[tpdirorg]

Yeah, the last several times I've had Damas in public, I had people give me the "He has balls, blah blah blah, he can't be happy blah blah nag, I hope you're not breeding him" sermon. Both me and my bf gave them a fierce verbal lashing. My dog, my business. If I'm leaving a pile of shit on someone's yard, or my dog is running loose, fine, a person has every right to voice their issues with that. But DO NOT tell me what I can or should do with my intact dog.

OP, you may also want to bring up leash laws. And the fact that the last thing a bunch of kids need to see is their doggie getting hit by a car, or seeing their dog getting into it with another dog.

[crycleascentyv]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to try to talk to him on the weekend, show him Bernie doing some weight pull and obedience work so he can at least see I know a little something. Then I am going to mention that it's super dangerous to leave his dog off leash like he does. I am not sure how athletic that dog is but I would hate to have that dog in heat trying climb up my 6 foot fence to try to mate with my Bernie or better yet find my rat dogs on the other side of the fence and hurt them.

I will try to be as nice as possible with the kid hopefully I will make some sense to him. If I could stop the breeding it would be a huge plus but at least my goal is not to worry about that dog running into the front of my house like it has done already.

[Heacechig]

I had this same exact situation in my neighborhood. I didn't approach the guy, but eventually he saw me out working the dogs and walked up on his own. After the normal howdy do's, he mentioned that he was going to breed his dog. My reply was "Why?" Of course it was because of all that money he was going to make. So, in my nicest, friendliest personna I proceeded to tell him all about how much it was going to cost him if she had complications, and every little negative thing I could come up with to scare the P'jesus out of him. Even to the point of telling him that if one of his puppy owners had a problem, he would be responsible for taking the puppy back. (I did my best to make it sound like this legally enforcable - although we all know it isn't.) But whatever...
It worked. Ran into him about 6 months later and he told me he had gotten his dog spayed. After that he came over for private lessons and the rest is history.

The best thing I have found for education with these people is to have my dogs well under control and let them see how these dogs should be. When they ask about it, I'm off and running. If they want well behaved dogs it works great. If not, they go on about their business and do what they do. Of course all the other neighbors continue to give them sh-t about not getting their dog under controll when most of the rest of the big dogs in the neighborhood are awesome. This in itself works wonders.

[zdlupikkkdi]

Well, in my experience most people aren't so defensive.

Really?
I am a nice person and I don't even cuss but if some one was to approach me like that my ugly side would come out.
Until they start paying for my dogs food and very care, obedience and sports bills then they can give me their input on what I should do with my property. I can't stand the sputer people and the things you have been posting is the reason why. Its no one elses business if my dog has balls or not. Maybe you think you are helping the cause but really its busy bodiness and out right rude.
If some one asks for the info share your knowledge that's great but shoving your beliefs down sometimes throat will not be met with pleasantness.

[crycleascentyv]

I had this same exact situation in my neighborhood. I didn't approach the guy, but eventually he saw me out working the dogs and walked up on his own. After the normal howdy do's, he mentioned that he was going to breed his dog. My reply was "Why?" Of course it was because of all that money he was going to make. So, in my nicest, friendliest personna I proceeded to tell him all about how much it was going to cost him if she had complications, and every little negative thing I could come up with to scare the P'jesus out of him. Even to the point of telling him that if one of his puppy owners had a problem, he would be responsible for taking the puppy back. (I did my best to make it sound like this legally enforcable - although we all know it isn't.) But whatever...
It worked. Ran into him about 6 months later and he told me he had gotten his dog spayed. After that he came over for private lessons and the rest is history.

The best thing I have found for education with these people is to have my dogs well under control and let them see how these dogs should be. When they ask about it, I'm off and running. If they want well behaved dogs it works great. If not, they go on about their business and do what they do. Of course all the other neighbors continue to give them sh-t about not getting their dog under controll when most of the rest of the big dogs in the neighborhood are awesome. This in itself works wonders.

That sounds like a great idea the only issue is that nobody can see into my backyard because the front and all the sides are 6 foot walls so the only way for him to see my dog doing stuff for my to invite him in my yard.

I am sure I will see him out there this weekend in front of his house with dog loose so I will bite my tongue and try to be polite lol

[RarensussyRen]

I'm with VKH and omgrobyn.

I asked the dh what he would he would say to someone who came up and told him not to breed his dog (whether he had intentions to or not). He said he'd tell them to mind their business.

Standing up for what you believe in is taking this a tad dramatically if you ask me.

I wouldn't get anything done in a day if I always felt the need to tell people about themselves and comment on their choices, "in your face attitude" or not.

So I guess in your opinion, I'm just an advocate of irresponsible breeding and I don't do enough to spread knowledge and information to the general public! Call it what you will, I call it minding my own business and knowing when to bite my tongue.

david - Showing him some weight pull is a great idea! Proof is in the pudding, that's always my first go to with a set of new students. Show them my dogs, let them see what they can do, and then I've got their attention! They're more apt to listen to you and take your advice if you have a handle on things yourself. No one likes to listen to a know it all with no proof to back them up!

I wish you luck! I really hope you can get through to this kid.

[Mugflefusysef]

Lot of dogs around here, both fixed and intact. I have 2 fixed and 2 intact myself. As much as I do not approve of willy-nilly breeding, I don't get involved unless asked. The loose ones are something else entirely and I have commented on it to neighbors. The fees for a loose dog are many times the cost of a leash, so it just makes more sense to keep a pet leashed and safe.

In the last year our street of 12 houses has lost 3 dogs due to owner negligence. All of them killed by cars while loose. All of them in houses that had kids who grieved the loss of their pet.

If it were me and I brought the dog home I would have discussed the leash law and related my experiences of neighbor dogs dying due to being off leash. If the person who owned the dog wasn't interested in keeping it contained I'd go ahead and call AC if I saw the dog wandering again.

Of course, before calling AC you need to make sure your ducks are all in a row when it comes to your own dogs and how you keep your property so the neighbors don't start spite calling on you.

---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 PM ----------

I have had multiple people politely and rudely comment on my intact male. I get pretty pissed about it to be honest. I am an educated pet owner, I know the risks, I manage my dog so that he does not contribute to the unwanted pet population and it is none of anyone else's business. I'd stay out of the breeding conversation altogether unless he asks your opinion. If he asks, then tell him with you think and educate him if you can.

[TeemFilla]

I personally would try to hit this issue with a two prong approach. Trying to talk a lot of sense at once into some people is like trying to squeeze beer out of a potato, just isn't gonna happen.
I'd go for the containment end of things first, it's a much less touchy subject and usually a ton easier to pound into the skull. Much as I hate the idea of encouraging him you could even go as far as telling him you'd hate to see her accidentally bred with one of the roving area mutts if that's what it takes to get his stuff straight.
Often times it's good to tell them how awesome you think their dog is, even if you don't, how you just love seeing their dog and how pretty she is, but you watched her almost get plowed by a passing car and you really don't want to see anything bad happen to them.
Once the containment issue is solved it'll be much easier to feel your way into the breeding issue. As much as it really sucks some people don't learn until they're faced with an actual litter, they don't comprehend all that goes into raising puppies, or the expense of doing things right, the annoyance of containing 4+ puppies that are hell bent on exploring EVERYTHING. I hope you can get through to him before he breeds!

[Heacechig]

[QUOTE=davidfitness83;1147987]That sounds like a great idea the only issue is that nobody can see into my backyard because the front and all the sides are 6 foot walls so the only way for him to see my dog doing stuff for my to invite him in my yard.

Well the trick for me, is that I actually work my dogs on certain exercises in my front yard. AND we often take walks around the neighborhood.

[crycleascentyv]

Quick update, I talked to the kid over the weekend and I have to say I misjudged the whole situation before really knowing what was going on. The kid was very naive and was not cocky or arrogant at all. I think the two guys that were over his house with the pet bulls were trying to fill his head with ideas but after having a chat with him he thanked for making him realize the danger he was putting his dog in. He was also very receptive to spaying his dog since he doesn't have papers for her. But overall the kid was super nice and thanked me for giving info. I gave him one of Bernie's old stillwater collars that don't fit him anymore and I told him to set up a chain spot or line in front of his house so if he is outside working on his car the doggy can be contained properly. The kid was very happy about the collar and thanked me, also promised me he wouldn't let her off the leash again. He said he was going to Home Depot to get a cable to build the pup a line.

I told him the best way to get to know about these dogs is to go to an ADBA show and talk to dogmen to get to know the real deal dog.

[Mugflefusysef]

Awesome the kid is willing to listen and learn! You could have really made a difference in his life and the life of his dog.

[RarensussyRen]

Great update!!

Glad to hear your chat went over smoothly!

[crycleascentyv]

I am excited, Ill check up on him this weekend. I gave him the link to this site and to game-dog. I think there is a show in Jersey coming up so he can head over there and talk to people. One less dog to worry about in my street

[zdlupikkkdi]

i am so happy to hear you actually talked to him and were humble enough to realize you made misjudgements after speaking with the kid. I wish there were more people that did this (not just refering to the dog world). The way you approached him with respect opened him up to learning.

[crycleascentyv]

Thanks

I mean he wants to breed her on her second heat and he was looking for a male to breed her with but he was just clueless and uninformed. I think I opened his eyes and I even mentioned to him how I volunteered at the local town shelter and there's 20-30 homeless pit bulls and I told him it is extremely difficult to find good homes for puppies. The kid gave me a good vibe, he just needs to not get brain washed by those other guys that were feeding him bull.

[RarensussyRen]

Yup, seconded PM!

Everyone likes to be treated with respect! Sometimes I forget that just because people don't know about dogs' doesn't mean they're stupid people! It can be hard to step out of your own, perfect fitting, educated, knowledgeable shoes and remember what it was like when you didn't know jack shit!

I really hope you can strike up a good friendship with this kid. Maybe you guys can become show buddies! BRO-mance!!!

[zdlupikkkdi]

or a mentor.

[Immonnaornach]

See? It's not always deadly to talk to people.

[crycleascentyv]

NOt so good news, the whole family was outside in front of the house and the kids were riding their bikes and the dog was completely off leash. At one point the dog was running besides the guy on the bike all the way until the end of our street. What are these people thinking? What a bunch of ignorant dog owners, there are several people that pass by our block walking their dogs. Any of those people could have passed by and there goes their off leash bull mutt charging at the responsible owners.

I took peanut out on Friday while their dog was on a leash outside with the mom to see the reaction and her dog wanted to get to peanut so bad. The dog's back air was up and the dog was flexing and growling at my rat dog even though I was across the street. The mom wasn't doing much to correct her dog. I am pretty sure these people do not comprehend that while their mutt is people friendly, once another dog is present the dog will show it's true colors. It is a shame that people like these get to own these dogs. I can guarantee that within the next year something bad will happen. I have seen several people walking by our home with their dogs and one of those times their dog will run off leash and something tragic will happen...

[LongaDonga]

If it were me Id make a really nice pamphlet on my computer full of information and sneak it onto their door at night lol. Maybe talk to the parents instead? At least about the leash thing.. And if that doesnt work, call AC. Its their own fault for not listening and theyre only contributing to the bad pit bull image!