Dog training, what to do?

I took Buster dog training tonight. I am pleased to say he was good, much to my suprise! Lol. On a post I made last week I said about a new lady making some sort of comment about Buster, but all I heard her say was "that sort of dog". Well this week I was sat near her, just one lady between us. I heard her say to the woman between us that she thought Buster was eyeing her up/giving her evils the lady between said no he wasnt, he is a nice dog, and fussed him to show her. Then the other lady said "I dont like those sort of dogs". Well, that is fair enough, not everyone likes staffies. The problem is that she sat staring at Buster most of the lesson. I understand that she is wary of him, but the last thing I want to happen is him run over to her because she keeps staring and he thinks he is going to get fuss and then have her panick. She also has two younger children come with her and she is wary of them being near him.

I think I might see what she is like next week, and then maybe speak to the trainer if she still does it, to either see if she can talk to her or if I can go to a different class - which I dont want to do as I get on well with the people in the class now, but I dont want Buster to run up to her, scare her and then have him looked at like he was in the wrong! I thought it was common sense not to sit staring at dogs? Anyway, I just thought I would get some opinions/advice

If she keeps staring I'd do two things - one, I'd politely ask her not to stare as she's spooking your dog and two, I'd speak to the trainer & ask if she'll also have a word.

Keep it polite & calm - that way, any hostility will be from the other woman & if someobody is asked to leave or go to another class it'll be her.

I agree with Caryll

Personally sounds like I'd want to give her a slap and poke her eyes out but maybe that's a little of an overpowering response. Stand your ground and get on with it , if she doesn't like it then let her be the one to change her schedule , not you. You don't talk about anyone else being funny with you so it's her problem not yours grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I would just stare back at her myself.

davemck3834 wrote:Personally sounds like I'd want to give her a slap and poke her eyes out

Lol is that not the right thing to do then?

davemck3834 wrote:Personally sounds like I'd want to give her a slap and poke her eyes out but maybe that's a little of an overpowering response. Stand your ground and get on with it , if she doesn't like it then let her be the one to change her schedule , not you. You don't talk about anyone else being funny with you so it's her problem not yours grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Dave!

I think what Caryll said is very good advice. I agree it is hard to see our fur kids talked bad about, but at least they have no clue what evil people say. I'd tell her he likely will want to come say hello if she keeps looking at him and that if she doesn't want that, the best thing to do is ignore him. You can reassure her that he is very friendly. If she keeps it up, more than likely she will make a fool of herself or switch classes on her own.

Well, I would eye her dog back with the evils and make comments saying oh I dont like that kind! > Just see what she does!

I'm with Caryll

It is not a good idea to stare at a dog as they see this as a challenge. It will make a dog feel very nervous.

I would ask her to please not stare at my dog, and explain why.

If that fails then have a word with the instructor.

You may even find that the trainer picks up on this and does something about it - ours is quite astute like that and picked up on a problem that was brewing in our group

davemck3834 wrote:Personally sounds like I'd want to give her a slap and poke her eyes out but maybe that's a little of an overpowering response. Stand your ground and get on with it , if she doesn't like it then let her be the one to change her schedule , not you. You don't talk about anyone else being funny with you so it's her problem not yours grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I did feel a bit like doing that last night! I made sure he was on the long line everytime he had to go off lead last night just incase he decided to play up and run off, I know he would've gone straight over there. As it turns out he was as good as gold and did everything perfect

When I first started in the group everyone was a bit wary of Buster, but now everyone knows him they all love him and know he's friendly, just a bit excitable!

She has a springer spaniel puppy, and she is far too soft, and lets him get away with everything (she says she doesnt want to be too firm because she doesnt want him to hate her!) and she is scared of him biting her (he is 4 1/2 months) so I see her dog becoming a problem dog in the future

Thank you for the advice everyone. I think I will maybe mention to her to not keep staring at him (I know it is supposed to be a threat to a dog, but luckily at dog training Buster is easily distracted and he seems to think that anyone there who looks at him is going to fuss him as that's what normally happens) and then maybe speak to the trainer aswell, at least if I've mentioned it and something happens then she is aware, although I hope she will say something before then!