Idiots in public

**IRescue452** · 07-13-2008, 12:35 PM

First thing I'd like to say is that a farmer's market is not the best place to socialize Indigo, especially since you know that there are idiot dog owners there. I bet half of them think badly of you for having a "dangerous" dog at the farmers market, which is a place to go buy produce, not start arguements over dogs. If you really want to socialize her at the farmer's market, bring her in a muzzle. You'll have explaining to do, but the more people that ask, the more people you get to educate about socialization.

Second, and Joe Schmo can go out and buy whatever dog they want. Assume everybody is ignorant and idiotic with their dog and do what you need to do to keep the situation under control without expecting any input from the other owner. I know it sounds unfair that you have to go out of your way while others do nothing, but if you care about your dog, you'll walk a wide circle around a dog who is being walked on a retractable leash by a child. If another owner takes innitiative with their dog, great, but you should always have a handle on your dog first.

**4 Dog Mother** · 07-15-2008, 10:04 AM

I have to say I agree with IRescue452. If the farmer's market is that crowded and especially with young children and other dogs, yours should not be there. The owner with the child and small dog are not going to look like the ones in the wrong if your dog hurts or kills the small one. No matter how you or anyone else sees it. You are going to be accused of bringing a dangerous dog to the market especially if others remember you from weeks before. And if the child would get bit or seriously hurt from being too close or in the middle, you are opening yourself up to a major law suit. It may not be fair but little in life is!

**MoonandBean** · 07-15-2008, 11:32 AM

When I see a dog out in public, I usually assume that it's a well behaved, social dog. Sunny is a puppy and wants to run up to every dog she sees to play with it. Of course, we always ask the owner if that's ok and if they're good with puppies. I do think though that people tend to feel the same way...if a dog is at petsmart or at a farmer's market; it's safe. Thanks for reminding me that there may be a dog out in a public setting who may not appreciate an eager sniff from an eager pup.

**catnapper** · 07-15-2008, 02:25 PM

The thing about socialization is picking the right place and time to go. A busy market for an "iffy" dog is way too much stimulation. Sorry, but you were at as much fault as the woman who let her child hold the leash. Two parts to what could be a disasterous meeting.

With an iffy dog, you need to pick a quiet time to take her out. Perhaps early morning before anybody else comes. Just the two of you and her learning the space. Then the two of you and a few strangers. You slowly move to a crowded environment complete with kids and other dogs. Thats more or less graduation for her, not a beginning quiz.

I can guarantee that the woman is asking everyone this "WHY does she bring an aggressive dog to the market?!?!" Because I know I'd be asking the same question.

I take Callie to our farmer's market every Sunday.... but it took me a while to trust her to be able to handle the event. She's a jumpaholic, and I didn't take her until I knew I could count on her responding to my cues despite the temptation. Its a LOT of work for me to stay focused on her, watch what others are doing, and keep an eye on everything.

**Taz_Zoee** · 07-15-2008, 04:41 PM

This is why, unfortunately, I cannot take Zoee to these types of things. When she is on leash and sees (not sure of punctuation here, sorry

) other dogs she goes crazy. Her hair stands up on her back and she barks her head off. I know she is not being "aggressive", but to other people she looks like she is going to tear someones head off. Once she meets the dog (if the owner allows it) she just wants to play.
We have gone to several art and wine events where other people have their dogs and I am so sad because I'd love to bring Zoee. This is nobody's fault but my own. I should have socialized her more from the beginning. Now at an off leash dog park she is great! I will not make this mistake with the next dog I have. Socialization will be TOP priority.

ETA: Sighthounds4me, we were posting at the same time. I do understand what you are saying, and I'm sure others are only trying to help (although, I can't speak for others).
I almost didn't post in this thread, because I tend to not post in "heated" threads. But I just wanted to share my own experience. I'm in NO way saying you are not a good dog owner. Please know that.

**shais_mom** · 07-15-2008, 05:05 PM

I think I see both sides. I can understand why you want to socialize her, but maybe that isn't the best place for it.

No need to be so defensive.

HEY-Everyone has their own opinions, and when you ask for them, you run the risk of finding people that don't agree with you. We aren't doing anything wrong by disagreeing with you, so you don't have to make us out to be the bad guy.
Like when I walked into my friends house the other nite where my dog is welcome, one of her other friends (that I had just met the day before so I know very little about her) started squealing "I don't like dogs, I don't like dogs." I had barely walked into the room yet and she was yelping "can you get her?" as she cowered behind the blanket. Ok so part of that was my fault, b/c I didn't know this person was there, I didn't know she didn't like dogs, and I should have had my dog on the leash until I found out who it was.

There's a lady I've met thru our dog park that has 2 greyhounds and one of them gets extremely nervous around other very SMALL dogs, and she keeps her muzzled for the safety of the other dogs b/c they grey has a high prey drive.
I ran into this lady again at our Local pawsfest where she and her son had both greyhounds on leash. We were standing in line waiting for the walk to start and her male was sniffing at a border collie (they have a BC at home) and the lady that runs the border collie rescue (who irritates me on site b/c I think everything she does is geared towards making herself the center of attention) and the BC lady turned and physically grabbed the greyhound by the nose PICKED HIM UP and shoved him back and said "GET BACK THANK YOU".
no explanation as to why. If the BC was dog aggressive - didn't appear to be, he wasn't standing off with the grey.
Someone wrote into the latest issue of TV guide about the show Baby Borrowers and Ultimate Dog (or whatever the title is) and said how scary society is that we revere dogs over children. for how many years have we had to have liscenses for our dogs but any 13-14 year old can have kids??
There are bad people and bad pet owners around - and its our job as responsible pet people to educate them the best to our ability.