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

[BlueStripedTowel]

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?

@FireMeetGasoline

Aha, but us -ssshhh - (whispers it, not said out loud)... not big fans of dogs... run in families..! There more of us than you realise . So in my family there are 15 people that sssshhh don't massively like dogs. All cat lovers... and about same amount that do like dogs,

I think people overestimate how many other people like dogs. It's like admitting to kicking Bambi (except no one kicks bambi!) so not sure people will really tell you if they don't. My friends think I like dogs. Even the dogs think I'm enamoured of them.

I am definitely an animal person. In general, I like animals far, far better than people. I have cats and horses who I adore.

But the older I get the less I like dogs. They make any room smell, they make my hands smell if I pet them, they are loud, they jump up and make me dirty. I know none this is the dog’s fault and I treat them nicely but it’s just too much.

My family all have dogs and all insist on taking the dogs with them to family events, even if only for an hour or two (so they could easily stay home). Sometimes there are 5/6 dogs at a gathering and it’s bedlam. Slobber and hair and them trying to steal food. My father who used to lose his mind if our family dog when I was a kid so much as moved off the mat while he ate now picks his (~15 kg) dog up and holds it at the table. It’s crazy to me.

There are certain dogs that I really enjoy but as a whole, I dislike them too. Or at least the way entitled people allow/encourage them to behave.

I like well behaved dogs. Yappy dogs I cannot stand. It's the owners fault.

I don’t like certain breeds, mainly collies and Labradors. Stupid jumpy bloody things, too needy. Don’t eventually like big dogs that jump up. I’m a sucker for a small calm dog though. I always say I like dogs that have the souls of cats

I am exactly like you!! I could have written this post

@verytiredofbeingshoutedat 😂, I like cats too. I love their independence and sassiness. I'm unfortunately never going to be a slave to one though because my DP is allergic 🤨. Even thought about relocating him to the shed.

I'm pretty sure though, and I don't have evidence for this, but I'd wager that we are more a nation of dog lovers. I reckon in a poll it would be 55% dogs, 42% cats and 3% miscellaneous 🤣. I'm happy to be proved wrong, because I love all animals, but if Family Fortunes asked 100 people their favourite pet, I reckon the top answer would be a dog.

I can understand why people don’t like dogs, most of it comes down to irresponsible owners who don’t train or clean up after their pets though.
I have a french bulldog who came to the pub with us on Sunday (dog friendly pub) stayed under the table until a woman and her two children asked to pet him.

I’m wary of people with large dogs who clearly can’t control them, I’ve had some near misses in the past where they have been off lead and head straight for my dog and been aggressive.

@FireMeetGasoline

You are probably spot on with your percentages!
That's why we've been whispering ....

I have no malice towards dogs, I just don't feel the love.

Ps. And I would run into the road to rescue a puppy. (I'm not a monster)

Nope I can’t stand them. I live close to a park which I now sadly avoid due to the amount of dog shit everywhere.

I find dogs needy, smelly, unhygienic, slobbery and they seem like a lot of hard work and high maintenance. Much like husbands and children.....I don’t have those either

@AsYouWishButtercup I believe they are two of the brightest breeds 🤣. My lab is thick as f**k tbf, and he is boisterous and jumpy and just wants to love everybody. Although he might look formidable, he hasn't got a vicious bone in his body and is easily controlled.

@verytiredofbeingshoutedat I doubt for one second you are a monster

All the dogs I've had the pleasure of sharing my life with have all been rescues. The majority of them had shitty lives prior, our current one didn't but came to us because his owner was unwell and unfortunately died. All 3 of them have given us everlasting memories. With each passing I say I'm not going through it again, but then all of a sudden we have another. I must be a masochist 🤣

See @FireMeetGasoline your lovely DDog lab wouldn't offend me, nor would I think he's not a goodboy as far as all lovely animals including well trained dogs go. And I can appreciate how much you adore him

But I still wouldn't be enamoured of him, even though he's not got a mean bone in his doggy body. He sounds much nicer than the occasional not well trained dogs and he's clearly much loved. (I definitely get fed up with dogs that aren't well managed by their owners and that jump up or run up to as they can literally knock me off my feet & I fall hard (disabled, reliant on sticks)

But you wouldn't be able to tell as I would never say anything rude if an over friendly dog came racing up and trying to jump up, other than "erm can you get him down please. " and I'd say what a handsome boy in passing because I'm friendly - but secretly I don't feel the dog love.

You sound like a very lovely dog owner. But I cant be swayed as prefer to say hello to cats

Tbh, it's rather lovely to hear how much people love their pets.

@verytiredofbeingshoutedat

100% agree with you

@FireMeetGasoline

Whilst I've joined this thread partly as a chat about who loves dogs and how doesn't. And joked about not being able to say "I don't get the love for dogs!" quietly and anonymously , I do however think that's lovely that you adore your dog and have rescued dogs over the years.

I can't help going 'pss, pss, pss', rubbing my fingers together as I walk by a random cat either. I think 1 out of 244 times I might get to rub the cats nose 🤣

Same to you @verytiredofbeingshoutedat. Thank you for not taking my experience and observation as a total insult to all people who might not like dogs. I found your response funny and refreshing.

Live on my street Fire. You'll get 7/10 cats respond and nudge you..,. Then possibly follow you home and that includes my cats (the cat tarts!) (they're male so I'm not being misogynist!)

Hehe Fire cross posted!

I suspect dog and cat lovers (and really any animal lovers) have more in common than differences. It's weird how we are mostly wired to respond to one type of animal.

@Everdreamer1990
I remember reading a thread ages ago saying they didn’t like their dogs since having a child, was that you?

Obviously people love their kids more than their dogs, but if you are not enjoying them wouldn’t you give them away? Does your child like your dog? I’ve always liked the idea that if I was to have kids it would be nice for them to grow up with.

I’ve recently got a puppy and it’s bloody hard work! I actually think it’s harder than a baby.

@Everdreamer1990 yes, please don't ever get another dog again. I think your attitude towards your dogs is disgusting, it is not their fault that you got them before you decided to have children, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and you probably realise now that you should've waited, however, I admire your honesty. I hope that you just allow them to live out the rest of their life without you feeling overwhelmingly disgusted by them. You took on that responsibility, and you certainly don't have to honor it. They might be better placed elsewhere!

The comments on here are hilarious. Firstly, the dog shit issue is purely because of the owner, it is their responsibility to pick it up. I've never seen a dog who is able to walk up the stairs, go into the bathroom, take a dump and then flush, I've never seen a dog who had the dexterity to take the poo bag a mnd pick up their own shit either.

Dogs that jump up, well, you should be happy that they are jumping up at you, it generally means they are excited to see your miserable face. It is not always an aggressive stance for a dog to be jumping up. Most responsible owners are well equipped to stop this immediately.

Slobbering, dirty, noisy - seriously? I could describe more humans this way than I could fo dogs. Yes, they love to roll around in fox shit, and yes, they love to jump in cow pat, it's the owners responsibility to bathe them. Dogs do bark, they are great at letting their owners know that there is some malevolent prick being dodgy outside.

Fur going everywhere? It's a fucking dog. They have fur, we have vacs.

All of your complaints, dislike and hatred towards dogs is actually nothing to do with the dog. It is all the direct failings of their human owner.

Maybe start campaigning against the breeding of dogs, and you might see a reduction in the numbers. There are 100s of thousands that are in rescue centres through no fault of their own who deserve loving homes. There is no need for this perpetual breeding of designer dogs that will continue and continue and continue.

Do something with your dislike! Make the world a better place!

Can't stand them. Have met one or two individual dogs I like. But mostly I hate them.
They have chased me in the park. They run under your feet and are so unpredictable. The smell.
And I am not too enamoured with owners who let them jump and lick people who clearly don't want it.
Someone took a dog on a busy rush hour tube. I was in a suit going to my first day at a new job. The dog didn't have much space and ended up sort of pushing up against me - basically wiped its shitty arse on my trouser leg.

@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?

Yes I would. I think they select and train the assistance dogs beautifully. Presumably being blind meant you are exempt from picking up pooh in a bag?! Do they train them to use a loo and flush or something?! I'd make my peace with the tinned food somehow!

@Joystir59

Yes, you are in a minority of one

Clearly not!!