I've had dogs my entire life, but I've never had a "boat dog." This year, I decided that I wanted to get a companion animal who would go on the boat with us.

We adopted Seiche, a 50 lb mixed breed from the dog pound the day before her euthanasia was scheduled. She is a great dog, and a fast learner, although she is timid and displays some fear aggression. We've already seen that Seiche just doesn't like little dogs much, and have started training with both a prong collar and an e collar.

We've been walking her around the neighborhood, taking her to quiet parks, and lots of car trips to get her used to different environments - all in preparation for last weekend - her first on the boat. I called the destination we were headed and was assured that "all dogs have to be on a leash."

We were walking Seiche from our boat to the public park down a long, narrow dock (500 feet or more). It was Seiche's first time on a long dock, and I had a mesh muzzle, e-collar and prong on her "just in case," as she's never been in a situation like this before. Some idiot with a little yappy dog in her arms remarked to someone else on her boat, "stay away from them...some people have no sense" in one of those voices I knew I was meant to overhear. I spun, looked her in the eye, and told her that I had rescued this dog from a kill shelter, and that the muzzle was a precaution because we weren't sure how she'd react on the dock with lots of dogs. I was really mad.

We set up our chairs in the public park and watched the kids on the playground. Seiche was taking it all in from her place under the picnic table. A small boy (2 or 3) came running up shouting "doggy, doggy", and I told him "doggy's scared, can't pet her," and the dad got right up in my face and told me that I had no business bringing a dog to the park if it wasn't "friendly." Seiche gave him a warning growl, and barked - he backed off and sent a police officer over - I told the officer what went on and we agreed the guy was an idiot.

Next incident (all on same day), we were walking boat to park again, and saw four labs off leash nearby playing "fetch" in the water. I was so proud of my girl...she never even looked their direction. I thought we were "home free," then one of the labs broke and ran straight for us. Both my husband and I yelled at the dog, who didn't stop, and tried to put our bodies between him and Seiche. He kept coming and jumped on me (I have scratches the length of my leg), and on Seiche, who screamed. I finally saw the idiot owner coming for her. I screamed at him to get his dog away, and his response was, "he's just a puppy."

Going back to the boat, we passed another boat with two little dogs who started barking at us. Instead of hushing them, the owners encouraged the barking and laughed about how their dogs weren't afraid of the big dog.

Farther up the same dock was another little, unleashed dog laying on the dock in front of "his" boat. He wanted to play and came running to us. Our daughter grabbed his collar and allowed me to walk Seiche past without being accosted.

My dog never did more than grumble at the other dogs the whole trip - and she got warned for doing THAT. Did I just have a bad weekend, or is this what our "dogs as fashion accessories" world has become? Just because a dog is little and cute, or knows how to catch retrieve a tennis ball, that doesn't mean it has a right to accost every other human and dog it meets, does it?

thanks for listening....

Betty,

There are definitely a LOT of idiots out there.

I spent my weekend at K9 Search and Rescue training, where one of the searchers was telling me about a GSD at the Purebred Rescue. The original owners had surrendered the dog because, get this, it pooped too much! You pretty much hit the nail on the head with the "dogs as a fasion accessory.

It sounds like, despite being absolutely surrounded by morons, you did fantastically with your dog. I wouldn't let the snyde comments by uneducated, rude and inconsiderate people bother you.

I have a 4 year old son. If we see a dog, he knows that mommy or daddy needs to talk to the dog's mommy or daddy first, and see if it's okay to pet the dog. He has known since he was old enough to walk that not ALL dogs can be petted. Any parent that would allow their child to run up to a strange dog, is an IDIOT.

Give yourself a HUGE pat on the back. You did great.

Ed has a lot of articles on the site, about dog aggressive dogs, and especially about the best kind of collar to use on a dog agressive dog.

Yikes Betty! From the sounds of it, you're completely surrounded by ineptitude!! I agree that a lot of dogs have become "accessories" of sorts, but your story just sounds like a whole lot of clueless people who have no idea how to handle their animals - accessories, playmates, boat watchdogs, whatever you want to call them, these dogs have no leadership or control, and the owners don't even recognize it - let alone the ones who ENCOURAGE bad behavior...

Bravo to YOU! You took all the necessary precautions (muzzle, correct collars, entourage of dog-savvy family, etc.) but in the end, best laid plans and all... it's always the OTHER guys that get you into trouble. The tough truth, those of us with reactive dogs need to be extra careful so that other idiots mistakes don't get placed on our heads... but I agree with Alyssa, you were on top of your game, you protected your dog, and you prevented as much trouble as you could - well done.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Betty,
Any parent that would allow their child to run up to a strange dog, is an IDIOT.

Yup, in complete agreement. Now, I would not park a child aggressive dog in the middle of a playground, even if every kid there was well behaved, but to be minding your own business in a quiet public area and have some confrontational parent chastise you for posing a risk to his out of control kid is just dumb. You had a right to be there, you were in complete control, and you gave his kid a warning... I'm glad that police officer was a rational individual and recognized what was really going on.

Best of luck continuing to work with your new pup, it sounds like you've got the tools and the know-how to help get her through some of her issues, or at least make sure the issues don't become serious problems. And a big thanks for adopting and saving a dog's life - she'll thank you for the rest of her long, happy life.

Cheers,
~Natalya

Thanks, Alyssa and Natalya. I've been "lurking" here for a while, and have learned so much from all of Ed's articles.

Seiche probably would have been fine with the little boy (or every kid on the playground petting her...I take her to my son's daycare sometimes, and she enjoys the love, but she was already freaked out from all of the new experiences (boat ride, dock walk, etc.)

It helps a lot to know that someone thinks I did the right thing!
Thanks for taking the time to offer your support.

It seems to be a sign of the times nowadays that so many parents think it's everyone else's duty to make sure the world is safe for them to let their kids run wild and do whatever they want. I guess that guy thought you should have known that his out of control toddler was going to be at that park that particular day and kept your dog at home to accommodate his lack of parenting skills.

 Quote: Matt Wyrick

It seems to be a sign of the times nowadays that so many parents think it's everyone else's duty to make sure the world is safe for them to let their kids run wild and do whatever they want. I guess that guy thought you should have known that his out of control toddler was going to be at that park that particular day and kept your dog at home to accommodate his lack of parenting skills.

I try to do my part by telling said parents in these situations that they are in fact, stupid and likely should not have had children if this is a display of their parenting skills.

Their sputtering angry replies are like sweet music.....ahh!

Betty,

First of all, I would like to say THANK YOU for rescuing a dog! I work at an animal shelter, and I've seen countless nice dogs get put down due to lack of space. In fact, I've assisted the animal care techs put these dogs down, and it is an extremely sad experience. I'm glad to hear that this dog got adopted by a protective and responsible owner like yourself. As we all know, shy/fearful dogs absolutely crave for a strong pack leader, more so than your average dog. Unfortunately, the general public does not know or understand that their own dogs have strong genetic pack instincts. They think that their dogs go up to other dogs because it wants to make "friends". This is why there are so many irresponsible dog owners out there. I also find it very stupid to allow a child to go up to a strange dog. He should have kept an eye out for his kid, and your dog wasn't none of his damn business because your dog wasn't bugging anyone in the first place.

I think you did a wonderful job I cant seem to hold my toung around stupid people.
So it gets in a verbal war which I am my mothers daughter so I always win.
I am having the same problem with bruiser I got him a in training vest and it helped a lot.
As for the kids I watch me niece on a every other week sheduale I have her one week her dad has her one week.
We live in the same apartments.
She is 2 1/2 she know unless meme says so you dont even look at the dog. People will say you can pet it me will alway look at me first. So yes people are stupid but hey We do our part and hopefully that enough.
You can teach them while they are in diapers which I did and they will always remember

 Quote: Will Rambeau

I try to do my part by telling said parents in these situations that they are in fact, stupid and likely should not have had children if this is a display of their parenting skills.

Their sputtering angry replies are like sweet music.....ahh!

My new ideal for walking among a herd of morons with my dogs: Have Will walking beside us.

Or maybe better yet, following behind, ready to jump out from behind a tree when needed.

I think you should pat yourself on the back for doing such a great job.

I had a similar experience shortly after I had adopted my rescued dog. I was walking him and this woman and 2 kids came up to us wanted to pet him. I had Jack only a week or so, so I told her I just got him and I'm not sure how he'd react to kids so I wouldn't let her kids pet him. That woman gave me the dirtiest look ever...

Geez, forgive me for making sure YOUR kids are alright.