Comments on: Dumb Ass Dog Owners

By: Cathy Armato

Cathy Armato — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 05:32:36 +0000

We’ve all been the dumb-ass dog owner, especially when we were newbies. I think it’s ok as long as you don’t have a closed mind and you respect, or at least listen to, the feedback others are giving you. Off leash dogs (in areas where leashes are required) is a personal pet peeve of mine. I’m all for off leash access as long as it’s permitted – that way everyone expects it and no one gets blindsided or frightened unnecessarily when an unleashed dog comes bounding over. Great post, I know we can all relate to it!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 23:38:39 +0000

My dumb-assert almost killed my dog! We took him to see his Grandma, who had a mouse problem, and my big German Shepherd/Yellow Lab mix squeezed himself under the utility room sink to snack on the box of D-Con she had set out for the mice. Several thousands of dollars later, after an ER visit and massive doses of Vitamin K, he was all right. We explained to my husband’s mother than she cannot have rodent poisons laying around the house because of how potentially fatal they are to more than just the intended victims. She agreed to not use them anymore.
Fast forward a few months or so, and we go back to visit. Do I check her house to see if she kept her promos? Nope, I certainly did not. All that moron did was move them to less accessible places (even though by now, she no longer needed them at all because the mice problem was gone). This time, my poor Jake got stuck under the sink, trying to get to the pellets that she had jammed in to the corner. We got him freed, but weren’t sure whether or not he’d ingested any of the poison or not before we got to him. So, another round of Vitamin K to be on the safe side.
No polite chat this time. We made it rudely clear to her that if she wanted to see her son and her grand dog again, she’d get that stuff out of her house and keep it out. My beloved Jakey has long since crossed the Rainbow Bridge (of old age, not poisoning), and we have new dogs. But I always check her house for hazards now when we visit.

By: Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 16:57:15 +0000

Great post, Pamela! I’ve been there/done that “dumb-assery” thing, too for sure. Hopefully I’ve gotten smarter in the process.

Meanwhile, I still have to constantly supervise the girls in the backyard to protect them from the DADO next door. Yes, the one who thinks it’s funny to shoot BBs at dogs who are barking at him because that’s what he’s done to them in the past. They were defending themselves the only way they could.

By: Jen Gabbard

Jen Gabbard — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 01:36:36 +0000

Oh goodness I’ve been a dumb ass dog owner so many times. It’s a bit shameful but I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot over the past 3 years with Laika and my stupidity is subsiding a little bit. I do agree about calming down before confronting another DADO – I’ve made the mistake of getting into some heated arguments and it really doesn’t accomplish much when I’m so upset.

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 17:19:04 +0000

Fantastic post, Pamela. When I think back on all my dumb ass dog owners moves it makes me cringe! Remembering that we were all there at one time definitely makes it easier to have some compassion for the people going through it now.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:46:09 +0000

In reply to Pamela. Nope, they did nothing. They said until Mity had been physically harmed they couldn't step in!!

By: KB

KB — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:56:03 +0000

I love your approach to dumb-assery because it is so easy to only point fingers at others. When I read your stories, I remembered a twenty-something me who had her first dogs. Man, I was a super dumb-ass lots of times. It took time (and some maturation) for me to figure out how to be a good dog guardian. So, I love your suggestions and your humility in approaching this tough issue.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:54:32 +0000

In reply to Lauranne. I'm curious. Was animal control able to help in that situation?

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:54:06 +0000

In reply to Amy.

Yep, I can read all the training books and blogs I want. But it’s my DADO moments that taught me the most.

If someone can figure out a way to educate us without being dumb asses, I’d love to hear it. 🙂

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 13:52:54 +0000

In reply to one person's view. Of course if you and the dog survived with that rough start, there must have been some smarts in there somewhere. :)