Agility Class Rant

[PetFriendly]

Ok, so if my dog tried to steal tennis balls out of strangers hands, jumped on their backs and tried to pull of their backpacks, and grabbed onto toys attached to their belts/treat pouches, I would first say sorry, keep my dog on a very short leash, and keep away from others in class... (ignore for a moment that neither of my dogs can reach an adults hand if they are standing)...

So there is a brat dog in my class owned by a less than aware and courteous person... Last week at Buddy;s first class, this Airedale tried to steel a ball from my hand twice and all its owner said was 'he likes balls' (he dragged her across the parking lot to get to me and my ball). On the way into class this dog jumps on my back and tries to get at/into my backpack. Again no sorry...

This week I left the ball and backpack in the car (which means juggling keys, poop bags and water, as well as a leashed dog who is only 5 inches tall so you have to make sure you know where he is so you don't step on him) and have a toy clipped onto the treat bag instead... Sure enough, right after class starts, Lady is trying to get her dog to heel around the ring (we were supposed to be doing focus/watch work ) and stupid dog grabs onto the toy! I didn't notice they were coming because I was stationary, and, I should add, out of the way. The trainer had to take Buddy from me, to make sure he didn't get stepped on because the dog wouldn't let go of the toy... part way through the class, again me stationary, she, not paying attention, gets within less the a leash length away... And when I politely ask that she please not get so close (because I'm not so sure this dog knows where its feet are when its focused on something it wants and my dog is only 3 pounds and could not take being stepped on), she gave me a look that sort of said, "how dare you".

All I can say is !