Beau almost got us booted from Petco!

[beausmommy]

I went to Petco today to meet with a lady holding an adoption day about fostering a dog. I took the boys with me for their "outing of the day." It has been months since I've taken both of them to Petco at the same time. Everything was fine for about 2 minutes...then a little girl came over to pet the boys. She patted Beau's head (without asking) and he was perfectly fine. She then bent down to pet Bailey. Beau went NUTS. He started barking at the little girl and lunging toward her. Luckily, his flexi-leash was locked on a very short lead and I made him sit. The girls parents looked very angry, but just told their kids that the big dog was just protecting the puppy. Everyone else around had that "that dog should not be in public" look on their faces. I tried to tell them that he's not used to being on a leash and can be protective when he is, but no one wanted to listen. The employees eyed me very closely until I quickly bought the stuff I had picked out and waited for the adoption lady outside. I was SO embarrassed. The ONLY time Beau is remotely aggressive is when he's on a leash. When he's not, he is very jealous of Bailey when anyone pets him and tries to get in the middle to beg for his share, but he doesn't get aggressive.

I guess Petco will be a one dog only trip from now on. I can't believe my baby can't even behave himself for a 15 minute trip to the pet store. I'm sad to say that I am the mommy of a leash aggressive boxer. I feel like all those people left the store believing bad things about boxers (hmm...but most people don't think he's a boxer). It really bothers me that my baby might have given the breed a bad reputation today :(

 

[garvinsmum]

I can't believe people are such morons as to let their child go up and pat a dog without asking first.

Sometimes they're even stupider tho... we say "Don't pat the dog please" and they say "Oh it's OK dogs like me " or "I know Boxers, I've always had them" and then the dog has a go and they look at you like you're a freak.
Some dogs don't like strangers approaching them and trying to pat them, fair enough, I don't walk around trying to pat peoples children!

Teaching your children not to pat unknown dogs is about as basic as not taking candy from strangers but some morons just don't get it.

But I know, it is embarrassing better go to a different pet store now...

 

[Paper-Dogg13]

we say "Don't pat the dog please" and they say "Oh it's OK dogs like me " or "I know Boxers, I've always had them" and then the dog has a go and they look at you like you're a freak.

I have had comments like that. My lab back home in California is protective and nervous on the leash. She's really insecure anyway, and I'll have people come up and just pet her. Charlie Paper is fine, and I could really care less but it's always appropriate to ask before you pet a dog you don't know. That's what I was always taugh,t and when I eventually have kids of my own, they will learn the same thing.

Try not to be too embarrassed of Beau's behavior. They've all got their little things. Now you know, that Petco is a one dog trip from now on.

 

[bucca]

my son was never allowed to pet a dog unless he asked the owners first and this i instilled in him from a toddler, plus if dogs were around i kept a sharp eye on him and made sure he didnt bother them, and even today at 14 he will always ask first if he can pet the dog, just as i do. dont worry about being embarrassed sometimes like our kids they can make you want to be invisible and crawl out of the store .

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Here's something I found helpful when taking Indy and Ava into a Petco or Petsmart.

While they both walk well on leads and are "normally" well behaved, they can still get too exuberant with certain stimuli.

I always take a cart. It prevents them from crossing in front of me, and it can also be used as a barrier to put between them and other dogs if they seem to be getting rambunctious.

They are always excited when they realize that we are going into the store. As soon as I grab a cart, they calm down. Even though I believe they would no longer get out of control, the cart can be used for defense if someone else has brought an aggressive dog into the store.

The first few times, I used the cart to "steer" them around the store and through the aisles. Now, they are content to stay beside me and check out the goodies. The amazing thing is that though they intently examine the toys and treats, neither has shoplifted anything from the displays.

If possible, go when the store is not likely to be crowded. Then work your way up the scale of sensory stimulation. That will make it easier for you and for them.


Tom

 

[LilacDragon]

So, what did you do when you dog barked and lunged at the little girl? Why on earth would you take a leash aggressive dog to a public place on a flexi-lead? Sorry, but it sounds to me like Beau needs to attend a training class.

But, yes, children need to learn not to approach animals that they don't know.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

So, what did you do when you dog barked and lunged at the little girl? Why on earth would you take a leash aggressive dog to a public place on a flexi-lead? Sorry, but it sounds to me like Beau needs to attend a training class.

But, yes, children need to learn not to approach animals that they don't know.

I think that this post is unfair to beausmommy, she already said that it had been a long time since she had taken both dogs out and she stated that it looked like it would be one dog trips from now on. There isn't anyone on this board that can predict what their dogs will do every single time, dogs like people are unpredictable in certain situations. Beausmommy would not have subjected a child to a dog that would hurt it, that just isn't something she intended to do, I agree with everyone else, that child needs to learn to leave unknown dogs alone, animals need respect just like people do.

 

[LilacDragon]

Sorry, she also stated in her post that she knows that the only time her dog is aggressive is when he is on a leash.

Sorry, maybe this is the wrong forum for me. Having a rottweiler background gives me a different perspective perhaps. I would never take a leash aggressive dog to a public place where children might be present. (I wouldn't have a leash aggressive dog. You CAN train them out of this, you know.) I would never take a dog ANYWHERE on a flexi-lead except out to go potty - and then not a large dog like a boxer.

 

[Cholbert]

I agree about the post being a little harsh - she was admitting to the fact, and almost apologizing for Beau's behavior. She learned today that maybe Beau doesn't need to go into Petco - that's all. Now, as for the kid thing - the parents are just as responsible for the incident as beausmommy is.

I was not raised around dogs - so I never approached or petted one without asking first if it was okay. That was out of fear of the unknown for me. If I ever had a kid that would be a lesson just like stranger danger. It's out of fairness to the dog quite simply. Good job to those parents that teach their kids that.

I have a lot of kids that automatically approach my min pin because he's little - and quite honestly - I'm more worried about him biting a kid than I would worry about my boxer. Kevlar (the pin) has only bit someone once - and that person "deserved" it because the guy scared the heck outta him and grabbed him. Kevlar barks and growls at kids (more on his level I guess?) at first then warms up to them a little. I'd never let my kid approach a dog unless I did it first - after asking permission of course.

 

[boxerchick12]

From the months of posts I've read from beausmommy, I would consider her an obvious responsible, loving owner. The flexi-leash was locked on a short length, and he lunged at the little girl, he did not bite her. As a boxer owner for my entire life and as a foster mom for multiple boxer rescues, I can tell you that unfortunately, when a boxer does intend to fight or show true aggression, you are not going to stop them with a simple "no" and pulling on a leash. Although tragic and very scary, I would not consider this isolated incident with Beau as a reason to keep him from being socialized.