Dog Shows

[Aziah]

Now this is just a little vent and only about ONE family last weekend at a show...

I had wheeled my 3 dogs and parked the trolley ringside while I was holding dogs for someone in the breed before me. I was standing right next to my own dogs...

A family comes along and mother/daughter start poking fingers in my trolley and trying to pat my dogs (behind them is a man and another woman also a part of that family group)...

I say to all of them, lucky they don't bite, you really should ask before you approach dogs and start petting them (I said this nicely even though I was very annoyed). Anyway the woman who was standing behind mother and daughter pipes up and says "oh, we've been around dogs all our lives, I know they won't bite".

I got the shits then, told them to leave the dogs alone please and in future ask before they go sticking their fingers in a cage or trolley.

Next minute I turn around and they are sticking their bloody fingers in another trolley (it was The Ark's baby Dragon adn he was unattened but I was watching) so again, I asked them to leave the dog alone or ask before they touch!

Stupid, ignorant morons

ETA: obviously they weren't taught to ask first but it's not rocket science?

Edited May 6, 2010 by Aziah

[RallyValley]

At agility nationals the first two dogs in novice jumping had knocked the same bar, when the third dog cleared it a little boy from the GP goes "FINALLY!"

But on a more serious note quite a few kids and even a couple of adults were sitting half under the ring ropes and quite close to a jump, very distracting for novice dogs but I was too chicken to tell them to move. Lucky Ozjen was there.

[julesluvscavs]

What is with that !! grrrr !

My DH and I was at a show once where our Cav's breeder was with her dogs.

She had a open dog pen in front of her tent with 2 of her older pups in it.

Because we were hanging around close to them, our breeder went to spend a few mins with her friend in the tent right next to hers.

We were standing next to the pen, and this Mother, Father and their little girl came up to admire the puppies.

Without any hesitation the Mother picks up one of the puppies out of the pen and puts it down close to her daughter !!

I think we said something quickly to them about it, and my DH went and told the breeder. She rushed over and told them off (and explained why it wasn't appropriate what they had just done!)

I can't believe how people act like this! I would never go and pat any dog without the owner's permission first, let alone pick it up! ( if it was small!)

Edited May 6, 2010 by JulesLuvsCavs

[julesluvscavs]

I have heard of dogs being taken from shows when the owners/breeders have turned their back away from their dogs/puppies for even just a little while

Edited May 6, 2010 by JulesLuvsCavs

[stormie]

What is with that !! grrrr !

My DH and I was at a show once where our Cav's breeder was with her dogs.

She had a open dog pen in front of her tent with 2 of her older pups in it.

Because we were hanging around close to them, our breeder went to spend a few mins with her friend in the tent right next to hers.

We were standing next to the pen, and this Mother, Father and their little girl came up to admire the puppies.

Without any hesitation the Mother picks up one of the puppies out of the pen and puts it down close to her daughter !!

I think we said something quickly to them about it, and my DH went and told the breeder. She rushed over and told them off (and explained why it wasn't appropriate what they had just done!)

I can't believe how people act like this! I would never go and pat any dog without the owner's permission first, let alone pick it up! ( if it was small!)

Jeebus! Talk about no respect for people's property. I just can't imagine people thinking its ok to do that.

[julesluvscavs]

I know Stormie, I can't either !

I remember doing a post about it in here after because I was so upset at what we had witnessed ! ..

[D & D]

Feeling the need to add a good GP story here

I was at a show last weekend with my 10 month old Dane boy. He's never had much to do with kids.

A man came along with his 3 kids and asked if they could pat him. I put him in a drop and the kids came in slowly and patted (as advised by dad).

When he'd had enough, he backed toward me. Dad noticed, told the kids he'd had enough and they thanked me and moved on.

Happy me, happy dog, happy kids and the most tuned-in Dad I've ever seen at a dog show

[RallyValley]

Feeling the need to add a good GP story here

I was at a show last weekend with my 10 month old Dane boy. He's never had much to do with kids.

A man came along with his 3 kids and asked if they could pat him. I put him in a drop and the kids came in slowly and patted (as advised by dad).

When he'd had enough, he backed toward me. Dad noticed, told the kids he'd had enough and they thanked me and moved on.

Happy me, happy dog, happy kids and the most tuned-in Dad I've ever seen at a dog show

I have a similar story from Kalamunda Royal where a lady askedme about what breed Lincoln was and chatted a bit, after she saw how calm Lincoln was (he was oly 4 months at the time) she asked if her son could pat him, I knelt down next to him and held his collar, the little boy was very gentle, letting Lincoln sniff his hand first was obviously well taught!

[julesluvscavs]

lovely story itsmeg

There are some responsible people out there too !

[mita]

I was at a show last weekend with my 10 month old Dane boy. He's never had much to do with kids.

A man came along with his 3 kids and asked if they could pat him. I put him in a drop and the kids came in slowly and patted (as advised by dad).

When he'd had enough, he backed toward me. Dad noticed, told the kids he'd had enough and they thanked me and moved on.

Happy me, happy dog, happy kids and the most tuned-in Dad I've ever seen at a dog show

Wouldn't it be great to have that Dad on video....for education purposes. But good for you, itsmeg, that your Dane was so well trained.

Aziah, I sure see why you'd be cranky. Such a silly thing for adults to allow children to do....poke fingers at dogs.

When new people with toddlers moved in next door, a neighbour saw the children poking fingers thro' the fence to the dogs at the back.

He rushed to stop it....then noticed the children's father was standing watching them!

[HeavyPaws]

As a member of the public at dog shows, I can personally say I've seen some outright disgusting behaviour.

The worst, and I haven't seen it mentioned yet, is how they talk about the dogs when the breeder/owner/exhibitor is right there. Last time I went to the Melbourne Show, there was a middle aged couple who walked past a handsome bulldog boy and the woman screws her face up, points at the dog and goes "Oh, eww! What a {insert 's' word here} dog!"

The owner was facing the couple, and was less than a metre from them, and you could see their words hit home.

Sure, I would never own most toy breeds or 'pretty dog' breeds I just don't click with them, but when I see them on show or just sitting by the side of the ring with their owner, I'll compliment them on their dog's colour, or carriage, or even coat density, but the point is I don't walk past them and sneer "Oh, get a real dog, not a yappy rat"

They love their dog, they love the breed, they do right by that dog and make that dog a part of their family. If I think their dog looks like a toddler's stuffed toy, I'm sure as hell not going to say it, but I will honestly tell them that I noticed how their Bichon, for example, has no tear stains and that looks lovely.

It's always the idiots that breed little idiots into the world.

[3Woofs]

At few weeks ago my OH had to run back to Buster's crate and tell 3 little girls about 5yrs old to not stick their fingers in his crate. Where the hell were the parents???

We then saw that they had gone into out bag and got some treats out and were feeding them to Buster.

Now Buster is fantastic with kids but he does tend to snatch food and I'd hate for them to lose a finger.

They kept trying to come back when our backs were turned too so we had to stay near the crate the whole time.

[tlc]

Its amazing how many people have no idea, and lovely to hear the stories of people with common sense. I was outside Bunnings one day with Cooper on a lead. Man and toddler come out, toddler in trolley yelling Puppy Puppy Puppy, (Cooper was 2 at the time) So Dad gets child out of trolley and child runs full pelt at Cooper and launches himself onto Cooper, Cooper is forced to the ground with this kid on top of him at this point (it all happened so fast) I just kneeled down and lifted the child off and let him pat Cooper, he was just grabbing handfuls of coat and skin. I showed him how to be gentle with Coop and all the while the dad just stood there watching on. Cooper just took it all in his stride not a growl. I couldn't believe it, the stupidity of this father!! Thanking god the whole time I have a dog who loves kids. I think people think because dogs are small and fluffy they are friendly, this is not always the case.

[Wazzat Xolo]

Those poor kids if the parents cant teach them to respecty others property and basic safety and manners what hope have they for the future.

As well as Dog Education Classes there should be parent classes!

I have NO problem telling kids and parents what is right and what is NOT, like the little darling sticking a Tennis Racquet through my gate at my dogs! Worst thing is he got my attention and not the dogs! Hasnt been back to get the raquet yet!

Bloody parents, its a sad world out there at times, on a positive note I always tell kids and parents when children are using manners, such a rare thing these days to hear a please and excuse me but when you do ITS SO NICE!

[~Anne~]

Another fabulous public relations thread endearing the public to purebred dogs.

[mita]

Another fabulous public relations thread endearing the public to purebred dogs.

Not so....if something proactive comes out of it. Like a suggestion for signage on crates at dogshows, asking spectators to get an exhibitor's agreement before touching the dogs (as would be the case if they were mutts). With maybe reminders over the loudspeaker system....politely reminding spectators.

[CareyJ]

We took Leila, our 15 month old GSP down to our local farmers markets for some people socialisation etc and I couldnt believe the number of very small children (younger than 5) who were poorly supervised, obviously familiar with dogs and had no fear, who ran up and hugged Leila around the neck

The parents were there but a couple of steps behind them.

Obviously we wouldnt have taken Leila down there if we didnt think she would be able to deal with the situation but we dont have children and very rarely have visitors with children. Luckily she behaved very very well and there were a few people who did ask before they patted

She isnt known to be the calmest dog around people!

I'm always surprised who the people are who politely ask to pat Leila, terrible to judge but it is always the people who you think wouldnt have the common sense, or the manners to ask nicely.

edited because I had a rethink of something I wrote - it wasnt something I should have said and badly judgemental.

Edited May 7, 2010 by CareyJ

[Aziah]

Another fabulous public relations thread endearing the public to purebred dogs.

Whatever my point was these particular people were rude and didn't listen to my advice of asking before touching.

There are always wonderful members of the public who ask and often sit for soemtime playing with the dogs.

Edited May 7, 2010 by Aziah

[HeavyPaws]

Another fabulous public relations thread endearing the public to purebred dogs.

Whatever my point was these particular people were rude and didn't listen to my advice of asking before touching.

There are always wonderful members of the public who ask and often sit for soemtime playing with the dogs.

My favourite is seeing people who come up and say things along the lines of "We're looking for a puppy and have been researching the .... breed, can we ask you a few questions about it?"

Few and far between, I'm guessing, but while I've been stalking...*ahem*....I mean, looking at the bulldogs, I've heard one or two people ask truly wonderful questions

[Aziah]

Another fabulous public relations thread endearing the public to purebred dogs.

Whatever my point was these particular people were rude and didn't listen to my advice of asking before touching.

There are always wonderful members of the public who ask and often sit for soemtime playing with the dogs.

My favourite is seeing people who come up and say things along the lines of "We're looking for a puppy and have been researching the .... breed, can we ask you a few questions about it?"

Few and far between, I'm guessing, but while I've been stalking...*ahem*....I mean, looking at the bulldogs, I've heard one or two people ask truly wonderful questions

They are gems aren't they