#174 The Dogsplainer

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Have you ever been cornered by a stranger at the dog park who just had to tell you exactly how to train your perfectly fine pup? Welcome to the world of "dogsplainers" – those well-meaning but often misguided folks who dispense unsolicited canine advice at every opportunity.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
You know what a mansplainer is right?
Well, let me introduce you tothe dogsplainer.
That is the person sometimes astranger at the park, sometimes
your own aunt who sees your dogdoing something, anything, and
suddenly they must tell you howto fix it.

(00:24):
They'll say things like youjust need to show him who's boss
or my dog stopped jumping afterI smacked him with a newspaper.
You didn't ask, but here it isanyway.
Unsolicited training advice,usually outdated, based on myth

(00:44):
and almost always based on whatworked one time for my cousin's,
neighbor's, dog.
But here's the thing Most ofthat advice urban legend.
Some of it is flat out harmfuland even the stuff that sounds
okay might completely contradictwhat you're currently working

(01:07):
on with your trainer.
So here's your permission slip.
It's okay to smile, nod, saythanks and then ignore it
completely, especially if you'realready on a training plan.
You don't owe anyone anexplanation, because random tips

(01:27):
from dog park strangers or youruncle, who had a German
Shepherd in 1982, aren'tnecessarily helpful.
Just like with parenting,everyone has an opinion, but
that doesn't mean that theiropinion is right for your
situation.
Opinion, but that doesn't meanthat their opinion is right for

(01:50):
your situation.
So yeah, dog-splainers areeverywhere.
Be polite if you want to, butdon't let their noise drown out
your progress.
You don't have to follow everybit of advice that someone gives
you, especially when it'sunsolicited.
If you're working with atrainer or you have a plan,
stick to it, smile, say thanksand move on.