Puppy Days are Over

[Maxxx]

I decided to go to PetSmart to find something for Max to reward him for his breezy pass of the CGN the day before and got snubbed by pretty much EVERYONE in the store!

People would turn down the aisle we were in and I'd hear "Ohhhhhh, that's a big dog" and they'd literally turn on their heel and go down another aisle. And that was not just one person who did that, everyone did! Even the staff kept their distance. As little as a month ago, people would have flocked to meet him, now they avoid us like we have the plague! And he's not even full size yet!!

I felt like going up to them and shaking them! The dumb comments I can handle because that's when I get preachy and tell tham how dumb they are, but the social snubbing, how do you deal with that???

It's the first time it's happened and I'm sure it won't be the last. I know I just have to ignore it, but it's hard. I want to go up to these people and knock some sense into them! And it's not like Max was crazy or hyper in the store. He just sat there calmly while I was looking around. I had taken him on a nice long walk right before so he was pleasently tired.

On a side note, after that all happened, I remembered reading a thread not too long ago about putting a shirt or something on your rott to make them look more approachable and so I picked out an XL t-shirt I thought might fit him. His chest looked like it was going to burst the seams! LOL so much for that thought. I didn't realize how big his chest was getting!

Sorry for the long rant, but I just had to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening

[kelking]

yes i know just what you mean now boomer is 9m mums and dads arent as happy for their children to pet him at the school where we have done the school run for 7m.

[CleasMommy]

I get that reaction with my 7 year old female all the time! And she is the sweetest most loving dog EVER! It used to make me so mad, but actually I kinda get a kick out of it now. lol.
Yeah my dog is sooo big, bad and scary, you better run away and not mess with us! haha.
I haven't thought about putting a shirt on Clea before (I'm not sure one would fit) but I have a really cute pink bandana I always put on her, and it says "big girls rule". I get a kick out of it :)

So did Max get a new cool toy for a reward after all?

[winnie22]

A bandana seems to help with us. People would always do the exact same thing of turning and running away. But with the pink or purple bandana she gets approached by ALMOST everyone.
Also, do you really want these frightened people making your dog nervous? I say who cares, real dog lovers won't mind the size of the dog.

[morgAtory]

In the neighborhood I used to live in, this was actually a plus, but now I too just get a kick out of it...

Like the poster above stated, dog lovers do not mind the size of the dog...

A good quote that might fit here is...


"Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.”

[BeauandShan]

I have the same thing when I am out with mine.

Some years ago I was walking with Beau and my daughter in her stroller and a woman actually shouted over the road to me that I didnt deserve kids if I was going to have a vicious dog. I must admit I did tell her to come to my house and watch my vicious dog when my 18mth old daughter is climbing all over him and he doesnt bat an eyelid.

These people are so narrow minded they arent worth worrying about

[Maxxx]

Originally Posted by CleasMommy

I haven't thought about putting a shirt on Clea before (I'm not sure one would fit) but I have a really cute pink bandana I always put on her, and it says "big girls rule". I get a kick out of it :)

So did Max get a new cool toy for a reward after all?

No, no toy. He's got a lot of them and since we started schutzhund training, I've been limiting his exposure to toys. I was thinking of getting him a pair of doggles in lieu of.

"Big girls rule" that's so cute!

Originally Posted by winnie22

Also, do you really want these frightened people making your dog nervous? I say who cares, real dog lovers won't mind the size of the dog.

This is a very good point! If I think about it that way, I would rather they stay away from us. Thanks winnie!

[mjfish]

Originally Posted by Maxxx

I felt like going up to them and shaking them! The dumb comments I can handle because that's when I get preachy and tell tham how dumb they are, but the social snubbing, how do you deal with that???

By growing thick skin. Sadly, you will encounter this in many many situations, it's best to learn how to not let it bother you. I try and turn it around in my head into a little personal joke like, 'Yeah, you better run, he's only eaten 1 child today and he's hungry!" Obviously, I don't say that, but it makes me feel better. I can't help but feel sorry for my boy who just loves the attention. Someday I will remember to try the bandana...I bet that would help.

[hokisteph5]

I've found that having my dogs helps me weed out the ignorant people a lot quicker. For every person or two that thinks there's very little keeping my dogs from attacking anyone and anything (one guy thought the magic item was the string cheese I had), I've met some people who surprise me.

They'll come up to say they love the breed and either own a rottweiler or have a daughter/son/aunt/uncle/cousin/whatever who has or had one. If anything, it's made me not try to judge people on their appearances either.

Sometimes I wear a bandanna on Samson and Gretchen. Sometimes Samson will find a tennis ball on our walks and carry it for awhile. Mostly, I make sure I work on their training so that they continue to represent the breed as positively as possible.

[Gudrun's Mom]

Boy, I can certainly relate to the incident of poor Max being shunned and everyone else that mentioned having the same problem. I have had this problem for years and have you also noticed that everyone thinks all Rottweilers are "he's". Just two days ago my 9 month Rottie pup and I were walking calmly down the road when the meter reader asked if she had eaten her breakfast that morning. The next street over a man I know rolled down the window in his van and asked why I had a dog that "eats people". He said that he wouldn't get out of his van until I was down the road. The finishing touch was when we were coming back home a Lab and Lab mix came running out at us in the road, jumping around Tessa and I while the owner was screaming for them to return home and also saying, "Please don't let your dog hurt them".

The last two days our walks have been at the school as they are on spring break and we are all alone.

It makes it hard to socialize your dog when everyone thinks the worst of them. Thank heavens I take her to all our kennel club training session were Tessa is appreciated. I like the idea of Tessa wearing a bandana, it sounds like it just might help solve the problem.

[OnyxGold1]

Oh my I can absolutely relate.......when you have a cutesy wittle puppy everyone comes flocking over and yet when you have still a puppy but albeit a large puppy people treat you like you have the plague.

It is absolutely worst when you are away at a dog show weekend and you're in a hotel.....some people......I swear they must think that they are going to be eaten or something.

I've actually had two BAD hotel experiences because of crazy people (unfortunately both times in Toronto....so I feel your pain MAXX). We had flown into Toronto for rottweiler specialties and were staying at the host hotel both times.....the first time the elevator stopped, my Cajen was sitting politely at heel and we were waiting for the passengers to get off so that we could get on to go back up. There was one man on the elevator that refused to get off and was screeching his fool head off and holding onto the wall at the back of the elevator.

Then our next trip there again we were waiting at the elevator and another man got off, screamed, threw his carry on in my and Cajen's direction and bolted off running. Then started screaming at us from 20 feet away that "shouldn't pitbulls be muzzled".

The craziest thing tho is that both of these incidents were at the host hotel for the dog show.....hundreds of dogs and owners milling around....I guess we were just "lucky" that we encountered a crazy on each trip there!!!

Although I have to say come to think of it.....when Cajen is wearing her coat/booties (when its dreadfully cold), people are far more likely to come up to visit with her......

Heather Peters

[notquite12]

Hd a similar incident last week ecxept it wasn't my girl. Was out with my son and 18 month old daughter who caught sight of this rottie at the oval. HAD to get out of the stroller! So we strolled over and the poor woman called her dog back and was about to put her on the leash. I told her that bubs came because we've got one at home and she's used to them and knows nothing else. The relief on the woman's face was precious. We spend about half an hour playing with her dog and talking. Incidently, she'd rescued her rottie two months prior (she's about 4 yrs old) from a shelter. It looked like she'd been bred and then discarded. She was pretty small for her age but beautiful. This woman keeps to areas that are pretty isolated. I found that sad because this rescue couldn't be more friendlier and so gentle with my little one as well. It's all sad, people's preconceptions.

[blisscodisco]

Some ways to get a warmer welcome at big box pet stores (petsmart, petco):
1. invite one of your friends that has a little dog that gets along with your dog. Walk the dogs closely together. Your dog might get ignored for the "cute wittle doggy" but at least people aren't climbing the walls to get away. I go with my moms two ancient beagles.
2. clothes of any sort
3. Tricks. Most rotts like to learn tricks any way and these stores are a great place to practice due to all the distractions.
4. Put your dog on a down or a sit (this is great training for staying in a down or sit when people come up for the "polite greeting part of the CGC). It also helps with large happy rotti puppies not stomping little dogs by mistake.
5. And always be nice and brush it off. I keep myself inbetween all strangers and my dog if they are looking uncomfortable. If you are smiling and civil people will notice and the "rude" people will look stupid. Don't ever get pulled into an arguement etc..
Good luck, you know the loyalty and love you will have from your dog, so just think of that when people are being extra rude.

[Jaidann]

Been there ... done this and would have the T-shirt if one were available.

The odd thing is, our English Mastiff gets a totally opposite reaction than my old rottie girl did. Most are mesmerized by her and excited to see something "So big".

[jonesjoyful]

I too can so relate and it makes me angry...I had an incident at the vet when my pup was outside with hubby and woman came in and made comment "i hope that mean rottweiler doesnt get us"..then, in obedience class last week, a woman told her dog, who was going over to all the dogs, "no, dont get near that rottweiler...and that rottweiller was the BEST behaved , I might add..lol

So, we are off to class again tonight, I did buy a bandana for Roxy as my trainer had suggested that a while back...We will see how that goes....