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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend obsessed with dog walker

6 replies

WilliWilliWilli · 08/03/2020 14:00

My friend and I have the same breed dog. They are big, powerful and stubborn. We were both having issues that we were working on. These issues mainly revolved around pulling on the leash, crap recall, redirected aggression and playing too rough with other dogs. My mum is only very young and has been in training since she was a puppy. Her dog is 6 years old and has never had any formal training.

Her dog goes out with a dog walker 3 times a week and my friend is OBSESSED with this woman. We’ll call her Mavis.

“Oh Mavis has told me to buy a head halti” (the dog consequently snapped it).
“Mavis has told me to use a half check chain” (the dog choked but pulled just the same.
“Mavis has suggested a harness!” (The dog chewed it to bits).

I have told her that maybe Mavis doesn’t know much about training but this was rubbished because Mavis knows everything.

Her dog got ill (mobility) and the vet made some suggestions. Mavis however disagreed and so friend followed Mavis’ suggestions instead.

All I ever hear is Mavis this, Mavis that ...

Anyway I ditched my trainer and got a different one. He completely turned my dog around, solved all her issues and on my recommendation other people with the breed have gone to him with the same results. I told my friend to try him. She was reluctant but has finally booked a session with him after her dog pulled her over and ran off towards s main road. I was so sure this trainer would help her so was excited for her but guess what, she’s taking fucking Mavis to the consultation!!! Mavis will disagree with everything he says, I can guarantee it.

AIBU to find it frustrating? I know it’s not my problem but I care about dogs and this dog needs help before it injures someone or gets itself killed.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 08/03/2020 14:02

Sounds a bit sad for poor pupper as he’s not getting the training he obviously needs.

I do hope your friend listens to this dog trainer and doesn’t take the advice of Mavis but I doubt it

Annabk · 08/03/2020 17:10

Christ, find her a member of the IMDT to assist. Mavis’s dog training knowledge is stuck in 1982.

crustycrab · 08/03/2020 17:14

YABU for getting a big powerful aggressive dog. She is even more U for not getting hers trained. Selfish cow

NotNegan · 08/03/2020 18:50

I love that you used Mavis as a pseudonym. That name is just not hear enough these days.

Cherrysoup · 08/03/2020 18:53

You can’t change her stupid ideas. Taking one dog trainer to another’s consultation is simply inappropriate.

Ohtherewearethen · 08/03/2020 19:04

Why on earth does your friend think Mavis is the fountain of knowledge on dog training? Just having legs and insurance for a dog walking business does not make her any kind of expert and she is just suggesting ways to make the dog easier to control physically rather than actually training the dog to want to behave appropriately. Taking your dog walker to training could be a great idea if she is open and willing to try the same techniques but it is actually incredibly insulting to the trainer if Mavis is going to contradict him on everything. I wouldn't blame him if he told her to bugger off personally. I don't really know what will make your friend see this though, to be honest. Mavis just seems to have completely convinced her that she knows best. Your friend was really irresponsible for getting such a large, difficult dog with no idea or intention of ever training it correctly.

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