The past few months I was invited by some acquaintances to do things like go on a wknd trip or go hiking and when I say I’m sorry I don’t have anyone to watch my dog and I can’t bring him, immediately I’m being lectured about how it’s bc I’m too meek and passive and I need to be aggressive with my dog and show I’m “the alpha”. The best part is these people don’t even f*cking have dogs and have never had them or had little teacup sized ones. I’m a pretty small person (5’1 ½”) and I have a chubby small Dane (135lbs) that is fear based dog reactive bc he’s been attacked so much in the past bt unleashed dogs. I’ve only had him for 2.5yrs but he’s a fantastic dog minus he’s reactivity. I’m firm with him but I refuse to yell/scream and inflict any sort of crude “dominance” when he freaks out over a dog. Instead we just turn and walk away or I get him excited to jog w me while I’m really trying to hide a good blind spot so he can’t see the oncoming dogs. It works for us. I’ve tried a trainer and it made things 1000xs worse and at his old age, I just want him to enjoy his walks.

So why the f*ck are these ppl I don’t even really know and more importantly who DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO HAVE A REACTIVE DOG OR EVEN A DOG giving me shit?? I had this girl go off on me talking about how my dog thinks he owns me and he’s walking me I’m not walking him. She doesn’t even know my dog, our walks or anything about me yet she “already knows” 🙄 another guy was is pretty scrawny and like 2” taller than me was talking all this crap about how my dog doesn’t respect me because I’m not seen as “alpha” and I need to discipline him and show him who is boss. Maybe that’s worked for him and his teacup yorkie, but my dog is perfectly fine the way he is and the most lovable dog I’ve ever had the pleasure of having!! Ugh I’m so frustrated with these stupid ass comments, but I learned when I try to politely refute their unsolicited shit, they just try to force their opinions even more like it’s fact when they’ve never even met my dog! So I’ve stopped bothering to even correct them and say well whatever the case, I won’t be able to join so enjoy your trip/hike.

TLDR: I’m sick of ignorant non-dog owners shoving their stupid “facts” in my face like they know so much about dogs and I don’t know what I’m doing when I’ve had dogs my whole life and go out of my way to read as many resources/books about training and relationships. Rant over thanks for letting me get this off my chest!