There are far too many dogs in the UK

[habibihabibi]

I am a huge dog lover but dog ownership is out of hand.
Growing up, dogs were the exception rather than the norm.

In the past dogs were..
Working dogs and nippy little raters,
on farms or in the countryside where they could be active throughout the day.
Or
In town or city houses, the odd mid sized low energy doggies with at least one adult at home e.g parent or retired person and a garden.
Or
If in small cottages or flats, small dogs.

People who didn't have time for dogs didn't have one.

They thought long and hard about whether they could afford, exercise and had the lifestyle for a dog and not pick one up off Gumtree..

They did not leave dogs alone for hours getting bored, lonely and aggrevated.

They did not have to sub out dog walking to someone who has so many dogs to exercise that one or more maul her to death.

They did not get a dog if they couldn't afford it because they are costly and time consuming.

They trained their dog using a book or going to kennel clubs.

Shelters housed lost dogs ( whose owners came and got them) and poor dogs whose owners had died or went into care not dogs that people couldn't be bothered looking after anymore.

I agree - I'm a big dog lover but I don't have the time (or energy!) to have one myself.
I think they should bring back dog licenses imho - my parents (also big dog lovers) have been saying this for years and especially since covid when there was a big boom in people getting dogs I agree with them.
My cousin lives in a tiny flat. TINY. She's recently bought a dog from a Russian puppy farm - you can see just by looking at it that it's not a healthy dog and has been massively inbred. She obviously has no garden, not near to a park etc, and works full time so frequently leaves the dog (puppy) alone for hours at a time. As a result, the dog is badly behaved, has wrecked many items in her flat, barks constantly sparking complaints from her neighbours etc. I had a huge argument with her last week about how bad it was and she just shrugged her shoulders and looked at me like I was mad - all her friends have dogs in similar situations so "why can't she?". No doubt it will end the same way as my other cousin who sold her dog after 6 months to some guy she met on Facebook 😬 It's so so sad. Not enough education and not enough legislation.

Totally agree OP.
Seems like everyone now has multiple dogs. Have lived in same location for 20 plus years and summer evening walks along footpaths are now an endless dodging of so many dogs and dog poo, it's just not enjoyable.
Also hate acceptance of dogs in eating places - no thanks - and in shops. Dogs in John Lewis last time I visited and all over a crowded shopping village.
I'm not a dog hater, grew up with dogs in family and extended family all had dogs but the sheer number of dogs everywhere is ridiculous.
Also increasingly difficult to find holiday accommodation that's dog free. I don't want to stay somewhere where someone's dog has been allowed on furniture or beds so never book anywhere that accepts pets.
Dog owners go nose blind, I'm afraid.
They are animals and they do smell, whatever you think to the contrary.

It should be registered and a license paid. Too much dog poo and urine everywhere especially if you live near a park. So many incidents of having to wash shoes as a result.

Do the dog walkers that you see with 4-6 dogs just 'walk' with them?
Do these dogs ever get the chance for an actual run in the week?
One who lives near me was out with 8 dogs the other day. That can't be fun for the dogs, all getting tangled up and not able to stop properly for a wee.

The RSPCA and other animal charities should do a lot more education about different breeds, training and caring responsibly for dogs. For example they could offer training courses in dog ownership and provide more information online. There are often threads on MN which show how people have underestimated the time and cost of dog ownership, or are struggling with aspects of their dogs' behaviour.

I have to say, I disagree I a one of your points OP. I think traditionally, while someone may have been home most of the time for the dog, it was far more common to leave them for extended periods when nobody could be around. Nowadays, most owners but in help for those scenarios so the dog is better cared for.

going back, many dogs lives outside, including so-called pets. This is uncommon for 'pets' nowadays.

I also never knew anyone go to KC training when I was young, apart from those who were training for a reason. I don't know anyone now-a-days who hasn't done at least one course of puppy training.

admittedly, we live in quite an affluent area, which may skew my perception, but the reality I see and experienced around me as a child are/were very different from your observations.

Load of rubbish.
And if a working person wants a dog and is happy to pay a wage to someone who will exercise and socialise the dog during their working hours that’s up to them. It’s keeping someone in a flexible type of employment also.

I don’t see how it’s any different to parents who work and use childcare (myself included in that)…..
If you want a child and work you pay someone to look after said child when you are not about. No different to dog.

I agree there will be idiots getting dogs they can’t care for but that’s a separate issue.

I agree far too many dogs. They are a pain in the neck not to mention a danger to the public.

Twist her ear and make her squeal?! Fucking hell. Some people are just ignorant c#%ts.

Nobody leaves a child at home for hours until a person comes to walk them round for an hour with 5 other children.
Doggy day care is decent though. At least the dog is entertained.

I would argue that people are more of a danger to the public than dogs…

This was because the most commonly owned breed of dogs at the time are labs. Not because they are well known killers.
More labs therefore more bites.

However, labs are not the most likely to kill

My dog a Belgian malinois was attacked three times by off lead labs
On one occasion the lab also went for me.
And people cross the road when I'm walking my dog!

Nobody leaves a child at home for hours until a person comes to walk them round for an hour with 5 other children.
Doggy day care is decent though. At least the dog is entertained.

you say this like it’s a universal point as though everyone who uses a dog walker would do this. Dog walkers can be completely acceptable it depends on your circumstances. What is the issue with leaving a dog a couple of hours after it’s been walked, fed, fussed over.
dog walker coming in walking dog. Then owner back a couple of hours after this.

there will be good and bad dog walkers. But as I pointed out to my db he had a far bigger range of choice over which dog walker he wanted to use when he looked into it, than I did over my ds school. Which was the option of two.

people will look into it and pick what they need. Good and bad dog walkers good and bad dog daycare. If people have issue with certain dog walkers that’s down to the individual.

but none of this are rationales for there being too many dogs.
too many dogs neglected I agree one dog neglected is too many.
but I don’t think anyone has any place judging a committed dog owner for using a walker (or day care) so long as that use is appropriate.

You're correct of course. I think I was feeling a little defensive when I read your post and on reflection I see you weren't saying "all lockdown dogs".

I also agree with your other points. A dog walk half way through the day and even worse, crating for a whole day is no life for a dog. (Though a crate schedule for house training was a godsend)

We did, purely by virtue of timing, rather than intent, end up with a puppy during the first lockdown. My DP was working as normal but it allowed me three months to put in all the ground work that I'd never have had the same time for if I'd have got him whilst still working. Now he goes to day care 3 days a week.

I agree, there seems to be two ends of the spectrum, at one end owners who frankly don't care and the other end with their treating of dogs like humans, some are in the middle and get in right, but it will be an upside down bell curve.

Dogs didn’t ask to be domesticated and become the playthings of the human population.

Actually @NoNewsIsGoodNews they did. Dogs are probably the only domesticated animals who colluded in their own domestication. Which is why we have such a different relationship with them than other animals.

They were the first domesticated animals, predating fixed agriculture. And the only large carnivore (which would have competed with early humans for meat) to be domesticated.

They really are special. Hence why working dogs and assistance dogs exist. Our relationship with dogs is unique.

Doesn't mean many dog owners aren't twats though.

‘Dogs are probably the only domesticated animals who colluded in their own domestication.‘

Oh interesting. Tell me how they did that? I am not being sarcastic. It sounds really fascinating and I am happy to learn!

You know what they say recollections vary!
In the past when I was a child...
They did not leave dogs alone for hours getting bored, lonely and aggrevated. Our dog was not tied - roamed freely - never got bored, knew all the local kids, slept outside in the shed in a bed that was made for him. We never had to worry about the dog feeling lonely - he was well used to sorting himself out.

They did not have to sub out dog walking to someone who has so many dogs to exercise that one or more maul her to death. Never walked the dog - he walked himself - he went for a walk or hung out with us kids.

They did not get a dog if they couldn't afford it because they are costly and time consuming Not costly - he ate the dinner scraps and not time-consuming because he basically looked after himself - occasional vet bills.

We have a dog now and the dog is treated like another child - I kid you not, he costs a fortune and we worry constantly about his health, whether he's too warm, too cold, suffering from anxiety, got cancer, can't be left alone because he gets too upset, has medication twice a day, heart scan twice a year, we can't even go on holidays without him, saying he's a bit of a tie is an understatement. Times have changed indeed.

People are also the thing that's most danger to dogs - all animals in fact

Puppy school is a waste of time,” they cried. And there was no puppy/dog school going on anyway when lockdown was on.
“I’ll watch YouTube videos on how to train my dog.” Not the same as engaging with a dog trainer who is right in front of you training YOU the dog owner on how to train your dog.
My dog is 8 years old - got him as a pup so nothing to do with Covid. I did think puppy school was a waste of time, tried 3 different trainers and they were all useless in different ways, they had no clue how to train my breed - who didn't respond to food treats or favourite toys. The last one I had gave me the best bit of advice - to forget what everyone else was doing to train their dog and focus on understanding my dog and his breed. I used Youtube videos and read loads of books and spent hours and hours training him.
Next dog - I'll treat puppy classes as a socialising session and the training I'll figure out for myself.

Certainly too much dog shit everywhere

They are not an aggressive breed.

all dogs can be aggressive & attack with little warning. Not just people but other dogs, animal livestock such as sheep, marine mammals ( think of the fatal attack on Freddie the seal a few years ago in the Thames by a mixed breed dog). Attacks on seals, especially pups, are not unusual on the beaches where I am. I know several farmers who have lost dozens of lambs to out of control dogs.

a friend got bitten in the face without warning (nearly got the eye) by a dog (small mixed breed which belonged to a neighbour. Amongst the dogs which killed the walker on Thursday was a couple of dachshunds, normally seen a cute & harmless.

All dogs have the potential to be dangerous.

Staffies should be banned. Must be a reason why hoody chav lads all have them

There's the voice of someone who knows fuck all about anything Dogs.

They're an abused breed.