"I like your poodle"
The staff at this particular store are very pushy, they are always trying to sell me things that I either already I have or that I do not need (I spend enough on my dogs, I don't need help with that). I think i am too nice as I have worked in retail and understand they are just doing their job, I always hear them out. This one girl sales girl came up to me today and told me that she liked my poodle, yes she was talking about Leonard. (Leonard looks exactly like the breed standard for an oes, this is nothing to do with how he looks and everything to do with the lovely and overzealous 'pet expert'). She then told me that he looked like his coat was in need of attention and that they had a grooming salon on site and would I like to make an appointment. Some days she may have a point as he is going through coat change and it takes a lot of work and the day after being brushed out he looks like a muppet. But Sunday is the day that I do a full brush out and face bath- Leonard looked immaculate after TWO HOURS of brushing and blow drying. I explained that I had the grooming under control and if I did need help with it I have a grooming salon I usually go to. She told me they could give me a coupon for their in store services and I politely declined. Since I mentioned I did my own grooming and my 'poodle' has a lot of hair she asked me if I had tried a Furminator. I tried to explain nicely that furminators are not appropriate for sheepdogs (or poodles for that matter). She picked up a Furminator and was telling me about it and assured me it was good for all dogs. I thanked her for her help and said I would keep it in mind for another day. Then Leonard was given permission to greet her (politely, but in the manner of an excited 8 month old sheepie with lots of bum wagging and air kisses). She then asked me if I had seen their prong collars and shock systems for training. It was then that I thanked her again but let her know I had everything under control and I was all done shopping for today. She left, but not before telling he she liked my collie. Ok, I know this isn't really her fault but I feel like every time I go into the store I get advice that is questionable and that I did not ask for. I worry that people go in there and get bad advice and take it as fact when it is based on the appetite for sales. Also I don't like being hassled into buying things I don't want or need. I do give them kudos for no longer selling dogs and cats but instead having homeless pets from the local shelters featured in their store. As I was leaving the store I heard the ladies behind the till complaining that they were far away from meeting their goals for the day and that they needed to do another $800 in sales and that they wished people would buy more stuff. Keep this in mind next time the "pet councillors" give you advice! I am not an expert, but neither are they! |
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| Letter to corporate, like that would help. Might want to write it up and submit to some pet magazines, not naming the store in particular but maybe some newbie will read article and learn caution. |
Ha. Leonard the Poodle. How will he live that down? The biggest chain we normally go to is Petsmart, and we always have a very pleasant time there and have never encountered anything like you did. Last time I went to pick up food, and I rested Mady's leash on her back and she trundled along after me while I got two big bags of food, the staff always love my girls, and they usually get a milkbone at the cash. But this time since Mady was "offleash" when we went to the cash, she zipped right around and inside the stall and sat practically on top of the cashier. He was very amused though, and yes, she got her milkbone!  The other chain we go to is Global Pet Foods, they are all independent franchises I believe, and the one we go to just a couple blocks from our house are really nice people who are of, of course, infatuated with our girls. Never any pressure there either. |
| When we do go to a big chain store, it's petco. They know what Lily is there, even shaved or puppy cut. Everyone wants to see the sheepie. However, most people do not know what she is and I can't count how many times, when shes in a puppy cut, that I get asked if she is a labradoodle. |
AnInnocentEvil wrote: However, most people do not know what she is and I can't count how many times, when shes in a puppy cut, that I get asked if she is a labradoodle. I don't think anyone's mistaken our girls for another breed of dog. However there was this lady once who, in all seriousness, argued with Kim that Mady was a bear. I think she was a fairly recent African immigrant who did not have familiarity with dogs as pets (especially a big shaggy sheepdog), but she knew Canada has bears. |
| Poor Leonard, first being labelled a poodle and than a collie. I would think that someone that works in a large pet store chain should know the different breeds of dogs, and if not they should ask before assuming. I'm with David, I shop both of those stores and have had nothing but excellent service, except for once and I let the young girl know I wasn't pleased with her customer service. Okay, maybe I was a bit strong in showing my displeasure but she deserved it. |
| Mady the bear! Might get licked to death. When we first got Maudie a fellow ranger cautioned us, "Don't let her out, someone will think she's a bear." Imagine the horror if that lady were to meet Buster the Newf! My brother had a giant Newf named Bear. At the time they had a Russian living with them who would run the dog through the neighborhood. People would ask what the animal was and Serg would answer in a put on extra thich Russian accent, "Das ist Bear." One day Bear went visiting in neighborhood and lady called police, "there's a Bear in my yard." Well she was right. Haven't seen many bears with extra long hairy tails. |
| I'm not surprised. Keep in mind that in this day and age relatively few people see (genuine) purebred dogs anymore (except for a handful of the popular ones) and shelters take a lot of license in terms of what they promote as a given breed, or even mixes thereof. As a result there are a lot of gaps in the general pet owning population's education. I don't go to the big chains if I can help it. Not that they're horrid, but the sales people are by and large ignorant, and I'm not as nice as you and find their sales pitches really annoying. A lot of the farm oriented stores around here carry a good selection of the premium brand dog foods, usually for less, and without the BS. Kristine |
| The chain I was at is not mentioned above. Pet smart is not pushy and their staff is super friendly- the nearest pet smart is half an hour away in a different neighbourhood. I must say I have made the trip a few time. Our local independent store is also a groomer and they know their stuff and carry professional grade stuff. They don't carry Acana food which is the only brand my cat can keep down, the chain store in question is within walking distance of our neighbourhood . I do agree I get a few, "I love your dog, what is he?" At the dog park. Either that or people call him a Mr Muggs dog and ask if he came on a jet plane (which he did!) |
We 've been asked if we are bearded collies, border collies  , and I forget what else. I think most people are not familiar with the OES because they are not really a common breed.I would never get my dog groomed by anyone soliciting me. And I agree, I think a letter to corporate is in order. How can someone groom and OES properly if they don't even know what the breed is!  |
| I feel sorry for the "councillor" but I couldn't have been as polite or tolerant as you were. Congrats!! A letter to corporate just might get results. I sent one after Petsmart started asking each customer "How many pets do you have?" I watched the customer before me - an elderly lady after listing all of her parrots- be followed out of the store by a not so nice looking younger guy - who then called out to her asking where she lived and if she would sell him a parrot. She looked startled and uncomfortable, but I couldn't hear what she was saying to him. He actually followed her out of the parking lot and my heart stopped for her. I should have followed them too and I regret it to this day. Anyway, I pointed out in my letter that this elderly person was being put in an unsafe situation because they were asking too many questions at the register instead of helping us give them their money - I haven't heard them ask that question since- I've heard "what kind of ....do you have" but no more "how many..." |
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