"Is she a rescue?"

I think it's because people- even sometimes including "dog people" who should know better, are conditioned to believe that dogs must be bombproof to have the right to leave the house. It's not really fair, because how else can you work with a dog who has issues than to get it out and work with it? But- people believe that if you dare take a dog out of your front door and it doesn't love people or other dogs, you are a bad person, ESPECIALLY if your dog was from a breeder. Even in competition, I have heard people rant about "the super reactive dog" (who just barked two or three times at a passing crowd and was totally under control) and how "she shouldn't be taking that dog out in public" and how "she probably got it from so and so who ALWAYS breeds bad temperaments". I didn't know that lady with the reactive dog, I don't know who she got it from or what it's backstory is, so I didn't pass judgement. Its probably just a dog who is a little noisy in high-stress situations. That dog also went on to get first place in its agility class, and was a very cool happy dog.

Why is it, that we expect dogs to be totally subservient? They are their own beings... have their own way of looking at situations, and don't understand the world from birth. It is our job to teach them how to handle situations, but I don't think there is anything wrong with a dog who never fully handles a specific situation either. It's like, getting mad at a kid with autism because it doesn't act the same way a "normal" kid does. Dogs are not robots, and they think for themselves! We have to accept that our world is a stressful place and that not all dogs will handle it well.

Dogs are not robots, and they think for themselves! We have to accept that our world is a stressful place and that not all dogs will handle it well.

You know, I can't really ever think of a time when I was countered with the question "Is s/he a rescue?" other than people asking if they're from a rescue or a breeder.

I HAVE gotten the "Oh dogs love me." largely in regard to my Dachshund, who most certainly does NOT love you. The last time a really forceful woman insisted all dogs love her I pointed at my face scar and said "He DOES love me, and he bit me in the face." Probably not the best recourse, but man how do you get the point across that the dog avoiding you does not want to be touched? I've had people reaching to pet him after I say "NO, he is NOT friendly" and stood in front of him. They also need to teach how to properly pet a strangers dog, as so many go in with their hand flying above the head and that comes off a threatening.

He's not even NOT not friendly, but we've worked through a lot of issues and he's now at a point where he's uninterested in people rather than terrified of them, and I'm perfectly OK with him not wanting to be pet. I don't like strangers to touch me.

When I was growing up, they use to have commercials on tv stating that you should never approach a stray dog [I don't have tv now, so no clue if anything like that airs now] and that you shouldn't move if the dog approaches you. I wish they still had commercials like that, as well as ones that state not to pet anyone elses dogs without permission and respect someone telling you no.

I think it's because people- even sometimes including "dog people" who should know better, are conditioned to believe that dogs must be bombproof to have the right to leave the house. It's not really fair, because how else can you work with a dog who has issues than to get it out and work with it? But- people believe that if you dare take a dog out of your front door and it doesn't love people or other dogs, you are a bad person, ESPECIALLY if your dog was from a breeder. Even in competition, I have heard people rant about "the super reactive dog" (who just barked two or three times at a passing crowd and was totally under control) and how "she shouldn't be taking that dog out in public" and how "she probably got it from so and so who ALWAYS breeds bad temperaments". I didn't know that lady with the reactive dog, I don't know who she got it from or what it's backstory is, so I didn't pass judgement. Its probably just a dog who is a little noisy in high-stress situations. That dog also went on to get first place in its agility class, and was a very cool happy dog.

Why is it, that we expect dogs to be totally subservient? They are their own beings... have their own way of looking at situations, and don't understand the world from birth. It is our job to teach them how to handle situations, but I don't think there is anything wrong with a dog who never fully handles a specific situation either. It's like, getting mad at a kid with autism because it doesn't act the same way a "normal" kid does. Dogs are not robots, and they think for themselves! We have to accept that our world is a stressful place and that not all dogs will handle it well.

When I was growing up, they use to have commercials on tv stating that you should never approach a stray dog [I don't have tv now, so no clue if anything like that airs now] and that you shouldn't move if the dog approaches you. I wish they still had commercials like that, as well as ones that state not to pet anyone elses dogs without permission and respect someone telling you no.

I feel a lot of our society is putting expectations on the dogs that are not practical. This is a little different, but my mom says a dog should know better when it's a child. Really? How so? She believes a child should be able to do whatever they want to a dog and the dog should know not to bite that child, even if they are hurting them. To me, a dog is a dog...they think like a dog. Instead of expecting the dog to be a human, why not turn it around and start teaching humans that they are the humans? And that we need to respect them, and this includes not walking up to someone elses dog and just expecting it's your right to handle the dog.

Ohh yes...whenever I help people with muzzles I get the above. Although most of the time the dog is either mouthing the kids or guests, or barking.

Am I the only one that has a really hard time selling basket muzzles? Everyone goes for the soft muzzles...I try really hard to explain that those are more for short term, grooming or medical procedures...not for long term. And then they go "oh but those look so cruel!" towards the basket muzzles. Umm...pretty sure the dog would rather wear a nice open air basket that they can drink and pant with. And then they point out on the soft muzzle package it says 'allows panting and drinking'..pfft, I don't think so. Not properly anyways.

I think it's because people- even sometimes including "dog people" who should know better, are conditioned to believe that dogs must be bombproof to have the right to leave the house. It's not really fair, because how else can you work with a dog who has issues than to get it out and work with it? But- people believe that if you dare take a dog out of your front door and it doesn't love people or other dogs, you are a bad person, ESPECIALLY if your dog was from a breeder. Even in competition, I have heard people rant about "the super reactive dog" (who just barked two or three times at a passing crowd and was totally under control) and how "she shouldn't be taking that dog out in public" and how "she probably got it from so and so who ALWAYS breeds bad temperaments". I didn't know that lady with the reactive dog, I don't know who she got it from or what it's backstory is, so I didn't pass judgement. Its probably just a dog who is a little noisy in high-stress situations. That dog also went on to get first place in its agility class, and was a very cool happy dog.

Why is it, that we expect dogs to be totally subservient? They are their own beings... have their own way of looking at situations, and don't understand the world from birth. It is our job to teach them how to handle situations, but I don't think there is anything wrong with a dog who never fully handles a specific situation either. It's like, getting mad at a kid with autism because it doesn't act the same way a "normal" kid does. Dogs are not robots, and they think for themselves! We have to accept that our world is a stressful place and that not all dogs will handle it well.