I have not had anything hurtful said about my babies, just wanted to say your description of what your dogs do for you, and how they feel about you was right on.

 

My mother's husband likes to talk crap about Sinister.

He owns a GSD/Husky mix, has never owned a PB GSD, but likes to give his input and act like he knows everything about the breed and compares his dog to mine.

Everytime he opens his mouth when Sinister is around it's almost always an insult.

I usually blow up at him and leave.

 

When hubby said, "Hondo loves me more..." it was hurtful, because it's true...

 

that sounds so sad. Growing up I always wanted the dog to be my dog but it never was, they were always my dad's dog. It was depressing.

When hubby said, "Hondo loves me more..." it was hurtful, because it's true...

 

Your response was a good one. People who do not have dogs as pets do not understand the bond that developes. Their loss.

My husband has told me that I talk about Dakota's training too much. He has told me, although I don't believe him, that my father has said that too. I don't believe him because I don't talk about her that much to my dad.

This was very hurtful, because he has basically told me he is not interested in something that gives me great joy. How did I handle it. I don't talk about my dog to anyone except people on this board, and with people in obedience class. Very lonely not to be able to share with people who should support me.

 

I completely understand. My mother used to have dogs but hasn't in a long time and I very rarely talk about Nova with her but when I do she says " there's more to life and to talk about then dogs!" ouch.

My husband has told me that I talk about Dakota's training too much. He has told me, although I don't believe him, that my father has said that too. I don't believe him because I don't talk about her that much to my dad.

This was very hurtful, because he has basically told me he is not interested in something that gives me great joy. How did I handle it. I don't talk about my dog to anyone except people on this board, and with people in obedience class. Very lonely not to be able to share with people who should support me.

 

I feel awful because my dogs have not received as much exercise as they should for the past 2 weeks. When DH is home he takes them walking but he works long hours and so I have not been able to do my share because of back problems.

Here is the reason for this rant-first it was my MIL that told my DH that if I couldn't care for the dogs when he wasn't home then we should not have them. Now one of my family members told me to take my lab back to the dog pound because with my back problems 2 dogs was too much for me.I am so upset. Fighting back tears upset! How dare someone say such a thing about one of my best friends? Do people have no clue what my dogs mean to me? I must admit I had a strong urge to slap somebody. I didn't though-this is what I said….

When everybody else is out living their lives who is here by my side? My boys. Who comes up to me and lays at my feet when I am lonely, who walks up to me and lays their head on my lap with a look of complete admiration? Who senses my pain and licks my hand-offering their best method of comfort? My boys of course. And they also don't care how I look, how much I weigh, if I wear jogging pants with hiking boots when I am in a relaxing mood, nor do they care if I am not in the mood to talk. They love me no matter what. They are my best friends-and I love them dearly. My boys happen to be a saddle back GSD and a chocolate lab!:web: Then I went on to tell them that I hope that was the last time they say something like that to me about my boys. The person looked at me like I was nuts.

What is the most hurtful thing someone has ever told you about your dogs, and how did you respond?

No one says much to me personally. However my MIL who is not my biggest fan nor I hers...has made remarks to my husband. For example we chose not to go up to WI for either holiday, K can't be boarded and he is at a point he needs more care than the neighbors can take on. That's fine I don't particularly care to go up anyway. I am also a realist and feel this will probably be his last Christmas with the kids. However MIL was appalled we would choose a dog over family. I was just venting to my best friend this morning and I share your sentiment, I think my exact words were "Kaos has been there every day for me for 9 years, through 2 babies, 2 moves, 3 herniated discs, panic attacks, sleepness nights,and so much more he is always there, MIL has been there when it's convenient and when it looks good, so am I going to choose him over her? Every stinkin (not my exact word) time you bet I will!"

So take care of yourself and try not to pay much mind, I know it's hard. I hope your husband at the very least shuts her down pretty quick.....

 

"Good thing you spent all the money on training" coming from my friend's husband... Needless to say, I told him a few choice words.

 

Someone once insisted to another acquaintance of mine that there is nothing wrong with my dog despite having multiple x-rays (from multiple vets at various ages) clearly showing otherwise, a note on the official OFA certificate, and a video of the dog's back making a loud popping noise when he walks. I guess that's not really "hurtful" since it is what it is but I don't like being called a liar.

Other than that, I guess I've been lucky. Most of my friends and family just don't care about dogs, so they wouldn't say anything intentionally hurtful. No one's ever called them ugly or stupid or anything like that.

 

Someone once insisted to another acquaintance of mine that there is nothing wrong with my dog despite having multiple x-rays (from multiple vets at various ages) clearly showing otherwise, a note on the official OFA certificate, and a video of the dog's back making a loud popping noise when he walks. I guess that's not really "hurtful" since it is what it is but I don't like being called a liar.

Other than that, I guess I've been lucky. Most of my friends and family just don't care about dogs, so they wouldn't say anything intentionally hurtful. No one's ever called them ugly or stupid or anything like that.

Just looking at your avatar...I can see why no one's ever called them ugly:wub:

 

I don't see why the OP took offense when family showed concern for her back.

The only 'hurtful' thing I get about my dog is that they think she is a male puppy and wonder when she is going to fill out because "she seems so thin". Some people don't see that their dogs are too fat and they don't know the difference between slender and thin.

 

I don't see why the OP took offense when family showed concern for her back.

The only 'hurtful' thing I get about my dog is that they think she is a male puppy and wonder when she is going to fill out because "she seems so thin". Some people don't see that their dogs are too fat and they don't know the difference between slender and thin.

The OP took offense because if a family member is concerned for her back then they should offer to assist her in any way they can, not make snide remarks about putting her dog in the pound.

 

I was able to take my dogs out for the first time in two weeks today. We went for 2 walks, not as long as usual but my back is holding up well. The dogs were so excited when I asked them like I do before we go-Want to go for a walk?

As far as DH, he doesn't stand up to him mother very much, he just stays quiet. I have come to realize that I don't care very much for people who don't love dogs.

 

"Your dog is a show dog, you will never get him to a SchH3, you don't have the skills and he doesn't have what it takes".

That stabbed pretty good. I took it as an attack against "our" abilities.

I told him to 'eff off.

 

This. I am not hurt by it but it made me even more driven. Not all showline dogs are created equal. I was in heaven my trainer told me "Hey, he's pretty good for a showline!" Koda is only 8 months old and we've only been training since beginning of September and he's come a LONG way. He is very bold and confident.

Family members and friends don't dare say anything against ANY of my dogs, they know what's good for them. They know how hard and painful it was for me when I lost Zeus and Odin. They know how much I love my dog, how much I care for them and how much I would give for them. :wub:

 

We had to put our 1st GSD down due to a bite incident and we just got our puppy. My boyfriends mom doesn't want to pet her because she "is still afraid". Of what? She was not involved in the bite incident, nor did my other GSD ever even growl at her. I hate that she is cursing a whole breed!

 

I almost never get insults about Sasha, and I'm pretty sure that's because most people that know me and know everything Sasha has done for me know that my bite's a heck of a lot stronger than hers and talk about my trash about my baby and I'm fairly likely to bite. The closest I came was a guy telling me she wasn't well trained/there was something wrong with her because she didn't like to cuddle...that one peeved me.

Mostly I get comments about me and how I regard Sasha. I get lots of "She's just a dog." "You can talk about something other than that dog." "You're a bad mother." <-- my mom likes to say that one when Sasha has done something that, had I been a little more careful, could have been prevented. "You'll never be able to give her a good life since you're in college and don't have any time or money." <---my mother again. Those last two ones sting every time I hear them, and I actually almost gave her back to the rescue over the last one because she had me pretty convinced it was true. I didn't though, and we've been provin' her wrong ever since we moved out

 

I almost never get insults about Sasha, and I'm pretty sure that's because most people that know me and know everything Sasha has done for me know that my bite's a heck of a lot stronger than hers and talk about my trash about my baby and I'm fairly likely to bite. The closest I came was a guy telling me she wasn't well trained/there was something wrong with her because she didn't like to cuddle...that one peeved me.

Mostly I get comments about me and how I regard Sasha. I get lots of "She's just a dog." "You can talk about something other than that dog." "You're a bad mother." <-- my mom likes to say that one when Sasha has done something that, had I been a little more careful, could have been prevented. "You'll never be able to give her a good life since you're in college and don't have any time or money." <---my mother again. Those last two ones sting every time I hear them, and I actually almost gave her back to the rescue over the last one because she had me pretty convinced it was true. I didn't though, and we've been provin' her wrong ever since we moved out

Don't worry. I got my first one at age 21, same thing, my family insisted I couldn't keep him; couldn't afford him; he was too big; he'd cost me too much money. Then it was "He'll bite the kids; he'll ruin your house; he'll kill another pet". Now, 10 years after he died, at age 10 of cancer, he was "THE BEST DOG EVER, you'll never have another one like him" according to my family.

 

I've gotten the eyeroll and "it's just a dog" comment. This hurts, especially coming from my sister who also has a dog. She has a Rottweiler but does nothing with her. Most days she's only let out to pee.

 

My boyfriend said he's not going to bother talking about his dog or the breeding planned with his dog with me anymore because I argue and act like a know it all and flip out about it. I told him the people breeding his dog (which is in somebody elses' care 5 hours away right now) are doing it for money, no interest in bettering the breed or anything and might know a thing or two but don't know ENOUGH to be doing it.

 

I guess the most hurtful things I hear about my dogs are when somebody talks about their size in a condescending manner. Rocky's 9 1/2 and 78lb, Kopper is 1 year and 75lb. Fairly frequently someone refer to them as being "really small for a German Shepherd."

 

Your dogs weight seem about right to me. My dog is the opposite-he is really big for a GSD. I hear it all the time-people say that he is the biggest GSD that they have ever seen. Over the summer when I was walking him this guy riding by on a bike asked me how much he weighed-I told him 119 and he said-Now thats protection right there. Many people are terrified of him because of his size and breed, most people cross the street when they see me walking with him. People are always making goofy comments. I try my best to be polite and brush it off.

 

A trainer at our club said that Stosh was mean- he doesn't have a mean bone in his body! He was playing with a little Fox Terrier who was standing under Stosh's chest and nipping the back of his legs [sounds like Stosh is a monster so far doesn't it?] and Stosh was doing the open mouthed play biting with that arrr arrr sound. I called Stosh over so he didn't intimidate the terrier and that's when she said Stosh was being too mean. I know better but it's not easy to take a comment like that when #1, she's known Stosh his entire life and #2 he's never ever ever been in a fight or anything close to an aggressive encounter. Still bugged me though

 

I feel awful because my dogs have not received as much exercise as they should for the past 2 weeks. When DH is home he takes them walking but he works long hours and so I have not been able to do my share because of back problems.

Here is the reason for this rant-first it was my MIL that told my DH that if I couldn't care for the dogs when he wasn't home then we should not have them. Now one of my family members told me to take my lab back to the dog pound because with my back problems 2 dogs was too much for me.I am so upset. Fighting back tears upset! How dare someone say such a thing about one of my best friends? Do people have no clue what my dogs mean to me? I must admit I had a strong urge to slap somebody. I didn't though-this is what I said….

When everybody else is out living their lives who is here by my side? My boys. Who comes up to me and lays at my feet when I am lonely, who walks up to me and lays their head on my lap with a look of complete admiration? Who senses my pain and licks my hand-offering their best method of comfort? My boys of course. And they also don't care how I look, how much I weigh, if I wear jogging pants with hiking boots when I am in a relaxing mood, nor do they care if I am not in the mood to talk. They love me no matter what. They are my best friends-and I love them dearly. My boys happen to be a saddle back GSD and a chocolate lab!:web: Then I went on to tell them that I hope that was the last time they say something like that to me about my boys. The person looked at me like I was nuts.

What is the most hurtful thing someone has ever told you about your dogs, and how did you respond?

Without knowing the people involved, very difficult to say, but maybe your relatives were truly concerned for YOUR welfare and didn't have any knowledge/appreciation for what your dogs mean to you? Maybe?

 

It's good to know that others get offended when people talk bad about their dogs. I get so hurt and defensive when someone says something about him.. What Titan was a puppy he was a spinner. He would OBSESSIVELY chase his tail if I wasn't paying enough attention to him.. still does it on and off today after 2 years of constant training. But just a few months ago.. he was in a new environment with a new dog friend and he got so anxious and started doing it.. a friend of the other dog owner was there and she called him retarded and made fun of him for being so dumb. It bothered me because even when I explained his behavior and even though he is SO smart and is even training as a Search and Rescue dog, she wouldn't quit and after a few weeks of interaction with her and her continual put downs to my baby, I told her to knock it off and that he was likely smarter than she was and to shut it. May not have been the most tactful approach but I'd had it..

Just today actually I showed someone a new picture of my Boerboel puppy and someone said "oh so you got the dumb one.." and even though she's not even home yet I was hurt and got defensive. I don't know what it is about people not understanding the relationship between a person and their dog. I suppose those are the people that own dogs just to have them as pets and not a true companion. Titan is my WORLD and I wouldn't know what to do if he weren't there. Athena, my new puppy, will be added into the mix very soon and I can't wait to meet her and treat her the same as my boy now

Sorry your situation happened that way. I wouldn't take offense to it, they might have been honestly concerned, but addressing the issue once in a tactful way would have been appropriate. Then dropping it after you have given your response.

 

It was bad enough finding out about all of Kya's health issues, I was told she would never live past 5 years IF she made it that long. Lack of nutrition as a pup before I got her (she was basically a starved skeleton) kept her from having her ears stand up. The cartilidge did not form correctly. People say she does not look like a shepherd because her ears do not stand up. Thinking of all my beautiful now 11.5 year old girl has been through that really hurts me. People say it like she is less of a shepherd because of the ears. Believe me that girl is ALL shepherd. I guess I may be extra sensitive because of all we have been through.

 

It was bad enough finding out about all of Kya's health issues, I was told she would never live past 5 years IF she made it that long. Lack of nutrition as a pup before I got her (she was basically a starved skeleton) kept her from having her ears stand up. The cartilidge did not form correctly. People say she does not look like a shepherd because her ears do not stand up. Thinking of all my beautiful now 11.5 year old girl has been through that really hurts me. People say it like she is less of a shepherd because of the ears. Believe me that girl is ALL shepherd. I guess I may be extra sensitive because of all we have been through.

People can be ridiculous-imagine that, thinking that a dogs breed is all about the ears!

Someone once said that Glock was "the ugliest dog they had ever seen". Still not sure if he was joking or serious, but he looked and sounded serious.

I think Glock is beautiful-that person had to be either joking or blind.

 

I got a little hurt when someone said Niko was fat. I put him on a diet, he lost ten pounds and is very lean now.

I got LIVID when a relative (not on my side of the family) suggested that Rosa would have been better off PTS instead of getting her hip replacement. I actually kind of hate this person because of what he said.

 

When Jazz had a lot of digestive issues my friend who is a dog-lover and has a dog suggested I get rid of him because he was costing me a lot of money and time. I wasn't really hurt but I was a little angry because she knows how deeply I love my dogs. Getting rid of him because he's inconvenient would never happen.

 

I have a hard time getting offended by people saying things about my dogs... comments like "she's so SKINNY" or "Are you sure she's a purebred?" are usually made out of ignorance, and it just makes the person saying it look dumb. No skin off my nose. Heck, I even had a trainer say my pup was "insecure", because she was acting a bit anxious the first time I brought her out. I understand since that was the only time he'd seen her, he was only going by what he was seeing in that specific moment. I know my pup far better than he does, have seen her get over momentary anxiety, so I know she is not an "insecure" dog. I could have gotten offended but I shrugged it off--he just didn't know any better.

 

I guess I've never been too hurt by an offhand, not nasty but not nice remark, but I'm offended that my family BRAGS up their dogs like no other and have never once said a single nice thing about any of my dogs. Never once. Of course I think I have better dogs, hehe, but the truth is, mine have been exercised, trained and socialized so incredibly much more than theirs and it would be nice to get a little credit for that. Their dogs have never attended a single training class and are lucky to get a walk around the block. Yet, they brag how well behaved they are. They're not horribly behaved, but they've also never been proofed outside of their homes, either. My dogs can go anywhere... well... besides a fireworks show.

Sorry to rant, you hit a nerve.

 

I'm sorry your family members said that to you, OP. Sometimes, the ones who love you can hurt you the most! However well-intentioned, those comments were rude. I think you handled yourself well. You can't control your family, but you can control your reaction to them. You did good!

I haven't been offended (yet), but I've definitely been deeply annoyed by family and friends who feel it's their duty to inform me of all the problems with having a dog: How could I ever manage to have a GSD in an apartment, what giant poops he'll have, that my dog would grow up and spray pee on everything and everyone (Josie, remember this? LOL), etc etc etc.

When people feel the need to offer unsolicited "advice" as a way of foretelling my future doom, I politely tell them, "I know you're trying to help, but I did not ask for your advice, and I do not want it."

When people warn me that a dog is so much work that it will change my life, I tell them, "Good. I hope it does. I've never had to take care of anyone besides myself, and I'm ready to grow."

The other thing that annoys me (and this is silly) is when people tell me that Batman is a terrible name. A recent conversation went like this (I put "Batman" in quotes because the guy said it in a really annoying way):

Guy: You're naming your dog "Batman?" What kind of name is that?
Me: My dog's name. I just told you.
Guy: That is NOT a dog's name.
Me: Yes it is. It's my dog's name. I just told you.
Guy: Well, don't be surprised if some people don't want to play with a dog named "Batman."
Me: OK, that's good. Those people sound terrible. I don't want them getting near my dog anyway.

 

Guy: You're naming your dog "Batman?" What kind of name is that?
Me: My dog's name. I just told you.
Guy: That is NOT a dog's name.
Me: Yes it is. It's my dog's name. I just told you.
Guy: Well, don't be surprised if some people don't want to play with a dog named "Batman."
Me: OK, that's good. Those people sound terrible. I don't want them getting near my dog anyway.

LMAO. That's awesome. Good for you. He's a moron :laugh:

 

I have certain people in my life that constantly bad mouth chrono. They frequently compare him to my fiance's sister's dog, and call Chrono 'the bad one' or 'the worse one' because they don't like how friendly Chrono is. The other dog is very nice, but she's scared of everything, poops/pees in the house, and she's a bucket of nerves.

But the worst comment I've ever received is from an idiotic petsmart trainer that called Chrono aggressive because he was barking at other dogs since he was frustrated over not being allowed to greet them(trainer was scared of Chrono. At 4 months old!)

Chrono being aggressive in any way is just.... absolutely ridiculous to the point that it's offensive.

 

Are you kidding? That face is pure evil. EVIL.

SitUbuSit, I loved the Batman story, LOL