VENTING!!! Anyone else get frustrated when people act afraid of Boxers?

[jillyz]

Sohshee'smom-

I said "control your child and know where he is and what he is doing and he won't get hurt". I was so mad. Then this other MAN came up to her and said is that a "pit bull" and I said "NO, she is a boxer" and he said "aren't you worried about having her around your small children?" granted he was walking some "foo foo" dog...I said statisticly (sp) your dog is much more likely to bite my child then my boxer is.

AMEN SISTER!!!! appicon appicon

I wish that I had enough guts to say that to some of the people we ecounter. The thing that bothers me the most is that these "people" (I'm not sure I can call them that :D ) don't seem to think that it will hurt our feelings that they tell us our dog is evil. To me and my family, Belle is our child. She is one of us and not seen as property as many see their pets. It really offends us when someone has the audacity to say something like that to us

We are always thinking of comebacks but don't say anything, but I think the best comeback we've come up with is: "Oh really? She looks like a pit? Well, your child (or you) look f*&king ugly (add stupid here if they really piss you off)." and then walk away.
I think that would piss them off completely but then maybe they would understand that these are our babies and just as we would not make fun of their child, they should not make fun of our children.
Also, I just think it would be fun watch their face turn red! :D :D :D

 

[Loke]

Love these replies!! I haven't had that problem of Loke being mistaken for a pit. We had a pit come in our yard a few times last year, I was afraid of him at first, he's big and strong. But he was almost as loveable as Loke. I still don't know what a "Pit" is. Is it a Bull Terrier or a Staffordshhire Terrier? I always thought it was a Bull Terrier, but the one I saw looked like a Staffordshire. But none that I've seen look like a Boxer! When I walk Loke I tend to take her away from people as much as possible, she likes to jump and pull. But that's it. I've never had anyone be afraid of her yet. I mostly get stopped by people who want to see her. WE unfortunately don't have a Petsmart in Hawaii, but I can't wait until we move in October so that we can take her in one! That should be interesting!

 

[gidget1]

One of the reasons I love boxers is because of their size( I despise ankle biters!) But it seems like people are totally afraid of bigger dogs, my theory is because they don't have what it takes to raise one. I have no malice towards pitbulls, but I have a boxer. It is now my goal in life to "enlighten" the ignorant! As was noted before, as proud boxer owners it is our job to educate these people! I love my baby and I don't want anyone to be afraid of her. I just hope I don't bite someone's head off in the process! They won't have to be afraid of my dog

 

[Moonshadow]

pit bulls are just dogs too

I was standing in my grandmother's front yard one day and this very stocky, solid black, very mean looking pit bull came running straight toward me. I am not usually scared of dogs in the area, but I will admit to being a little afraid. I just stood there with my hand out, he licked my hand and started running down the road to see what else he could see. I just knew I was fixing to get a confrontation. I think they can tell if you are a dog person.

 

[ZachsMom]

One morning Zach and I went to get a bagel and coffee and as we were approaching the outside seating area, a woman swooped down and picked up her mini-poodle that was barking its little head off. I couldn't help myself and said "oh, don't worry he already had one of those of breakfast".
:D :D That little thing continued to make quite the racket while my mean, vicious boy slept under the table. The best part was when a man came over to compliment Zach's behavior while the lady with the poodle got up and left since her dog was out of control. She gave me a look like it was MY fault her dog was an idiot I gave her a little wave and enjoyed the rest of my coffee.

 

[diego's heart]

Originally posted by Loke
I still don't know what a "Pit" is. Is it a Bull Terrier or a Staffordshhire Terrier? I always thought it was a Bull Terrier, but the one I saw looked like a Staffordshire. But none that I've seen look like a Boxer!

A "Pit" is short for (American) Pit Bull Terrier, which is different than the Bull Terrier (spud mckenzie dog). American Staffordshire Terrier looks ALOT like the Pit Bull, except AmStaff is bigger/broader and the ones that go to our dogpark are such sweathearts!

Boxers do not look at all like pit bulls, but I find that it's the brindle markings that people mostly associate with pits. Because of Diego's black face + brindle coat - he looks tough. Kids-mostly expect him to be pit bull or mixed with pit. Last summer when he was a little pup, there were some who thought he was a bull mastiff - which was a fair comparison, esp. because of his big paws!

I can't stand it when my boy is mistaken for a pit bull :mad:. I will say, however, that some of his BEST buddies are pit bulls (as well as worst enemies).

Lisa

 

[MarilynP]

Nayla and I had a similar experience recently. A man was watching a ball game while his little girl ran around unattended. As we walked past the game the little girl ran toward us, obviously delighted. Nayla wiggled her butt, thrilled to see a playmate, when suddenly there's all this screaming from the Dad who tore across the park to scope up his daughter. Then he scowls at me and says"if you're going to walk THAT kind of dog in the park it should be muzzled." WHAT!!! Well, I gave him a piece of my mind and as I was responding to his verbal attack three other kids ran up and proceeded to pet and hug Nayla as she frantically licked one then the next. Point made.
I can totally understand the need to make sure his daughter was safe but a simple"is your dog friendly" would have sufficed.
Marilyn
Nayla-brindle girl

 

[Boo]

I know children are annoying and some parents are downright negligent, but please please please don't ever crititcise a child to get back at a parent.

I know you all love your dogs as though they are children and you feel their criticism is rude. ( and it is! ) Everyone knows the saying "two wrongs don't make a right".

Perhaps lean over to the child, and say instead, "I am sorry your parents haven't taught you the right way to behave around dogs." Or "I am sorry your parents don't have any manners."

As for all the other comments about stupid behaviour of some ignorant people (and isn't it surprising that there are so many?), I agree with all of you.

The most telling sign of their ignorance is that their behaviour would NOT discourage an attack from a vicious dog! Squealing, running, overtly displaying fear. Sounds like DINNER to me!

Unfortunately these reactions also make it harder for us to socialise our dogs, especially on lead. Those are the exact reactions that will make our sweet babies nervous. (ooO "What did I do wrong?").

I get Jasper and Piper to sit when someone who is scared passes by. Then I praise them for sitting. My aim is to provide a distraction so that the dogs are not as aware of the frightened person.

Zach's Mom, Jasper was lunged at by a miniature poodle once. He went off his BRAIN! Growling, barking, straining and jumping trying to get Jasper. I just looked at the guy like "You GOTTA be kidding!". Jasper walked by (on a short leash, I ain't that confident yet) quite well. He didn't bark or try to get at the annoying little mop. I was so proud of him. Proud too that there were a lot of people watching to see which dog was mean and which was not!

I have no feelings one way or the other about Pits, but I ADORE Staffys (which are quite similar in looks I believe). I don't think it's an insult for my dogs to be mistaken for another breed, but I think it's an insult when my dogs are on a secure lead and behaving well for people to assume they are vicious.

Adele

 

[Jacksmom]

Get this I have a boxer thats 5mo. old and a boxer/pit/shar-pei mix guess which one people are afread of? yes the boxer!

 

[Krikkit]

Education

Some people just can not help being afraid of dogs, or dogs of a certain 'type', and some people have had a bad experience with their own dogs and other dogs. It can be annoying but I always try to put myself in thier shoes. There is no excuse for rudeness but sometimes fear makes people react rather than think about what they say.

If this is something anyone feels very strongly about you could perhaps think about getting involved in community education regarding dogs in general and dog ownership. We do school visits, public education nights and obedience / agility dispalys many times throughout the year and the effort is well and truly worth while. You may not reach everyone but you will help some people. We work with all the local vets, schools and local council with this and some places have animal shelters that get involved as well.

Dealing with rude children is easier than dealing with adults. I've had children say our dogs are 'ugly' or 'mean' due to fear and I usually reply with 'oh no - you will hurt thier feelings - they think they are beautiful and I have not told them they are ugly yet.' Agreeing with people first generally helps relax them. I usually also put the dogs into a drop and roll them over on their backs which 'rude' children and some adults find a lot less threatening - a Boxer getting a tummy rub does not look very mean at all

Sharon