Imaginary dirty looks

I know I'm probably being paranoid but sometimes when I am walking Rupes off lead I feel I get such dirty looks from other dog walkers. I find it makes a difference if I dress up - if I am we'll dressed (I.e. not in dog walking gear) people tend to be friendlier. I usually say hello to other dog walkers but sometimes the snobbery (is it snobbery? Perhaps apprehension too) really gets to me. Often I can ignore it but when I am in an introspective mood it gets to me. Remedies?

Thick skin! I get the dressed part its the media who have made it.

Everybody (Well most, anyway) tend to give me a wide berth when I'm with Dempsey, so it doesn't bother me! 

I suppose the reason it bothers me is A) it is rude and B) Rupes likes most other dogs and likes to play/hang out and I like him interacting with other dogs as much as possible to keep his mind stimulated and to have fun! I wish sometimes people just bothered at least to be curious rather than weird about things they don't understand or know.

Agree and blame the media!

Ah yes I think we've all come across this one time or another

Bruno is only 5 months old and we already get this, I've had a few dirty looks while walking him even though I look nothing like the 'typical staffie owner' that the media portrays.
On the flip side I've also had some lovely comments about his recall and good behaviour and some people have mentioned they have a bad reputation etc but Bruno is lovely. I like to think we're fighting against the stereotype when we're out and hope it continues!

it used to bother me and it gets worse in the summer with people holding there kids above there heads (well maybee not that bad  ) but i dont realy care anymore. In fact i love it when my dogs walk past theres withought even looking at them like theyre not worthy lol.

I've actually noticed the same. If I wear my Christmas jumper with teddy bear ears or the reindeer ears and put my hood up, people are fine and chatty. If I put my hood up with just an ordinary hoodie or jacket, they'll cross the road to avoid me and Dempsey.

Oh, how well we know this. In Poland if you own Staffy, Amstaff, Pitpull, Bull Terriers you have "those type dogs". So imagine my OH walks Debo. My OH is typical bull type owner. Bold, earing, tatoos and tracksuit and of course hood on. The look on people faces - priceless.

We do have to develope a thick skin, although I haven't experienced anything to my face I have noticed that little walking groups tend to disperse upon our arrival in the park. I just either ignor them or just happily say good morning depending on what mood I am in at the time.

Yes I've had plenty of looks and comments, I'm sure it doesn't help that I look about 10 years old even though I'm in fact soon to be 20!!! I do quite like it when people give me a wide birth, not because our dogs are nasty but most people lack control of their own dog and it's hassle I don't need! I've had people drive past and shout nasty things at Ebony ect - even though she's walked in a charity bandana with love hearts on I find now I've got Charlie more people are inclined to come and say hello as his body language looks a lot friendlier! Eb doesn't care about people outside unless they initiate interaction and she's calmly greet them with tail wagging an just be a complete sweety! Where as Charlie will lock on to people and pull towards them, crying and wiggling his cute curly tail so people to tend to speak to us a lot more! People with other dogs steer clear though which is a shame since they're both dog friendly lots of people used to move their kids out the way when I just had Eb too, but since they see two dogs they assume they're all nice and friendly and just let their kids do whatever (which annoys me since Charlie is nice, but he would jump up the child even on short lead if the child came close)

On the flip side I've met plenty of other nice dog owners, not met many since I've had Charlie though. We've had our fair share of parents asking if they could stroke the dogs and I allow them to stroke Eb and explain Charlie is boisterous and everything's fine; I see people watching and they're expecting some vicious attack but my girl is really bomb proof and fantastic with people of all ages! Charlie is just a big love bug who can't express that correctly yet, but it's in working progress. I find when I'm walking my two, with my aunties little cute dogs we do get friendlier looks though! People are strange, and there's good and bad side to both but I'd never be without a staff despite the comments and looks I most certainly don't look like a typical staff owner, and neither does our family when we're out on day trips

Yes have come accross this, very annoying but you just have to not let it get to you xx

It just makes me extra polite to these people, that shocks them

Kathy wrote:I haven't experienced anything to my face I have noticed that little walking groups tend to disperse upon our arrival in the park.

That I can relate to.

Funny thing is I actually probably do look like a typical media type bull breed owner when out walking because I tend not to wear my best clothes lol... I wouldn't have any good clothes left if I did!

I don't care about the looks I may or may not get, I always smile at people and say hello which is probably very annoying to someone trying to be all angry and disapproving of me! Most people say hello back and smile though I must admit... a smile can work miracles

It's very early days for me walking Zara and I'm already realising I need to develop a thick skin. Zara is still only a pup and I'm already getting snubbed and stupid comments I just hold my head up high and smile politely. Oh and I do look a sight in my fake fur leopard print coat and flowery Wellington boots. I have met some lovely people though with lots of advice and welcomes to the dog walking crew ha ha

We get a bit of a mixed response. Most owners are good or should I say not selective dog lovers! Betsy is pretty good at winning some over with her waggy tail and lots of kisses.

However there are days when folks responses get to me. Also Betsy can get over excited and hump so tend to avoid groups as it's excitement central for my gal. Some have mistaken this for aggression which doesn't help us. Still I remind myself that it gives us our special little quality time rather than some who stand around gossiping whilst letting their dogs be rude and missing out on that special time  

i dont have the dirty looks , i get the "oh god there is a staffy coming , better get my tiny chihuahua out the way " and they cross the road way ahead of me .
I did get one riffy look one day when i had zig on the extendable lead and didnt get chance to reel him in when this person walked past , zig goes up to him and looks at him tail going like a loon , and the man looked up at the sky , shook his head and loud sighed before walking off still shaking his head . I wanted zig to wee on his shoe or something to make the over reaction to a happy dog worth it!