Getting Publicly Shamed for Ear Cropping :/

[mdavis23]

Hi guys.

I went to PetSmart yesterday to pick up some items for my baby who I have not even picked up yet.
As soon as I walked through the doors, an employee approaches us and greets my sisters German Shepherd puppy and we have a little conversation.
After a while, I try to excuse myself from the conversation so I can start shopping. She asks what I’m shopping for and I tell her I’m picking up some essentials for my Doberman puppy and she refers me to her veterinarian friend who knows a lot about the breed. My sister then suggests we could ask her about ear cropping.
Instantly the employee looks taken aback and I already know what’s coming. She basically shouts, “Why? For cosmetics? Aesthetics? You know it’s banned in Germany and they’re getting better about it here in America so why are you wanting to do this?”
I already don’t enjoy pushy people like that, and there she goes causing a scene and shaming us for trying to uphold the Doberman standard and characteristics. I didn’t even have him with me I can’t imagine what people are going to say when he’s out with his posts. It really bothers me. I completely respect people’s decision to leave their dog natural but when it’s my dog, my choice, my business, and the most important, I’m here to buy from your store and you’re supposed to make my experience a good one.

I was just wondering, for those that do crop/dock their dobes, has this ever happened to you and what do you say when people do this?

 

[strykerdobe]

It has happened but not often!

You know what I say to those Holes?
I love talking to those kind of people!!!

Second thing I would have done was to ask to see her manager. She is an employee and shouldn't interject her opinion and cause a scene. The only things an employee should talk about are pet food, pet supplies and any other services that PetSmart has.

Then I would write a letter to PetSmart corporate office.

 

[blacknrust]

I'm sorry to say but this probably won't be your only experience with this. There are always going to be people who judge for cropping, buying instead of adopting, your training methods, collars etc.
My philosophy has become unless you are a person I love, I don't give a about your opinion.

I can't wait to see pics of your pup, so make sure to post some!

 

[Ddski5]

I don't give a about your opinion.

Wait until you see what I do with his testicles.

These self righteous people think they know it all. Don’t give them the power to judge you- Shut’em down.

“I really don’t care what you think, he is my dog not yours” and I just walk away.

 

[Kojak]

I can see both sides. I chose not to crop my last 2 dobies and am happy with my decision. But I can see why owners do it. Doesnt mean they dont love their dobies.

 

[mdavis23]

I'm sorry to say but this probably won't be your only experience with this. There are always going to be people who judge for cropping, buying instead of adopting, your training methods, collars etc.
My philosophy has become unless you are a person I love, I don't give a about your opinion.

I can't wait to see pics of your pup, so make sure to post some!

Agreed! This is my first experience with this sort of thing and it really bothered me but I know I shouldn’t let it get to me. And I will be posting him nonstop lol!

 

[Atingles10]

We got comments a few times too some in public and some online. Some people who say our pups ears in the posts are just curious, some people have no idea that standing is not how they come out Haha then there are others that are set in the fact that it's a selfish act on the owners part and beyond cruel for the puppy.

I just didn't bother to get into debates with the people who are against it. I just tell them that if they ever get a doberman then they can choose to leave the ears natural and I'd respect their decision because it's their dog. And then when people would just ask out of curiosity I'd be more than happy to answer their questions. But get ready because if you take him out in public like we did I can almost guarantee it's going to happen at some point.

That being said congratulations on getting a new family member ❤

 

[Dawg 1419]

Please tell me didn’t spend any money with them? I would welcome some Idget to tell us that.

 

[JanS]

First off, most of those pet store employees don't have a clue about different breeds but they like to throw their opinion around like they're experts. They're only quoting some AR activists who don't have a clue either and they all need to keep their mouths shut and do their job.

I have gotten some comments when our dogs were young and in posts but after they're done being posted many people think that's how they're born, as someone else said.

 

[Gelcoater]

Find somewhere else to buy your goods.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Ooh, that idiot would be my captive prey. You are at work and you attack me on this topic about which I feel very passionate? I'm going to engage you and you're not getting away unless you go on a smoke break.

Just shows the level of entitlement in folks' brains out there these days. What happened to work ethic, respect, courtesy, professionalism and the tenet that the customer is always right?

Honestly, I haven't gotten many direct challenges regarding my Dobe's ears. They almost exclusively occur when the are up on posts. I suppose it may have to do with the ora I give off. Not many people give me flak. There was one night my young daughter and I came out of the library at night and an older woman in the parking lot walked by and asked "Why do you do that to his ears?" I answer something very surface-level like "It's ear cropping." She comes back with something like it's cruel or unnecessary. I confronted her right back. But that is the rare, bold animal rights warrior.

Most comments are much more obtuse like: "Aww, poor thing," or "Oh, I had a Doberman and I loved his ears," or they pet him and talk to him like he is suffering. I have also gotten "What happened to his ears?" as though they think he got injured.

At any rate, it's of course up to you how you handle it. You may just ignore it. You may come prepared with snappy, and true, comebacks. You may get back in their face if that's what feels right to you.

Like I said, I am very passionate about cropping as it relates not only to the breed standard and tradition, but to real-life usefulness. It is not purely cosmetic.

Cropping is dying, and in fact Oji's breeder has become a "natural" ear and tail lover. (The word "natural" in quotes because not only are floppy ears not found in nature, specific breeds of dogs are not found in nature – especially very manmade, specialized breeds such as ours).

 

[mdavis23]

Ooh, that idiot would be my captive prey. You are at work and you attack me on this topic about which I feel very passionate? I'm going to engage you and you're not getting away unless you go on a smoke break.

First of all, I literally LOL’ed. Second, that’s exactly what I said and that’s what I believe! It’s what makes Dobermans, Dobermans! It’s tradition, and like you said, there are actual benefits it’s not purely cosmetics. I wish I had the backbone to really lay it on someone who had the audacity to say things like “You’re a terrible owner,” or “Poor thing!”

That PetSmart has completely lost my business. I can only imagine what she would say if I had him with me, ears posted.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Most comments are much more obtuse like: "Aww, poor thing," or "Oh, I had a Doberman and I loved his ears," or they pet him and talk to him like he is suffering. I have also gotten "What happened to his ears?" as though they think he got injured.

Yes this is pretty much what we heard too.

One child had asked me about his ears while he was in posts and it was winter time. So I just told him it was keeping his ears warm haha.

 

[Max Hawk]

That's just so rude! I have never had anyone openly say anything.. a few folks that are almost comically ignorant about it have asked questions a few times. A friend has actually had people come up and tell her that they are so glad she didn't crop her dogs ears and her dogs are cropped with long show crops! hehe..oh well.

 

[Ingrid H]

I opted not to to crop and get the opposite comments like . "Oh, I'm so glad you didn't get his ears cut off!" It makes me mad because I'm not against cropping at all. People just have to say something...

 

[Viemarangelrock]

I’m in the UK where C/D is banned but looooads of owners have either imported C/D or rescued C/D like myself.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in a country where people are so judgmental and totally ignorant on cropping and docking.

An example....

For a bit of a joke on FB we have a site called ‘Parking like a tit in Cornwall!’ Lol it’s all about dodgey parking and such. Anyway, I posted a pic on there of this....




At the time I had my cropped girl Tara as my profile pic.

Just check out the comment from ‘Adrain Rowe’ or as I like to call him ‘Mr-I-know-Nothing-I’m-Very-Judgemental-TIT!’


Such a shame that people are so small minded!!

 

[LifeofRubie]

As others have said, now that Rubie is older and her ears aren't in posts, we NEVER get comments. It was only when they were in posts - like people think they just stand like that on older dogs

I stopped a lady dead in her tracks once when she was asking about it (actually in a very genuinely curious way) and I asked if her son was circumcised. Turns out he was If she can choose to do an elective surgery on her child, then why question what I've done with my dog? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I believe her very young daughter (a step above toddler) may have even had her ears pierced.

The best you can do is be armed with facts and have a good conversation about it if someone is actually curious about the process and not attacking you. We've had people at petco/petsmart make comments about my "poor" dog being in a prong collar while she's standing by my side all while another dog on a flat collar is choking itself out lunging at us being a cashier at a pet store does not make you an expert in dogs.

 

[Max Hawk]

As others have said, now that Rubie is older and her ears aren't in posts, we NEVER get comments. It was only when they were in posts - like people think they just stand like that on older dogs

I stopped a lady dead in her tracks once when she was asking about it (actually in a very genuinely curious way) and I asked if her son was circumcised. Turns out he was If she can choose to do an elective surgery on her child, then why question what I've done with my dog? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I believe her very young daughter (a step above toddler) may have even had her ears pierced.

The best you can do is be armed with facts and have a good conversation about it if someone is actually curious about the process and not attacking you. We've had people at petco/petsmart make comments about my "poor" dog being in a prong collar while she's standing by my side all while another dog on a flat collar is choking itself out lunging at us being a cashier at a pet store does not make you an expert in dogs.

Shame on ya...you are just vicious and wicked hehe must be some Doberman in ya there somewhere! I really enjoyed your post. I have to admit to keeping a low profile when they are still posted and usually take the wraps off before I go to public places just to minimize drawing attention. sigh The more people I know the more I love my dogs so I would rather not teach or preach at them. I just want to be left alone with my dogs.

 

[Brioddy]

I am not a crop dock advocate but neither would I interject my opinions on what is otherwise a well cared for animal. I have far more issue with the folks that leave their dogs chained up in their yard 365 days a year no matter how hot or cold out it gets. But that’s “normal”.

I do have a question however, what are the benefits sans cosmetic purposes?

 

[LifeofRubie]

ummmm i actually just saw some interesting facts on this. They said that you don't see floppy ears on animals in the wild and there's a reason for that: They're more hygienic, they're more efficient at pinpointing sounds, they can't be grabbed onto in an attack situation, and they're more expressive so easier for other animals to read their body language. I believe Dobe's had naturally standing ears and with cross breeding, lost them?