Apparently my dog is evil because he won't share his bones or food (and has the raw NERVE to growl a warning at dogs who attempt to take them...and sometimes he even barks! *gasp*), because he won't let kids ride him, he doesn't like strangers pawing at him and he isn't in this apartment building for everyone to fawn all over.

Even more horrible, he's not allowed to be gated in a small room with another dog and a Kong full of peanut butter, he resents it when other dogs step on him repeatedly when he's sleeping and he barks when someone knocks on the door. Worse, he won't crawl all over people and he doesn't know how to bark when he wants something.

Oh yeah, he's a naughty critter with some real issues all right, and other, gentler dogs "should not be exposed" to his type of behaviour, lest they be scarred for life. The way I handle it all is to keep strange kids/dogs away from my dog, which apparently makes ME a bi***, and I really should just "let my dog be a dog" even if it means they "have to work it out themselves" (trust me, BAD idea). I bring my x-pen everywhere because OTHER PEOPLES' dogs have no boundaries. I let them think it's to protect their dogs, but it's really to protect mine.

I know my dog is normal and all of the behaviour mentioned above is entirely appropriate, but I've been a bit inundated by folks with 'fur-kid' mentality lately and I just needed to vent to folks who 'get it'.

I can't seem to make certain people understand that dogs and people don't share the same psychology, and Murphy's unwillingness to share bones does not make him a "bad person".

Anyone have any luck with this?

You are a responsible dog owner. You are NOT a Bitch. Your dog is NOT evil. -- My personal mantra.

Feel free to use it. I repeat it about 1000000 times a day.

I love it

These people would be appalled if they saw Danke and Kelly's dog Koenig playing.

"fur-kid" makes me want to vomit.

I hate that more than anything.

Kristel, I know exactly how you feel. Its not easy being sensible in this world..

If they're really rough and energetic, Murphy would probably enjoy playing with them too

I'll let Kelly decide if she wants to link the video or not.

 Quote: kelly

You are a responsible dog owner. You are NOT a Bitch. Your dog is NOT evil. -- My personal mantra.

Feel free to use it. I repeat it about 1000000 times a day.

Yup.


And may I add that only people who are ignorant almost beyond repair, IMO (and maybe beyond repair) say "they "have to work it out themselves" about their dog(s) and the dog(s) of ANYONE else.

Consider the source.

When you are getting this kind of advice, it might be time to tune out completely. How does anyone succinctly explain how irresponsible this is, for their own dog, for the other dog, and for everyone in the vicinity (or in fact who might ever in the future be affected in any way by any of the dogs in a dogfight because of this asinine mindset)?

These "let them work it out themselves" people are the same people that are standing idly by while children are bullied to the point of suicide.

Because of course, they can work it out. And it'll make them tough. That's just life. We should quit babying them.

So, like Connie said, consider the source.

 Quote: Kristel Smart

Anyone have any luck with this?

The only luck I've had with this is in my realizing it is almost impossible to change someone's mind once they have accepted a concept or belief, regardless of the legitimacy of the opposing viewpoint. You know your dog isn't a bad dog and that his behavior is justified but convincing someone else? Unfortunately most likely a waste of breath.