Smacking dog

[Carmeow]

One time at petsmart I saw a woman smack her pekingese puppy so hard its head bounced off the cement floor. All it was doing was standing there. I told an employee and they said if they see it again theyd talk to her. I later saw her being escorted out of the store.

If someone has no care about abusing their dog in public, imagine what they do behind closed doors.

[Carmeow]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I doubt that we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas about this. Emotions run too high. To answer your questions, 1. What is wrong with people ? my answer is not everyone agrees on what defines, discipline, correction or abuse. Even with human children. If this person thought what they were doing was abuse, they would have tried to hide the behavior.
2. How should you have handled the situation, what should you have done ? Let me ask this, what did you do ? Did you tell the Vet ? Did you keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself ? Honestly I can't say what you should have done. It is so easy to say do this or that, we weren't there. 3. I read your posts every day and I am almost 100 % sure if you thought the dog was in real danger, you would have done something ! You would not just walk away, your heart would have made you intervene.Some people don't know how to train dogs (or their human children) and they keep using outdated methods. And sadly not everyone loves their dog, the way you love Callie.

Great post by the way

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

So you ignore dog abuse? Really? It's people like those who give pit bulls a bad name because they beat the dog and then wonder why it's aggressive! This was a puppy a very young puppy!

Did you ignore dog abuse? I don't think you thought it was frank dog abuse or you would have spoken up for the dog & those peoples' feelings wouldn't have really mattered over that of the dog's well being. While it was harsh discipline, probably Animal Control or a judge would disagree with it being dog abuse, however uncomfortable it is to see a person hit a dog in the manner you described. That's probably why you just sat there as you felt they had not crossed the line into actual abuse. Remember, in the past and of course still today, many people used to hit/punish dogs as a common means of correction and they may be "old school" and unenlightened on better, more successful methods of reprimand. I think when the time comes that you see an animal being really injured or terrorized in your presence, you will stand up for the dog. Under the circumstances, I might have said something to them about whether they had tried positive-reward training or something to see if they would engage so I could lead them toward learning a much more effective and caring way of dealing with their dog and if they glared me down or reacted poorly, so be it.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I doubt that we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas about this. Emotions run too high. To answer your questions, 1. What is wrong with people ? my answer is not everyone agrees on what defines, discipline, correction or abuse. Even with human children. If this person thought what they were doing was abuse, they would have tried to hide the behavior.
2. How should you have handled the situation, what should you have done ? Let me ask this, what did you do ? Did you tell the Vet ? Did you keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself ? Honestly I can't say what you should have done. It is so easy to say do this or that, we weren't there. 3. I read your posts every day and I am almost 100 % sure if you thought the dog was in real danger, you would have done something ! You would not just walk away, your heart would have made you intervene.Some people don't know how to train dogs (or their human children) and they keep using outdated methods. And sadly not everyone loves their dog, the way you love Callie.

It sometimes seems even if we say what we would have done if it's not what the OP would have done we are wrong.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I doubt that we can have a meaningful exchange of ideas about this. Emotions run too high. To answer your questions, 1. What is wrong with people ? my answer is not everyone agrees on what defines, discipline, correction or abuse. Even with human children. If this person thought what they were doing was abuse, they would have tried to hide the behavior.
2. How should you have handled the situation, what should you have done ? Let me ask this, what did you do ? Did you tell the Vet ? Did you keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself ? Honestly I can't say what you should have done. It is so easy to say do this or that, we weren't there. 3. I read your posts every day and I am almost 100 % sure if you thought the dog was in real danger, you would have done something ! You would not just walk away, your heart would have made you intervene.Some people don't know how to train dogs (or their human children) and they keep using outdated methods. And sadly not everyone loves their dog, the way you love Callie.

[nanahas3]

Ok get out the noose lol. First let me say no I don't hit my furbabies and I never would but that is not to say in the past when I was young I did not think that a pat on the butt was the way to correct one. I was raised with spankings, which I have to say hurt my feelings more than my person and did make me think twice about repeating the mistake. I really think some people as said before are old school and don't realize there are much better ways of training a pet. I do understand how you felt though because I have been in the same type of situation.

[lynzy420]

Hmmm, I've had a "Pitbull", I've had blacklabs, I've had many, many, big dogs...I will say large dogs are definitely very, very, very, different...even as puppies...Currently my girls run and hide under the bed the second they know I'm angry, cracks me up...they can do so many tricks...but when they run under the bed...they won't come out until I apologize and pretend to cry...soooo, truth is I couldn't swat them even if I wanted to! Mini taught Mia to "run, mommys mad!" hilarious...

to OP I know how hard it is when you see someone you don't know in this situation with their pets, sadly with pets and children I've witnessed abuse, I've intervened, police and all...on more than one ocassion, other times, while I may have been upset I guess my instinct told me what to do or what not to do...You are a very good person and a true animal lover so I know this behavior upset you and you probably regret not saying anything, well don't because believe me you will know when to say something! I'm sorry you had to see this, especially at a vets office.

[Jacksmom052709]

If it were me, I would bring it to the attention of the vet and/or his/her staff members.

[southernbelle04]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

If it were me, I would bring it to the attention of the vet and/or his/her staff members.

That was my thoughts exactly!

That poor puppy!!! I feel sorry for him.

[Lovetodream88]

I just want to explain why I didn't say anything. I have bad anxiety and as much as I wanted to I just couldn't and it makes me so mad at myself because I just wish I could be normal and have said anything not necessarily something nasty but I just could not say anything. I cant stop thinking about that poor puppy and that I couldn't do anything.

[maggiefromnj]

You could have mentioned it to the vet, so that he or the vet treating the pit could bring up proper training etc with the owners. You could even call now and tell them so they could note it in the chart in case he comes back. If he is that young he is probably not done his shots and stuff. They can check the appt book to know who was there with a pit at the same time as you. Also, they won't even know you were involved or who you are. I don't see how it could hurt....

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

If it were me, I would bring it to the attention of the vet and/or his/her staff members.

thats what I wouldve done

[yorkietalkjilly]

Most of us here know of your struggles & how hard it can be for you at times so don't concern yourself one whit about that, Taylor. Take care of yourself & the little bulldog will be okay. Dogs have long lived with rough treatment from humans & unless they really are being injured, most, especially bully type dogs, seem to take it without it phasing them. Who knows, with the internet & other resources, with time the owners of this puppy may come to find a better way of dealing with their puppy when he's rambunctious. Many do learn more once they've got a dog.

[lillymae]

I would have gotten up & walked to the counter & ask the receptionist in a LOUD voice " Is there somewhere else I can wait with my dog as I CAN NOT sit here for one more second & watch that lady smack that puppy in the head" This way you are not directly saying anything to the STUPID person , BUT you have gotten the point across rite there in front of God & any one else in the room & HOPE that the STUPID lady got the hint that her actions were NOT acceptable.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I just want to explain why I didn't say anything. I have bad anxiety and as much as I wanted to I just couldn't and it makes me so mad at myself because I just wish I could be normal and have said anything not necessarily something nasty but I just could not say anything. I cant stop thinking about that poor puppy and that I couldn't do anything.

I can understand that , but I WILL have anxiety if I sit there & try to hold in something that needs saying & it deff makes that anxiety vanish into thin air.