The Sharpei looked sweet

[bednbones]

Ok, doesn't this sharpei look sweet. First time here. I put him outside to potty before bringing him in. All the sudden he starts growling and looking very menacing. He WILL NOT back down. I decided .. uh.. no thanks. Called the owner, no answer. Called the emergency contact, no answer and I leave a msg. You have 20 minutes to come pick up your dog. I call the vet which is also mine to ask advice. The vet gets on the phone and says she cannot believe the owner dropped the dog off at my place. It takes 3 people to vaccinate the dog without getting bit. They literally have to have the owner hold the dog on the leash, close the door on his rear end (not hard) while someone is holding his rear and then she vaccinates. This dog is highly aggressive. Perfect. I call the emergency number again and tell them if they are not here in 20 minutes I am having a trainer pick up the dog (which costs $1500 for 1 week of board and train for aggressive dogs). The mother immediately picks up the receiver and says she will come get the dog. She tells me the dog scares her as well.

Of course, I never did hear from the owner again. Nice.

[Poodlestar]

Crazy...

It baffles me why people own dogs they are afraid of... and then DON'T TELL potential victums of the danger...

Sounds like he needs a trip to Cesar's

[Kittypaw007]

How scary

I'm so glad you are ok, You could have gotten killed. Smart move to call the vet and a good reminder for all of us to have their emergency contact info before they take off.

[Fluff and Puff]

These kind of dog owners make me so mad!

[Maltese_mama]

He is cute. I guess it just goes to show how looks can be deceiving. Is there no way you can get these people in trouble? I know they could be held responisible if someone get's hurt, but why should it have to go to that point? It's very forutnate that you weren't injured. I think the vet should alert AC and they should at least be on a watch list. Has the vet not discussed a behavioralist or even euthanasia w/ them? Hopefully any other groomers in you area will see this before they take the dog!

[sheilabgroomer]

I have had people do this same thing w/me as well.....several times! Do they not understand that they can be held liable if their little bundle of sweetness were to bite/attack anyone at the groomers? ESPECIALLY if (like with "your" Pei) their is a known history of aggression!

I truly do not get it! Cyrus, my Boxer, can be a bit unpredictable. He's not one to "attack", but there are definite "cues" that can get him growling which can lead to a snap if not corrected quickly. I tell anyone and everyone (vets, friends, family, clients) about him and the possibility that he may growl or snap if they get too "friendly" w/him too quickly. Even though he has never bitten anyone except my husband 1x when we first got him, I could not IMAGING not warning people that have contact w/him of the possibility. I would be devastated if he were to actually cause harm to anyone, especially if I didn't warn them.

Bednbones, I do have to say one thing about this situation. IMO you should NEVER allow a dog that you aren't familiar to have that much freedom. Keeping them on a leash for a potty break keeps you in a position of authority. By allowing a dog (especially a dominant one) to be loose like that only gives them more power and you little to no control.

You probably may have still been unable to groom this little charmer even if he had been kept on lead. But, with other dogs it might make a difference between getting the dog groomed successfully or having to call for a early pick up.

[elliesmom]

Uggh, glad nothing happened. I don't understand why people can't be honest about their dog's behavior!

[ferretlov]

wow I cant beleive she did that! id charge her for that too! thats irrespnsible for her to leave a dog KNOWING he is dangerous! What are people thinking? Id keep that picture on your desk so sombody doesnt let him back into the shop!
I has a similar situation with a sharpei he was boarding and I put him outside and whent to bring him back in and he had a meltdown I couldnt get him back in.He kept comming at me .It finally took 4 people and a catch pole to get him.Sometimes when A dog starts growling at me and warns me not to come near I will tell him to sit in a very firm voice or no!! and sometimes it works but not that time.

[suzy6469]

Just gotta love people. My MIL taught me to groom we worked together at a kennel and she took a call to go up and check out a dog for grooming. When she got up there the owners had their chow with them she asked all the usual questions "has he ever been aggressive, is he good for grooming, afraid of strangers..etc." well she is always cautious so she slowly bent down to check the dogs coat for mats was petting him and out of no where wham he grabs her hand splitting her wide open... well mommy say ( I'm sure without think) oh [email protected]#T not again.... These people had ever chance to let us know that this dog had a bite history and said nothing. I don't mind doing difficult dogs as long as I'm made aware of their problems. I have sent dogs home that surprise me with bad behavior that I'm sure wasn't their first time...

Glad you saw the aggression before you got hurt..

Good watching out. Hope this owner deals with the dogs problems

[winterroo]

That is horrible...I have had people do that to me and I CHASTISE them for doing so. It hasn't happened in a long time, but you never forget it when it does.

[DaisyMae]

How nice of the owner to tell you the dog is mean. Glad to hear nobody was hurt though.

[PrincessPoodle]

Maybe people should research a breed BEFORE they get them!!! Don't get a shari pei or a chow when you aren't willing to train and socialize!! People amaze me! That owner was definitely hit with the dip stick and she's lucky no one got hurt.

[fiveoclockdog]

Oh no! Don't be rediculous! He's not aggressive! He just doesn't like the vet, or the mailman, or the neighbors, or children, or the groomer, or......
Glad you're okay.

[SharPeiMom]

Heck if she's afraid of him she'll probably end up hurt herself. I've had Peis for about 15 years and no attacks but I'll tell you that if I had not been diligent with socializing and training they could have been trouble. I've warned people about them on more than one occasion and you'd be surprised how many people don't take you seriously. I love my vet but when I took my male in for vaccines I had hold of his leash and the vet was examining him and I heard that low growl and saw the look in his eyes I just reached over and give him a little touch on the neck and told him to cut it out and he did but the vet said to me ("Oh. he's just grumbling). I was surprised by that remark. Trust me I know he was serious and I corrected. I have never had to have several people hold any of my dogs before. I've never had one of mine bite anyone either but I will say that I used to take my first Pei to the groomer and they would ask about biting and I said to them "She's never bitten anyone but she is a SharPei so be aware". Everytime they would muzzle just in case and everytime they would tell me that they muzzled her but didn't think they really needed to.
I also have clients that aren't honest with me about their dogs biting history and if I find out they've been lying to me then I say " See ya". I love SharPei but I have seen way too many people own this breed that had no business with a dog like this. If I hear anyone talking about getting one I usually tell them all the BAD points. There's a lot of good in these dogs,too. Believe me they are wonderful dogs but NOT for everyone. They really have to have strong confident leadership ot they WILL take the reins and run the household. I truly love this breed. I won't groom someone else's unless I know the people and the dog. They are very loving and compassionate dogs. That's a side that other folks rarely see because they are also so very guarding of their family. I want another one one of these days but I'm full right now. Sorry so long but I guess this happens to be a breed that I love talking about.

He really is a beautiful Pei. I'd say he looks sweet,too. But looks can be VERY deceiving.

[baddog]

it is like lending someone a porshe and not telling them the breaks do not work