Frustrating dog owner I met today

[Mandalay]

I went to a safety fair today with my DDs. This was not a pet/dog event, so the public was not suppose to bring their dogs/pets. I do have to say, though, that we were hoping they'd have the K9s there. LoL

We got out of the car and I put my 1yo DD in her stroller. I was unloading the car (diaper bag, purse, camera, etc) and heard her saying "dog", "dog". I looked up and a retrable leash came from around my car and nearly sliced off her head. Then came the owner. The dog was already at the end of the leash jumping around my 1yo DDs stroller. I grabbed ahold of the lead part and was pulling the dog back away from her.

I loked at the guy holding the leash and asked him to please reel his dog in and not allow him to jump on or at my baby. This was a 60 lb-ish Boxer. The man looked at me like I was being a B**.

Now, to start, he had a prong AND an e-collar on the dog. Both. Attached to a retractable lead. UGH. Asking questions I found that the dog was 18 months old and he had been using the E-Collar for a year. Since the dog was 6 months old. He had never had actual training on how to use the e-collar, had not attended a training class and had NO IDEA why this dog was acting like this.

I started by explaining how dangerous retractable leads can be and how hurt MY 1yo DD could have gotten had it wrapped around her neck when his dog was running out of control. He seemed genuinely interested and ignorant about it. He was listening and asking questions. I continued by pointing out that this lead with a PRONG collar was also not the best idea. I lost him here. He said that this has always worked for him so he saw no need to stop doing this. (yeah - it was REALLY working there for him).

I accepted that he was not going to budge and I asked him about the e-collar since I had heard it beep numerous times already and we had only been there for about 5 minutes. He had never had any training on how to use it, but he did read the manual (UGH UGH UGH).

I asked if he ever verbally corrected the dog with the e-collar, if he had used positive reinforcement instead, NILIF, etc etc. Nope. He said he thought the e-collar was easier, so he started there.

I was so annoyed with this man by the time I walked away I was almost in tears thinking about this poor dog living with an e-collar and a prong on for the last year and being shocked all the time, but not knowing why he was being shocked. He was out of control, jumpy, jumping, and I dont think he was happy.

It was one of those moments you hope is a hidden video and was not real. The dog was friendly (with all the jumping he was maybe a little TOO friendly), well fed (the guy was bragging that he fed "his boy" raw bones) and seemed to be in good physical condition. Mental is another story.

[SunCzarina]

This happened at a safety fair? That's surreal.

[Mandalay]

Oh...what made me have to walk away from him was that he said to me that it was "obvious" I have never owned a large dog by my thoughts on the prong and e-collar.


ARGH!

[DSudd]

Should of told him otherwise. I would of!

[Mandalay]

Originally Posted By: DSuddShould of told him otherwise. I would of!

It would have fallen on deaf ears. He was standing about 3 feet from the I heart My German Shepherd license plate frame and the GSD magnet ribbon on the back of my Jeep.

[Jax08]

We have two boxers. Their personalities are bouncy, fun loving dogs. I would never, ever put one on the end of a retractable leash but I think people should have to have a license to drive those things...you know...pass a stupidity test...

I do use a prong on Sierra but an e-collar in the wrong hands would send her running for cover and she would never come out.

[selzer]

prong, retractable lead, and e-collar on an 18 month old puppy.

I know people are constantly asking how early they can prong their dog. I was actually going to put one on one of my eight week old pups and put together my idea of the average prong-lover with photos, but decided against it.

But this is the exact intelligence level I see in the people who prong out my way. The prong is cheaper than an e-collar with any kick to it, so most of the people out this way don't fork out that kind of money for just a dog. Hunters use them around here, and some farmers.

I actually think that people like the bad dog look of a dog in a prong collar.

Got a chain, got a prong collar, got a dog house, a food dish, and a big bag a beneful -- you betcha I am ready to take home that thar pup.

[Caledon]

I HATE retracatable leashes in the hands of people who have no clue. This guy has no clue on so many levels!

In Mississauga they are illegal as your dog must be on a leash not longer than 6 feet.