Was I wrong?

[jaxnvilleguy]

2 kids were walking their Rotti. I commented them on how fantasic looking the dog was and that I too owned a Rotti then I asked them if the Rotti belong to my friend. (he was the only person in the neighborhood that owned a Rotti). Instead of a yes or no answer, the answer the little boy gives me is "HE BITES". So with that answer, I then asked the girl holding the leash if she could handle the dog? Then I asked how old she was, Her answer was "I am 11 years old and I can handle the dog and it was none of my business". So my response was you really should have an adult with you and I walked away. So a few minutes passed and then her mother came walking out and the little girl was pointing at me. So I decided to walk over there and introduce myself. The mother was in my opinion a very ignorant person. She too told me it was none of my business. Well my response was what would she do if a unleashed dog charge and attacked her dog or if anything else happened? I said that Rotties are already unfairly stereo typed as mean and vicious dogs and that the blame would most likely be put on her Dog even though he was leashed and if an adult was with her then it would be easier to defend the dog or even prevent anything that may happen. Again her response was " It is none of your business" So again I responded yes it is my business because if anything happened then it would be all over the news and when ever I take my Rotti out I would have to deal with the unfair stereo type caused by irresponsible owners and as I usaully do with other Rotti owners I meet, I ask them if they have heard of this website and if not I tell them the address. I advised her that this is a great place to learn about the Rotti Breed and a great place to meet other Rotti owners. I said have a nice day and walked away.

So was I wrong?? Is it none of my business??

[tpa232]

My hat is off to you, my friend. People like that need to hear it, even if they don't want to listen. Someday, she might log on and do the right thing, for her, her family, and her dog. I really hope so.

I think it's safe to say we're all in your corner on this one!!!

Tom & Ty

[Java Lover]

I think you did great!

[Ceej]

Clap. Clap. Clap.

I applaud you. You did great!!!

[shybird]

You were right to give the information. I'm glad you got the message to them. BUT, In todays society children should not be approached by a strange adult. (your immediately though a perv) I know that is sad, that's the way things are today. I think maybe asking the children from a safe distance to go get their mom or dad might have been better. Then explaining to them that you were concerned about the children's safety and the breeds reputation. Although you may have gotten the same reaction, you wouldn't have taken the chance that, instead of mom came walking out, a cop shows up.

[jaxnvilleguy]

Originally Posted by shybird

In todays society children should not be approached by a strange adult. (your immediately though a perv) I know that is sad, that's the way things are today.

You are absolutely right, I never thought about that. With all the news about the pervs out there.

But, I did not approach them, I was standing in my drive way, at least 20 to 30 feet away from them.

Anyhow, a lesson learned for me from shybird. Thank You! Next time I will, try a different approach and hopefully a lesson learned for the owner (I Hope).

Thank you!

[brutus'mother]

I can see both sides of this story with one exception-
I don't allow my 6'1" 175 pound 16 year old son to walk Brutus alone. Physically he is much stronger than I but he lacks the experience of how to deal with situations he may run into while walking our dog. I don't want to put either of them in a situation that easily could go bad.
I have on occasion got a bad vibe from people when out hiking with Brutus alone. If I am asked "Is your dog friendly?" in an environment that I feel a little too isolated I will reply, "not always" and keep moving. It's really none of "average Joe's" business if my dog will go into a spastic butt wiggle or bite his face off. So, maybe these people were playing it safe with you....?

Before anyone gets a wild hair anywhere. I don't use my dog as protection and would not put him in that position. I always have other methods to protect myself and am fully expecting my dog to come to me for protection if the need arises.

[Jaboomba]

You are awesome!!! Although it might not make a difference in this case I have to believe that when the ignorant Mom goes to bed she has to think how stupid she is being!!

[debbiej]

I think you told a truth they need to hear. they may not, in the moment, have accepted it, but I'll bet it simmers on a back burner, and they come to the conclusion that you have a good point.

[stale]

Originally Posted by debbiej

I think you told a truth they need to hear. they may not, in the moment, have accepted it, but I'll bet it simmers on a back burner, and they come to the conclusion that you have a good point.

i think you grossly underestimate the scope of human stupidity.

were common sense in any way, shape or form common, our breed wouldn't have the reputation that it does.

not saying the OP didn't do a wonderful thing, because they did - just pointing out that the majority of folks don't think, at all, until something forces them to.

that, and the simple truth that most people judge another's intelligence based upon how closely one's opinion matches their own. the very fact that she disagree's with the OP about it being their business lessens the chance of them being taken seriously.

but no, Jaxnville, you weren't wrong - you did good, regardless of the results.

[nlavett]

Originally Posted by shybird

You were right to give the information. I'm glad you got the message to them. BUT, In todays society children should not be approached by a strange adult. (your immediately though a perv) I know that is sad, that's the way things are today. I think maybe asking the children from a safe distance to go get their mom or dad might have been better. Then explaining to them that you were concerned about the children's safety and the breeds reputation. Although you may have gotten the same reaction, you wouldn't have taken the chance that, instead of mom came walking out, a cop shows up.

I too think you did the right thing. Any information that gets through is better than none at all. I felt the need to post about shybird's response as well. This is my opinion regarding children and I hope that it is respected as such.

My husband runs private schools for autistic and behaviorally challenged children here in the state of Florida. He started out in mental health counseling children and dually diagnosed adolescents. He LOVES kids. I would get uncomfortable out with him sometimes in the beginning of our relationship because he would engage in conversation just about anyone, inclucing children. I too feared what shybird is talking about. And yes, some of the parents were a bit uneasy. (not the majority however) But after a while, I formed a very different opinion.

As a parent, I want my children to be aware, always aware. I do not want them to live in a state of fear of grown ups. Before anyone says it, I am perfectly aware of the world we live in and strongly believe in caution. I do not believe we should be afraid of talking to our youth for fear of being labeled a perv. It's just like with the dogs. Just because of one, should we be leery of all men who look at our children, speak to our child? I will not live that way, nor will my children be pressed into such fear and negativity.

If you are in fact in a public place, well within sight of others, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I strongly believe in that worn out theme that it does take a village. That includes men.

[QuietDaze]

Without knowing the tone of the conversation I can't see anything at all wrong with what you did or said. Maybe she'll come around and maybe she won't. Most people are going to be more concerned about their child before their dog so she may not have been feeling you from the aspect of 'what if something happens to your dog'. If she's your new neighbor then hopefully you'll have more opportunities to talk to her and get your neighborly relationship off to a better start.

Brutus'Mother - made an excellent point in that she doesn't always tell complete strangers the absolute truth about her dog. The first thing the little boy said was that the dog bites. Maybe he was told to say that if anyone approaches them or maybe it's true, who knows but it's an option.

Nlavett - your issue is a petpeeve of mine so I'm glad you said something. I think too many believe perverts are around every corner and under every bush. To the OP, unless you ARE a pervert I would not change anything about your approach to the kids.

[Xena Rio's Mum]

You were not in the wrong, you did absolutely the right thing. What responsible Rottie owner would let children out alone walking such a big dog, what if something had spooked the dog they would have not been able to hold it and then it would have been running loose around the neighbourhood.

[jlhnokc]

I think what you did was great...but more than likely it went in one ear and out the other. What I see is that a lot of people have a hard time understanding what "could" happen. Because it hasn't happened to them or even to someone close to them. So, having their children walk their dog is not a danger because to them "what could happen?" or it comes to laziness. It's easier to let the kids walk the dog so they don't have to.

[The Queen Bee]

Personally I don't think that you were wrong, I have to admit that I do what I'm sure those children's mother has told them to do: Play on the public's insecurities about large breed dogs (esp. rotties) and use them as a deterrent against unwanted advances / conversation... I am about 5'4, sometimes I'll be walking and an undesirable character approaches and starts a conversation, I'll "warn" them that my girl is very protective and doesnt like me talking to strangers, and ask them not to walk so close because I don't want her to get upset and bite - by which time she will have positioned herself between me and said character, tail curled high in the air as if she's daring the person to get closer... and they'll get the message.
(Mind you, when we're walking and we stop to chat to a 'friend', she'll sit there, head cocked on a side, tongue hanging out the side of her mouth, looking all dopey - I've actually had someone ask me if she's purebred, because he's never seen a friendly looking rottie - I guess the fact that she has her tail makes her look somewhat less menacing).

I know... shame on me for using my dog like that :D