I’m going to tell you a little story and I’m going to rant for a second here because this is my blog and my boyfriend is tired of hearing me bitch about it.
Between me and my boyfriend, we have three dogs. We have two rescue hound mixes that weigh about 60 lbs each and a golden retriever who weighs about 75 lbs. I mastered walking all three of them at once a long time ago. They are generally good on the leash…
…unless we see another dog (or stroller, or bicycle, or god-forbid a motorcycle – but that’s not the point). The point is that when we see another dog, they bark. All three of them bark. All three of them just want to go say hi to the other dog. Now, I’ll admit, they are three big dogs and they have big dog barks but, like I said, I have control over them and do make them sit while the other dog walks by us or out of view. This doesn’t stop the barking though. It is a nuisance but, come on, they are just dogs and they just want to say hi. As soon as we get close enough to the other dog to say hi, they stop barking and greet each other in typical dog fashion, by sniffing all the butts.
Well there is this lady that lives down the street. I would guess she’s about the same age as I am, maybe a few years older. Her and her husband have a very cute, long-hair, medium size dog with a beautiful brindle coat. Their dog must not bark though because she thinks that because my dogs bark, they are aggressive and are going to attack her and her dog. This is obviously what she should think based on what I just told you, right?
My dogs have never gotten anywhere near her or her dog, much less lunged at or snapped at them. Yet, whenever this woman sees us coming, even half a mile down the street, she gives me the. dirtiest. look. and turns around and walks away from us as fast as she can. She doesn’t just wait for us to pass or walk on the other side of the street, she walks in the complete opposite direction she is going! Sometimes she does this before the dogs even notice them and start barking. The other night she turned around and went back in the house while her husband stood bewildered in the middle of the street.
I know that the dog is friendly and she must be friendly with other people because I’ve seen her talking to another neighbor while they were both out walking their dogs. So why does she hate me and my dogs when she’s never even met me or my dogs? The only conclusion I can come to is because they bark.
This enrages me. Yes, enrages! It is utterly ridiculous and unfair that she acts like my dogs are such terrible dogs she can’t even walk near them. Even though they have absolutely no idea, my feelings are hurt for them and it makes me feel like a terrible furry parent. I imagine this is what it will feel like when my future kid gets called a name by the other kids or doesn’t get invited to a sleepover.
I know there is nothing I can do about this and I shouldn’t let it bother me but it does. Every single time. Then I feel ridiculous for letting something so silly get to me like it does.
What do you think? Am I absolutely crazy for getting my feelings hurt over this?
Christine AKA Girl Versus Kitchen says
Have you ever spoken to this woman? What I would do is hand-write a quick note in a blank card (a piece of lined paper or typed seems too formal) and introduce yourself (first name only), say you're the woman with the three dogs, and explain the situation (they're not aggressive, etc). Don't apologize for anything or say "I'm sorry" AT ALL in it, since you've done nothing wrong, just explain yourself here, and if she has any questions, to let you know.
I think this could be solved by communicating – then everyone wins! If she doesn't respond well, at least you're the better person for trying.
Bekah Walsh says
I totally understand! I have a 90 lb Presa Canario and she is the sweetest thing…but a dog of that size scares people, especially if they make any kind of noise! Thankfully, I'm in the city so I'm perfectly fine with people being scared with her. Still, any dog-knowledgeable person knows that barking can mean a gazillion things other than aggression. Look at the body language!
Karen M. Peterson says
I'm sorry. I don't have any helpful suggestions, but I do have sympathy.
Sarah Elizabeth says
No, you're not crazy. Because I am super sensitive and would have been ALL over that shiz. It doesn't generally matter what people think, but when they walk in the complete opposite direction right when they see you? That's like, "Ew, there's that girl with those godawful dogs. I canNOT get anywhere near them." Like you have cooties or something. Yeah. I'd be pissed. And plus, I grew up with a dog (my Max, written on my blog recently after he passed away) who barked at EVERYTHING. He was a border collie. Territorial. But harmless. People are just ignorant.
Holly says
I am afraid of dogs in general, even they are friendly. It doesn't matter what size, if they bark you better believe it's taking all I have not to run screaming. I'm not comfortable around them at all. I was bitten when I was very young and I would just prefer not to be around them. I'm sorry you're being treated that way, but I wanted to throw a perspective of "the other side" out there.
Brianna Tucker says
I feel your pain. We have a pure breed cocker from a puppy mill and he gets very nervous and barks and whimpers. People will walk by our fence and he barks and they get mad, but honestly its his yard but when you come up to him he is actually so scared and submissive he will stop barking a pee.
Pink and Green Mom says
I think I would go talk to her. She might have a backstory – like being attacked by a dog or something – and she's genuinely afraid of your dogs. You could always invite her and her dog over for a doggie play date. Maybe that will help her see that their barking isn't for any aggressive reasons. And if she's rude to you, then whatever, at least you tried! Good luck!
Ashley H says
I wouldn't let her get to me. Her loss. But I tend to be a hard ass like that. Obviously you guys were not friends before (?) so it's not like you're missing out on anything. She has issues; you'd probably be better off to stay away anyway 😉 I have two big Labs and my boy is almost 80lbs. He has never hurt a fly, but some people are afraid of him anyway. and he doesn't even really bark!! People are just strange. Don't let it get you down!
Valerie Darling says
I know how that goes. We have two medium sized dogs, but one is big, black, and has a loud bark. People are scared of her but she just wants to say and lick everything in sight.
Nikki Crews says
I can relate to this almost 100% and I certainly don't think you're crazy or ridiculous at all. I have two small dogs who bark, and much like yours, they walk perfectly on a leash until another dog/neighbor/anything walks by and gets their attention. Then they bark and try to run over and greet them.But, of course, there is a lady on the street who tells her children that my dogs are the dogs they just wave at; she won't let them pet my dogs or anything. On the flip side of that, she hasn't taught her kids how to properly approach dogs (i.e. ask me, their owner, for permission to pet them instead of running up to them like little crazy persons) so of course my dogs see them and get really excited and bark and lunge. And yet, my dogs are the "problem". It really upsets me, too. Seriously, give me a break!
NCsquared Life
The Girl who Loved to Write says
YES! This happens with me too. Barking just means they have something to say!
Rajkot says
Awesome, this was a absolutely superior post. In approach I'd like to address like this too – demography time and absolute accomplishment to accomplish a acceptable article… but what can I say… I adjourn alot and never assume to get something done.
pediatric dentist in india
Robin says
Some dog-parents are just like some parents of human children; they are self-centered and believe that everything revolves around their kid.