owner) should have been able to immediately identify that you had control of Rudy, and you were working with him to correct the behaviour. He was not running offleash, dripping blood and fur from the last 2 yorkies and pekingese he recently devoured... So, I'll echo Dawn above, and throw in some more of these |
| I will also say that in general (even in a non-dog situation) people are so focused on themselves that they can't see what is happening around them. So although Rudie has his "working clothes" on, people can't be bothered to look at the situation and assess. In short, people are too self-centered to see anyone or anything else. |
| And I do need to add that I am a small dog owner as well. At the class orientation and 1st couple weeks I usually bring Chewie. He is dependable and I KNOW he will lay quietly for long periods while I am helping others with their dogs. But then I start bringing my other well behaved, trained dogs of every breed and size and people DO start to get it. They understand that I not only talk, I DO it and show them the small ones can learn and behave too. Their small dogs deserve the same expectations as a big dog. I tell them not to sell their small dog short, they have a brain, let them USE it. Luckily, I have a diverse group at home to pick to bring to each class. I can cater which of mine I bring to each class, to give my students a perspective in training that applies more specifically to them. If I have a student getting defeated or frustrated, I promise them that the next week I will bring a certain dog to show them more what they are going through and how it can be fixed.  Also, the people with the breeds that are not always the easist to train appreciate that my dogs aren't goldens or shelties....unlike some other training places in town...... |
| There's a very little dog that frequents the dog park, I don't know what breed he is, but he must only weigh 5lbs, a tiny little dog named Zeus He is always off leash, extremely well behaved, and he's a dog! He goes right at it with all the big dogs, runs around and is tons of fun. People really are selling their dogs short, and losing out on a lot of fun when they treat their little dogs like delicate porcelain figurines. |
It's moments like that when you drop the leash and say "have at 'em Rudy!!"  |
| I appreciate the words of support. I am totally ok with others not being comfortable around Rudy when he's channelling Satan. I get it. In fact, on our walk, I saw one dog coming toward us who has experienced one of Rudy's outbursts before. (Barking and carrying on...NEVER any sort of actual threat - we have NEVER allowed Rudy to be out of our control.) The owner stopped, turned around, and went back the way she came. I was sad that Rudy would have that reputation, but understand it. I hope, in the future, we'll be ok and she won't feel like he needs to be avoided. But I understand it, and she (the lady and her dog) simply quietly chose to avoid us. I felt like apologizing to them, but would have had to scream it as she did this about half a block away. I just get angry with people who feel it's ok to be rude. And especially those who are brave enough to yell something out, but then run away when you challenge them. And, I wasn't terribly challenging. I maintained at least some degree of politeness...much more than Mrs. Snarkychickenpants. Anyway, thanks for lending an ear...or a virtual one at least. Rudy and I celebrated the walk as very successful anyway. And again, she's on my list of people I will one day snap and bite myself. Not Rudy though, he's much too well behaved for that. |
| Why does she care what's going on after she passes and on the other side of the street if he was still under your control when she turned around? What's the point of even saying something? Even if it isn't totally obvious that you were working with him, you had him on lead and you weren't staring off the other way ignoring him, you were obviously focused ON him. I suspect you didn't look scared because you anticipated this possible reaction. You didn't let him loose, no one was threatened or hurt-- what's the point of even saying anything? I have a feeling that whatever noise Rudy made probably startled the crap out of her when her back was turned and she just wanted to yell at someone. The biggest victim here is that Yorkie because he has to go home with that woman. He sounds like he was unaffected! |
| She just wants a OES. For me I get Guinness under control and then I say to people she is a teenager what can you do? Daina |
ButtersStotch wrote: Why does she care what's going on after she passes and on the other side of the street if he was still under your control when she turned around? What's the point of even saying something? You know, maybe we're just too harsh on other dog owners, especially small-dog owners. They obviously have inferiority complexes--having a dog that's not a sheepdog. |
| Bah, I really dislike people who are cowardly like that. If she had an issue then she should have said something to your face and given you the opportunity to present your side of the story. Hey she might even have learnt something about dog training. And I'm totally in agreement with the little dog comments. Recently my friend and obedience trainer who does home stay had one of our puppy class dogs stay for two weeks while the owners were on holidays. It wouldnt walk on lead. Just point blank refused.  I had the joy of attempting to handle her in a beginners class. She wouldnt even be lured with treats for more than about 6 steps, this is a dog who came to puppy class where we taught the owners how to teach social walking and heel and explained the benefits of having an obedient dog and talked about big vs little dogs and not treating them differently. Apparently the owner carries her everywhere.  Kind of made me wonder what her owner thinks her legs are for. Not to mention what the point of coming to puppy class was. |
| I've always lived by "dogs will be dogs." they are not people, they are animals who can be unpredictable at times. the only time I said something was at a Humane Society event to a woman whose Rottweiler literally turned and bit Patch on the nose and she did NOTHING - Patch yelped and was slightly bleeding. I said, excuse me, you might want to watch your dog, he just bit my dog, and she kept walking saying nothing. Good luck with Ru's training, sounds like he is doing great and has come a long way. |
| Tracie, when the opportunity comes, bite her for me too |
cynmcreid wrote: Tracie, when the opportunity comes, bite her for me too Ditto That!!! |
| I had a similar experience. My Guin is very well behaved and wonderful in public situations. I never worry about taking her to festivals, etc. We were at a town wide yard sale day this spring. Guin was walking perfectly beside my husband. A woman randomly started to yell at us: "I can't believe you people bringing dogs like that to events like this. It's just wrong. You don't believe me? Call the SPCA, they'll tell you! People and children are terrified of large dogs. Dogs like that shouldn't be allowed in public." Matt and I just started at her in disbelief, as did all of the people around us. My mom yelled back "People like you shouldn't be allowed in public." It was a running joke for the rest of the day. Guin was in full coat, and children absolutely loved her. Every time a kid came over to pet and hug Guin we said "Oh my, that child is terrified." People are idiots. |
| Mind you... that was the same day that Guin tried to sit on a baby in a stroller. But the baby and his mom thought it was the funniest thing ever. |
| Maybe you can train Rudy to life his leg on her on command.. |
Baba wrote: ButtersStotch wrote: Why does she care what's going on after she passes and on the other side of the street if he was still under your control when she turned around? What's the point of even saying something? You know, maybe we're just too harsh on other dog owners, especially small-dog owners. They obviously have inferiority complexes--having a dog that's not a sheepdog. I totally agree with this  |
| Chauncey, unlike me, seems to enjoy shopping so I always take him when I go to the pet stores or to Lowes. I get a chuckle at the small dog owers that snatch them up and stuff them under their arms at the sight of Chauncey, who is not really interested in them ( he does enjoy watching the ferrets though ). |
| Since when does age pave the way for rudeness? This morning at the dog park this 94 year old woman was sitting on one of the benches and turned to someone who frequents the park almost everyday and said, "you talk too much, its just on and on and on..." I almost said something to her about her nastiness. The other people sitting around excused her bad behavior because of her age. Age should not be a catalyst for bad manners. |
Sheepie2 wrote: Since when does age pave the way for rudeness? This morning at the dog park this 94 year old woman was sitting on one of the benches and turned to someone who frequents the park almost everyday and said, "you talk too much, its just on and on and on..." I almost said something to her about her nastiness. The other people sitting around excused her bad behavior because of her age. Age should not be a catalyst for bad manners. Hey! Don't ruin my plans to become a crotchety old bastard!! I'm so looking forward to it!! |
| [/quote] Hey! Don't ruin my plans to become a crotchety old bastard!! I'm so looking forward to it!! [/quote] You have permission to become a crotchety old bastard because you have such a cute old english sheepie! Just please keep the rudeness to a whisper. |
| Don't worry, it will mainly consist of shaking my cane at young'uns and grumbling about "back in my day..." |
David, you just made me snort coke (the drink - not anything else...) out my nose.  I have a 26 year old friend (she's basically just a baby by my reckoning) who constantly uses the phrase "back in the day." I always respond with, "What day? Last Tuesday?"Thanks. We're both on holidays for the summer, so I haven't heard it in almost a month! |
traciels28 wrote: David, you just made me snort coke (the drink - not anything else...) out my nose. I have a 26 year old friend (she's basically just a baby by my reckoning) who constantly uses the phrase "back in the day." I always respond with, "What day? Last Tuesday?"Thanks. We're both on holidays for the summer, so I haven't heard it in almost a month! That is so funny coming from a 26 year old - "back in the day." I am twice her age and I don't even talk like that - OTHER THAN I have to say manners are so different now than 'back in the day" LOL |
| I've noticed that about old people too. Sometimes I have to get after my Mom although she really isn't all that bad. At obedience class the other night I had to ask her to leave the builiding to talk on her cell pohne! I don't even take my cell phone into the building! I try to give them the benefit of the doubt....maybe their mind isn't all there anymore. But then I do think some of them use that as an excuse when it really isn't so. I keep telling my kids...............don't let me get like that! You know where the gun is at |
| The older person comment reminds me of my run-in with the Poop Nazi (feel free to read that thread). My gramma was the WORST. Her excuse was "So what? I'm OLD!" I guess after awhile you just don't care about offending people... or maybe your senility applies to your manners only? |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|