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Handling the teacup issue Well, I had no clue when I got Bri that I would have a really tiny baby. I took her to petsmart today and a few little boutiques around town. I was amazed at the people who came up trying to take her from me and hold her. But, what made me even more mad was the "is she a teacup?" I kept saying no, that there really isn't a teacup yorkie, but that she should be a smaller breed. One guy tried to convince me I was wrong!! How do you handle this? Does anyone have anything to say that gets the point across and isn't too mean? |
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Don't be afraid of telling people no if they go to reach and touch. This is your dog and it's just as a child.....no one should touch without your permission. |
Thanks so much! I think my face pretty much told them to back off. I don't let many people hold her because it makes her a little nervous. She loves people at a distance, but when they get in her business, it's not good. Love your one liner!!! |
[QUOTE=Mardelin;3114893]My one liner is "Teacups come with saucers and handles" You took the words right out of my mouth!!:D |
I usually just say...no, she's just a little runt. Because when you start explaining that there is no Tea Cup they glaze over anyway. |
I say Joey is a "tiny", not a teacup. People really have no idea and they mean well. |
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For a quick explanation, I just say "there is no such thing as a teacup, the AKC breed standard is up to 7 pounds." It's quick and to the point. If they seem interested, I'll let them know it's just a sales gag. I love the teacups have handles and saucers response - lol! Definitely let them know that handling her is a no-no. Mia is very shy around people, and I let them know in no uncertain terms that they are not to try to handle her, nor my other babies. Be polite about it, most people will back off. If they don't, pick her up yourself. If they're grabbing her out of your arms, turn you body so they can't reach her. They should get the point (hopefully). |
I have this happen a lot, I just tell them she's afraid of strangers, and when she's afraid she pees. That usually will make then back up. Hay, whatever I have to do to keep her safe. It's ok to look, ask questions, but don't touch without asking. I wouldn't let a stranger touch my human children, she is no different. |
I warn people, as they are coming toward me, that Lizzie isn't good with people. That she can snap. It really, really works. (And it's true). Liz is 6lbs, and I don't get that question - can't help you there, but I do like Mardelin's one liner. |
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My llittle guy is tiny to. its funny no one has really ever tried to pet him or pick him up but every time we go for a walk he manages to scare someone! His bark! if yu didint know it was a yorkie coming around that corner you would think it was a pit bull!:D |
Haha! People amaze me!! Thanks for all the advice! I had my chihuahua with me today too, and I told everyone that went to touch him (inside my cart might I add) that he will get mad. Yet, guess what! They still went to touch him and he growled and ran to the other side of the cart. I just sat there shocked. If I say don't touch, don't touch!!! Glad I'm not alone :) |
I never have that problem when I take the cane corso out! I fianlly managed to convince my wife that our yorkie is not a Teacup. When we got her, almost 13 years ago, that is what she was told, and that is what she would tell people. Took 14 years, but she has finally seen the light. Now we know that Maxine is just a 7 pound Yorkie. I call her a Tea pot to irritate my wife, but that is the key to a successful marriage. You get them mad, and then you buy them something nice, and all is well! |
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I've not yet been asked if Chloe is a teacup (though she has finally hit the 5lb mark, yay!) but I do get asked often if she's a puppy. I just answer that with her age (a little over a year). Like several others have said, most people aren't interested in a lecture on the myth of teacups and you're aren't going to be able to teach them anything in a five second conversation. If asked, I'd probably just say "Nope, she's just a Yorkie!" with a smile. Chloe is her own anti-touch advertisement, which sometimes I hate because I feel sorry for the people who are just trying to be friendly. She'll acted interested in strangers until they kneel or hold out a hand toward her and then she'll lay her ears back, cower, and skitter away behind me. Which I don't guess I blame her for...we are all huge compared to her! However, even my brother and his wife get the cold shoulder from her and she sees them at least once a month! I know it just breaks my sister-in-law's heart that Chloe isn't friendly towards her...she tries so hard to tempt Chloe's affections! -C |
My yorkie is very tiny also. I get the same thing "is she a teacup?" I just say" there is no such thing as a teacup dog it is a horrible marketing stratagey!" And I dont let anyone hold her if I do not know them:) She is very delicate:) People dont know any better and they really dont mean any harm I blame the breeders who market their pups as "teacups"! Bottom line if you are in the market for any dog you should always do your homework and educate yourself about the breed before hand;) |
I stopped saying anything to people who call Sebi a teacup. It really is just a waste of my breath and I've found that they will argue with you - so it's not worth it. Most people who stop me are doing so to admire him anyway. :) |
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I also let people know I don't want them holding her cause if she were to fall she could be killed. So that is the line I use. :) |
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As to the treat/toy thing, I've tried it with a treat thinking that since Chloe is highly food motivated, that would work. But nope!! She couldn't have cared less. I've finally given up trying to force her into their company and she's slowly coming around to my SIL. My brother has a young chocolate lab that Chloe is scared of and I think she must smell the dog on them or something. Though I keep telling my brother it's b/c she can sniff out evil. ;) He and I have a huge dollop of sibling rivalry! Smelling the dog on them would make sense, except she behaved this same way the first (and only) time she met my husband's grandparents. She didn't want anything to do with them at all!! I think it's just going to be a time-heals-all-wounds sorta thing. It took her over two days of near constant interaction with a couple of twin five-year-old girls that my mom babysits before she'd play with them. But once she did get used to them, she didn't want to leave. But I wanted a "one (wo)man" dog and I guess that's what I got! I shouldn't be complaining, lol. -C |
i've only had her since friday and it's already happened to me!! i can tell these are just terms they've been hearing... so i said "no, she's just small..." when people stop to admire, i just smile and tell them she's pretty skittish (which she is, she's straining her leash to get away from them and behind me) when i have her in her bag and people try to touch, i turn my body so they can't reach her. it's like i would turn my purse away from you if you were trying to reach in for my wallet (and her bag is like a purse, no one really knows the difference!!) |
I don't let the word, teacup, bother me as it does most of you. It is so widely used...I've seen it in magazines, on TV, in patterns, etc. It's not just used by bad breeders. I just don't feel the need to start lecturing people who are only trying to be friendly. If someone asks if Faith is a teacup, I just tell them that she is smaller than my other two and leave it at that. |
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