Am I over reacting?

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

It was a dark and rainy night...and I wanted to get Skadi and Elli out somewhere to enjoy some exercise.  I took them over to PetSmart, where I have taken Skadi  dozens of times, and since we have gotten Elli, I've enjoyed showing her around petsmart.  We had a great walk around the store sniffing all the treats and critters.  Many folks stop us and gab and admire the doods.  One of PetSmarts trainers was also visiting with us a little.  I never took classes with this trainer, but she knew Skadi who has taken many of the training classes in this store.  We bought some treats and a couple collars and went up to the check out.  The trainer was also the checkout person.  Now Skadi knows the routine...you pay for your treasures and the check out lady gives you a treat.  And Skadi sits pretty for the treat.  However, Elli, who is our Rescue off Craigslist and has been with us 2 years now does not know the routine.  I try my very best to have my girls behave, but Elli got excited and jumped up with her paws on the checkout ...not on a person, but on the ledge of the check out counter.  Before I could correct her, the trainer/check-out socked her in the chest...and yes she got down quickly.

Now I realize Elli has probably suffered worse in her 8 years because we are probably her 3rd home and I know she is "rambunctious".

I just for the life of me cannot understand what right that "trainer" had to punch my girl in the chest.  Her behavior was not endangering anyone.  

Am I over reacting?  I can't stop thinking about this.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't think you were overreacting at all....it was not her place to "correct" your dog.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Thank-you all for letting me know your thoughts.  Definitely keeps me grounded instead of "exploding"  which I have only done twice in my adult life...so it takes a lot to get me riled.  However, don't mess with me and mine unless I ask has always seemed a plausible motto.  Jen Yee, I will take your advice and have Elli "re-enact" her misbehavior and see if the "unsolicited" training worked!  Maybe I should "charge" petsmart for using my girl as an unwitting student.  

[Debbie and Toby]

I don't think you are over reacting. Just my opinion, but I don't think any employee, especially in what is suppose to be a pet friendly store, should be physically correcting without permission. I could understand if it posed a threat to someone to immediately correct, but just for jumping on the counter? It should have been discussed first that she doesn't approve of dogs jumping up on the counter, that would have given you time to address the issue. In our local Pet Smart I have seen many dogs jump up on the counter. And they still get rewarded by the cashier with a treat. When we have Toby with us, we have him sit, but he does occasionally get too anxious and will jump up hoping to get a quick look around and to make sure the cashier knows he is there so she doesn't forget to give a treat!.. I hope it doesn't happen again...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I would not like it one little bit if any stranger 'trainer' or not hit either of my dogs. Riley actually jumped up onto the counter once in our local pet store, I was mortified but the staff didn't bat an eye!  Imagine if someone hit your child like that for bad behaviour...I don't see it any differently. 

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Oh my!  Jumped right on the counter...what a sight to see.  Yes, I agree, I don't think too many people would hit another person's child.  Sadly, I hear way too often...they are "just" dogs.  And you bet, every time I hear this imputation,  I would love to say  "thank-you for your opinion, but you can keep it, I already have my own."  Do you think that's too harsh? LOL

[Kaitee and Orwell]

They are not "just" dogs. Science has proven an interesting relationship between humans and dogs that is different from any of our relationships with other species. The majority of human being's brains release the same chemicals when caring for our dogs that we do when we care for our human children.

By the way, I also would vote out of line. I probably would have blown up and I'm like you... very passive, but when we are talking about Orwell, I cannot promise to keep my mouth or my fists to myself. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I don't think you are overreacting. I would have not been happy about it either. I might have even said something to her.  I think she way over stepped her boundaries, even as a trainer. I probably wouldn't have been happy with it, if it had been part of training class.

[Theresa]

This so called trainer was out of line.  I have never seen or heard of a trainer hitting a dog.  That is not the proper way to correct a dog.  She should lose her job.  Now I might be overreacting!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I am pretty sure I would have been "ticked" too!  A simple "off" command from the clerk, and then treating Ellie would have been more appropriate in my book.  Can you imagine the scenario, if you had immediately socked the clerk in the chest and said "no one touches my dogs but me"! LOL

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Hilarious...don't tempt me! ;)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am on the fence as to whether it was an appropriate gesture or not. I don't think front paws on the counter are that big of a deal in the scheme of pet store behavior. If the trainer felt Eli was going to continue all the way onto the counter then perhaps it was warranted.  Personally, the big box pet store trainers I have met haven't seemed very experienced or capable - kind of like trainers with beginning skills, so the trainer probably was out of line.  I will say that I knee dogs, i.e. lift my knee into a bent position (NOT kick or punch) - any dogs. that jump at me from the front.  It may not teach a darn thing but it 'protects' me from getting knocked over.

[PJ and Zach]

I do that too, Nancy. I've been knocked down before.