experience with uneducated people

happybunny · 07-02-2005, 07:04 PM

How do you handle uneducated people. I was walking my dog tonite and this lady looked at me and said "you live in the mean dog row" I said " I have no idea what you are talking about there are only 2 dogs in this row Maggy and dixon" shes said "all thoose big eared ugly shepherds and block headed pit bullies are is trouble" neither Maggy (my shepherd mix) or Dixon (the Pitt Bull mix) have ever even tried to bite anyone. what do you say to people like that?? how do you put the idea in their heads that theese breeds arent bad??

Crossfire Bulldogs · 07-02-2005, 07:10 PM

I've found that most people whom you've never met that make such ignorant statements are also very short sighted and unwilling to listen to reason.

What do you say? You smile, tell them to have a great day and press on. Everytime you see them, give them a smile and a big hello.

Usually one of two things will occur, they'll either keep thinking what they have been or maybe, juuuuust maybe they may decide to open up a bit and look at you and your dog as individuals instead of a particular "image" they have set in their mind.

Pippinislove · 07-02-2005, 07:15 PM

The best way IMO to convince someone that it's not the breed that's vicious, just a few select members is to have them meet the well behaved members. A few of my friends own pit bulls, and they have stories of people loving on their dogs and then asking the breed, and saying "Wow, I always thought these dogs were vicious!". It really can change people's opinions to actually meet the breed.

Telling facts such as it's neglect of improper raising/training that causes aggressive dogs usually doesn't impact the ignorant people who feel certain breeds are naturally vicious, they already have the idea set in their mind. But my favorite line is "All dogs have teeth."

Comparing breed discrimination to racism usually offends people, so I tend to not go that route. :O

Edit: It helps to never be rude, even though they're the rude ones in the first place. Setting a good positive image of you and your dog (you being polite and the dog be polite too) can leave a lasting image in someone's mind, and several different meetings of the same (polite dog owner and polite bad breed member) can influence someone's opinion.

vonissk · 07-02-2005, 08:11 PM

Happybunny I love your dog. I have a sable GSD and at first I thought that's what Maggy was until I read your intro post and saw she was mixed. Anyway, we have a national recreation area here with a big lake that has nice swimming areas. Actually dogs are supposed to be on leash but one morning when I was out there I talked to a park ranger and she said it was fine for them to swim with me because I seemed to have them under control. I usually try to take them about 8 or so in the am before the tourists start showing up. Well on this particular am I didn't get out there until after 10--there were a few people out there but none in the particular place we swim so I went on with my outing. Probably about 30 minutes later a man and his wife and a little boy about 7 showed up and camped out with all their picnic gear not too far from me. I noticed he kept staring over at me--finally he comes a little closer and says are those animals vicious and I said no. He hesitates for a minute and then proceeds to tell me it is against the law in our state to own a wolf hybrid and how unpredictable they were etc etc. So I said Sir this is an AKC working line GSD and this color is called sable. Then he started talking more and I ignored him. So he went back to his "camp" and I decided then to leave because I knew he did have a cell phone and I figured if I got a complaint about the dogs then I would be off limits to swim there anymore unless they were leashed--how do you swim with a leashed dog anyway? So I just wanted to share with you yes I understand about uneducated people who aren't willing to learn and I classify that as ignorance and I just find it a waste of time to argue with them. I have a low tolerence for ignorance..........I wonder if I looked "guilty" (for whatever reason) because I left but I just felt it was for the best. Minta

happybunny · 07-02-2005, 08:53 PM

thanks for the responces. the funny part was I had my girls they are 4 and 20 months. they were int he wagon and so was maggy. some walk huh she was tired LOL anyway My oldest daughter said mommy Maggy and Dixon are vicious remember their tails hurt when they wag them to hard. I just smiled at her so big and said yea honey thats right.

flyndog · 07-02-2005, 09:26 PM

That person is way beyond "uneducated". More like ignorant, opinionated, and rude if you ask me.
Kit

Pippinislove · 07-02-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happybunny

thanks for the responces. the funny part was I had my girls they are 4 and 20 months. they were int he wagon and so was maggy. some walk huh she was tired LOL anyway My oldest daughter said mommy Maggy and Dixon are vicious remember their tails hurt when they wag them to hard. I just smiled at her so big and said yea honey thats right.

And you know that when they lick people they are taste testing!!

***Carrie*** · 07-02-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

what do you say to people like that??

My mother would say to just stare at their shoes. LOL.

Quote:

how do you put the idea in their heads that theese breeds arent bad??

You don't. They have no more brain space.

Schwe · 07-02-2005, 11:51 PM

I own a bull-breed and have encountered countless people that shriek "pit bull!!!" and run for the high lands when they meet Sophie, but also people who fall completely in love with her at first glance. With those ignorant people who A) Do not know how to properly identify a breed and B) Are so ignorant as to think all bull breeds are man-eaters, I have come at an impass... I can't decide whether to say "yeah, she's mean. So stay the heck away from me and leave me alone!" or try to convince them that my butt-wiggling (and tail whipping) block head is NOT aggressive, but rather quite gentle and friendly. You just get SO frustrated by the lack of education out there.

What I typically do is smile, put Sophie in a sit (see, she is obedient), and tell the person that she is quite friendly and they are free to greet her. If they do decide to brave reaching their tender morsel of a hand out to Sophie, I tell her to "go say Hi" and she gets up and commences the tail lashings.

While Sophie is being the well-behaved girl that she is, I sweeten the deal by dropping a few comments that all dogs are different, and their temperament depends in large part on how they are trained and raised as a puppy. ANY breed of dog can be aggressive, from goldens to pomeranians. Short, simple comments that are easily remembered will really stick in a person's memory, especially when paired with a good ambassador for the breed in question.

If the individual is not interested in meeting my dog, then I just smile and tell them to have a nice day and go on with my business.

oc_spirit · 07-03-2005, 10:48 AM

As someone with a HUsky who oddly enough commonly gets mistaken for a wolf or hybrid I know what you mean! Usually they end up crossing the street so I don't get to say anything but if they don't I just exclaim to OC "no friendly visit today OC cause we have to get to the retirment homes cause everyone's waiting for your kisses!!!" It usually makes people give OC a second glance and some stop and ask more about him.

***Carrie*** · 07-04-2005, 05:43 AM

How about the one where several people have said to me, "Oh....those are the dogs who's brains grow to fast for their skulls and they go crazy." The last person who said that to me about a week ago....I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.

Novel · 07-04-2005, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrie

How about the one where several people have said to me, "Oh....those are the dogs who's brains grow to fast for their skulls and they go crazy." The last person who said that to me about a week ago....I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.

I have never heard that!! LOL. I would have just stood and stared in shock. Kind of sounds like the same witty person that told me it was alright to be racist against her new sister-in-law because her blood was going to get mixed up with her brother's blood, and she didn't want that in her family.

***Carrie*** · 07-04-2005, 06:31 AM

Uggggggg! Some people are just boars. Or is that bores? LOL.

mulroony · 07-04-2005, 09:09 PM

I have always said people like this are the reason we need to let natural selection take its course. Some people are just not worth your time, I mean there are people who believe the Holocaust is a hoax.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 07-04-2005, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrie

Uggggggg! Some people are just boars. Or is that bores? LOL.

Both! LOL

07-02-2005, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
happybunny Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MD Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	experience with uneducated people How do you handle uneducated people. I was walking my dog tonite and this lady looked at me and said "you live in the mean dog row" I said " I have no idea what you are talking about there are only 2 dogs in this row Maggy and dixon" shes said "all thoose big eared ugly shepherds and block headed pit bullies are is trouble" neither Maggy (my shepherd mix) or Dixon (the Pitt Bull mix) have ever even tried to bite anyone. what do you say to people like that?? how do you put the idea in their heads that theese breeds arent bad??

07-02-2005, 07:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 281	I've found that most people whom you've never met that make such ignorant statements are also very short sighted and unwilling to listen to reason. What do you say? You smile, tell them to have a great day and press on. Everytime you see them, give them a smile and a big hello. Usually one of two things will occur, they'll either keep thinking what they have been or maybe, juuuuust maybe they may decide to open up a bit and look at you and your dog as individuals instead of a particular "image" they have set in their mind.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

07-02-2005, 09:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 179	That person is way beyond "uneducated". More like ignorant, opinionated, and rude if you ask me. Kit
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

07-03-2005, 10:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
oc_spirit Snow Girl Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,612 Rep Power: 140	As someone with a HUsky who oddly enough commonly gets mistaken for a wolf or hybrid I know what you mean! Usually they end up crossing the street so I don't get to say anything but if they don't I just exclaim to OC "no friendly visit today OC cause we have to get to the retirment homes cause everyone's waiting for your kisses!!!" It usually makes people give OC a second glance and some stop and ask more about him.
	__________________ My dogs WORK, what do yours do? Even the quietest whisper can be heard over the loudest gunshot. When? When it speaks the truth! I shall stand by your side and fight! Together we shall prevail through all life's adversities!

07-04-2005, 05:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,400 Rep Power: 279	How about the one where several people have said to me, "Oh....those are the dogs who's brains grow to fast for their skulls and they go crazy." The last person who said that to me about a week ago....I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

07-02-2005, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pippinislove My best friend is a DOG. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Computer chair Posts: 333 Rep Power: 71	The best way IMO to convince someone that it's not the breed that's vicious, just a few select members is to have them meet the well behaved members. A few of my friends own pit bulls, and they have stories of people loving on their dogs and then asking the breed, and saying "Wow, I always thought these dogs were vicious!". It really can change people's opinions to actually meet the breed. Telling facts such as it's neglect of improper raising/training that causes aggressive dogs usually doesn't impact the ignorant people who feel certain breeds are naturally vicious, they already have the idea set in their mind. But my favorite line is "All dogs have teeth." Comparing breed discrimination to racism usually offends people, so I tend to not go that route. :O Edit: It helps to never be rude, even though they're the rude ones in the first place. Setting a good positive image of you and your dog (you being polite and the dog be polite too) can leave a lasting image in someone's mind, and several different meetings of the same (polite dog owner and polite bad breed member) can influence someone's opinion.

07-02-2005, 08:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
vonissk Minta Roper Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 214 Rep Power: 75	Happybunny I love your dog. I have a sable GSD and at first I thought that's what Maggy was until I read your intro post and saw she was mixed. Anyway, we have a national recreation area here with a big lake that has nice swimming areas. Actually dogs are supposed to be on leash but one morning when I was out there I talked to a park ranger and she said it was fine for them to swim with me because I seemed to have them under control. I usually try to take them about 8 or so in the am before the tourists start showing up. Well on this particular am I didn't get out there until after 10--there were a few people out there but none in the particular place we swim so I went on with my outing. Probably about 30 minutes later a man and his wife and a little boy about 7 showed up and camped out with all their picnic gear not too far from me. I noticed he kept staring over at me--finally he comes a little closer and says are those animals vicious and I said no. He hesitates for a minute and then proceeds to tell me it is against the law in our state to own a wolf hybrid and how unpredictable they were etc etc. So I said Sir this is an AKC working line GSD and this color is called sable. Then he started talking more and I ignored him. So he went back to his "camp" and I decided then to leave because I knew he did have a cell phone and I figured if I got a complaint about the dogs then I would be off limits to swim there anymore unless they were leashed--how do you swim with a leashed dog anyway? So I just wanted to share with you yes I understand about uneducated people who aren't willing to learn and I classify that as ignorance and I just find it a waste of time to argue with them. I have a low tolerence for ignorance..........I wonder if I looked "guilty" (for whatever reason) because I left but I just felt it was for the best. Minta

07-02-2005, 08:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
happybunny Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MD Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	thanks for the responces. the funny part was I had my girls they are 4 and 20 months. they were int he wagon and so was maggy. some walk huh she was tired LOL anyway My oldest daughter said mommy Maggy and Dixon are vicious remember their tails hurt when they wag them to hard. I just smiled at her so big and said yea honey thats right.

07-02-2005, 11:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Schwe American Bulldog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 427 Rep Power: 72	I own a bull-breed and have encountered countless people that shriek "pit bull!!!" and run for the high lands when they meet Sophie, but also people who fall completely in love with her at first glance. With those ignorant people who A) Do not know how to properly identify a breed and B) Are so ignorant as to think all bull breeds are man-eaters, I have come at an impass... I can't decide whether to say "yeah, she's mean. So stay the heck away from me and leave me alone!" or try to convince them that my butt-wiggling (and tail whipping) block head is NOT aggressive, but rather quite gentle and friendly. You just get SO frustrated by the lack of education out there. What I typically do is smile, put Sophie in a sit (see, she is obedient), and tell the person that she is quite friendly and they are free to greet her. If they do decide to brave reaching their tender morsel of a hand out to Sophie, I tell her to "go say Hi" and she gets up and commences the tail lashings. While Sophie is being the well-behaved girl that she is, I sweeten the deal by dropping a few comments that all dogs are different, and their temperament depends in large part on how they are trained and raised as a puppy. ANY breed of dog can be aggressive, from goldens to pomeranians. Short, simple comments that are easily remembered will really stick in a person's memory, especially when paired with a good ambassador for the breed in question. If the individual is not interested in meeting my dog, then I just smile and tell them to have a nice day and go on with my business.

07-04-2005, 06:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,400 Rep Power: 279	Uggggggg! Some people are just boars. Or is that bores? LOL.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

07-04-2005, 09:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
mulroony Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,100 Rep Power: 115	I have always said people like this are the reason we need to let natural selection take its course. Some people are just not worth your time, I mean there are people who believe the Holocaust is a hoax.
	__________________ Shelby (CGC), Jackson, Max, & Mackenzie (CGC) - My pups :) Pit Bull "Problem" Movie (Graphic)

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