Met a Man in the Pub

[woodlander]

Last night we went to a local pub which allows dogs in the bar so we took Sweep with us.  Bearing in mind she is only 8 months old she was a really good girl and sat or lay down watching everything & everybody. There were some other dogs there a labrador, terrier and a springer spaniel. During the course of the evening there was a small altercation between the springer and the labrador and terrier which was over in seconds.  The springer sort of kept herself away from the others.  Sweep just wanted to play with the other dogs.

Then the man with the springer came over to us and said that he trained gun dogs and was Sweep a working strain.  Obviously yes and he said that if we wanted he could work with us to train her.  While we were speaking the springer came over not on a lead (bitch 5 years old) and immediately went for Sweep several times.  He had control of the dog but when we eventually left I mentioned to OH that if he had a dog that was so bad tempered with other dogs I didn't think I was that impressed with his training.

I don't think that we shall take him up on his offer but would be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter.  I don't have a lot of experience of working gun dogs but didn't think this dog was a very good advert for his services.

Sorry for the long post.

[Cazzie]

Poor sweep  There are plenty grumpy dogs out there so not uncommon. Some dogs dont tollerate young dogs but it would have had my foot to chew on if it had gone for one of mine 

[Top Barks]

My dogs can be very grumpy to other dogs but them I try not to put them in situations where I know they will react.
It is his willingness to do this that would put me off not the fact his dog had a go.

[supaspaniel]

My dogs can be very grumpy to other dogs but them I try not to put them in situations where I know they will react.

I'm kind of glad to see you say that Mark, my gang can be grumpy with others when they initially meet them, but then are fine they are getting worse now I'm on my own actually  but I'm the same as you and try not to put them in certain situations

[Jan/Billy]

My dogs can be very grumpy to other dogs but them I try not to put them in situations where I know they will react.
It is his willingness to do this that would put me off not the fact his dog had a go.

I agree. Just becsuse you have a grumpy dog doesn't mean you are a crap owner/trainer

[Karma]

However, knowing your dog is a bit grumpy, would you then let it go up to a puppy, off-lead, in a pub?
 
As others have said, if you have a dog who doesn't like such situations, you don't put them in them if you can help it.  It is this seeming lack of empathy to his dog that would concern me, rather than the fact that the dog was grumpy.

Out of interest, did the man explain his dog's behaviour, or just expect Sweep to take it? 

[KellyS]

Don't let this put you off having Sweep trained for the gun thou just see if you can find a different trainer I have to say I think it is marvellous how these guys train their dogs there are a couple of people that work their dogs in the village and I have never seen such well trained/well behaved dogs, It is fascinating to watch. I keep trying to talk them into training some of mine but they roll their eyes at the thought of a show cocker

[Nicola]

I keep trying to talk them into training some of mine but they roll their eyes at the thought of a show cocker

That's a shame, I would like to try to train a show type and I probably will one day... if I ever get Rodaidh finished 

[KellyS]

I'll happily provide a volunteer

[Cazzie]

I'll happily provide a volunteer

And a beautiful one at that

[Nicola]

I'll happily provide a volunteer

You're on! I'd love to 

[KellyS]

Bet you wouldn't being saying that after 1/2 an hour

[Nicola]

Bet you wouldn't being saying that after 1/2 an hour

You've never met Alfie, anything's going to be a breeze after him 

[KellyS]

I'll hold you to that

[woodlander]

thanks for all your comments - very interesting - take your point about the man putting his dog into a situation that it was perhaps uncomfortable in.
Karma - He didn't make any comment apart from "its a dominance thing" and his dog was just showing Sweep who was boss!