mn hq, is it really wise to have topics that are deamed so agressive/scary that most members don't want to post there?

[wannaBe]

have just read a thread in the doghouse topic, and posts from a few posters saying that they never post there due to the agressive responses there.

Now, I know that hiding a topic could always be an option, but is it really in the spirit of mn to have separate topics that are deamed so unwelcoming/agressive that few posters actually want to post there?

I can of course see the need for certain sections, conception/sn/relationships, but it just seems against everything that mn stands for to let a topic exist that is frequented only by a few individuals while the majority feel that the responses there are agressive enough to warrant not feeling comfortable there.

Why can't we just go back to having a pets topic?

[RCToday]

I agree, I have 2 dogs but would never ever ask for advice on the doghouse

I havent hid the topic as sometimes I go in and will support an OP who is getting flamed

It is far too aggressive now

[OracleInaCoracle]

I think its the posters that are the issue, not the topics. Posters who are being overly aggressive and treating others unfairly should be reported, just as we would suspected trolls or troll-hunters. But I do think that mnhq needs to state their position on what is acceptable. I was once deleted for calling someone a fool. Several posts on, the same person was called a cunt (by someone else) and that post stood.

[OracleInaCoracle]

I think its the posters that are the issue, not the topics. Posters who are being overly aggressive and treating others unfairly should be reported, just as we would suspected trolls or troll-hunters. But I do think that mnhq needs to state their position on what is acceptable. I was once deleted for calling someone a fool. Several posts on, the same person was called a cunt (by someone else) and that post stood.

[usualsuspect]

Its not a very friendly place is it

[OliviaMumsnet]

I am not long back from maternity leave so not aware of any (and apologies in advance for the pun) bitchiness on the doggy boards but we'll have a closer look
We can only reiterate that we look at EVERY single report that comes in, so if you see something you think might be breaking our talk guidelines, please, please, please report it.
THANKS
MNHQ

[WorzselMummage]

The best petshop round here is run my a patronising rude arsehole. I don't go there, even though I wish I could, because I don't need people like that in my life. Same story for the doghouse and exactly the reason I rehomed my dog privately a couple of years ago, I'd have asked for advice on here but didn't want to risk being abused by the fanatic when I was already vulnerable.

The doghouse is a really horrible representation of mumsnet.

[HallnotOates]

Woof.

Hth

[fivegomadindorset]

The doghouse is hideous, we have a dog but I would never dream of posting in there.

[TheMitfordsMaid]

Absolutely agree. I recommended mumsnet to a friend of mine just after she had twins prematurely. She had an absolute roasting in the doghouse and swore she'd never darken MN's boards again. It is a shame if she has been driven away, because MN is supposed to be about support, isn't it?

She rang me to tell me she felt bullied and sickened, and felt even worse then because she felt a bit silly feeling so bothered by words on a screen.

[Empusa]

The doghouse?! Really?!

[Dylthan]

We have a new puppy and the doghouse on here is the last place I would ask for advice.

[OliviaMumsnet]

TheMitfordsMaid - please do tell your friend with the twins to come back - did she report her posts?
That's not what we're about at all.
Thanks for this -we'll take a proper look.

[banjaxedfilly]

Wow, what the hell goes on in the doghouse?

I'm getting visions of "It's a local shop for local people" a la Royston Vasyey and voodoo dolls. Please let me be right.

For those needing a visual aid

[Lougle]

Hand up here. Have said so on that thread to. The fact is that posters won't post there who need support because they get trampled over by the same posters. If challenged, the retort is 'I do this stuff everyday...I live it, I breathe it, I champion the cause of dogs.' Trouble with that, is that the people are treated like dirt.

[clam]

Well, I have posted extensively on the 'new puppy' thread and there's nothing horrid on there at all - nice and supportive, almost Netmums like, bar the hugs.

However, I came close to quitting MN a couple of months back when I felt attacked for stating quite innocently that I had sourced a puppy, apparently too soon after deciding to get one, so it "couldn't have been a reputable breeder." There was an aggressive assumption that I must therefore be subsidising and condoning puppy farming. I'm an assertive person usually, and not easily cowed, but that wasn't pleasant.

I understand that feelings can run high when you're working in dog rescue and seeing abuse on a regular basis, but over there they pride themselves on plain speaking, not realising that they're often preaching to the converted. And scaring the hell out of the rest of us.

[Empusa]

All I ever got from the doghouse was support. I'd have lost my mind without the posters on there when we were dealing with our dog.

[Greythorne]

Good grief. I opened this thinking it was a piss-take by idiot MRA site invaders about the feminism topic....WTF happens in the doghouse???

[Tenebrist]

WorzselMummage - "the fanatic" - I DO wonder who you could be talking about . There's one particular poster on that topic who is positively (and this pun is even worse than OliviaMumsnet's) rabid - if we're thinking about the same person, what annoys me is that she doesn't stick to the Dogshouse - where the whole topic could be hidden - but goes hunting round other more general topics for smaller, weaker dogs posters to bully.

[QueenOfFeckingEverything]

Yep, I'm in absolute agreement.

I have a well looked after, much loved dog and I wouldn't ask for advice (or give, for that matter) in the Doghouse for the same reasons as detailed above.

The tone of posting from some posters, whilst clearly passionate, informative, and well intentioned, is just Too Much - and I say that as someone who is quite fine with the general, um, robustness of MN

[tethersend]

Never mind the doghouse, style and beauty has been kicking off recently

Another example of Broken Britain if you ask me.

[usualsuspect]

S & B

I thought it was all sparkly and nice in there

[Flumptious]

I've just had a quick nosey over there to see what the fuss is about and I agree. YANBU.

I've been lurking on here for about 3 years now but very rarely post.

I think the way one particular poster was set upon is a disgrace. If that was my first visit I wouldn't be back.

Glad you've raised it WannaBe and glad MNHQ are looking in to it.