Mean Puppy Hating Jerk!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Today while out on a walk Sophie, as per usual, stretched and pulled me toward every passing person in a desperate attempt to say hello and get some affection. Now I know I can't exactly expect everyone out there to love my puppy as much as I do, but I was shocked when today a grumpy old man yelled at me to control my *effing* dog! I was so upset that all I could stammer in response was that she is just a puppy and we are working on it. I ended up walking away with tears in my eyes because I have never been treated this way by a stranger and it was oh so upsetting that he would treat me (and Sophie this way).

 

What I want to know is if anyone else has ever encoutered this kind of treatment by strangers on the street because of your dogs behaviour, and if so, how do you handle it?

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yes!! There is an old cranky lady in our neighborhood that once when we were walking by Rosey kinda growled and she said that damn dog better not bark at me in my own yard....we obviously don't go that route anymore!!

 

But you are right what a jerk, you did the right thing, now hug your puppy and feel better:)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sherri, Try not to let this guy upset you. He is an unhappy, mean person. Not all people like dogs or children and I guess we have to respect that, even if we don't understand it. I think walking away is the best response, because you are not going to change a person like this into liking dogs or puppies. Just love your puppy and realize what he is missing out on knowing. I volunteer at an Assisted Living Retirement Home and sometimes we will have a very miserable and mean old person move in and usually, they have no visitors or friends. People don't want to be around someone like that and they end up alone. I try to remember that they are scared and at the end of their life and to be as kind as I can, even though I am often thinking something else :) You are only responsible for your own behavior. Sorry you had a bad day!!

[Carol and Banjo]

Very well said Laurie.....I can only add a ((hug)) for you Sherri....it surely stings when someone lashes out so unexpectedly and in such a nasty way....but it truly is their problem...not yours.  I'm glad you could vent here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When my "big Dood" was at his most reactive stage, I know there were plenty of people who felt like saying this to me...but they were polite and restrained.  I remember getting plenty of really "dirty looks", but I don't think anyone actually said anything (although maybe I'm conveniently forgetting).  To be honest, I wouldn't have blamed them, especially when they were walking nicely trained, polite dogs.  I think a puppy is a whole different situation....they are babies with tons of energy and lots to learn.  I think all but the "most grouchy" would agree with that.

[Aimee Santa Monica]

I like to think twice, now, that i am a mother , and also a mother of an autistic child.

 One of my past clients ( I'm a hairstylist) is an adult Autistic. She was usually very mean & cold at the beginning of the service, then warm and friendly at the end! Even blushing!  You never know if this person has some neurological disorder- and had something bad happenn to them in their past.   

I would just go on and enjoy life and the moment you are in :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Very good word, Aimee. All of us have hard days and respond in ways we regret.

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

Lots of nasty people in this world! I was walking my puppy on sidewalk and a tow truck driver pulls in front of us. Starts backing into a home's driveway directly in front of us. His tow truck is BIG and LOUD and starts beeping cause he's backing and my dog starts rearing backwards and wiggling. Clearly scared. The driver starts yelling and screaming at us, "What a dumbass dog you got-what a piece of S%^&."  I was shocked and just gave him the "dirty look" and kept walking-he would not of heard what I said anyway, as his truck was SO LOUD. But-I stewed about how rude and mean people can be for a couple of days.

[Ann]

I agree, not all people like dogs or puppies.  But it is very mean of his to say this to you.  I have had the experience of taking Samson to visit my mother in law in her retirement village.  She lives in an apartment and we do have to go in an elevator. Older people either LOVE dogs or HATE them.  I can always tell if an older person is on the elevator, and they look at me and make a face, I don't go in the elevator, I wait until the next one.  Hopefully, I get an empty one. LOL.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Like my brother always says, "Consider the source and rise above it." Like someone else posted, you are not responsible for this man's actions, just your own reactions to him. It sounds like you handled it very well. I think it's better to walk away silently or even in tears rather than say something nasty that you'll later cringe about.

 

Sadly, I had a negative experience with a trainer once who really hurt my feelings and my confidence. My parents have a goldendoodle, Daisy Mae. I had never trained a dog in my life before and my mom thought it would be a good experience for me to train Daisy. (Actually, they recently gave Daisy to me since she's more bonded to me than anyone). Anyway, I was the one who took her to obedience class. Daisy is very fearful and she did her best to make herself look smaller in the class, hunching herself over. The trainer went on to tell me that Daisy has a "humped" back and is weird looking, and she can't stand doodles. She would say in front of the class, "Why on earth would anyone breed two hyper breeds together? They're crazy dogs and a lot of them are winding up in shelters." Gee, thanks. She repeatedly berated me and my dog, making both of us nervous wrecks. One time we were working on something in the class, and she said to my dog, "Daisy Mae, don't worry about it. It's not you, it's what's on the other end of the leash." I think what happened is that Daisy hadn't sat parallel to my side; she was sitting more perpendicularly to me. I couldn't' care a less how she sat as long as I had her under control. The trainer never criticized the owner with a German Shepherd mix that was aggressive toward Daisy and would growl and snap at her. I think if that had happened more recently, I would have taken her aside after class and told her to stop being rude to me and my dog, or I'd find another trainer.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jamie,

This story is freaking me out. We are going to start beginner class this month and I am now wondering if there is a big prejudice against Goldendoodles out there that will impede the possibility of a positive training experience. I am amazed that you continued this class after the first interaction with such a trainer. I'm way too chicken.

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

I think my experience is just a reflection on the trainer, and perhaps on my stupidity for sticking it out. With Barley Barker, I went to a different trainer and had a WONDERFUL experience. Barley and I have been through puppy K, advanced puppy K, beginners obedience, advanced obedience, and one off-leash play class. As you can tell, I really enjoyed this instructor and my puppy loves her, too. Barley did so well that he got his CGC at eight months of age. Barley was a favorite in the puppy K class because of his sweetness, playfulness, and intelligence. I think he was a star! There was a mini-labradoodle in our class so he wasn't the only doodle. So, please don't freak out! I'm sorry if I discouraged you. My point in sharing my story was that Sherri was not alone in her jerk encounter. I found my new trainer by emailing a dozen different trainers to ask about their puppy K classes. By communicating with them beforehand and asking questions, I was able to get good vibes about where to go with Barley. If you are getting a negative vibe about doodles from your current trainer, keep looking! I shouldn't have taken that from the old trainer and neither should you.

 

The ironic thing is that I am trying to get Barley certified as a therapy dog. I just found out today that there is an evaluation this Saturday. To my shock, guess who's the evaluator? My old doodle-hating dog trainer! Fortunately, the test day has reached its limit and I can't participate. Knowing now she's the evaluator, I'll go elsewhere.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I think that if a Trainer has issues with a particular breed of dog then they should be up front and honest and state in in their advertisement or flier.  Or, when you contact them, they should ask you what breed dog you have and then let you know if they don't like your breed and you should find another trainer!!!  Is it always just about the money???  Trainers are suppose to train YOU to train the dog and they should be supportive and guide you in a very positive way...I would take my money elsewhere instantly if I were treated that way!