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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wish this country was more dog friendly?

358 replies

lesley33 · 01/11/2011 09:35

I know some dogs are badly behaved, but surely not all dogs should be tarred with the same brush? My dog is a very well behaved labrador. On the continent dogs are allowed into lots of pubs and cafes and in places like Paris dogs are regularly walked along City streets. But in the UK, lots of people do not seem happy to let dogs share their space anywhere, which I think is vvu.

OP posts:
DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 11:20

MillyR, oh yes! He likes my bed! :o

That photo was taken on the day he came to me from rescue. That was over 18m ago - he's filled out and had a few baths since then! :o

BeerTricksPotter · 01/11/2011 11:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MillyR · 01/11/2011 11:20

We took the spaniels on from somebody who didn't want them anymore, and I think perhaps this is why we keep ending up with lumbering beasts. My SIL is too soft hearted and frequently gets involved with attempts to rehome other people's unwanted (and usually large) dogs.

I think to end up with a terrier we would have to go to a proper terrier rescue charity.

DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 11:21

Thanks Jessie He's asleep by me as I type - he's DD (14)'s actually, she worships him.

He's a Bagpuss... soppy, dopey, lapcat. :)

Brynn · 01/11/2011 11:21

I got chased down a neighbours garden by their alsation when I was 8. It's name was "Soldier". A year or two later, I was knocked off my bike by an over-excited spaniel. Totally wrote off my bike. Dogs always bark at me...

I'm mostly indifferent to dogs really, if a teeny bit nervous of the big ones. Dogs, on the other hand, all hate me...

I used to like cats, until I owned one of my own. He's an evil little sod.

I like fish. Fish are OK. Except for their tendency to die if you look at them funny. Or perhaps that's just me.

slightlymad72 · 01/11/2011 11:22

thanks everyone for posting your piccies up, I had a day planned now its all gone to pot because I have to take pictures of all my menagerie to show you all. [snarly face smiley]

DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 11:22

Told ya. What page are we on now? Wink

SarahStratton · 01/11/2011 11:24

Klad you have more than your fair share of eye candy over there. Grin

LittleDog and FailCat sleep in my bed. They keep me lovely and warm in the winter, and it's good to have something to snuggle with.

DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 11:25

Brynn - it's not "Alsation", it's German Shepherd Dog. :o

You like fish? So how about a German Shepherd Dog called Fish, like the white one on my profile? Will that do? :o

seeker · 01/11/2011 11:34

Can't see what's wrong with dogs being on leads in public places. If dd takes her pony down a public road she leads her, even though she doesn't actually need to be led and will "heel" as well as any dog I'v ever met!

OrmIrian · 01/11/2011 11:35

dbf - why is that? I am sure in my dim and distant youth they were all called Alsations. Why not now? Is there a difference or was the name offensive in some way? I got told off quite sharply by the owner of a white GS the other day - she was quite off with me Confused

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 01/11/2011 11:38

I always thought alsation and german shepherd were interchangable

DejaWho · 01/11/2011 11:39

Awww I'm always going to be a sucker for a large ginger cat DBF - grew up with one that mum had found as a kitten chucked into a dustbin.

Our cat is a cantankerous old three-legged boot whom the dogs are terrified of - to the extent that slobberchops looked at me pathetically until I went to sit on the sofa the cat was on the back of so he dared to get up without being told off by the mean old kitty last night.

I think the greyhound's dead, she's zonked flat out on the floor.

ditavonteesed · 01/11/2011 11:40

we at furry baby picture time yet? look at my killers.
dbf did you get my pm?
went trivk or treating last night, one house took ages to answer the door, we were about to go when lovely lady answered door, she had been removing and tying up (in her own home that we had come to to ask for sweets) her staffie, because it was vicious? no because it was really friendly but she didnt want it to scare any little children, selfish cow I mean some people Wink

ViviPru · 01/11/2011 11:40

slightlymad they are incredible! Did you see that awesome owl on frozen Planet? I said to Mr. VP "lets get an owl" he was like "nah - penguin"

This is my hounddog, in pretty much the same position she is in as we speak

ditavonteesed · 01/11/2011 11:42

I seem to remember soeone telling me that they changed it to alsation in the war because people didnt want to associate anything with being german. could be completly wrong though.

DogsBestFriend · 01/11/2011 11:42

Orm, the story goes that GSD were called Alsatians in wartime, indicating that they came from the Alsace region, rather than having in GB's midst dogs from a German origin.

squeakytoy · 01/11/2011 11:42

I would rather all dogs be on leads in public places. I do think that parks should provide a fenced off area that is specifically for dogs to be let off the lead though.

I am a dog owner, and have a dog who seems to have an invisible sign on him saying "come running up to me", because every dog that is off a lead seems to make a bee-line for him, and he is nervous of other dogs (after being badly attacked a few years ago). I keep him on a lead at all times in public, but we avoid the parks now where there are so many dogs running around off lead who want to charge up to us. I dont care how "he is friendly, dont worry".. my dog is nervous..he doesnt want other dogs bounding up to him.

We have spent lots of time and money with behaviour therapists to try and get him, and us, more confident, but he is still wary of any dog he doesnt know.

My "vicious" beast is on my profile too. Be warned... he is a staffie. Wink

On the other hand, my dog is the most calm dog I have ever known. I have friends with young children who love letting them get used to dogs using my dog as a first go.. because he will sit there, and doesnt jump up, lick, or mind being prodded. (Always done under supervision before anyone worries).

We take him out wherever we can, he sits under my chair most of the time, and is much less trouble, makes less mess, and is a lot quieter than any child!

Kladdkaka · 01/11/2011 11:43

My savage beastie sleeps under my douvet next to my feet. Sometimes he growls at me if I dare to move during the night. Cheeky sod.

ditavonteesed · 01/11/2011 11:44

squeaky, a bit of advise y trainer gave me is instead of shouting that your dog is nervous, r aggresive etc, shout that they have kennel cough, people learn recall pretty quick.

slightlymad72 · 01/11/2011 11:45

Vivi Yes I did, it was a great grey, I can't wait for the rest of the series there should be some snowy owls on, It would be nice to see how they are in their natural habitat. I am waiting for DH to email me a piccie of my european eagle owl, I have posted before that I work with aggressive owls, the piccie will show what I mean Smile. Love the dog btw.

I'm going to post some more pictures in a while, I need to take the dogs and cats outside as I only have an Ipod camera and it doesn't take indoors very well

seeker · 01/11/2011 11:46

"went trivk or treating last night, one house took ages to answer the door, we were about to go when lovely lady answered door, she had been removing and tying up (in her own home that we had come to to ask for sweets) her staffie, because it was vicious? no because it was really friendly but she didnt want it to scare any little children, selfish cow I mean some people"

Who is the selfish cow here? [baffled emoticon]

DejaWho · 01/11/2011 11:47

Loving the doggy picture fest - keep that going and ignore the evil doggy crew as they try to send this into the usual storm of indignation, poo and catshit (why does every dog thread always hit cat shit country by about page 10)!

Still think the greyhound's dead.

ViviPru · 01/11/2011 11:49

Oh yes Slightlymad, owls are awesome, where we stayed in Wales recently had a couple of eagle owls...

Do owls not mind being kept as pets then? (no subtext there - I genuinely have no knowledge whatsoever)

squeakytoy · 01/11/2011 11:54

I find it quite amusing when we go to dog friendly National Trust places.

If I go with just my Staffie, I have seen so many parents literally grabbing their precious darlings up in the air out of our way, and looking down their nose at me.... yet when we take MILs Cocker Spaniel with us too, its all "awwww look at the lovely doggies"... Hmm

The cocker is statistically the one who is most likely to snap at a child...