Question/Rant

Cleo2014 · Feb 2, 2016

Chris said:
1. Crating is NOT cruel. Period.
2. Rolled leather, two-finger fit is just dandy.
3. If your trainer uses a prong collar, that's not a good idea for a Sheltie. Shelties are hyper-sensitive. I use a light slip (choke) collar for training.
4. This woman is trying to be helpful. She is also pushy and opinionated. If you want to be nice, listen, smile, and say, "Well, that's good to know." If you want to be dismissive toward her, say pleasantly and firmly, "I don't care to discuss this any more. How is Schnauzie doing?"

Chris, we use a chain choke collar for training. My trainer does use prong collars and suggested one for Cleo since she is so stubborn for walking, but I prefer to use the choke chain because I know the breed and it is not wise.

susanmccain · Feb 2, 2016

It sounds like you are doing just fine to me. Ignoring her is probably impossible...just do the best you can and get away from her quick!

Jess041 · Feb 2, 2016

ClantyreSheltie said:
Well, she has a Schnauzer. I think that shows an astounding lack of judgment to begin with. Nasty things, and ugly!

Tell her to mind her business.

I thought it, but I didn't want to say it in case someone had a schnauzer lol. I'm not fond of them at all!

Cleo2014 · Feb 2, 2016

!!!

Oh I forgot to add this!!! I can't believe I forgot. She actually asked me if she was going to be on TV. Like the only reason I was training her was to put her on TV. I told her I was planning on doing agility with her and she needed training to do so and she acted like I was being stuck up. Said that I was treating my dog like a show dog and that she is not a show dog and to stop punishing her for it.

MaraAraLara · Feb 3, 2016

Cleo2014 said:
Oh I forgot to add this!!! I can't believe I forgot. She actually asked me if she was going to be on TV. Like the only reason I was training her was to put her on TV. I told her I was planning on doing agility with her and she needed training to do so and she acted like I was being stuck up. Said that I was treating my dog like a show dog and that she is not a show dog and to stop punishing her for it.

Oh gosh - That's terrible. It seems from my limited experience so far that many (not all) Sheltie owners like to do some sort of activity with their dog (whether that be hiking or agility etc - some are happy to have a companion) and when you tell people the things you hope to do with your dog, you get the "You're crazy" look. I think if your dog enjoys what you do with it, then do it. If it does not, then stop. If you are trying to bond with your dog through activity then that's great! I think it sounds like it is best to pursue other conversation avenues with this lady rather than dog's. Chin up!! :hugs

blaiseshimmer · Feb 4, 2016

You're way too nice...

I have to jump into this thread; I was hesitant since I'm still fairly new to the forum, but.....

WHY are you giving this person the time of day? Unless she is physically blocking your path, I don't get why there is even a conversation? Her questions are - to me - intrusive, judgmental and serve no purpose at all other than to rile you.

My little sheltie is still quarantined to my home until he finishes his last round of shots, but I have an almost 8-month old Shiloh that I take everywhere with me so he can get used to being around different people and different environments. He's a plush black sable, and already 80+ pounds, so I get a lot of questions. Most are innocent (omg, he's so fluffy! Is he a (fill in anything from German Shepherd to Malamute to Malinois) mix); others intrusive (how much did you pay for him? I've got a (fill in the blank) female; we could breed them!) to the judgmental (y'all need to put a muzzle on him he could bite!<this from a man who tried repeatedly to pet my dog even after I lost my cool and told him to 'keep the %$^% away from my dog' and my dog (puppy, actually), raised his lips, most likely in fear).

It seem that no matter what, this woman has an answer that ticks you off after she asks you a question (agility? Why? are you planning on being on TV? Your dog's not a showdog, why are you PUNISHING your dog?... :gaah

) I get that she's your neighbor, so you have to play nice, but maybe she'll run out things to kvetch to you about if you don't counter her (even if you know she's wrong, just agree and continue what you're doing)

The passive-aggressive side of me has also dealt with the intrusive/judgmental questions by AGREEING with the asker. Tends to put them on the spot. I hope you try it sometime with this person...

It worked with my Mother in Law who thought I was being cruel to my cats since they were showcats. According to her, having them be indoor-only and not only giving them baths but using a blowdryer on them was cruel (Maine Coons have long hair and their coat is very important when showing...so my sheltie is like an honorary cat!). I agreed with her, went back to brushing my cat, and she had nothing to say.

It was glorious.

(And for the guy who told me to muzzle my dog, I did tell him that yeah, this GIANT dog can bite you, you better move away...it helped that several girls who wanted to take pictures of my Shiloh were also filming this man's date with death...)

Cleo2014 · Feb 4, 2016

I have not spoken to her since then. I just wave and keep on walking. I have no reason to talk to her anymore if she is going to bash me with everything I do. And as I look back on other times I have talked to her, there always seemed to be something I was doing wrong that she needed to correct. I am just done. I am going to smile and waive and just keep on walking and if she approaches me I will tell her I'm busy and don't have the time. :wink2:

tesslynn · Feb 4, 2016

Cleo2014 said:
I have not spoken to her since then. I just wave and keep on walking. I have no reason to talk to her anymore if she is going to bash me with everything I do. And as I look back on other times I have talked to her, there always seemed to be something I was doing wrong that she needed to correct. I am just done. I am going to smile and waive and just keep on walking and if she approaches me I will tell her I'm busy and don't have the time.

BRAVO, I don't think anyone needs toxic people ruining their day, you go GIRL :biggrin2:

let them dump elsewhere

k9kreationz · Feb 6, 2016

OMG. I laugh at people who feel they have every right to tell us what we're "doing wrong" in their eyes, and of course, everyone has an opinion. Bleah. I had someone once tell me Koji was emaciated and that they were going to report me. :rolleyes2:

Anyhow, IMHO, since Cleo pulls, a regular collar is fine with 2 fingers play. If she was the type to turn around and pull out of the collar constantly, then yes, I'd put her on a martingale asap. I'm sure the woman working with shelter animals is more used to dogs that are scared, or worse, panicked and they try to back out of a leash.

In the end, I totally agree with you about martingale's and leaving them on in a crate. I'd be worried about choking too. Do what works for you. As long as you're not using the collars incorrectly (that includes a prong collar), it shouldn't be harmful to the dog.