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Original poster

Am I the only one who doesn't like dogs?!

367 replies

BlueStripedTowel · 17/01/2022 17:27

Now don't get me wrong, some dogs can be cute to look at but I really don't like being near dogs. I've got nothing against dogs but I just don't like having them near me or touching me. It seems like if you say this to a dog owner though they look at me like I'm the devil!

When I was a toddler about 30 years ago my grans dog tried to attack me (first grandchild - dog was jealous of attention I was getting from gran) so the dog had to be put down, I don't really have memory of this but wonder if it's rooted somewhere in my brain!

I just hate it if I'm out anywhere and someone's dog jumps up on me and owners say "don't worry he/she is really friendly" and I say please can you pull them away because I don't like dogs and some owners get really annoyed as if they can't understand why some people may be uncomfortable.

Any similar experiences?

OP posts:

dollybird · 17/01/2022 19:38

@Huntswomanonthemove

I wonder sometimes if people who don't like dogs change their minds if they need an assistance dog. If you became blind, would you give a guide dog a go?

No, I wouldn't. I don't know what I would do, but I would never get a dog. Smelly, slobbery, noisy. At least with kids dealing with the poo stops. Everyone seems to have a dog now. When we were on holiday last year, everywhere you turned there was another one. We have two noisy f*kers on either side of us, and we can't go out in our own garden without getting barked at 😡

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 17/01/2022 19:38

I’m with you OP I’m not keen on dogs or cats to be fair. My friends have dogs and would never ask then to put them away but if I go to their houses they get a quick fuss when I arrive then I ignore them.

And yes there are far more dogs around now, when I was growing up hardly anyone had dogs except working dogs etc but now everyone seems to have one even if they’re out at work all day 🤷‍♀️

I gave 2 guinea pigs that’s enough work for me

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 17/01/2022 19:40

Oh and to the poster who said about humans and climate change? I read not long ago that having pets, especially dogs/cats has a huge carbon footprint

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 17/01/2022 19:42

@AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii

Oh and to the poster who said about humans and climate change? I read not long ago that having pets, especially dogs/cats has a huge carbon footprint

Not quite as big as having kids though? And my pets are all rescues, so they existed without my input

Huntswomanonthemove · 17/01/2022 19:43

No, I wouldn't. I don't know what I would do, but I would never get a dog. Smelly, slobbery, noisy

Many have said this about dogs ^ but honestly, my dog isn't smelly, slobbery or noisy.

I know you will probably think that my dog is smelly and I just don't notice but he is kept clean, has regular grooming and a weekly change of bedding.

AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii · 17/01/2022 19:43

@AllThingsServeTheBeam yep don’t dispute that point but just pointing out that pet owners aren’t totally innocent non climate producing people

Huntswomanonthemove · 17/01/2022 19:46

@Patapouf

I'm with you, I think most dogs are disgusting and I don't want them touching me, my stuff or my kids.

I respect that other people wish to treat them as if they were human family members and I find it strange that I'm probably the weird one for thinking that's it's gross to have an animal living inside your house

I don't think any animal is disgusting. On the other hand, human beings can definitely be disgusting.

RememberToLookUp · 17/01/2022 19:46

I tolerate dogs in public, and I wish them no harm, but I don’t really want them near me. I don’t want them jumping up on me and I don’t wish to stroke or pet them. I don’t want them in my house. I would never have a dog as a pet. They smell and I’m nervous of them around children.

Appalonia · 17/01/2022 19:52

This thread just reminded me of one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was in India some years ago and there are stray dogs everywhere there. I was in a city in Goa and I was walking down a deserted street as I wanted to look at an interesting temple. There were
2 dogs asleep in the road by a car next to this temple. All of a sudden these dogs woke up and then out of nowhere about 8 more dogs appeared and surrounded me, snarling at me, growling and approaching me with bared teeth. And these were quite large dogs too. I was petrified and, trying to stay calm, slowly backed away from them until I was on the main road, where I sat on a wall and burst into tears!

As I said upthread, cats can't kill you...

Quamora · 17/01/2022 19:52

I really don’t like dogs. There are a few dogs that I can tolerate being near but in general I really dislike them.

Huntswomanonthemove · 17/01/2022 20:00

@Appalonia

This thread just reminded me of one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I was in India some years ago and there are stray dogs everywhere there. I was in a city in Goa and I was walking down a deserted street as I wanted to look at an interesting temple. There were 2 dogs asleep in the road by a car next to this temple. All of a sudden these dogs woke up and then out of nowhere about 8 more dogs appeared and surrounded me, snarling at me, growling and approaching me with bared teeth. And these were quite large dogs too. I was petrified and, trying to stay calm, slowly backed away from them until I was on the main road, where I sat on a wall and burst into tears!

As I said upthread, cats can't kill you...

My friend nearly died from a cat bite. It was her own cat as well. The cat bit her arm and the wound became infected. She developed sepsis and needed an operation to debride the wound.

I think it's a real shame how many people are so wary of dogs, especially as there are so many about. It must be difficult for you.

My dog is very gentle and used to children. Two little girls asked me if they could stroke my dog and I said they could. Unfortunately, their granny called the girls away saying "come away from that dog, it'll bite you" Stupid woman.

Suzi888 · 17/01/2022 20:12

“All of a sudden these dogs woke up and then out of nowhere about 8 more dogs appeared and surrounded me, snarling at me, growling and approaching me with bared teeth.”
Well, wild dogs tend to do that - especially if you have food and there are puppies. The locals will kill any pups they find- at least they did where I was.
Don’t go to Gambia! The tourists invite the wild dogs on to their sun beds!

Porthia · 17/01/2022 20:16

I just don’t think I’m an animal person tbh.

I used to have a full on dog phobia due to 2 terrifying experiences when I was a child (in both instances I was just walking along, minding my own business when a large dog / dogs approached me. I was bitten on one occasion and just scared out of my wits on the other).

In the years since I have worked hard to improve my fear and I am now no longer phobic but I am still nervous around dogs. I can’t stand it if a dog barks or growls at me. I would not touch a dog except my parents’ dog who I have known since he was a puppy.

Even without the fear though I don’t like the smell, the poo on the pavement, the general “doggy” ness of them. I have also struggled in the past with OCD and the idea of a dog licking me (especially the face) is revolting. I am much better now but if all dogs disappeared tomorrow I would be cool with that. I would be sad for people I know who love their dogs but personally I would be happier.

I do wish that people had to have training to own a dog. Like a dog license so they actually know how to look after them and keep them under control etc! I think both dogs and people would be happier!

HoliHormonalTigerlilly · 17/01/2022 20:27

I love dogs. And kids. 🤷‍♀️

ThoseFestiveLights · 17/01/2022 20:28

I love animals but dogs are REALLY smelly. I don’t like how you stroke them and your hands smell doggy! It’s like the same of damp and urine. And all dog owners are convinced that their dog / house / car don’t smell and they absolutely do!

A few individual dogs that I know, I do consider friends though. :)

Ragwort · 17/01/2022 20:33

I'm just not an 'animal person' either, I don't like dogs ... or cats. I avoid visiting friends who have dogs, people always say 'they are just being friendly' etc etc when they slobber all over you.

I dropped out of a Book Club recently as most of the other members had dogs, no hard feelings, just wasn't right for me.

Regarding Guide Dogs, I used to work for a charity that supported visually impaired people, a number of whom had guide dogs, mostly I could avoid them but one of my colleagues in the office had a guide dog which I tried to avoid. The dog was sick occasionally which was horrible..obviously my colleague couldn't clear it up, I am not squeamish about vomit, have worked in hospitality and cleaned up vomit and in old folks homes where I had to clear up worse ... but I really wouldn't want to clean up dog sick.

wriffle · 17/01/2022 20:37

I love dogs, I have multiple, but it REALLY, REALLY annoys me that some owners get precious about their dogs and can't get over someone not wanting to be molested by their dog. They don't do considerate dog owners any favours whatsoever. I avoid going to one friends house because one of her French Bulldogs will not leave guests alone, it's seriously irritating. There's also the assumption that if you have dogs of your own that you of course won't mind being harassed constantly by their dog! That's really annoying!!

Your feelings are completely justified OP.

FireDancer1 · 17/01/2022 20:42

@stuntbubbles

Bloody hate the things.

Me too

AffIt · 17/01/2022 20:48

I'm reasonably fond of dogs - I grew up with them.

But they were working dogs (gun dogs - Labs and spaniels), not pets, and were trained appropriately. They also lived outside, for the most part (although the 'favourites' were allowed in the kitchen/sitting room during the day).

I can't be doing with poorly-trained animals and I'm really not fond of small, fluffy 'Insta-pooches' (although it's not really the dog's fault that they look like poor, inbred toys). Don't get me started on 'fur babies'.

I'm more of a cat person, tbh.

lochmaree · 17/01/2022 20:51

I dont really like dogs either. its not so much the dogs themselves, although I dont like the smell or slobber, but the owners who just don't understand that not everyone wants to step in poo, be jumped on, slobbered on, licked, etc. also the expectation of certain dog owners to refer to pet dogs as if they are children. I like animals generally, I have guinea pigs and a cat at the moment, have had horses and poultry. i dont think I'd ever have a dog though. DH dislikes them more than me.

Darbs76 · 17/01/2022 20:55

I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t like dogs as they literally don’t know the amazing bond having a loyal dog who loves you (and feeling is mutual) is. My ex partner always said he didn’t like dogs. He was scared of them and said he would never have one. After we split I got a dog and we have remained on good terms and he visited often (working away at present overseas) and now he says he just didn’t know how amazing it could be - he tries to convert anyone who says they are scared of dogs or don’t like them! They aren’t for everyone and I don’t let my dog jump up people as it’s rude

RedCandyApple · 17/01/2022 20:57

@Darbs76

They are not for everyone though are they? Even if I didn’t dislike them and I’ve had them growing up so I have had experiences of being around dogs, they are a hell of a lot of work and wouldn’t fit in with my life style so I would never ever own one.

Shuffletime · 17/01/2022 21:01

I like a few friend's dogs. I hate stranger's dogs. I like cute dog pictures and will coo over a puppy but do not particularly want a dog near me.

Costacoffeeplease · 17/01/2022 21:37

What is the point of this thread, apart from being goady?

BiscuitLover3678 · 17/01/2022 21:39

I get it. I actually quite like them but I hate the fact you are nit allowed to say anything negative about a dog ever, they are allowed to run up and lick your face, take food from your toddler whilst he’s in his pram (this has happened on a number of occasions!) and just generally be a nuisance.

People are allowed to dislike children and yet you are not allowed to be anything less than excited in the presence of a dog.

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