Pet Peeves

[Tim Connell]

I have been around dogs for quite a while, and I was thinking about the pet peeves I have developed over the years relating to owning GSD's, and Malinois. When out in public, people have odd remarks. People have many misconceptions. In written form, people struggle trying to describe them. I just figured some of you would recognize some of these things as happening to you.

In no particular order:

1. "Wow, I've never seen a wolf up close." No, actually he isn't part wolf.

2. "I didn't know they came in black"

3. "Is he part German Shepherd?"

4. Anyone who incorrectly spells "shepherd" as: *shephard*, *sheppard*, *shepard*, or any other derivative thereof

5. "Does he bite?" (usually as someone is extending their hand forward toward the dog's face, or allowing their unrestrained child to run at the dog screaming.) Bad time to inquire.

6. "He's an Explosives dog? does that mean he can sniff drugs too?"

7. "I used to own a Police Dog. He was a big shepherd. He weighed 180 lbs. Why is yours so small?" (sure you did)

8. "Too bad they all have bad hips"

9. "What is his name?" Why does it matter? Will you like him less if his name is disagreeable to you?

10. Last but not least...in their best *dog trainer voice* they ask the dog: "Can you sit?" Dog looks at them strangely, as I calmly try to ignore it. Please don't try to train my dog. I usually respond that either he doesn't speak English, or act oblivious and say "Oh, he doesn't know that one yet"

I'm sure some of you can relate...

[chelle]

Haha, I like #10.

Usually something like: "Can you sit, pretty boy?" What's with all those stupid words? Do you think my dog is going to find the "sit" within your sentence and then do that? Usually delivered in some dumb, high, happy tone. I'll never forget one guy who said something like this and when Bailey just stared at him, like, you're a dumbazz, and of course did not sit, the guy turned and said, "You know, I can show you how to teach him to sit."

Thanks, dude, but no thanks - I think we have the sit figured out.

[GatorDog]

I get numbers 3, 7, 8, and 10 ALL THE TIME. Luckily for me, I have mastered the "completely ignore and walk away" attitude. I find it kind of humorous now when I leave mid sentence and they stand there with their mouth hanging open.

[qbchottu]

I actually had a lady ask me if Whiskey was in any pain because his ears were standing all the time

[Greydusk]

I get the 3 and 1 a lot and the "oh I love huskies!" comment.

I was walking along a fence once and all of sudden this man runs up on the other side with his GSD, physically turns his dog around so her butt was up against the fence and all he said was "is that a stud?, my girls in heat".

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by Tim Connell

9. "What is his name?" Why does it matter? Will you like him less if his name is disagreeable to you?

I don't get what is offensive about asking a dog's name...

[selzer]

Yupp, heard every one of those, even the black (and Rushie was a blanket black and tan, and Frodo a bi-color).

I don't mind people asking the name of the dog, I think knowing the name helps them to see them as something more than hair and fangs. And, I think it says they care enough to ask something about the dog. I don't like when they say, "Is that a German Shepherd?" and when you say yes, they just grunt and walk on. What's that about???

[StryderPup]

It drives me crazy when someone asks...

What Stryder is "mixed" with?

Did it hurt when you had his ears docked?

My favorite... "Is he a police dog?" ...sigh...

[BritneyP]

Originally Posted by freestep

i don't get what is offensive about asking a dog's name...

lol!

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by BritneyP

lol!

Really, I don't! Am I missing a perfect opportunity to be offended?