[nattydefers]

So we always have people who have nasty or rude comments to make about out dog, what are you comments you have heard and how do you deal with them? Today for the first time ever I was walking my small 10 lb angel dog and this white trash trailer trash lady and her son passed by me and she hit her kid to walk faster past us and by dog tried to jump on her for attention nicely and she said OH! How gross and disgusting? I said what is your problem and she said dirty paws your dog is so gross! I would have said a few nasty words but i held my tongue and kept walking. I have never had anyone insult my dog before! I am a popular dog walker in NYC. ( and for the record my dog is groomed EVERYDAY and i clean her paws and put paw balm, and clean her ears, i brush her DAILY I am one of the most clean people and definitely keep my princess in groomed)

 

[Lucillle]

You don't say anything. They are looking for a response, if you give it to them, they've got what they came for and may even escalate.
Who cares what they think? Stop giving total strangers so much power over you. The dog doesn't know its been insulted, it is happy, so why do you care?

You might consider doing some training, dogs of any size should not jump on others for attention.

 

[Shandula]

dog tried to jump on her for attention nicely

Well, there is no such thing to be honest. I work as a dog trainer, and I love pretty much every dog I meet, but a dog jumping on me, regardless of size, is rude. Even dogs in my classes that I know, jumping on me I still find rude, so a stranger dog that I know nothing about is very rude.

With that being said, I don't get a ton of "nasty" comments, but I do get these all the time:
1. Why did I cut off my dog's tail.
2. My dogs are too skinny.
3. I don't look like the type of person who would own two high energy breeds, which is basically calling me fat, so I guess that one is more about me.

 

[naturalfeddogs]

Some people are just that way. Very sad unhappy people. It's their problem, not yours.

 

[Cali]

Continue on with your day knowing that you and your lovely little dog are not as miserable as someone who has nothing better to do than insult a stranger.
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[aylaaktan]

Sort of like what @Shandula, while I wouldn't respond in such a manner, I will never like a dog intruding into my space, let alone jumping on me, a total stranger. My dog knows to never push me, a stranger, heck no. I don't care if I'm in a pet store either, a dog going out in public should have some minimal manners, jumping up on strangers should be something it knows or is being taught. While I wouldn't like if someone responded in such a way, I wouldn't get mad, because let's be honest, who likes a dog, their dog or a strangers, jumping up on them without being asked? [if it's a taught command]

As for the question at hand, I'd ignore the person and try to have your dog not jump on strangers.
My dog knows to never go near anyone, because who knows, not everyone loves my cute dog, nor do I expect everyone to love her. Of course, the response the person gave wasn't right, however, I can't stand owners who allow their dog to intrude other's space without them even asking to pet the dog. Even then, a dog should polity stand/sit/lay down, whatever, get pet, but not jump up on someone.

All in all, seeing that you live in New York City, a very busy place with busy streets, I wouldn't say anything to someone who said something about my dog like that, however, I'd also train my dog to heel closely to me on such busy streets......

 

[timber]

first, how is a stranger to know what degree of grooming you do? No matter if you clean your dog's paws after an outing, during the actual walk their paws are not clean, especially in such a busy city as NY.

Second, while I bet your dog is very cute, her trying to jump on a person is not always regarded on kindly. I am of the sort of person who 100% believes that if a 100lbs dog is expected not to jump, neither is a 10lbs dog; but that's just my own opinion.

Thirdly, who cares what this person thinks of your dog? Life is too short to care and get worked up over nothing. If the person physically assaulted your dog then that is a different story. Forget about the comment and go have fun with your dog.

 

[Esand]

Continue on with your day knowing that you and your lovely little dog are not as miserable as someone who has nothing better to do than insult a stranger.
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Not insult a stranger... insult a stranger's dog!!!!

Who bothers to insults a dog... Thats barely a step up from insulting the stop sign.

 

[traciek88]

You might not like my response but this wasn't a problem of a stranger insulting your dog, this was a problem of you allowing your dog to do something she shouldn't and getting mad when a stranger didn't like it. She may have overreacted a bit but people have a right to be upset that a stranger's dog is jumping on them. It doesn't matter if the dog is small, friendly, or clean either. Just because you consider your dog and "angel" or "princess" that doesn't mean others have to like your dog or be happy she wanted attention. Other people might be scared of dogs or allergic or just...not want a dog jumping on them. Jumping on strangers is bad manners for a dog.

Also, I'm really troubled with the fact you said you're a popular dog walker and you find this behavior acceptable. I am also a dog walker and trainer in the same area and you should NEVER allow a dog--yours or anyone else's, to jump on strangers. If it's not your dog you should never even allow them to approach strangers. So I think you need to look at this from the other person's perspective and realize that though we may all really love dogs, lots of people don't, and that's ok. And please, train your dog to not jump on people. Next time if that happens it could be a well placed kick, not an insult.

 

[Turtle11]

You could have the cleanest, sweetest dog in the world, but that lady would have said the same thing. I don't think it's about you or your dog. Instead, it sounds like the rude lady just does not like dogs at all, so don't take it personally.

I've had some things said to me that bothered me too (although it was more a slight at me). Most recently - my adolescent boy got really excited about something in public and wouldn't calm down (he was jumping and pulling on the leash when he saw me, husband was holding leash). Somebody asked me "Does your dog know you are the alpha?" Aargh

 

[Turtle11]

3. I don't look like the type of person who would own two high energy breeds, which is basically calling me fat, so I guess that one is more about me.

Omg, you had me laughing out loud. I have a high energy dog myself (he's all ripped and lean), and I don't match him in the looks department (I'm not fat, but could use some regular pilates classes, lol). It's just funny to hear the things that people say.

 

[aylaaktan]

As @traciek88 said perfectly, while you may think your dog is an "angel", thinking everyone should enjoy some strange dog jumping on them is quite frankly selfish and rude of yourself.

I love dogs..... that are taught simple manners.... Any dog should know at the minimum, even if they don't know to not intrude some else's space, though a dog going out in public should know this, to not jump on anyone.

I wouldn't call this women rude, simply someone who doesn't like dogs and was bothered by the dog having no manners. You have to remember, while you may see your dog as some little angel, many people don't like dogs. Even people who may like dogs certainly won't like a strange dog jumping up on them.

 

[kmes]

Pretty much ditto Cali. Nothing really to do other than move on, though often easier said than done.

Regarding jumping in particular....
I agree managing a dog so that it doesn't jump on strangers or teaching a solid sit for greeting is a good idea. Many people dislike jumping.

But jumping in general can be a grey area imho... tbt my dogs jump. I teach sit for petting/polite greeting in my beginner obedience/pet classes for sure. But with my personal dogs I actually train tricks/behaviors that require jumping or at least paws up on me so choose to manage (just ask for a sit/stand/down instead) rather than discourage jumping or training no jumping ever. I also use it as a reward for my sports dogs and allow it in play, among other things.
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