To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.

[sweetgrape]

He's just a big affectionate softy, the only trouble is he thinks everyone loves him. We went for our walk this morning in the park and sat down on a bench for a rest. We'd only been sat down a minute or so and this woman sits down next to me. We were just chatting about the weather when all of a sudden she jumped up shrieking, "ahhh the dog just licked my leg"
Now I know not everyone loves dogs but i thought it was a bit of an over reaction. I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog or should I have felt more sorry for the woman?

[grabaspoon]

I wouldn't be happy for a dog to lick me

[forago]

I would also be really, really unhappy if a dog did this to me, any dog, not least a strangers.

[twirlypoo]

I would have hated that and felt similar to the lady. I don't want to be licked by anything!

[Fluffyears]

Oh god the dog slobber will kill her. She needs a grip, dogs lick it's part of their nature. I got licked my a tiny cute puppy yesterday and had no problems with his lickiness.

[binspin]

I'd have forgotten about it by now.

The dog looked hurt by the remark?

[Fluffyears]

Why would it offend you? The dog doesn't know you don't like it and surely to can wash. Precious much? I am happy as it means the dog likes me

[TyneTeas]

Not everyone likes dogs, but people who don't to that extent I would expect not to sit down next to someone with one

[WorraLiberty]

There was probably far more germs on the bench than on your dog's tongue

Having said that, she doesn't like being licked by animals and that's fair enough.

[PtolemysNeedle]

It sounds like you're both over reacting to me. Her for the shrieking and you for being 'hurt' over this woman's over reaction. If you don't want to risk a dog taking an interest in you, then don't sit down next to one.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Can't say I'd be shrieking if a random dog licked me but I doubt I'd have sat close to a stranger's dog on the same bench anyway.

She sounds like a drama llama.

[WanderWomble]

I have dogs and I'm not keen on strange dogs slobbering on me.

[Greythorne]

Some people don't like dogs.

Why do dog owners find this so incredibly difficult to grasp?

[NerrSnerr]

I hate having dogs lick me. Would you like it if she'd licked you?

[Floisme]

I quite like dogs but I'm not keen on being licked - not since I saw one eating its own poo.

[PickleSarnie]

Maybe she's terrified of dogs? Maybe she, understandably, doesn't like to be covered in slobber. Regardless of how cute your dog is, I wouldn't have appreciated it either.

Imagine I came up and licked you?

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I don't mind dogs but even I don't like them licking me. Their mouth has been around their bits at some stage I used to hate it when my mums dog would lick my dses!

That being said, I wouldn't sit next to someone with a dog and then be surprised if it licked me.......

[TheCrowFromBelow]

I have a very licky dog and I hate being licked, I can't imagine that anyone else wants to be licked by him either so we work quite hard at training him not to do it!

I did at the dog looking hurt though. My dog has that expression too, as if he can't believe anyone wouldn't want his horrible slobber all over thme. You need to ignore it!

[Eigg]

Firstly don't anthropromosize your dog. The woman was a stranger, not part of your dig's pack - he wasn't hurt.

I was attacked viciously by a dog when I was 7. I try very hard to over come my fear and can and do sit near dogs but I will never willingly touch one. I would have been distressed by the licking too (although I probably wouldn't have screamed not being that type of person)

You are responsible for your dog. Train it not to lick or sniff others.

How would you feel if my adorable children came up to you on a park bench and wiped snot on your face...hmm?

[Mistigri]

I'm very allergic to dogs and if random dogs attempt to lick me or jump up at me the owners get shouted at and the dog fended off by whatever means are necessary.

On the other hand if you hate dogs it's a bit bloody stupid to sit down next to one.

[SylvaniansAtEase]

I appreciate it's not like you allowed your dog to bound up to her and start slobbering all over her, but no, you absolutely shouldn't be 'feeling sorry' for your dog, rather you should feel a bit bad for the woman. It's absolutely FINE for her not to want an animal licking her - I can't believe you'd feel otherwise - and it's your responsibility to make sure your dog doesn't do it, and thus do right by your dog.

I like dogs, but I absolutely HATE the 'awww poor thing, he's a big softy, he didn't meeeaaaan anything' attitude.

Without exception, the dog owners I know who give the most switched on, responsible and high quality care to their pets are completely without this approach, and the word 'fur baby' never leaves their mouths.

Your dog won't understand you 'feeling sorry' for him. You are much better off training him not to lick unknown people.

[Athenaviolet]

I wish there were parks normal people could go to where we didn't have to put up with the bad behaviour of other people's dogs.

If you can't control your amimal don't take it into public places.

[Eigg]

Really doyouthink various of my family and friends have dogs. None of them have licked me.

[binspin]

I have a dog and don't like dogs liking. Let it do it to you if you're happy with it but not other people.

[GrannyWeatherwax2015]

I have an allergic reaction to dog saliva so I wouldn't have been happy either. That said I wouldn't have sat down next you and your dog.

[binspin]

licking not liking obviously