I have two dogs. I love walking them by myself. I know that sounds antisocial, but I really enjoy being outside alone! If I see another owner I'm of course always friendly and say hi, but then I plod on on my own. I'm never happier than when it's just me and the dogs.
Anyway, nothing really prepared me for the politics of dog walking!
Theres a local WhatsApp group where dog walkers gossip and moan about others, there's owners that will shout at you and your dogs, there's owners that will intimidate, there's owners that pass judgement on everything from you aren't letting the dog off lead enough, to too much, people will shout at you and your dogs, will talk about your dogs. It's horrible! And it's like you can't do anything right!
I have fortunately found a route where I now rarely see anyone, but in the few months before I made a recent decision to simply avoid everyone completely and stick to this route, the politics was really getting to me!
AIBU to have been so surprised by this! I never knew all this gossip and politics and hidden rules about what is/is not ok etc.. was a thing!
Why can't everyone just be nice, not judge, ask questions if they r unsure of something your dog is doing etc..?
Why intimidate, gossip, form cliques, pass judgement....?
So shocked! I assumed dog people would b lovely and above all that silly gossip stuff! But maybe it's just in my village and not normal elsewhere!??