Puppy Vent

[jrmasm]

I have a 4 month old chihuahua puppy. I try to take him as many places as he is welcome so that he will grow up to be a well socialized dog.

Now I know he's cute and he attracts a ton of attention. That's fine. Come say hello to him and chat for a minute. I don't mind, really. However, after you've said hello and spent a few minutes, please move on especially when we're at a soccer game. Crazily enough, I'm actually there to watch the game not to chat with you for the entire hour.

And parents, if your tween is missing for the entire game, chances are, they have been harassing my puppy the entire game. Please ask them to give me a break. After they've asked if they can hold him 3 times (no!), talked to me for 30 minutes, left and come back with their 3 bffs and all stood in front of me for 5 minutes, I am a little grumpy and need my space.

Vent over.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I've actually had that happen with babies before. Some random tween wants to talk about the baby and will even ask to hold her. I understand your frustration.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

Obviously, you are not looking for it.... BUT lots of people bring little dogs with them for this exact reason. They like the attention. Many times the little dogs are in strollers, cute outfits, and cuddled in baby blankets.

I know that when I am at sporting events, school events, street fairs, parades, target, playground, etc. it always gets my attention when someone has a cute little dog.

 

[HM]

I went to my niece's soccer game on Sunday. At the very end of the hour match, we looked over about 6 people and saw they had a very cute "wishbone" dog. It had been wrapped up in it's owner's lap the whole time. Not one person bothered them until she let him go at the end of the game (I don't think anyone knew he/she was there)....then kids and adults came to do the 'pet and swoon' thing. Maybe your best bet is too keep your dog under wraps during the games?

 

[jrmasm]

Obviously, you are not looking for it....

No, not even a little bit. His ridiculous outfits are to keep him warm and for my own personal entertainment.

Maybe your best bet is too keep your dog under wraps during the games?

He's usually on my lap for most if not all of the game but he does walk from the car to the field. I think they spy him then.

I still wish parents would notice when their kids are being a little too friendly and for a little too long.

Wishful thinking I guess.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Kids are at soccer games. Kids love dogs. Maybe leave dog at home during games? Puppys are magnets.

 

[Stevania]

Kids are at soccer games. Kids love dogs. Maybe leave dog at home during games? Puppys are magnets.

Agreed. I don't think a school sporting event is the appropriate venue for a dog.

 

[jrmasm]

Kids are at soccer games. Kids love dogs. Maybe leave dog at home during games? Puppys are magnets.

I take him where he is welcome as it's good for his socialization. And I understand kids love puppies. I love puppies.

Stop by for a quick visit but please don't stay.

Agreed. I don't think a school sporting event is the appropriate venue for a dog.

Cool. I see no problem with a well behaved dog at a venue where it is allowed.

 

[VAN]

I don't think you need to leave the dog home; however, if all the attention really bothers you, maybe you can try to respond in a crabby manner - thus scaring the children away. You know, put on that grumpy look and snap ... "Please keep your hands off my dog!"

People will get the message soon enough to stay away from you and your dog.

LOL. Where's your sense of humor?

 

[jrmasm]

I don't think you need to leave the dog home; however, if all the attention really bothers you, maybe you can try to respond in a crabby manner - thus scaring the children away. You know, put on that grumpy look and snap ... "Please keep your hands off my dog!"

People will get the message soon enough to stay away from you and your dog.

LOL. Where's your sense of humor?

I'll try that next time.

Wanna bet a thread shows up on the DIS a few days later titled "A mean lady yelled at my kid at a soccer game".

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Maybe after a few minutes you need to say "Thanks for stopping for a visit but I would really like to watch the game. I think it's time you went back to your family but feel free to stop for a quick visit at the next game."

Yes, it is the parents' responsibility to watch their children around other people's dogs. My DD is a huge dog lover and she knows she needs to ask before she approaches any dog. She also knows that its a quick pet and to walk away with a "thank you" given. However, there are times that I need to tap her with my foot for her to remember its time to go. She has the best manners around others but puppies are magnets and even for the best behaved child sometimes forgets.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'll try that next time.

Wanna bet a thread shows up on the DIS a few days later titled "A mean lady yelled at my kid at a soccer game".

How true!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't get it. You bring your dog to the ball game to socialize it. Doesn't that mean you let people talk to it, pet it, play with it? Am I missing something? Kids don't get that they are overstaying their welcome, all they want to do is play with the dog. If it bothered me that much I would leave him home. And the sure fire way to encourage a kid to come over to the already cute-as-a-button puppy is to dress it up. JMO, but it sounds like you are getting what you want.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I'll try that next time.

Wanna bet a thread shows up on the DIS a few days later titled "A mean lady yelled at my kid at a soccer game".

FUNNY! There probably already is a thread of that nature.....You should put a cute pic up of your puppy...and practice your mean lady tactics, while everyone oohs and ahhs over your pup. (who can ignore a cute little doggy? Not me!) See if you can handle it. Being mean, that is.

 

[jrmasm]

I don't get it. You bring your dog to the ball game to socialize it. Doesn't that mean you let people talk to it, pet it, play with it? Am I missing something? Kids don't get that they are overstaying their welcome, all they want to do is play with the dog. If it bothered me that much I would leave him home. And the sure fire way to encourage a kid to come over to the already cute-as-a-button puppy is to dress it up. JMO, but it sounds like you are getting what you want.

Um, yeah that's fine. And then move on. Please do spend the entire game asking to hold him.

Can you please suggest some attire that he can wear to stay warm and isn't a kid attractor? Thanks

 

[disykat]

Maybe after a few minutes you need to say "Thanks for stopping for a visit but I would really like to watch the game. I think it's time you went back to your family but feel free to stop for a quick visit at the next game."

Yes, it is the parents' responsibility to watch their children around other people's dogs. My DD is a huge dog lover and she knows she needs to ask before she approaches any dog. She also knows that its a quick pet and to walk away with a "thank you" given. However, there are times that I need to tap her with my foot for her to remember its time to go. She has the best manners around others but puppies are magnets and even for the best behaved child sometimes forgets.

I think this is the best advice. Sorry to say that there are parents who don't pay attention to remind their child when it's time to leave someone alone. You have to do it yourself. I used to have to do this with the neighbor kids all the time. You aren't being mean, you're setting limits because the parents aren't doing it.

You can enjoy people visiting briefly while socializing your pet without becoming the babysitter for a bunch of other people's children.

 

[MerMom60_94]

Kids are at soccer games. Kids love dogs. Maybe leave dog at home during games? Puppys are magnets.

Agreed. I don't think a school sporting event is the appropriate venue for a dog.

I agree with both Tracy and Stevania. I am a dog lover, really I am. I have a dog too, but I don't bring her to such public events, nor do I bring her to other peoples houses. Even without going to public events, my dog is socialized just fine. There are all sorts of people on the fields and you don't know who has a fear of dogs (lots of kids do) or who has allergies. I adore my dog but I try to respect that other people might not. If I did bring her these places I would have to expect that she is going to cause attention. I don't know where this trend came from where people feel they need to bring their dogs everywhere with them.

Um, yeah that's fine. And then move on. Please do spend the entire game asking to hold him.

Can you please suggest some attire that he can wear to stay warm and isn't a kid attractor? Thanks

Well, yes, it's called fur. Most dogs come wearing it already and that's what it's there for.

 

[SaraJayne]

I agree with both Tracy and Stevania. I am a dog lover, really I am. I have a dog too, but I don't bring her to such public events, nor do I bring her to other peoples houses. Even without going to public events, my dog is socialized just fine. There are all sorts of people on the fields and you don't know who has a fear of dogs (lots of kids do) or who has allergies. I adore my dog but I try to respect that other people might not. If I did bring her these places I would have to expect that she is going to cause attention. I don't know where this trend came from where people feel they need to bring their dogs everywhere with them.




Well, yes, it's called fur. Most dogs come wearing it already and that's what it's there for.

You beat me to it.

 

[golfgal]

I don't get it. You bring your dog to the ball game to socialize it. Doesn't that mean you let people talk to it, pet it, play with it? Am I missing something? Kids don't get that they are overstaying their welcome, all they want to do is play with the dog. If it bothered me that much I would leave him home. And the sure fire way to encourage a kid to come over to the already cute-as-a-button puppy is to dress it up. JMO, but it sounds like you are getting what you want.

I don't get it either, she brings the dog to socialize then gets mad when people what to socialize with the dog. So what if they want to hold the dog the entire game, there is nothing that says you have to talk to them while they are holding the dog, especially kids.

 

[marciemi]

I agree with both Tracy and Stevania. I am a dog lover, really I am. I have a dog too, but I don't bring her to such public events, nor do I bring her to other peoples houses. Even without going to public events, my dog is socialized just fine. There are all sorts of people on the fields and you don't know who has a fear of dogs (lots of kids do) or who has allergies. I adore my dog but I try to respect that other people might not. If I did bring her these places I would have to expect that she is going to cause attention. I don't know where this trend came from where people feel they need to bring their dogs everywhere with them.




Well, yes, it's called fur. Most dogs come wearing it already and that's what it's there for.

Fully agree with all of this post. Although, no, I don't have a dog since after I was attacked by a German Shepherd in 9th grade, I have always had a bit of a fear of them. Even though the OP's dog doesn't sounds like one that would scare me, it would certainly be as distracting to me as it sounds like the kids talking to her dog are to her. And I grew up with dogs and never once saw one wearing anything more than a collar!