The general public - bless em!

[heckler]

I took my young (21 months) springer out today, no training just a run around in the local countryside.
While crossing a large field we met 6 walkers who wanted to make a fuss of her. While doing so a rabbit ran in front of the dog and she started to chase it. as quick as a flash i blew the stop whistle and she sat and turned to look at me immediately. I then recalled her and she sat at heel.

One of the walker said "thats impressive, is she a working dog?"

I replied "I hope so once I finish training her"

the walker then asked "is she from working stock?"

"yes I said"

"oh well that will be why it's so obedient then. Its bred into them so they don't need much training. We had one that wasn't from working stock and couldn't walk it anywhere off its lead. Think we will get one that is from working stock next time and hopefully it will be like yours"

Anyone know where you can get these working dogs that don't need any training? Would have saved me an awful lot of time!

Anyone come across any similar daft statements?

[Gignesthai]

I wish someone would tell my two that it is bred into them, and that they should just get on with it then!

Cos mine need training! But then we get comments about how well behaved our dogs are, which by a lot of pet dog standards they do seem pretty good, and again they think it happened by magic, and yet are surprised that there dogs are not like it. I do point out that if they wish to spend time I am sure their dogs might be a similar standard, because first i learnt then i taught them!

[Tarimoor]

Are you sure it wasn't a magic whistle?

[heckler]

not a magic whistle but I could do with one!
I was very surprised she stopped so quick although we did have a session in a rabbit pen earlier in the week so i guess that helped

[Tarimoor]

My two are a long way from perfect, but if I had a spare pocket full of plastic acme whistles, I could make a fortune, well, maybe not a fortune, but enough for a couple of pints! It's amazing what people think of a little bit of training, and that's just the handler!

[sus]

Funny you should mention it but went to Highclere today and took my 15 month Lab (he is fox red - although I know he is really a yellow!) a woman came up to me and told me off for using a slip lead which in her opinion was too tight and told me I should allow him to sniff around like her Beagle (on an extendable lead) because he clearly wasn't happy - she then went on to say what breed is he and when I told her she said he must be a cross breed because labradors are never that colour!! Made my day!!!

[Sal]

Try walking with a Toller regarding crossbreed comments. They even congratulate me on 3/4 mongrels that look similar sometimes. I often just agree now, and say yes they took some finding in all the rescue pounds, as I walk away.

[Bamburi]

Funny you should mention it but went to Highclere today and took my 15 month Lab (he is fox red - although I know he is really a yellow!) a woman came up to me and told me off for using a slip lead which in her opinion was too tight and told me I should allow him to sniff around like her Beagle (on an extendable lead) because he clearly wasn't happy - she then went on to say what breed is he and when I told her she said he must be a cross breed because labradors are never that colour!! Made my day!!!

I was there and saw her , she nearly tripped me over whilst i was trying to eat my noodles that were disgusting, Ian Openshaws display was good except I had to sit there next to an old codger with a black lab on a lead that wouldnt sit still and was telling his wife that the fella in the ring didnt know what he was doing i just smiled sweetly at him lol

[vicky payne]

Being a vet I get to see the general public a lot. My favourite from this week....

"We bought a puppy two days ago and we think we'll have to rehome it. All it seems to do is pee and poo."

Other favourites include....

"But they (kittens) are brother and sister, they won't mate with each other"
"He's not eating at all. He ate a bit of my steak but he won't touch his dog food."
"I don't know why he's fat, he gets loads of exercise- at least a mile a day."

And of course it isn't just at work....One day while walking a 6month old Rebus (he's cute now, imagine how unscary and cute he was then) I met a woman and two brats on a narrow footpath. I asked Rebus to sit, but had to restrain him by his collar as the kids screamed and ran noisily past him, exciting him. I called to the woman, "If your children are scared of dogs teach them how to act around them. Running could get them attacked." I got a tirade of abuse and very rude words back and she said Rebus had jumped up at the children barking! "well," I said, "that's just a lie isn't it as he was sat still, quietly with me holding his collar." Honestly, poor kids!

I did get one magic whistle enquiry too! But the lady is very sensible. She saw me training a puppy Rebus and asked if a histle migh help wih her rescue terrier. I said it might, as it's easier for the dog to hear- BUT that it ouldn't ork unless she taught the dog what it meant at home. Result? A shaggy terrier ith excellent recall to whistle

[cockermadblonde]

Being a vet I get to see the general public a lot. My favourite from this week....

"We bought a puppy two days ago and we think we'll have to rehome it. All it seems to do is pee and poo."

Other favourites include....

"But they (kittens) are brother and sister, they won't mate with each other"
"He's not eating at all. He ate a bit of my steak but he won't touch his dog food."
"I don't know why he's fat, he gets loads of exercise- at least a mile a day."

And of course it isn't just at work....One day while walking a 6month old Rebus (he's cute now, imagine how unscary and cute he was then) I met a woman and two brats on a narrow footpath. I asked Rebus to sit, but had to restrain him by his collar as the kids screamed and ran noisily past him, exciting him. I called to the woman, "If your children are scared of dogs teach them how to act around them. Running could get them attacked." I got a tirade of abuse and very rude words back and she said Rebus had jumped up at the children barking! "well," I said, "that's just a lie isn't it as he was sat still, quietly with me holding his collar." Honestly, poor kids!

I did get one magic whistle enquiry too! But the lady is very sensible. She saw me training a puppy Rebus and asked if a histle migh help wih her rescue terrier. I said it might, as it's easier for the dog to hear- BUT that it ouldn't ork unless she taught the dog what it meant at home. Result? A shaggy terrier ith excellent recall to whistle

hehe I hear the brother sister comment alllll the time!!! never fails to make me chuckle!!