As I was driving home I spotted a pick-up truck transporting en plein air a massive Rottweiler dog. Since the dog was not contained, he kept pacing from side to side. It appeared as if his constant pacing was also shifting the pick-up back and forth.
As I watched the dog, I caught myself judging the dog's owner: Don't people know better? Don't they realize how potentially dangerous this is for their dogs? I have in fact heard of really horrible stories of dogs being propelled from the vehicle while traveling full speed.
Either way, my thoughts shifted from a "I know-better-mode" to the possibility that the owner of the Rottie really took care of his dog. It is very easy when one is involved with dogs and their owners as a professional to condemn anything that we (as dog guardians and pros) would not do with our own dogs.
Having said that, I think that it is equally important to educate clients and the general public about dog welfare to refrain from passing judgment as to how others treat their pets. Make no mistake, I am very clear about what I know to be acceptable and humane in our dealing with our pets, yet I have come to realize that judging leads to nowhere!
Nobody wants to be judged and furthermore I have experienced countless times how my own clients (and possibly the owner of the dog in question) would re-think what they once thought acceptable for their dog if they were exposed to the knowledge that I sometimes take for granted.
As I watched the dog, I caught myself judging the dog's owner: Don't people know better? Don't they realize how potentially dangerous this is for their dogs? I have in fact heard of really horrible stories of dogs being propelled from the vehicle while traveling full speed.
Either way, my thoughts shifted from a "I know-better-mode" to the possibility that the owner of the Rottie really took care of his dog. It is very easy when one is involved with dogs and their owners as a professional to condemn anything that we (as dog guardians and pros) would not do with our own dogs.
Having said that, I think that it is equally important to educate clients and the general public about dog welfare to refrain from passing judgment as to how others treat their pets. Make no mistake, I am very clear about what I know to be acceptable and humane in our dealing with our pets, yet I have come to realize that judging leads to nowhere!
Nobody wants to be judged and furthermore I have experienced countless times how my own clients (and possibly the owner of the dog in question) would re-think what they once thought acceptable for their dog if they were exposed to the knowledge that I sometimes take for granted.
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