Why don't people listen to me!! (rant)

oranges, do your dogs wear coats?  If so, you can get patches that say "do not pet" or "ask to pet me".  I actually ordered some a while back for Kenya (encouraging people to ask b/c they CAN pet her) for a therapy dog vest but I don't have the vest yet (the local therapy group has their own and I haven't passed the course yet). 

jennie_c_d

And please keep your kitty inside, where he's safe. That sounds soooo scary! 

Unfortunetly Cameo won't stay in side.. He'll either find an open window or my idiot roommate will let him, even if we ask him not too... Actually that's how Maze used to get out. He'd open the door and let her out even when she was smaller then the cat at the time. When I found out, he hid and wouldn't even look at me (I scared him pretty bad, but he doesn't just open the door without looking anymore) 

I'm thinking about locking Cameo in our basement (where our bedroom is) when we take the dogs out. But I wish I didn't have to do that. He loves to play Tag with Maze so much! 

Call me Amber or Kitty And no she doesn't wear a coat but it seems like a good idea!! I guess a bandanna wouldn't work huh? 

Cazzy

 I have the same problem as Liesje..LOL..

Me too!  

 Also, I am a whopping INCH taller than you.  However, I have a great set of lungs and a "mom" voice that I use at work to get kids to behave (in the library some kids seem to think they can get away with anything!). I have used it to tell people that Gypsy is NOT going to eat them, their dog, their kids, the crow up in the tree...well, you get the idea. However, I can use the same voice to make them stop in their tracks if need be. I think I am substantially older than you (maybe old enough to be your mom!) and most people respect this!

Yeah.. I'm only 22 although I look like I'm 16 so people don't seem to take what I say seriously unless I flip out completely then they're afraid of me... 

i am the same way.. i look younger than i am... 25 and could pass for a high schooler...

and yep i flip out too if i have to!! rather they think i'm off my trolley than someone get hurt or not take me seriously! 

True! I'm just glad I calmed down before going to speak to the kids parents. Also I'm going to put a shirt on Maze with a warning until I can afford the proper vest and patches.

I don't have that problem because Max is only too happy to get petted or scratched by anyone with a pulse. But the thing that irritates me about these types of situations is that you can tell someone "No. The dog isn't friendly with strangers.  You might get bit" - and they totally ignore you and grab the dog anyway ... and get nipped ... and it's always the dogs fault.

Joyce

I'm a whopping 23 years old. People routinely think my 18 yr old brother is older than I am. I never, ever wear makeup, and am almost always in casual, doggy clothes.

It doesn't matter. People at work listen to me. Kids listen to me. It's the way you carry yourself, and the way you say things. If you demand respect, you'll get it.  

STOP.

My dog WILL BITE YOU if you try to pet him. STAY AWAY.

Option 1: Person stops and takes you seriously. 

Sorry. We're working on it, he's just really bad with strangers right now and is very unpredictable.

Option 2: Person laughs it off.

GET BACK! If you value your hand, you WILL keep your distance. My dog has bitten strangers before and would do it again.

It doesn't really matter if it's true or not. A lot of times those of us with challenging dogs wish our dogs were "friendly" and are embarrassed to have a dog with "issues" so we sort of explain away the dog's bad behavior, and people don't take us seriously accordingly. This is not in our dogs' best interest. People have a good instinct for self-preservation, so if you very firmly and honestly state or even over-state the possible danger, people will usually leave you alone.

Body blocks are helpful, as are avoiding "iffy" situations in the first place. (I won't walk Rascal anywhere near children playing, for example - I make it a point to make sure that any children would have to go well out of their way to try and pet him, and if they have to go a far distance, then I have time to plan and react before they get close enough to be dangerous.)

As with any other aspect of dog training, the best course of action is setting the dog up for success by managing the environment very carefully. That's not always possible, of course, but a bit of effort can go a long way.

Also do your cat a favor and don't allow him to be out unconfined in situations where he might feel the need to run away into traffic.

I always make sure I'm at the park during hours where I know for a fact kids won't be around. Cameo will be staying at home now when I go to the park on weekends.

Sadly I lack in self confidence so I don't carry myself with much respect and I guess people see that.. It's something I need to work on.

 Take some dog training classes. I'm serious. It helps a lot.

I plan on putting her in training classes soon. It's just at the moment I only have enough for a) Crombie's shots or B) a training class.. And right now Crombie's shots a little bit more important as he keeps getting outside. 

Maybe the girl is a little retarded or something.  Not to be mean, but maybe she's slow.  But I would talk to her mother and let her know what had happened.  My question is, did you have your cat at the park?  Just curious.  I wasn't sure where the cat came in, and had to ask.