Humans, dogs, and the "get-it" factor

ORIGINAL: espencer

I guess the owners think is the dogs personality "well he is that way since he was born" and they just surrender themselves to some subconscious idea of some kind of  "dog zodiacal sign", you know something like "well if the dog was born in march he is going to be this and this and this other way and thats the way is always gonna be"

Like Cesar says, it's important to remember that all dogs are "animal” first, "dog” second, "breed” third and "personality" fourth, most people see it totally in the opposite way

 
Espencer, I don't think owners think that way, speaking as one from not too long ago.  I think it is a matter of human tolerance that the behavior continues or lack of guidance from the dog professional community.  What can you do to change these people's illogical thinking?  Remember, there are 35 million households with dogs and CM's viewing audience is a small fraction of that.

ORIGINAL: DPU.

Espencer, I don't think owners think that way

 
Well then you explain that to 15 ot 20 persons that i know think that way, that the dogs personality is something the dog came with

ORIGINAL: espencer

Well then you explain that to 15 ot 20 persons that i know think that way, that the dogs personality is something the dog came with

 
The 15 to 20 persons are people that you know.  Did you correct their thinking or merely giggle to yourself at the way they think?  Well, you can do both.

Just last weekend I had two of my dogs with me at the vet's office in the waiting room. We walked in the door, and this lady had a beagle on a flexi - and the beagle started going berserk - lunging, barking, screaming, baying, growling... at me & my two dogs. To my (very pleasant) surprise my dogs ignored him.

When the lady with the beagle came out, she walked him past us (within five feet) and he was doing the same thing at the end of his leash. My dogs (without a word from me) stood there at my feet with loose leashes and just looked at this dog like he'd come from Mars. I expect this from the puppy, but a year ago Bree would have hit the end of her leash.

The poor lady was so embarrassed and kept appologizing - enough so that I felt really embarrassed for her. I think it's easy to allow these types of things to keep happening because a lot of owners aren't armed with tools to correct the situation. Sometimes they have to be faced with well behaved dogs doing what they should to realize an inadequacy in their own training. I agree with what Lori says - a lot of times people don't have much in the way of expectations for their dogs.

ORIGINAL: dogslyfe

The poor lady was so embarrassed and kept appologizing - enough so that I felt really embarrassed for her. I think it's easy to allow these types of things to keep happening because a lot of owners aren't armed with tools to correct the situation. Sometimes they have to be faced with well behaved dogs doing what they should to realize an inadequacy in their own training. I agree with what Lori says - a lot of times people don't have much in the way of expectations for their dogs.

 
Wasn't this an excellent opportunity to converse with the lady on how you got your dogs to be so well behaved.  Seems like a nice lady and would have accepted advise and then some.  Might have even gotten you a tip or two.

ORIGINAL: DPU.  If I was in the OP's vet clinic, I would not have hid the corner and said nothing,

I think it's completely possible to make your point without this personal remark. Your increasing troublemaking and cheap shots are not welcome.

My priority was the dog in my care with holes in his neck, not drumming up more business.

ORIGINAL: DPU.

but I would have offered friendly advice or trainer recommendations. 

  

Ha-ha! I often do.

ORIGINAL: DPU 

I don't think you can make any generalizations from the small sample observed especially in a vet clinic where the dog has anxiety for just being there. 

No, but what you see everywhere else sure adds up to a big lack of "get it" factor. The vet's office is just the tip of the iceberg.

Unfortunately, most unsolicited advice falls on deaf ears. You help any time you feel an owner might be receptive to a tid-bit or two. You get really good at spotting the ones who aren't, or would have a fit if you even referred to their little "fur-baby" as a dog.

Original Willowchow:
I think that what your seeing is that most people don't expect much from their dogs.

And, most people don't care to spend time learning how to properly care for them and that includes training

 
In my opinion this is dead on...
How many dogs do you see that are kept outside all the time, that aren't even walked or played with ...yet alone the not so fun job of training...
 
Then you have folks on the other end of the spectrum who give their dogs evrything  EXCEPT discipline...the same way they do with their kids!
 
You will find a similar experience to a vets office if you walk into a crowded pediatricians office! []
 
   

ORIGINAL: DPU.

The 15 to 20 persons are people that you know.  Did you correct their thinking or merely giggle to yourself at the way they think?  Well, you can do both.

 
Well if they think that the dog came with that personality by "default" then they are not really interested on what i have to say and i know that because i already told them and they didnt do anything different

Angelique, I am truly sorry that you got agitated.  I merely wanted to say that if I was in shoes, this is what I do.  As you say a lot of unsolicited advise goes on deaf ears.  I am a strong advocate for the shelter dog and I know that if people would speak up, the dog situation would improve.  As I said in my first post, the vet clinic is the place where professionals and owners come together by law.  Why pass up opportunities to help out an owner and the dog?  I don't think it is trouble making to bring issues to the front and ask why not do this.

ORIGINAL: espencer

Well if they think that the dog came with that personality by "default" then they are not really interested on what i have to say and i know that because i already told them and they didnt do anything different

 
Now that is surprising because you are pretty convincing here.  Maybe if you showed-demo'ed on their dog, that would turn them.

ORIGINAL: DPU.
One of the posters state "now you know what I am faced with every six weeks when a new class starts”.  How did the owner find their way to the class?  Was it a recommendation from vet clinic?  From a trainer sitting in a vet Clinic?  A shelter they happen to visit, public advertising, etc.

That was me. Our clients come by vet/breeder/groomer/other pet pro referrals, and by word of mouth.  I don't fault people for not knowing any better, either.  And, I'm glad that our clients got to us instead of some of the people they could have gone to. [sm=lame.gif]  At least with us, if they do their homework, they normally end up with a nice pet. 

ORIGINAL: DPU.

Now that is surprising because you are pretty convincing here.  Maybe if you showed-demo'ed on their dog, that would turn them.

 
Thats because the people here are actually interested on working with their dogs, but in general people just have dogs just for the fact of having dogs
 
Some people complain that their dogs dig holes in the backyard or chew furniture, i tell them that they need excersice (since they dont take them out because they have a big "backyard" according to them), what do they do? nothing, is easier to complain more than taking the dog out everyday, the strange thing is that if the dog shows a new bad behavior they act like if i never said anything before, is a vicious circle

Original Espencer:
(since they dont take them out because they have a big "backyard" according to them), what do they do? nothing, is easier to complain more than taking the dog out everyday,

 
EXACTLY!!!!!!! Nothing makes me more frustrated then using a "yard" as an excuse for the dog not needing walks or regular exercise... these are the same people who won't even take the time to go out a play with the dogs in that yard they have. 
 
Other greyhound people who knew my JJ from the greyhound rescue are SHOCKED at how calm he is (he was OUT OF CONTROL for the 7 months he was at the rescue the last time). They always say “Oh my gosh… what have you done with him.. look at all the training you did!”  To which my normal response is “No, its called giving him close to 2 hours of walks and exercise daily along with a regular daily routine and a clear understanding what is expected of him…” [] 
 

Ooo!  I am so guilty of that, that is the backyard.  That is, my dogs sole form of exercise to be in the backyard and play, play, play.  On the weekend they get a car ride to the lake but they all stay in the car and have heads out the window looking at the ducks, while I feed the ducks.   I don#%92t see walks as a good form of exercise but as good form of exposure to the outside world and maybe different situations if they come up. 
 
I am starting to get the CM way of exercise, discipline, and *what is that last thing*.  I am not getting the order of animal, dog, breed, personality----yet.  The book is suppose to be on its way a week ago but has not arrived yet.  Anyway, reciting the CM way to people not familiar with his philosophy is a bit much the first few times.  I am sure like most people on this forum when it comes to their dogs, they try different approaches if one approach does not work.  Why not extend that thinking of adjusting oneself when communicating with the 15 to 20 people you know that have behavior problems with their dog.  Don#%92t give up for the dog#%92s sake.   Let that be your incentive.

ORIGINAL: DPU.

Angelique, I am truly sorry that you got agitated. 

Another personal, cheap shot.

These antagonistic, baiting comments bring no value to the discussion.

ORIGINAL: DPU.

I merely wanted to say that if I was in shoes, this is what I do. 

Then do it. Without the personal jabs. []

ORIGINAL: DPU.

As you say a lot of unsolicited advise goes on deaf ears.  I am a strong advocate for the shelter dog and I know that if people would speak up, the dog situation would improve.  As I said in my first post, the vet clinic is the place where professionals and owners come together by law. 

As am I. I only adopt from shelters. My current dog is from a shelter. She is an ambassador for the cause.

Best stick to sharing, and drop the assuming.

ORIGINAL: DPU.

Why pass up opportunities to help out an owner and the dog?  I don't think it is trouble making to bring issues to the front and ask why not do this.

I don't, and I do.

Good to stick to offering what you personally would do and have found helpful. That way you are sharing in a constructive way.

I'd drop it, and get back on topic. [8D]