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?

Am ambivalent about dogs, having had a similar experience to OP when was small, and a revulsion about picking up and bagging poo.

Quite like the dogs owned by friends and find some others nice to look at/cute/amusing. Also feel safer when out and about in quiet areas where most others out are walking their dogs

I don’t like the behaviour of some dog owners, Particularly not picking up poo, poor training and control. When we lived in London dog mess was a bigger annoyance / hazard.

I'm in the middle. I quite like dogs, I like walking and I like cuddling and making a fuss of them, and I'm happy to have dogs visit my place or go to a house with dogs.

But I'm a bit baffled why so many people have them. All that enforced walking twice a day, picking up poo, getting back early "for the dog", stressing about them when they're puppies and then when they're old and doddery, what to do when on holiday. All that love, care, and effort going into an animal instead of a human. I get it if you're doing that instead of having children (very sensible!), or if you don't have many humans around. But otherwise, I'm just baffled

@cherrypie66

I dislike people who dislike dogs. Something nasty about these people I'd never trust them

Bollocks

@cherrypie66

I dislike people who dislike dogs. Something nasty about these people I'd never trust them

I think that says more about you than it does about people who dislike dogs.

Non dog lovers 100% accept that dog lovers love dogs. WHY is it that dog lovers just refuse to accept that some of us just don't like dogs?

Yes. It cuts both ways. Why is it that posters like cherrypie66 can't accept that not everyone likes dogs. I accept that not everyone likes cats (or cheese ).

It is this hero worship of dogs and refusal to accept that not everyone loves their dog that gives some dog owners a bad name.

When we were kids we had lots of dogs and it was the minority . We had a big house and garden and it suited them . Now everyone has a dog in small houses that don't suit it . They don't know what they are doing and they aren't trained and the houses smell becaue there isn't enough too . Also they keep them in those bloody cages and don't walk them anywhere near enough! ! I love dogs but really don't think they should be a normal accessory in households !
I do not have one for all of the reasons above .

@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?

Of course.

I don't like needles but I put up with them to get vaccinated.

@Ashleighz88

This thread just spurs me on to allow my dog full freedom everywhere we go. If you don't like dogs that's your problem to deal with and get out of the way. In the same way I might not like kids or humans but unfortunately it's their planet too.

I don’t allow my children to run up and jump on you, lick you and leave smell and hair all over you. You were a child once-I was never a puppy.

Really not the same at all.

Dog owners like you give all of them a bad name, you awful, selfish twat.

[quote Doyourememberthetime]@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.[/quote]
No it wasn't me & honestly it came as such a shock after I brought DD home.

I don't think lockdown helped as I was stuck in with 2 dogs, a newborn & recovering from a C-section. My partner worked full time out of the house & my dog walker wasn't working cos it was the first lockdown & everyone was terrified. I had terrible anxiety then too, postnatally, & had recurrent visions of the dogs hurting my baby (they've never done this/wouldn't do this).

I know it doesn't sound like it but I still love.my dogs. One I had as the original owners were awful to her (she's terrified of everything) & the other was a much wanted puppy from a brilliant breeder. They get everything they need, they're well looked after but I just can't help how my attitude has changed. Sadly, & this is sad for me as I said, dogs were my life, I can't see how I'll ever go back to how I was. I just get so irritated with them now & it's the smell & mess.

I can't give them away as my OH won't allow it & like I said, they're taken care of. Fed, watered, walked, taken to the beach, fussed, they get vet care & grooming when they need it etc. OH insists they get steak for their bdays/got ya days. It's just me & I know that.

My DD loves one of the dogs. The other is a very large breed & he has a habit of sticking his nose in her face which she doesn't like so much. She does love them both at mealtimes though as her food "magically disappears"

They're both well trained. They've done their Good Citizen Scheme training to silver & they're both reliable off lead, don't jump up etc. I honestly wish I could feel how I did before.

@MagicKit

I don't like them. We have one and I find her a constant embarrassment. I hate the smell, I hate the mess ans I loathe how even thought we spent hundreds on training and constantly reinforce it, she is all over every visitor we ever have, demanding attention and shoving herself into the middle and whining. I hate it. Apparently that's just the way she is. Not what I signed up for! I agreed we could have a dog if the walking and cleaning up of mess didn't fall to me. I don't walk her, don't pick up poo, but every single mess she makes in the house is up to me, and I am always having to deodorise the home and wash things that shouldn't need it because of her. It's maybe not fair to say I hate her because I wouldn't ever see harm come to her and I care if she's healthy or happy. I just don't like her. At all. Or any dog. I look at them with new eyes after owning one. They're just smelly, needy, greedy money pits.

Christ

I don't like dogs. For no particular reason. I get annoyed at owners who allow their dogs to jump up at you and get you filthy and think it's ok. It's not.

I used to love dogs. We had one for 17 years. But nowadays people seem to be obsessed with them. Dogs in pubs,restaurants,holiday parks. This did not happen when I was younger. You left your bloody dog at home because....its a dog!
At lot of my resentment comes from spending time with my best friend who is obsessed with her dog. Insists on bringing him every time we go out(limiting where we can go) or rushing off as the dog cant be left alone for more than a couple of hours. It gets on my fucking nerves.
People who say they love their dogs as much as or more than their kids? Total wankers.

I was bitten by a stray dog when I was abroad, as a small child (it randomly ran up to me on the beach and bit my leg) Cue mad dash to hospital, weeks of rabies injections etc. Still didn’t put me off!! Personally, I love dogs, all dogs, everything about them and always have. Have lots of dogs and would never be without them. But, each to their own, life would be dull as shit if we all liked the same things. My dogs don’t run up to/jump up strangers, but I do take them to the pub (the ones where they are allowed, there are plenty that don’t allow dogs!) where they happily ignore everyone else, unless someone wants to fuss them, which they enjoy…and that happens a lot!

@Justkeeppedaling - rather like small children, then? I know which I prefer!

I'm another dog disliker. I cannot bear them, I'm scared of them.
I was bitten on the face as a small child by the family dog I don't remember it but it's left me scared of them and hating the way they sniff and lick and stink. I cannot bear dogs indoors. And I will not tolerate a dog owner telling me that their hound is only being friendly when it's causing me to feel anxious because it's not on a lead.

I'm a dog owner and I love my dog.

But I really don't like other dogs. And when you've got a dog, every dog owner in the world seems to think you want to say hello to their dog. Even when they're on leads they let them come right up to me so I can strike them. I really don't want to.

I hate going to someone's house if they have a dog and it's all over me. They'll say "oh you don't mind, you've got a dog haven't you?" while I'm silently seething at being licked and covered in hair!!!!

Its not dogs persay its the owners.

I have a dog and i am strict with him, we avoid picnics in the summer, put him on the lead around young DC, aware of other owners who have theirs on leads. Although i have no plans to get another as it is hard work.

I have had other owners allowing their untrained dogs to simply run off around the lead on area of the park, run into picnics laughing when their dog snatches food from a DC hands and getting angry that the picnic party arent happy. Allowing their dogs to jump on people and not thinking that a large breed jumping at a small DC is actually scary.
I had one lady who had a large breed and she had no control, it slobbered over my new babies pram and she laughed. I was furious, i had another dog trying to pee on the pram.

I am in the camp that it’s not dogs themselves it’s some owners.

I run a lot and there’s a high chance if I go through a park or across a field there will be a dog that finds it all so exciting and will run up, causing me to stop (or else be chased). Always, always the owner seems unable to recall the dog, and tried to tell me ‘he’s fine, just friendly/excited/joining in!’. I absolutely can not stand it.

I hate having to stop because of someone else like this. It my precious hour out of the house. I do not blame any dog, just the owner.

I don't like dogs. Or cats. 🤷‍♀️

I dislike people who dislike dogs. Something nasty about these people I'd never trust them

A completely stupid point of view that you'd never dare say to anyone in real life.

Anyway, why do you think having dogs for your own amusement is a good thing?

there are plenty that don’t allow dogs

I am not sure that there are, these days. Same with B&Bs and accommodation. They are scared of saying no to dog owners.

I never say this out loud in real life but I dislike all animals. I find them needy, annoying and smelly and think the only compelling reason to own a dog is if you're blind or have lots of sheep.

However, I realise this viewpoint makes me the devil incarnate so I slap a grin on and pretend I love your cat or dog whilst secretly wishing they'd leave me alone.

@JuergenSchwarzwald

there are plenty that don’t allow dogs

I am not sure that there are, these days. Same with B&Bs and accommodation. They are scared of saying no to dog owners.

They're not scared. They're a business.. in it for the profit. If more people didn't want dogs there than did then they wouldn't do it

No, you're not alone OP. I don't like the mucky, smelly things.
The ear-piercing bark whenever there's a knock at the door; walking into the kitchen and treading in a bit of wet where they've slobbered over their water bowl, the stink of their dog food, having to pick up poo in all weathers, dog hair on everything (and it get's everywhere!!), the mucky paw prints everywhere, the pining/begging and whining when the humans have something to eat , the disgusting muckniess and hairs that come away on your hand after you've stroked them, the slob/drool , dog poo on all the pavements and paths, and then other peoples uncontrolled dogs.

I think the reason threads like this get so heated is because the dog owners only really have one argument- that their dog is well trained and wouldn't do x, y or z. But all pet ownership (excluding working animals) is essentially selfish so there isn't really a good argument. It impacts on the environment and on neighbours, other people etc in a mostly negative way. The joy one person gets from their dog doesn't balance out the mountains of poo bags, meat based food, barking at night etc. So crack on and have a dog but recognise that it doesn't benefit anyone else and own your selfishness.

@SuPerDoPer does the same apply to having kids then?