WHY do people believe this stuff?

[TheGoldenRetriever]

So OK ... I'm out on our driveway this past weekend with our 13 week old Westie. (Yeah, we went from a Golden and a wolfdog to a Westie ... my guy has always admired this particular breed of terrier) The puppy is pretty solid with housebreaking and absolutely solid with obedience commands indoors including with indoor distractions. So now I want to reinforce obedience while there's outside distractions. So far he's doing pretty well.

After about an hour a neighbor wanders over, says he's been sitting on his porch and saw us. So he says "I noticed you sometimes give him treats" ... I just say "Yup." He replies "That makes dogs snappy." :::sigh::: So I tell him that no, it's positive reinforcement, just like praise or a game of tug. Then he tells me "Ohhh, tug-of-WAR turns puppies into biters as dogs" He made a point of emphasizing the word "war" :::sigh::: I didn't reply.

He asks what kind of dog, I say "West Highland Terrier". He then goes on for a long while talking about how all terriers are dominant and how I gotta be a stronger "alpha" and all small dogs are snappy so it's a good thing my stepson is a little bit older now. I'm not replying to any of this but figure it's a good distraction test for the puppy. Puppy does OK, but not nearly as well as before the neighbor wandered over ... guess we need to work on distraction resistance a little more.

Neighbor's still going on when I hear him say that my treat and play reinforcements means that the puppy is "only following orders for food and playtime ... he just wants the instant gratification". :::sigh::: Finally I tell the guy that maybe he's right ... and he smiles ... until I told him that with all these rewards for good behavior I could very well be ruining my puppy's chances to get into a good college some day. Neighbor is silent for a few seconds, then says he's gotta be heading back home to do some yard work.

 

[Sunnypup]

Finally I tell the guy that maybe he's right ... and he smiles ... until I told him that with all these rewards for good behavior I could very well be ruining my puppy's chances to get into a good college some day. Neighbor is silent for a few seconds, then says he's gotta be heading back home to do some yard work.

*snort* :rofl1:

 

[Kayla]

Well don't ya know that you HAVE to treat dogs like wolfes, I mean if not all of that time they spend plotting against us to overthrow us as leader might actually succeed and then imagine having to wake up every morning and asking your dog for breakfast and your car keys to get to work, that would be soooo embarrising. LOL

 

[Romy]

You'll have to call him over for a demonstration once your westie perfects the hot dog retrieve.

 

[Hairy&Stumpy]

It sounds like your terrier is a good judge of character at such a wee age.

 

[noodlerubyallie]

OMG I really need you to come and live with me. I need someone with good retorts and the ability to patiently "wait" through the bullsh*t to get the REALLY juicy, stupid stuff that people believe about dogs.

I so wish I could have had a lawn chair and popcorn with that one. It would've been CLASSIC.

 

[adojrts]

OMG when will it end????????????? But your response is a riot, love it. Nothing like zinging someone, making them shut and leave (makes my day/week/month depending on the person :rofl1

 

[FurryBear]

Lol! I've never met that kind. I usually meet the "my dog loves kibbles and bits and even though he is 50 pounds he doesn't need to go on walks, he plays in the backyard!" kind. Or the ones that load their dogs full of treats and can't imagine how they are fat.

 

[Southpaw]

Ah, I love people.

Can't say I've met someone who disagrees with food rewards. Love your response though lol.

 

[Criosphynx]

NICE! I don't know how you put up with people like that.


Maybe after your dog had dominated and taken ove the household, he'll go after the nieghbor next.

 

[LuvsDogs]

Great response. I have been re-reading 'Culture Clash' by Jean Donaldson. The part about tug a war & how wonderful it is for rewarding dogs for getting their training right.

 

[arklady]

LMAO good strategy.

Thinking about all those people I'd just like to give a raspberry to...I spend more time writing these days rather than dealing with those types.

 

[ihartgonzo]

LMAO! Nice job handling your neighbor... wow... if only he knew how stupid he sounds. ; )

My friend always complains about her neighbor, giving her highly well-informed puppy tips. When we told him she was taking Sadie to 4 Paws (one of the most noted Obedience schools out there, and where I take my boys, of course) he told us that Petsmart was "the best" place to go. He also throws her sticks from his balcony - and encourages her to chew on them! Because, sticks are a healthy part of any puppy's diet. He also did the tug-o-war and dominance spiel. It's annoying, yet hilarious, when random people butt in and decide their new job is giving bad advice to new puppy owners... but it's also scary, for new puppy owners who don't know any better and actually listen to such nonsense.

 

[2dogmom]

Cripes there are a lot of people running their mouths with bad advice out there! But your comeback was priceless! I'm going to remember that one!

 

[Kayla]

He also throws her sticks from his balcony - and encourages her to chew on them! Because, sticks are a healthy part of any puppy's diet.

LOL I guess its all of the yummy fiber that sticks provide, maybe thats why dogs like to chew them so much, gotta keep regular.

 

[TopherX]

people should be telling others what is right for their dog. dogs aren't all the same, even within a breed. a lot of trainers have the same attitude, that really pisses me off. You sound like you are raising a good little westie there....and there is nothing wrong with spoiling your dog with healthy treats. we all need treats in our lives...lol

 

[xpaeanx]

I like your response... I wish I could have seen his face!

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

Thanks for all your replies folks! These boards really renew my faith that not everyone is a dog-idiot.

My neighbor is generally a nice enough guy ... he means well, I guess ... which is why I just ignored most of what he said. Didn't wanna bother actively engaging him in arguments ... as those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still. But couldn't resist zinging him at the end.

When we still had Cheyenne the Wonder Dog ... he would often tell us how he would love to have a "Golden Lab just like her". It didn't matter how many times we told him she was a Golden Retriever ... he still referred to her as "that great Golden Lab". :::sigh:::

He's an older guy, late 50ish or early 60ish ... and doesn't have any dogs, though he says he "had them as a boy". His wife is decidedly not a "dog person" ... afraid of all big dogs and doesn't want a little dog either, so they only have cats. He says he would like to have a dog, but I doubt they ever will because of how his wife feels.

I shudder to think what would happen if they ever did get a dog with a gentle temperment like Cheyenne's! His brand of "training" would have turned her into a cowering mess of submissive urination! I have often thought to myself that if he ever convinces his wife to get a dog, I may just volunteer to train it myself, gratis, just so he doesn't ruin the poor thing!