I went to a local Open Show on Saturday,hadn't entered just wanted to have a look. While I was waiting for my breed I saw a woman whow owns Border Collies shout at her dog and hit it on the head with a slicker brush. Why did she do this??? Her dog was not staying perfectly still while she was putting a finishing touch to it.

Makes me mad!!!!!!!

I would have gone and challenged her, or reported her...I hate it too!!

>I would have gone and challenged her, or reported her.

Same here! When it comes to children and dogs i will not zip my lip!! Some people may act like they couldnt care less what you say,but that doesnt mean they havnt heard it and the seed has been planted,and maybe next time they may think about it first...

I noticed something when I was at crufts. A lady was with a golden bitch in the ring - obviously the dog had been stood there for ages, brushed etc - not playing up and to a very untrained eye looking like Model Dog but when she wasn't chosen, the lady stomped off, yanking the dog after her. :( I know I'm probably a bit sensitive as I know my golden does what ever she can to make me happy, and to see that being ignored breaks my heart.

I appreciate this women may not have even owned the dog, but at least she could have done is not shown how annoyed she was. Goldens would pick up on that surely... :(

Gosh what an idiot! When one of mine is chucked out of the ring the first thing we do is say "Good girl!" and a pat and treat, because after all it wasn't the dog's fault she wasn't picked -and she did her best whilst in the ring! Apart from anything else, that woman could easily end up with a dog that thinks it's done WRONG when it did right! And so it will stop standing still and behaving in the ring.

Same here Marianne - whatever happens the dogs get a big fuss made of them - they don't know they didn't get picked - all they want is for me to tell them they did a good job and that I'm pleased with them!

Some people are unbelievable how they behave at dog shows and I have too seen someone getting all cross - this was all because their dog wouldn't stand still to be brushed - that's one way to get them NOT to stand still if you ask me!

You should see what they are like at horse shows! They whip the horses for refusing jumps, then whip them when they do jump, then whip them because they are in the habit of whipping them - I have seen folk take their hands off the reins so they can turn round to get a better whack at the horse!

Its disgusting

Collies are so sensitive too.  If I shouted and hit mine she would probabally snap at me and it would destroy all the work I have put in to get her to bond with me.  My neighbour horrified me one day when my dog ran up her front garden to say hello to her dog who was yapping behind the back gate - by telling me that I should smack her when I got her back to me.  I of course told my dog she was a good girl for coming back to me.  She apologised later and said she was having a bad day but her dog yaps at passers-by and on being called to her she smacks it.  However, her little dog is thick skinned (by nature I mean!) and it doesn't seem to bother her at all.  All dogs are different I suppose but I rather not physically punish because it can become a habit and serve to relieve one's frustrations then anything else. 

I must admit I really am put off going to shows because I see this kind of handling so often and it makes me so cross that it completely spoils the day.

I have spoken to people about what they do and I think about one listened, the rest just didnt want to know and didn't care either
Shows are meant to be enjoyable days out for dog and owner - but very often, that's the last thing it is for the dog.

I wrote to the local paper about exactly this once and it got published as I felt it was the only way to get across to lots of people that yes, it does irritate some of us who are subjected to dogs being hit, jerked, dragged etc. One of these days I'll have a bady day and just blow my top - heaven help the person who gets me to that state as they will get the brunt of years of my frustration :P

Some owners who show are, it has to be said, lazy, heartless, nasty, vain, stupid, ignorant and plain hard boiled fools.

And I've seen owners hitting their dogs on Crufts before now on tv too. Dogs do get fed up and tired of being groomed and pampered constanlty unless they are trained andhelped to enjoy it, and to punish dogs for being restless etc is pathetic. I think we should make more complaints and that stewards and judges should be much sterner regarding rough handling.

Lindsay
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i bet she complains that her little dog doesn't come when it's called, doesn't she?
The first puppy training class we took our dog to was terrible, the trainer did tell us that you never need to smack your dog, but when she used her dog to demonstrate we noticed that it shied away from her when she lifted her hand, then one class, she  got cross with the dog for not demonstrating the stay properly, she called it over and slapped it's nose. We didn't go back.

Have seen that too Carla and years ago i pulled a spoilt brat off her pony for whipping it. The mother was an evil b**** too. It goes on all around the place though be it at dog shows, gymkhanas, greyhound racing, trials and tests. makes my blood boil and makes me want to do the same to them as they are doing to a poor defenceless creature

I once pointed out to a parent that the curb chain on their pony's bit was twisted and was told it was the only way their daughter could control the pony

Sounds about right - the child was probably wearing spurs at the same time too

Not just showing either!!  When my friend and I went to our first obedience show years ago, we witnessed 3 seperate dogs being hit!  We were disgusted!   I went home that night and phoned the secretary to complain, only to be told that I should have complained at the time (I didn't know that) :rolleyes:

I could kick myself for not saying something but she lives relatively local so I will see her again. If I see her at SKC I think I will have a word with her about her actions.

I could kick myself for not saying something but she lives relatively local so I will see her again. If I see her at SKC I think I will have a word with her about her actions.

You won't be popular but you'll probably feel better - and it may at least make her stop doing it in public at shows...what she does in private is something else which we can't know unfortunately...

I think a lot of it is due to stress - however, that's not the dog's fault!

Lindsay
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I woke up yesterday to no hot water!!!! So phoned someone I know who owns a grooming parlour and asked if I could use her premises. Anyway....it turns out that as soon as I said that I had seen someone hit a Border, everyone present knew exactly who it was. It seems that she is notorious around the shows for doing this. Apparently,she also does this too if her dogs don't win.

Maybe it would be worth mentioning the new Animal Protection Act to her - horrid woman that she is, it still might make her think before hitting out next time - it makes me so cross she should not be allowed to have any animals

Some people just have a short temper. They shouldn't take it out on the dog.

As for those who blame the dog when they don't win, thats what is worse IMO.  Whether win or loose dogs get praise and treat (Ok if I win they get a huge hug aswell!)  I was in a large handling class at birmingham the other day.  I didn't get placed and nor did my brother (thank god) but both dogs got lots of praise still.  Some of those (placed and unplaced) didn't get so much as a pat, people are more intrested in the rosette. :(

I've seen many things over the years in showing (more positive things then negative though!) but still. 

I think my dogs would get an extra big cuddle and treat if the didnt win! Because they would have tried so hard to please and do well,and i'de feel sorry for them :p

Someone should give these deog smacking show people a slap upside the head when they lose for being poor show-ers... see how they like it

I'm sure it's against KC rules for this kind of treatment to go on - the person concerned should be reported (this Border collie person).

It's about time something was done - so many, far too many, get away with this kind of behaviour and half the time I'm sure judges, stewards etc appear to almost condone it as they turn a blind eye.

Same with horse shows too, it's shocking the way animals are treated when we're "using" them for what is basically our pleasure

Makes me so mad.

Lindsay
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yes..and it could still be said kindly and gently... I think because people are all friends and because no one is perfect this is why it is overlooked . There needs to be a much clearer definition of what is acceptable and what is not and some people need more help than others to stay cool. 

I know here at a show the behaviour of a lady was reported by several people and one incident being especially bad tempered and action was taken. So it is worth reporting these incidents to the show organisers  at the time or even writing a letter after..because yours might not be the only complaint and the more evidence the greater the chance they can take some kind of action.  No club wants the reputation of their show ruined by bad behaviour.  Of course the correct  procedures are no doubt so lengthy we will all have died before action actually becomes action!

LOL, when I read "Border" I think Border Terrier, tend to think Border collie when people say "Collie" and our way all the obedience people call theirs collies, which must make it hard for collie owners (Rough or Smooth), as their breeds are called Collie first with coat type after.

... I think because people are all friends and because no one is perfect this is why it is overlooked . There needs to be a much clearer definition of what is acceptable and what is not and some people need more help than others to stay cool. 

Very much agree with the first bit, people are very loth to report those that they may chat and spend time with - even if those are in some way upsettting them, it's just easier to turn a blind eye. Not very fair on the dog though :(

Lindsay
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Had hoped to see her at SKC yesterday but I didn't!!