Okay, so the last few days I've been getting super annoyed at strangers. Yes, I know I have a cute puppy. I get it. But, I'm also trying to train her to not lunge at every person that passes us. You're not complaining now, but you sure will be when she's over a third of your body weight.
Last night, I was getting some treats out of my pocket, and this woman called my dog over, making cutesy noises and stuff and obviously, being a super excited pup, she nearly pulled me into the road I was fuming. I didn't say anything though because I'm way too British for that, but...why would you do that?? Like you can see I'm trying to do something, my dog is fine and under control like why do you feel the need to do that? She then precedes to tell me that she's got dogs at home then surely she should know better!? Like fuck that lady in particular.
Then on this morning's walk, I was so happy with my baby. She was being perfect, all walk she hadn't jumped up anyone, hadn't tried to pull me into the road, she'd been good as gold. We came up to a shop we know, they sell dog treats and stuff so we go there now and then. Not every time we pass but enough that she wants to look in. The shopkeeper was outside having a cigarette. Dog decides she wants to investigate an over-flowing bin at the side of the road. Obviously being a responsible owner I'm absolutely not letting her do that. Either way, she's pulling a lot. The shopkeeper is watching us. She then waves over at me and tries hand singling some unsolicited advice, which has the effect of winding up the pup even more, like thanks.
I just ignore her and try to get my dog across the road. She's still pulling and generally being a danm maniac when this other lady comes up IN THE ROAD and starts fussing her. I'd absolutely hit my limit. I said to this woman "I'm sorry but that's really not helpful right now." and she looked embarrassed and left. The shopkeeper had now finished her cigarette and was still watching us, trying to motion something at me again, again distracting my dog to the extent she tried to run across the busy road we had just crossed. Like seriously just go away. I know how to walk a dog, I've been doing this 10 f**ing years. (pup is currently 5 months old, but I've had dogs a while this ain't my first rodeo)
I'm probably not going to use that shop anymore because that lady is getting on my nerves. Giving training advice that's at least 20 years out of date and constantly asking why I'm, not raw feeding my dog (because I don't want to and she's my dog!) I'm kinda done with it. I'll just send my partner because he's got way more patience for her than I do.
Its getting to the point where I'm not enjoying walking my girl at the moment because I can't just walk her. People constantly stop us in the road to fuss her which is making the lunging worse and I'm trying so hard to train her not to do it. But apparently I'm a bitch when I ask people not to touch her. If its not that its unsolicited advice when I'm training her in the park or on walks or whatever. "oh just....iT wOrKeD fOr mE" like no, Barbra I'm not choking my dog, thanks for the input.
I'm not going to lie, I'm not a hugely social person. I have literally no desire to talk to every single person in the neighbourhood about how small my pup is, or listen to everyone's frankly awful training tips. If I want help, I'll ask a professional. That's kind of why we go to puppy class. I love my dog so so much but at times like this I wish I'd have got a more aggressive looking breed than a labrador. I just don't understand why people can't leave us alone when they can clearly see we're in training. Or why they think its acceptable to just strike up a full and super awkward conversation with a stranger just because they have a puppy. Like please just leave me alone. Please leave my dog alone. Please respect it when I tell you "no". I'm not doing it to be rude, I'm doing it to make training easier and more successful for my dog, to give her the best life I can, and no that doesn't involve you right now.
If you've read all of this, thank you. If you guys have any tips for keeping people away other than being rude to them, I'd love to hear them!
Last night, I was getting some treats out of my pocket, and this woman called my dog over, making cutesy noises and stuff and obviously, being a super excited pup, she nearly pulled me into the road I was fuming. I didn't say anything though because I'm way too British for that, but...why would you do that?? Like you can see I'm trying to do something, my dog is fine and under control like why do you feel the need to do that? She then precedes to tell me that she's got dogs at home then surely she should know better!? Like fuck that lady in particular.
Then on this morning's walk, I was so happy with my baby. She was being perfect, all walk she hadn't jumped up anyone, hadn't tried to pull me into the road, she'd been good as gold. We came up to a shop we know, they sell dog treats and stuff so we go there now and then. Not every time we pass but enough that she wants to look in. The shopkeeper was outside having a cigarette. Dog decides she wants to investigate an over-flowing bin at the side of the road. Obviously being a responsible owner I'm absolutely not letting her do that. Either way, she's pulling a lot. The shopkeeper is watching us. She then waves over at me and tries hand singling some unsolicited advice, which has the effect of winding up the pup even more, like thanks.
I just ignore her and try to get my dog across the road. She's still pulling and generally being a danm maniac when this other lady comes up IN THE ROAD and starts fussing her. I'd absolutely hit my limit. I said to this woman "I'm sorry but that's really not helpful right now." and she looked embarrassed and left. The shopkeeper had now finished her cigarette and was still watching us, trying to motion something at me again, again distracting my dog to the extent she tried to run across the busy road we had just crossed. Like seriously just go away. I know how to walk a dog, I've been doing this 10 f**ing years. (pup is currently 5 months old, but I've had dogs a while this ain't my first rodeo)
I'm probably not going to use that shop anymore because that lady is getting on my nerves. Giving training advice that's at least 20 years out of date and constantly asking why I'm, not raw feeding my dog (because I don't want to and she's my dog!) I'm kinda done with it. I'll just send my partner because he's got way more patience for her than I do.
Its getting to the point where I'm not enjoying walking my girl at the moment because I can't just walk her. People constantly stop us in the road to fuss her which is making the lunging worse and I'm trying so hard to train her not to do it. But apparently I'm a bitch when I ask people not to touch her. If its not that its unsolicited advice when I'm training her in the park or on walks or whatever. "oh just....iT wOrKeD fOr mE" like no, Barbra I'm not choking my dog, thanks for the input.
I'm not going to lie, I'm not a hugely social person. I have literally no desire to talk to every single person in the neighbourhood about how small my pup is, or listen to everyone's frankly awful training tips. If I want help, I'll ask a professional. That's kind of why we go to puppy class. I love my dog so so much but at times like this I wish I'd have got a more aggressive looking breed than a labrador. I just don't understand why people can't leave us alone when they can clearly see we're in training. Or why they think its acceptable to just strike up a full and super awkward conversation with a stranger just because they have a puppy. Like please just leave me alone. Please leave my dog alone. Please respect it when I tell you "no". I'm not doing it to be rude, I'm doing it to make training easier and more successful for my dog, to give her the best life I can, and no that doesn't involve you right now.
If you've read all of this, thank you. If you guys have any tips for keeping people away other than being rude to them, I'd love to hear them!