Why don't people listen... Rant

[ChickenCanoe]

What kind do you raise, @ChickenCanoe ?

Black Penedesenca
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/black-penedesenca-hatching-eggs.1235753/#post-19829873

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't sell chickens but I have given breeding pairs away. I've turned a few away who have asked because it became apparent that they knew nothing about chickens and just wanted.

How did you do that, @Shadrach ? What did you say to them to get them to take no for an answer?

 

[Shadrach]

How did you do that, @Shadrach ? What did you say to them to get them to take no for an answer?

The people that ask have been sent here by others and they are aware when they come that I'm a bit odd.
Because I give, not sell, I find it very easy to say no.
I'm polite, but I tell them I don't think they know enough about chickens to keep them. I don't get many ask and most who do have done their homework.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't sell chickens but I have given breeding pairs away. I've turned a few away who have asked because it became apparent that they knew nothing about chickens and just wanted.

Wow that is a gorgeous bird. No wonder you are careful about where they go! I wish I had a setup to keep some separate from my EEs.... maybe someday. Oh no, chicken math, aaiiieeee!!!!

 

[aart]

but I tell them I don't think they know enough about chickens to keep them.

Good for you!

I don't get many ask and most who do have done their homework.

So, word got around, eh.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

An acquaintance once said, "ugly people know they're ugly, fat people know they're fat, but stupid people don't know they're stupid."

 

[Shadrach]

Good for you!


So, word got around, eh.

It's a small place. I'm surprisingly well known for a solitary man.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

... they are aware when they come that I'm a bit odd.
...

I knew I liked you.
I'm odd too but maybe more than a bit.

There is an old folks home down the road from me but the property is pretty big and extends behind my property. A neighbor's malamutes got out and just minutes after opening one of the coops I brought water out and there was a dog killing birds inside the building and another killing birds in the yard.
In the mayhem a hawk grabbed a Wyandotte pullet and flew off with it. The hawk dropped it in the courtyard of the retirement home. The home owner came to my house while I was still agitated about the dog attack. He asked if I was missing a chicken. I kind of went off saying I'm missing a whole bunch of chickens elaborating about the attack.
He drove me to the home to retrieve the chicken that didn't have a mark on her. On the way back home, I asked him how he knew I had chickens. He said, "I didn't, I just knew you had a lot of weird stuff up here so I figured you must have chickens too".

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The people that ask have been sent here by others and they are aware when they come that I'm a bit odd.
Because I give, not sell, I find it very easy to say no.
I'm polite, but I tell them I don't think they know enough about chickens to keep them. I don't get many ask and most who do have done their homework.

Brilliant. Gonna work on that Odd Factor.

 

[Building Bridges]

My sister has a couple of dogs. I love my sister but don't go to her house because of the dogs. They are truly unruly. Years ago when we had our dogs we taught them commands and they listened. My sister among others, to them their pets are their children. She talks to them in sentences like they understand, for example "Casey don't do that" instead of teaching them what no means. It drives me nuts and I tell her. She has hired a trainer. The trainer needs to train her on how to train her dogs.

Well, every dog owner as an idea of the "perfect" companion. Some are comfortable with dogs being all over the furniture, sleeping the their bed, and snatching food out of kids' hands. They shrug and feel like "the dog is being a dog....oh well". For myself, I feel I have a responsibility to raise a dog in a way that would allow them to become a dog that would be welcome anywhere. If I am hit by a bus tomorrow....I want people lining up to take my dogs. I want my dogs to have the confidence to blend into any household, short or long term without undue stress on them or the people. What steams me is when people come, ask for help to fix a situation they have created...and then don't do anything you suggest/demonstrate. I not only spend an hour each week with them talking, demonstrating, coaching...but I follow up with long written training summaries. They come back the next week and have all the reasons they couldn't work with the dog. Recently, I had a student say they weren't coming to class because they were tired from the weekend.
I will help anyone who wants help....it's the ones that waste my time (and leave me feeling terrible for their dogs) that really make me angry!! I've trained and shown dogs for 4 decades....but only started working with other people 10 years ago. My motivation was to help more dogs stay in their homes. I just work on management/relationship issues...and basic commands. The people who do the work and invest the time are amazed at what they accomplish. I'm just about done. My move to Connecticut will mean the end of my training other people with their dogs. I'm somewhat sad about that....but in many ways it will be a relief.