Sick Of Going Out

[Guest lavendergirl]

I can see how it'd get annoying for you to be asked a few times. I'd just say ''Yes, he is thank you'' . I don't think people mean any harm, the lady you saw today had no idea of knowing how often you get asked that question.

There are always going to be people who want to stop you on your walk with a dog- breed fanciers, people asking what breed it is, people who want to tell you that they once had a dog of the same breed, people who want to know where you got your dog, people who want to give you advice on training etc.Most of them I just reply politely and walk on.

Yes this ....walking dogs is a social activity, people say things, people like to start conversations. But 2-5 people a day asking about your pup being vaccinated??

[loveretrievers]

Lol I'm not a people person really, makes it hard when you have a puppy and everyone has something to say andva pat needed. I put up with it cause I need to socialize him. Really got to me the other day this girl looked in our German shepherds pups ear at his tattoonand said good he is desexed andvwalked off. I was thinking wtf??? Lol but I said nothing. I plan to show him but no point in saying anything, people then ask if he is on main register well duh, then look at me cause I have a female mix I'm going to breed. I just smile and keep going. Everyone has an opinion.

[Gayle.]

I have never been asked if a pup I'm walking has been vaccinated. My Aussie pups always got loads of attention on walks, they are cute as fluffy little buttons, and I got asked lots of questions but never that one. Usually about lack of tails, are they Border Collies, what crossbred, do I breed them etc....but never about vaccinations.

I could easily get annoyed with the assumption that they are Border Collies but I take the opportunity to educate each person on the Australian Shepherd breed, usually they haven't heard of them or thought they'd be like German Shepherds, and hopefully by the time we part ways, they'll know a bit about a breed of dog they've never met before.

Mostly I am flattered that people notice my dogs and stop for a chat.

[Ons]

I have never been asked if my dogs are vacinated

but it sounds like people on this beach actually care about dogs and enquiring - not a bad thing at all!

As for beaches, when I had my maltese 16 years ago the vet told me to walk her on the beach before she had finished her vacinations for socialisation and said that the chances of her picking up anything from there was very minimum as the sand was constantly being blown away unlike grass that just stays there with the disease on it

[RiverStar-Aura]

I can totally understand where the OP is coming from. I work in retail and get asked the same damn question no fewer than 10 times a minute: "where's the fitting room?" Of course the question p1sses me off, however, I always remember the best advice I was ever given: each person is a new customer so they don't know you've been asked the same question millions of times before therefore you don't have the right to get the sh1ts with them.

It was insanely rude to reply as you did, however, you've definitely learned your lesson. I'd try and locate the woman when out on your next walk and apologise and perhaps explain what caused the outburst.

Me personally though, I love it when people come up to me and start talking about Zeus because I really do think he's a beautiful dog. He's always happy and smiles and I love watching him run so I love it when people agree with me. But I really, REALLY love Zeus more than I thought possible so my opinion of him is just a teensie bit biased!

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Do puppies get one vax shot or three these days? When I got mine in 2008, she'd had one vax shot but needed two more boosters, and then two weeks after that to be sure they would be effective. So that made her about 16 weeks before she was safe to be where there might be virus or dogs that were unvaccinated.

So I would be asking questions too if I saw a 10 to 12 week old puppy in a place frequented by lots of dogs, but I wouldn't be telling the owner what to do unless they asked - the closest I get is suggesting they check with their favourite vet about the one shot or three and the safety time.

Another thing that people don't seem to know about puppies (shoot me - I didn't), was the vague rule of thumb for exercise in one session is about 5 minutes per month of age. So these people would bring a 2 month old puppy out, and wonder why it wouldn't move much after 20 minutes. Crash and burn, that's one tired out puppy.

Mine is probably going to have dodgy joints when she's older - just like me.

But my least favourite thing at dog parks - is the owners who think it's fine to let their puppy - dog charge up to any other dog they see. Rude and can provoke dog fights - not to mention owner fights.

[Akay]

I can understand your frustation. It seems that those on here who ask the question of puppy owners strike up a conversation first and then ask the question. You mentioned that they don't do that, so it sounds like they might not be dealing with you in a very polite manner. Do you feel that they are accusing you of being an irresponsible owner rather than caring more about the welfare of the puppy? Also if you're having a bad day, it's easy to be more sensitive to people's tones and approach.

If I was genuinely concerned, I go up to the owner and the pup, ask for a pat and say how gorgeous, he/she is, ask what age, and then ask if he's had his vacs. Or, for example, if I visited the New Farm Park dogpark after that irresponsible rescue organisation took a dog there with parvo, I would go up to people and say that a dog had recently been here with parvo and ask if their dogs are vaccinated. I would make it clear that I was helping them and not accusing them of being irresponsible. By what you're saying, they haven't taken this route and have been almost aggressive in their tone.

At first I was shocked by what you said to that woman, but it was kind of like the straw that broke the camels back and it does sound that she gave you a bit of a fright anyway alarming you in a way that sounded like an emergency. A lot of people react out of character when they have a big fright. I'm sure if she had come up to you politely it would have been a different story.

So don't be too hard on yourself, you must be shocked that you reacted so out of character, but I do think the fright and someone riding your horse without permission played a bigger part than what the woman actually said.

Edited August 17, 2011 by Akay

[Akay]

Another thing that people don't seem to know about puppies (shoot me - I didn't), was the vague rule of thumb for exercise in one session is about 5 minutes per month of age. So these people would bring a 2 month old puppy out, and wonder why it wouldn't move much after 20 minutes. Crash and burn, that's one tired out puppy.

Mine is probably going to have dodgy joints when she's older - just like me.

I over-exercised my puppy too and he does have dodgy joints :-( We live and learn hey. If someone had told me that when I was exercising with him I would have really appreciated it.

[Atanquin]

Thanks guys I think the lady was passing through so I dont think I would be able to say sorry tho I would like to. Just had a call from the police apparently there is nothing they can do BUT because I know the people and have told them not to ride my horse as he is not suitable for them and I have told the police if some thing bad does happen they are at total fault so that had taken some pressure of but I think I will stick to just walking up the road for now but I'm sure j won't do it gain just human nature everyone has done something like that!! I'm sure I'm not the first

[loveretrievers]

I also hate when people ask where I got my puppy, I don't mind telling friends etc I would tell people here and everyone will know at dog shows but I feel like they expect me to say a pet store and I'm tired of the pet store conversations, I try to stay away from them, not cause I like them, just tired of it.

[Guest lavendergirl]

Atanquin maybe there had been an outbreak of Parvo in the area and people are just touchy. Sounds like most of you should get a TShirt with "DON'T ASK" printed on it lest other dog walkers commit the outrageous offence of being interested in your dogs.

[wuffles]

I have talked to people at dog parks and in general out and about who have had no idea that their pups could catch nasties before they were vaccinated. I've talked to people who have no idea about appropriate dog behaviour and are allowing their little puppies to bully or get bullied. I've talked to people who don't know about worming and have never given their dogs a worming tablet in their lives. I've talked to people whose dogs were badly limping and hadn't even noticed. I've talked to people whose dogs are obese and express surprise that yes, you actually can feed less than the recommended amount on the dog food bag.

Sometimes mentioning things may help the dog and that's what most people really want.

I train at the local oval which seems to attract an awful lot of attention. I do get annoyed with some questions I get asked ("What is your Border Collie crossed with?" "She's actually an Australian Shepherd" "Ohhhh... what a fancy name for a Border Collie!") but I at least remain civil

[berly]

At least people are asking out of concern (even if it is misplaced).

I get stopped all the time asking if Milton is a miniature Frenchie (umm no he is a puppy).

I also get asked where I got him from as they are "wanting a Frenchie but they are so expensive so wanting to find one for cheap" (i just smile and say try rescue and try not to take it personally - do i or my dog look cheap!?)

[Ali]

I often hear the owner of nearby little dog telling the dog in a voice loud enough for me to hear that their dog had better watch out because my dog might eat it, because my dogs eats dogs like their dog for breakfast.

This infuriates me, and on 2 occasions I stopped the person and calmly and politely explained to them why I find it an offensive thing to say and that my dog does not eat dogs. They apologised, said they did not realise how it was perceived, but now do. I accepted their apology and on both occasions we ended up having a friendly chat afterwards.

Easy fixed.

Sometimes it is easy to let our emotions get the better of us, but we should always try our best to be as diplomatic as possible as we are advocates of our breeds and dogs in general.

Actually I once heard of a little terrier killing a Rottie, how you ask?.....got stuck in its throat ;)

Actually one of the things I like about owning a mastiff breed is no one bothers comming up to talk, unless they are a dog person which I dont mind...because they are so brainwashed by all the rumours and scare mongering...

[Lugeanjaam]

Yes, I also think your response was quite harsh. I doubt the lady in question meant to offend or annoy you with her question, and I seriously doubt that she expected the response that she received. The lady was not to know that you were having a particularly bad day. As many have mentioned though we live and learn. Hopefully this experience has made you think about different ways to handle these type of situations. One thing I love about dog ownership is that it is a lovely way to get out and about and meet people, dogs are great ice breakers . I also know that not everybody else feels this way and would prefer not to talk to strangers if avoidable.

Your CS is gorgeous, and I hope you find a solution to the issue with your horse. Also please report the PM/email to the moderators, it is very bad form and not acceptable.

[shelleys_email]

It may have been a bit of an overreaction but I Don't think the woman would have been scarred for life by a few swear words. it sounds like she was pretty rude to you too - no greeting or lead into her questions. I wouldn't let a bad experience stop you from taking Zorro to the beach

[experiencedfun]

uummm loveretrievers do you want to re-read this post of yours

"Lol I'm not a people person really, makes it hard when you have a puppy and everyone has something to say andva pat needed. I put up with it cause I need to socialize him. Really got to me the other day this girl looked in our German shepherds pups ear at his tattoonand said good he is desexed andvwalked off. I was thinking wtf??? Lol but I said nothing. I plan to show him but no point in saying anything, people then ask if he is on main register well duh, then look at me cause I have a female mix I'm going to breed. I just smile and keep going. Everyone has an opinion."

If it is as you have written I suggest you read the ANKC Code of Ethics before to show your GSD

[Cat]

I could be wrong, but I think she is saying that is what people assume. (hope anyways)

[griff]

I often hear the owner of nearby little dog telling the dog in a voice loud enough for me to hear that their dog had better watch out because my dog might eat it, because my dogs eats dogs like their dog for breakfast.

This infuriates me, and on 2 occasions I stopped the person and calmly and politely explained to them why I find it an offensive thing to say and that my dog does not eat dogs. They apologised, said they did not realise how it was perceived, but now do. I accepted their apology and on both occasions we ended up having a friendly chat afterwards.

Easy fixed.

Sometimes it is easy to let our emotions get the better of us, but we should always try our best to be as diplomatic as possible as we are advocates of our breeds and dogs in general.

OP I too have had the above quote said many a many time over the years

Next time you are confronted by the same boring question

The best thing you could do is count to 10

and then with a smile on your face say " thanks for your concern my pup is

vaccinated." Show the people you are in the 99% of nice friendly dog owners.