Dog Does Not Bite, But I Do!

Originally, we come from Worcester Mass.   Years ago, our first two Dobermans, Neptune and Jazzabelle, and cats, Clyde and Mustache, lived with us in a quaint little house in a semi suburban setting.  I took for granted the solitude that I would most likely enjoy with my dogs on a walk.  In fact, it used to irritate me no end when people would cross to the side of the road, while I approached with my dog(s) in a heel.  I did not realize what a gift this could be!

Our family is now comprised of two Dobermans, Boris and Leon, plus my husband and myself.     From November to mid May York Maine remains the perfect beach getaway to live.   This means it is a quiet little community of people that you become more and more acquainted with the longer you reside here.   Then vacation or tourist season slams into York like a freight truck into a "smart car".   Bored and lonely people are now out of their element and looking for entertainment, or that is the way I explain the phenomenon to myself.

One would think it would be safe to walk or sit with one's Doberman in solitude.   Unfortunately my companions are too friendly and cute to dissuade unwanted attentions.  There are breeds that you can typically rely on to get attention.   These are the breeds that I never intend to own Great Danes, Thai Ridgeback, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards.  Sometimes our business needs to handle and train these dogs in public.  Good luck getting five feet unless you are terribly rude to someone.   This includes during the non-tourist/vacation season.   Sometimes a dog owner just wants to walk with their dogs, and not be treated like the local petting zoo every day.

Truthfully though, I can take being the local petting zoo with respectful people and children.   At least with my dogs, and not one of my client's dogs that I am trying to train at that moment.   The absolute worst are the weirdos that most often find me.   They find me sitting under a tree with my dog reading a book, or like just yesterday enjoying the shade of the gazebo on Short Sands with my husband and dogs.   Unfortunately, my husband was sitting on the bench in front of me, so maybe I looked approachable and single.   The funny thing is, when I am out just to enjoy myself, I practice looking unapproachable.

First there are the people with the inevitable "Doberman story".  Usually it's a neighbor's Doberman.   They report that this Doberman was always a very nice family pet until that one day.   Imagination will fill in the rest for you.   The person who found me minding my own business relaxing with my dog, also had some religious material to offer.   I guess they should have come up with a better story.

There is a second sort of situation that happens to me frequently.  These happen with  people that do not agree with dog training, or realize that the act of maintaining training may require concentration and scheduled valuable time.  I am not talking about people that have a problem with methods or tools, as those are often not seen or recognized or with me when out in public.   If I have one or more dogs in a sit stay or heel on the beach, it is guaranteed that I will get one of the following inquiries or advice:

• "Do they EVER get to play?"
• "Beach time should be play time."
• "Can my dog meet your dog", followed quickly after the explanation by "oh I didn't get what was going on" or "I couldn't figure out what was going on".
• "Can I ask you a dog training question?"
• "What kind of breed is that? I used to have one of those..."

I don't understand how people can assume that the only time I spend with my dogs (or my clients dogs) during the day is training.   Maybe it's because that hour of the day is the only time THEY spend training their dog.

The next sort of scenario happened also yesterday.   Not realizing that my husband's seat situation may be opening me up for the normal onslaught, next a man chose to sit right next to me in a gazebo of many other empty benches.  Boris then lost that side to meander and laze on, and I positioned him next to me so he wouldn't disturb the man with his highly technical reading device.   The reading device was not opened, and instead I got the "is your dog friendly".   "Why yes he is, would you like to pet him", I replied.   Why couldn't he just have read his book and left me to my enjoyable beach day?    I say that because not only was I quite aware that he didn't "love" dogs, but I was then treated to the story of why he gave his dog away after owning her for nine years.   It was a good reason at least, they didn't have time for her [insert sarcasm here].  If I stop anywhere just to enjoy my day with my dogs during this season, I get at least a couple of these until I finally give up and go home.  However, I am now training my dog, and have figured out a very passive/aggressive way to get my point across.   Here are some T-Shirt Ideas that I have come up with:

NO, MY DOG DOESN'T BITE, I DO!

MY DOG IS FRIENDLY, I AM VISCOUS.

THE DOG IS FRIENDLY  THE OWNER IS NUTS

BITES?  SURE DOES!

DOG DOES NOT BITE BUT I DO WHEN ANNOYED!

NEITHER I NOR MY DOGS ARE PART OF A PETTING ZOO

ONLY DOG STORIES I WANT TO HEAR END IN HAPPILY EVER AFTER

THIS MAY BE THE ONLY TIME YOU SPEND WITH YOUR DOG  I SPEND MANY HOURS A DAY WITH MINE

MY DOG IS NOT A COUCH POTATO HERE OR AT HOME

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