Comments on: Why Should I Yell At My Dog Because Your Dog Is A Jerk?

By: Jan K

Jan K — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:37:05 +0000

Hmmm…I never thought about it that way, and it makes me wonder if maybe our beagle Cricket is not reactive. She’s only had issues with off leash dogs that run at her. If they just leave her alone, she’s fine.
I also don’t appreciate my hubby’s affection or talking when I’m writing or working! I just try to nicely tell him that I’m really focused on what I’m doing and when I’m done we can talk. 🙂

By: DZ Dogs

DZ Dogs — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 20:04:07 +0000

In reply to Pamela. I posted yesterday! I hope you enjoy it. :-)

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 20:01:12 +0000

I love this post! I’m guilty of both sides, letting Haley greet other dogs without having manners and blaming her for being snarky when other ‘friendly’ dogs would sometimes approach her. I have to credit my parent’s dog Lucy for helping to teach Haley some manners when she was a puppy. My parents would feel so bad when Lucy snarled and growled at an over-excited Haley, but I’m so thankful for her lessons. Even today, Lucy will sometimes give a little growl when we visit and Haley instantly calms down and listens to her wise teacher.

By: Ann Sowards

Ann Sowards — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:45:41 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

Yes, I’m afraid we’re all tarred with the same brush. But that’s ok if it makes more hobby breeders conscientious about breeding well, and doing the best they can to send happy, well adjusted pups out into the world. Personally, I don’t think there should be industrial size breeders…nobody can give that much time, care and consideration to the social needs of dogs when they have fifty to one hundred cages full of breeding dams. I feel the same way about the industrialization of cattle, poultry, pigs, chickens and mono culture agriculture. Aghhhh! Don’t get me started!

By: Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:29:56 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

I probably should have prefaced my comment this way: “When we are at the park and I see a dog and its human approaching…”

One good thing is that there is a leash law inside the park (except in the enclosed dog park) which most people I’ve seen do abide by. In fact, I’ve only ever seen one dog off leash at the park; and he was busy playing frisbee with his humans. He never even noticed Callie, Shadow, or me.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:38:48 +0000

In reply to Lauranne.

We’re always told we can’t worry about what other people think of us. It’s never more true than when we’re trying to be good people for our dogs.

BD is very lucky that you learned to validate his perfectly reasonable feelings so early. I screwed up badly with my dogs for years before I learned those kinds of lessons.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:22:50 +0000

In reply to Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom. Just be careful, Sue. You don't want to find yourself in the middle if the dog coming your work is more than just a jerk. But your girls are lucky that you look out for them so well.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:21:40 +0000

In reply to Ann Sowards.

I was already learning about the importance of socialization when we decided to get our next dog from a breeder. But Honey’s breeder emphasized it strongly.

In the weeks while she was vetting us to make sure we were suitable to take one of her puppies, Ms. Breeder sent us an article on dog socialization and asked me to write an essay responding to it.

There’s no way she would have let me take Honey if she didn’t like my answers.

Most people have no idea how much a caring and responsible hobby breeder does to ensure the success of their puppies. If only more people took that level of care, we’d have a whole new world.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:34:45 +0000

It was that very article that changed the way I deal with BD (luckily I read it in the early days of him coming into my life) that’s why I never tell him off if he growls or ‘reacts’. I always reassure, tell him he’s a good boy and how clever he is. However, it does leave you in a bit of a conundrum, and gets you some very evil glances from other dog owners, when you’ve got a ‘reactive’ dog on the lead and your telling him, “good boy, it’s all ok”.

Weirdly, I don’t see reactive as a negative word, and have no worries about using it to describe BD. If your dog is a jerk he will react.

By: Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 07:15:59 +0000

I loved that article, too!! I usually just circumvent any issues by putting myself between my girls and any approaching dogs; and, if necessary, just move further away to keep more distance between them.