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. :)

[Chris & Boys]

Are you sure the person you encountered wasn't in some way disabled?

[Chris & Boys]

Yikes, I may be afraid to drink the water there! LOL!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is weird...you sound like my college roommate. Alice attracted major weirdos who told her way too much info about themselves and offered up their own advice like they were psychologists. Not kidding, Nancy, you must be like her!

[Leslie J]

We've only had our puppy Cocoa for a few days, but I already know what you mean. We don't let her jump on people or chew on fingers and I've had a couple of people say that they think its cute when she does it. The first time I patiently explained that I have two 4 year olds and she scares young children when she does this. The other I just said that it won't be so cute when a 40 lb dog does it! You are so right to train your dog- it is so much easier to teach good habits then break bad ones.

Its funny how having a puppy is kind of like a newborn- everyone seems to also think that you are wearing a posterboard stating "give me puppy raising advice"!

[Margaret Becker]

Maddy is very cute, so I can see why someone would want to pet her but they should defintely ask if it's ok first. Hang in there! Kudos on being consistent.

[Cami Jacobs]

Wait!! Do you live in my neighborhood? I'm pretty sure we have the same neighbors! ;)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Tell 'em she is vicious and bites.

[Lorraine Bromley]

i was seriously just going to say the same thing when I scrolled down and saw your reply! Add part pit bull!

[Kim]

UGH!!!! I feel for you. I have an elderly neighbor that can't bend down - so taught my Allie to jump on her - making Allie believe that it was ok to jump on EVERYONE! She knows better now - but it took a L-O-N-G time to stop. I hope your training sessions get better!