I am boiling up inside!

[Nothing To Do With Doodles]

I JUST HAVE TO VENT!!

I can understand why someone would want to ask about Maddy or ask to pet her while I'm out walking her. But I cannot understand why someone would start giving my dog commands, pushing her into sit, running toward her when I'm clearly singing "potty! potty! potty!", pulling on her collar, grabbing her leash or asking me for a ride!! I cannot understand why someone would tell me it's okay for my dog to do something to them (i.e. lick their face) after I specifically said it is NOT okay. I do not understand why someone would call me strict and mean when I explain that I am trying to train my dog NOT to do certain things and that I MUST be consistent! Now I dread Maddy's walks and potty breaks. My husband and I both feel we have to look for strangers outside of our apartment before choosing a direction so we can race the other way! I am a very social, outgoing, friendly person and have NO problems whatsoever speaking to strangers... But the people we've been encountering lately really are from another planet! They make me feel as if I'm acting terribly mean and rude when all I want is to have a successful, stress-free, and most of all, un-creepy, walk!

WHEW! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. :)

[Jeannine]

Some people are really stupid.
Don't let them affect you ad your training with your lovely Maddy.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Not an excuse as to why some people do what they do...but Not everyone has trained a dog to know what we do, or are they considerate of other people feelings. Since you are the owner of the dog do they care if the dog listens or is trained the way you want your dog to be trained. It's more social ignorance on that person than anything, and unfortunately sometimes were the fire hydrant instead of the dog.

[Michele Barton]

Wow, that's so bizarre that I was beginning to think you were going to give a punch line, or say that these people are 5-year-olds! Don't let them make you feel mean and rude - they are the ones being rude. I sure hope this stops so that you and Maddy can enjoy your walks!

[Adina P]

Your feelings are TOTALLY understandable! I'm sure we've all experienced those who say "oh it's okay if doggy jumps, I don't mind" or those who rush over to pet without asking...but these folks you're running into are from another planet! It's SO rude and annoying...people think they have rights to other people's dogs--where did they GET that idea?

[Leigh & Allie]

When it gets cold outside nobody else will be outside. Now you can look forward to the cold weather!!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Asking for a ride?

[Adina P]

LOL...this one was incredibly odd. Were you with your CAR or a bike or did they want to be leashed up like your doodle?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Keep venting!! It will help keep you from knocking out stupid people.

Try and use these situations for training purposes. TRY and get Maddy to look at you to keep her attention from these types of distractions. Bring the 'super treat' on your walks - the kind that she will ignore everything else to get one! It will be very hard but it will work! She has to learn to look to you for advice - I know I am not allowed to... - Mom said so so why is this lady/man telling me different info?

Try and enjoy your walks. If someone attempts to ignore your rules, just turn and walk away - don't worry about being rude. This is YOUR child and you have your rules! I Because I said so - end of story!

[BetteB]

Great advice! We've had similar experiences, and turning them into training experience is a great tip. It can be very frustrating, but try to think of these people as challenges. Good luck!

[Adina P]

I will stick my whole leg out to block my dog if need be! Serious. I did this recently at a work picnic where I took Thule for some training. In order to keep (nowhere near the rudeness of these folks we're talking about though) people from petting her...I will body block during training!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I run into the same thing. It can really mess up a training session. One of my neighbors this week told me that I should not be insisting that my six month old puppy heel during our walks. She said he's way to young and this is his time to play. This woman has two totally untrained dogs who are wild and sometimes aggressive. I felt like saying "I'm doing this training so I don't end up with dogs like yours", but instead we took the high road. LOL.

[Nancy Sunderland]

ditto Jane & Sara!