meehkim

Note before reading: Angry rant that should contain many bad words..but I tried to contain myself...

So I went to Petsmart w/ Titan this past Saturday to buy some dog toys for him. Keep in mind that Titan tries to lunge at every person and dog there to get them to play with him, so I have been trying to make him sit before he can say hello to anyone (I am trying to teach him self control/how to greet people and dogs properly before he gets himself hurt).

I am standing in line at the cash register, when he tries to lunge at the lady in front of me. He catches the lady's attention, and she obviously wants to pet him. So I make him sit, and then let him play with her. Then this lady continues to talk to Titan saying "Your owner is much too serious for a playful puppy like you"...


EXCUSE ME???? really? did she really just say that in front of my face? what a rude *insert appropriate cuss word here.* I was fuming when I heard that. there is something called TRAINING YOUR DOG. who does she think she is?? people seriously need to learn some manners. she should be lucky i let her dirty ugly self touch my dog!!! i regret holding my tongue. I should have said to her "I'm sorry, but my dog is much too cute for YOU to play with"

RAWRRRRRR

cbrand

I think she was just trying to be funny. Cut her some slack. But if you want a come-back, you could always say something like:

Yes, 'cause the world doesn't have enough poorly trained dogs in it already.

Or


Winston Churchill had Miniature Poodles. They are serious dogs for serious people.

KPoos

Well, people are stupid and don't stop to think about things before they say them and she was probably one of those people that thinks that dogs should just be allowed to be wild and crazy. People will say similar things about children if you control your kids. I think the poorly trained dog comment is a good one.

taxtell

I hate that.
People tell me all the time about how Flip is a doodle or doesn't look like a poodle, or is too small, etc.
OK Random Poodle Expert.

I especially hate it when he jumps on someone (which he KNOWS better than to do) and they say 'oh no it's ok' when I tell him 'off!'. It's NOT OK. Then they act like I'm the meanest person ever because I don't let my dog jump all over them and be an annoying PITA.

meehkim

Yea, I initially thought she was trying to be funny, but I thought about it for another second, and I just got really angry because it was an indirect insult. You were trying to be funny by insulting the owner? C'mon man, have some common sense!

And yes, good come back, cbrand! I will definitely quote you the next time someone says anything remotely similar..

Mercury's Mom

Ive gotten that kind of comment more than once and that I need to let my spoo just be a puppy. I am training Merc to be a therapy dog so I put him in a sit or down before people pet him and for some reason Im apparently squelching his spirit. Does he mind sitting before getting a treat or pet? Of course not. Merc gets plenty of time to relax and just be a puppy but out in public is not play time. Would they rather he bounce all over the place and knock them down with his big poodle feet?

Its not really the words the people use that tick me off it's the tone and looks they give you. I try not to let it bug me to much and usually just say something about how he's in training (then people think they aren't supposed to pet him, but thats only for service dogs) or that he needs to know what appropriate behavior is in public (as I glance at their out of controll dog knocking down a display).

Just remember that you are training Titan for his benifit as well as those around him and don't be afraid to let people know. There are know it alls everywhere and they are never shy so you don't need to be either.

PonkiPoodles

I don't get angry at people anymore - it's just a waste of time.

First cause the people who are pissing you off either really don't give a sh*t / are stupid/ clueless/ are trying to get you pissed off/ are just rotten people to begin with (add whatever you want to that list)....and you can't change any of that, so why bother.

And secondly, I like being happy... and NOBODY is gonna change that! So, I just flip them off and go on my merry way!

Besides - there is nothing wrong with being serious.

Harley_chik

Just write her off, people like that usually have some of the worst behaved dogs. (Her's wasn't with her; could it be he's too out of control? Just a thought.) I get those comments all the time w/ Harley and they come from family members who's dogs are always jumping on people, can't walk on a leash right, etc. They think crating is just cruel and tell me to relax "he's just playing" when I correct Harley for something. Several of these people who think crating is cruel keep or have kept their dogs on chains and/or tie out btw. Good for you for training Titan to behave.

Trillium

You know you were doing right to work on teaching manners. You'll always get people that think you are too strict on you kids or dogs. Then again the reverse is also true. Don't let it get to you and keep working on it. I'm in the same process and it sure makes life easier when they have manners when we go out. Not to mention a lot less embarrassing.

Olie

I honestly cannot stand people that act that way! Condescending. But then I have met people who are just born smart asses, put on earth to annoy us But you took the high road! And you are doing the right thing too.