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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be offended friends dog doesn't like me ?

40 replies

Dragonsdaughter · 17/10/2015 05:37

I know I am :) but wonder how many other 'doggy' people are put out if a normally friendly dog doesn't like you ? I love dogs and most dogs 'take to me' (because I will talk/pet/play anything furry) - but a friend has this adorable Pug that love everyone - except me - and I am always amused by how pissed off this makes me.

OP posts:
sandgrown · 17/10/2015 06:26

My dog is like this with some of my friends but just not sure why? He is normally quite friendly. If it is any consolation if I stand by my friend's dog too long he cocks his leg up on meConfused

littlefrenchonion · 17/10/2015 06:40

Do you try and 'make friends' every time you see him? Do you give him lots of eye contact and try and coax him over to you? Do you go down to his level and speak to him?

My dog is quite shy with new people and the above would ensure she won't want to go anywhere near you! It's quite threatening to a small, shy dog.

I ask because it's usually self proclaimed 'dog people' who upset her Smile.

If any of the above rings true: Try ignoring him. Don't look him in the eye. Pretend he doesn't exist. Carry some treats and casually hold them at a level he can come and get them if he wants or toss them on the floor near you. Keep talking to your friend and ignore him otherwise. Be prepared to repeat for weeks/months before he's willing to trust you, he will but it'll take time as you've clearly set him stranger danger detector on high alert!

MothershipG · 17/10/2015 06:46

YANBU!

Most dogs love me, I smell of dog, know not to make eye contact and not infrequently have treats in my pocket. Smile

But I agree that your best bet is to ignore and play hard to get to make yourself interesting. Bribery in the form of food may help! Grin

OwlFeathersFluff · 17/10/2015 06:54

Perhaps you smell too good! Try rolling in fox poo or something!

EllyHigginbottom · 17/10/2015 07:01

That's pretty funny, OP. I can imagine you fuming about the pug ignoring you. Grin

I have a friend/acquaintance who has a beautiful retriever, she is the most inexplicably aloof dog I've ever met. We've seen her almost daily since they got her (at the school gates); in that time my kids have gone from madly in love with her; then, completely irritated at her lack of reciprocity; and now, just resignation. They ignore her. I do too, it's annoying as hell.

catfordbetty · 17/10/2015 07:07

OP, I've noticed that dogs often make friends by sniffing the other's bottom. Could you try this?

Heyheyheygoodbye · 17/10/2015 07:16

betty Grin

OP, YANBU. I'm totally miffed if I can't make an animal my best friend immediately. Bonkers I know!!

EllyHigginbottom · 17/10/2015 07:18

OP, YANBU. I'm totally miffed if I can't make an animal my best friend immediately. Bonkers I know!!

Not bonkers at all! These are dogs we're talking about, not cats Hmm

PingpongDingDong · 17/10/2015 07:23

It is horrible when that happens. Our dog dislikes one person that is a friend of ours and we have no idea why. It's really odd and I think he feels a bit miffed about it too!

PennyPants · 17/10/2015 08:01

Take it some chicken next time you visit. It will love you forever.
Our dogs love all our their visitors

FilbertSnood · 17/10/2015 08:03

Take some of those dried liver treats. Dogs go crazy for them.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/10/2015 08:12

Well, YAB a bit U to be offended but I can understand you being upset!

My best friend's horse didn't like me. She used to tread on my foot whenever she had the chance, or throw me off - it was very obvious, even my friend could see it! But we came to the conclusion she was jealous (the mare, that is).

fieldfare · 17/10/2015 08:19

Our dog is a bit wary of men but usually loves women. He adores all my friends and if they pop round will sit on their feet loving them, trying to connive his way up on the sofa with them for a cuddle.
My sister however, he cannot stand! He curls his lip and shows her his teeth! Then pointedly ignores her for the rest of the visit, or cuddling up with whomever else he loves. It really annoys my sister, but tbh I can't blame him, she gets on my nerves a lot too.

Hoppinggreen · 17/10/2015 09:06

Wait until the dog is very muddy and smelly and go round in your bat clothes just before you go to a very important event - guarantee it will love you!!!

Shockers · 17/10/2015 09:15

One of our (really friendly) dogs used to bark quite aggressively at our neighbour when she came over. We thought it must be because she was a heavy smoker and had a very deep voice.

Scoobydoo8 · 17/10/2015 09:18

Halloween?? superwoman type?? how big are those wings????

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 17/10/2015 09:27

Food in your pocket is the answer.

My dog far far prefers men Hmm and prefers random men who rock up to the house to me (e.g. the plumber, or the broadband guy, I'm not running a brothel)

MrsJayy · 17/10/2015 09:31

My dog is so fickle its embarassing 1 day he can love you the next he is barking or 7gnoring the person my aunt gets so offended by it she tries to shovel gravy bones in his gob one time he took it spat it out and turned his back on her he is so rude Grin

Damselindestress · 17/10/2015 09:36

Our dog likes my BIL a bit too much, the dog started humping him the last time he visited, he's never done that before! Now that's awkward!

Ihatechoosingnames · 17/10/2015 09:37

I really don't like dogs. Well, I like my mum's dog who we got when I was a teenager but most other dogs just annoy me. They ALWAYS jump on me, lick me, try to be friendly etc even when I ignore them. I hate it! It's like they know I don't want them near me so they try harder. MILs dog is the worst and will not leave me alone. I feel sorry for my DH as he loves dogs and makes a huge effort, but they always try and befriend me first. So maybe just ignore the dogs OP and they'll come to you?!

Tinklewinkle · 17/10/2015 09:40

YANBU

My DH's colleague sometimes takes her totally cute and adorable jack russell into work with her. He loves everyone, except me. I even gave him a treat that I'd found in my pocket from walking my own dog. He just took it and turned his back on me.

My own dog is super friendly and loves everyone except one particular friend of ours. Dog sits on the sofa giving him dirty looks while making this weird wailing noise - it's not growling, but it's clearly not a happy sound either. If friend tries to sit next to him the wailing noise gets louder and higher pitched. We thought it was because friend had a beard, until friend shaved it off and dog carried on - friend was most put out as he'd only shaved it off to see if he could get the dog to like him

MrsJayy · 17/10/2015 09:41

I was friendly with a school mum her dog who was a ploddy friendly dog except for me she would be like a snarling hellbeast when i went to my friends house we dont know why

TheMotherOfHellbeasts · 17/10/2015 10:11

Our dogs hate everyone and everything apart from DH, DS, our housekeeper, her daughter and I, its completely normal for their breeds but my dog loving best friend found it very hard to deal with when she came to stay (we're not in the UK).
She tried to give them treats (against my advice) and it went very badly.

Salmotrutta · 17/10/2015 10:20

This is a funny thread.

I'm laughing at all the folk getting offended by dogs not liking them Grin

I have a theory about cats - they always go and sit on people who don't like them.

It's their way of letting people know who is boss.

MrsJayy · 17/10/2015 10:26

My dad is terrified of cats he was a miner and the cats at the coal fqce were feral and vicious anyway when our cat was alive she would make a beeline for him even if she was out she could sensehis fear him and jump in the window purring to get to him my poor dad

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