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Original poster

Fed up of other peoples dogs complicating my life.

410 replies

CrystalE · 21/05/2021 00:07

I don't mind dogs. We don't have them because of environmental concerns - we have vegetarian pets.

However recently I am fed up as trying to arrange to meet various family members seems to be totally constrained by their dogs . Here are examples:

Lets meet up for a pub lunch - family member A - "are dogs allowed"
Lets go for a country walk - family member B "can it be dog friendly"
How about a beach visit - family member C - "will dog have to be on lead"

I want to see family - not their dogs. Why can't the dogs just stay at home ...............

We love our pets but we don't want to take them everywhere with us.

OP posts:
LST · 21/05/2021 17:25

@FlyingPandas

I think to object going for a walk with family members bringing dogs is a bit odd. Even if it’s a beach walk (though personally I don’t like dogs on beaches if I’m going to spend a summer’s day and attempt to have a picnic on one-I’ve had too many picnics ruined by badly behaved dogs). But you can manage most walks and be absolutely dog friendly, assuming the dog is decently trained, has good recall and is put on the lead if any livestock about.

I do agree though that some people just seem to think that having a dog means everything should be dog friendly! Eating out etc does not and should not have to be dog friendly.

I actually think pubs, cafes and restaurants should be banned from being allowed welcome dogs (assistance dogs excepted of course). When we had our dog we never once felt the need to take him into a pub or cafe! As with picnics, I’ve had too many bad experiences of badly behaved dogs in eating establishments. And even well behaved dogs smell of, well, dog, which is hardly unreasonable but not pleasant when you’re trying to enjoy a meal, and a dog quite naturally wants to sniff at food and hope for scraps. Which, again, not everyone really wants to be subjected to.

If you want to eat out, you leave your dog at home for an hour. If your dog cannot be left for an hour, then you stick to takeaways. End of.

My dog would be distraught if his pub days were over! He loves a pork scratching and all the loves he gets.
HarrietHairbrush · 21/05/2021 17:28

I feel like you have started this thread before Op

KBILLY · 21/05/2021 17:35

I have no idea why the presence of someone else's dog would require "headspace" on your behalf. None whatsoever.

Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2021 17:36

@HarrietHairbrush

I feel like you have started this thread before Op
Interesting. What makes you think that?
LolaSmiles · 21/05/2021 18:43

FlyingPandas
I don't have strong feelings either way on dogs in cafes, but do like it when pubs allow them in certain areas. It's quite nice at the end of a hike.
Whilst I understand rural pubs being dog friendly, it surprises me that so many town centre places are dog friendly, and an increasing number of shops. They're not places I would want to take mine, and mine are well behaved.

It's a recent trend so I can only assume that some business owners have worked out that there's more profit to be made by welcoming dogs than not.

MargosKaftan · 21/05/2021 19:06

I dont have a dog, but I'm not the most sporty. So if I was planning a 2 hour+ walk with family, when I got home, id want to put my feet up, not then have to go out again to give the dog a good walk.

If you have a dog then you need to factor in what, an hour of walking at least each day? Would seem a bit shit to go for a walk without killing 2 birds with one stone and taking the dog too.

But I do think the bigger issue is the OP wanting to be the organiser, and then wanting to organise family meet ups in a way that suits her, not them.

MargosKaftan · 21/05/2021 19:18

@LolaSmiles - that's interesting, I was talking to DH tonight about how many people we know who now have dogs and how common they are now in the dcs classes etc. He said he thought more places would become dog friendly to cater to that doggy owner £, in the same way many pubs became primarily restaurants and family friendly to counter so many people moving away from the regular "couple of pints on the way home" that had been the main income of pubs.

HarrietHairbrush · 21/05/2021 21:18

@Sparklingbrook I am not on here v much any more (used to be LOADS)
I even deleted the app to make it harder for me. So I remember threads much more clearly than when I was on here all the time.
Since lockdown I know loads of peeps have joined the puppy club and I recall a thread v similar to this one

MoonshineTuttiFrutti · 21/05/2021 21:21

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin.

DenisetheMenace · 21/05/2021 21:23

MoonshineTuttiFrutti

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin@CrystalE

How very dare you? Our guinea pig is, in spite of myself, very endearing.

NiceGerbil · 21/05/2021 22:36

Yes loads of people have got dogs with Corona. At my work loads of people have got puppies and many are struggling with the work.

Locally every other person has a dog now.

Now offices are opening they're thinking what do I do with it.

It's very much like Xmas pets.

I read on here that there's a fair amount of people wanting to re-home etc.

It's not great is it.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 21/05/2021 23:18

@MoonshineTuttiFrutti

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin.
How can you say that?

They are charming little creatures - and yes, they squeak, but they also chatter, purr, growl, and "whup" (I can't think of any other way to describe the sound). Their vocal range is quite extensive and they are a delight.

Mishuckliza · 22/05/2021 00:17

Blimey I’m surprised you’ve got any friends at all!

SoupDragon · 22/05/2021 08:34

@MoonshineTuttiFrutti

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin.
You could easily say the similar about dogs.
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 22/05/2021 08:48

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin

Dogs don't enhance your life - they stink (and they ALL stink, if you think yours doesn't you are nose blind), you have to pick up their shit and whilst I'm sure many people think "my dog loves me" I hate to be the one to break it to you...but your dog doesn't "love" you because of you're sparkling personality and quick witZ they "love" you because you're the person who provides food, shelter and walks, and if they went to another owner tomorrow they transfer that "love" to them and forget about you eventually

MirandaMarple · 22/05/2021 08:51

The risk of getting shot by a farmer is one of your main concerns when organising a day walk?

LST · 22/05/2021 08:53

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin

Dogs don't enhance your life - they stink (and they ALL stink, if you think yours doesn't you are nose blind), you have to pick up their shit and whilst I'm sure many people think "my dog loves me" I hate to be the one to break it to you...but your dog doesn't "love" you because of you're sparkling personality and quick witZ they "love" you because you're the person who provides food, shelter and walks, and if they went to another owner tomorrow they transfer that "love" to them and forget about you eventually

I love how you've literally smelt every dog!
wishes1111 · 22/05/2021 09:06

Very baffled by this post.

I have a dog, he's my best friend and has seen me through some seriously dark times.

Nobody bats an eyelid if I bring him for a walk, he's great with his recall, friendly, doesn't jump up at people.

He walks nicely on a lead when he needs to (where there are horses, cows etc).

I pick up his poo in a nappy bag and put it in the closest dog poo bin I come across.

If I go for lunch with a friend at a dog friendly pub or such where we can sit outside and they can be on their lead happy laying or sitting by the table, we take our dogs. If not they stay at home.

I don't really see how it affects your life if somebody brings their dog on a walk?

whenwillthemadnessend · 22/05/2021 09:12

@wishes1111

Your post is exactly what the op is on about.

You can't see it can you?

Maybe you mix in very doggy circles but not everyone does.

A young or untrained dog changes the dynamic massively and it's annoying.
It's like being child free and you Mate brings her toddler for lunch

Or those people that take there husbands every time they go out HmmHmmHmm

And I say this as the owner of an adolescent dog He is bloody hard work at times and I dont always want him with me. He is having training but it's a loooooong process.

Branleuse · 22/05/2021 09:12

Dog owners from childhood is completely different. Usually unneutered. You let your dog out for its walk and itd go wander. Sometimes would come back pregnant. Often not even let in the house and lived in a kennel. No picking up its shit. No extended accompanied walks. Pretty much how it still is in countries like spain or greece.
People do take care of dogs more now. The culture around them.has changed for the better

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 22/05/2021 09:12

@LST all animals smell. Dogs are no different

Latelatelate · 22/05/2021 09:13

I love how you've literally smelt every dog!

I doubt she has but I have never known a dog that doesn’t stink.

Latelatelate · 22/05/2021 09:13

[quote FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]@LST all animals smell. Dogs are no different[/quote]
This.

SlipperyDippery · 22/05/2021 09:16

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

Guinea Pigs do not enhance your life, they make an annoying squeak noise and are more like overgrown vermin

Dogs don't enhance your life - they stink (and they ALL stink, if you think yours doesn't you are nose blind), you have to pick up their shit and whilst I'm sure many people think "my dog loves me" I hate to be the one to break it to you...but your dog doesn't "love" you because of you're sparkling personality and quick witZ they "love" you because you're the person who provides food, shelter and walks, and if they went to another owner tomorrow they transfer that "love" to them and forget about you eventually

Ha! Ive kind of agreed with the OP and I think you’re bang on about things on the dogs in offices thread but I think this is a bit harsh Grin

I think people should understand that sometimes people want to do things without their dog present, but I totally get why people love dogs so much.

SlipperyDippery · 22/05/2021 09:17

@Latelatelate

I love how you've literally smelt every dog!

I doubt she has but I have never known a dog that doesn’t stink.

I have once or twice - one was a greyhound and one was another short haired breed that I can’t remember.

Generally though I agree, I hate hate hate the smell especially if they’re wet.

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