To not like dogs

[AnonyMousee]

I just... don't!!

Most of them smell, get their hairs everywhere, dribble on you, their breath makes me heave, they beg for food and get their food/water everywhere when they eat. They're expensive and needy and annoying.

But why do people get so angry when others don't like dogs? I feel like I can't be honest about dogs when I meet them and their owners, and I always end up pretending to like them. God forbid you say to a dog owners face you don't like dogs, you might aswell just say you've killed a baby!

I feel like I can't be honest about dogs when I meet them and their owners

While it's not unreasonable not to like dogs or indeed any other kind of pets but why would you want to tell a dog's owner that you don't like dogs? If you didn't like your neighbours, would you feel compelled to tell them? Or if you didn't like your colleagues? Other people's children? The list goes on!

Pick the poop up, problem solved!

@DogMamma - I'm not going to get drawn into an argument here. I don't know you, and certainly I don't want to upset anyone. You're of course welcome to view and describe your animals however you like.

@HarrietKettleWasHere I really love the idea of animals and donate a few quid to an animal charity every month but actually having furry animals in your home seems unhygienic to me... I understand others love them, but I have friends who have said "people who don't like dogs aren't to be trusted" 

The way people react to dogs tells you a lot about humans in general and them in particular; and not so much about dogs.

I have children and dogs. I love them all...sometimes I don't like the children or the dogs. Do I have to choose? They are all expensive, needy, annoying, smelly, dribbly, lazy, hyper, want constant feeding, attention, discipline and exercise.

What's your point OP?

@nornironrock oooh no wasnt pressing for one, so sorry of seemed that way!! Just said it look at my name! haha! Xx

Well I have to admit that I would never consider for a minute having a partner who didn't like or want animals, or who was allergic to them.

@tiggerkid I'll try paint a picture of what I mean.

Like when you go into someone's home and they have a dog, the dog is obviously excited to meet a new human so is jumping up and down trying to meet you, smell you (shed fur all over you) and as not to be rude you have to just accept it and pretend you like them.

I haven't, but I imagine it would be rude for me to say: sorry, I don't like dogs can you keep it away from me?

YANBU AnonyMousee
The difference with dogs and children is that wether you like them or not they are humans as are (presumably) the dog owners who are currently saying they hate children.
I agree you don’t have to find all children cute and I certainly don’t but when they grow up they will be the GP or Nurse who takes care of you or the person who designs your car cuts your hair or empties your bin and if you’re unlucky wipes your uncute smelly backside!!

I have never met anyone that says they don't like my dog. Even people who aren't dog owners frequently stop me to ask about him and tell me how beautiful he is.

OP if you did tell me you didn't like my dog I would laugh at you.

@AnonyMousee well luckily now you are in your own space you don't have to put up with any of it.

I don't expect everyone to love my dog and actually lots of my friends only tolerated him because they love me, but every single one of them called me last week to see if I was ok when I had to put him to sleep, as to them he was a super annoying, smelly slobbery thing but to me, he was a huge part of my life and I loved him and they understood that.

@UpstartCrow see this is what I mean, there are people who share your opinion and I don't get why and this is why I don't express how I feel IRL

Why does me not liking an animal make me a bad person? Im a good person and wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want them to come to any harm etc but I just don't want to be around them

It's rude to allow your dogs to jump all over people so I think it's fine to ask if they could stop them from doing that, not that you should have to ask.

I LOVE dogs. Adore them, will coo over every one I see (kids not so much)

But I would never have one, because dog hair and mess and saliva and dog food and peeing on the floor, and so I just enjoy other dogs from a distance.

*Like when you go into someone's home and they have a dog, the dog is obviously excited to meet a new human so is jumping up and down trying to meet you, smell you (shed fur all over you) and as not to be rude you have to just accept it and pretend you like them.

I haven't, but I imagine it would be rude for me to say: sorry, I don't like dogs can you keep it away from me*

Haha.. I feel exactly like that when I have other people's children clambering all over me, screeching, wailing, and being a fucking nuisance ... WIBU to say " I don't like your children. Can you keep them away from me please?"

They're expensive and needy and annoying

I'll grant you that they can be expensive but how does that affect you? Needy and annoying? Nope. Not in any way.

Oh god. I'm terrified of dogs and I HATE it when a dog owner says "they're just being friendly, they're really soft" when their dog charges towards you.

If I'm scared, I'm scared.

The way people react to dogs tells you a lot about humans in general and them in particular; and not so much about dogs

What a ridiculous comment !

The way i react to a Spaniel is not the same way i'd react to an Rottweiler or similar, which i would cross the road to avoid.

Just as the anti's should avoid telling dog owners that they don't like their pets, dog owners shouldn't assume everyone loves their dogs like they do.

Like when you go into someone's home and they have a dog, the dog is obviously excited to meet a new human so is jumping up and down trying to meet you, smell you (shed fur all over you) and as not to be rude you have to just accept it and pretend you like them.

Isn't that just a sign of a badly trained dog? Mine gets put behind a baby gate when we have visitors who don't want him about. He gets given a nice tasty chew and left to his own devices. I wouldn't let him jump up at anyone.

I find it harder when you're out and about and people think he's cute, so fuss him, so he gets loads of attention for jumping, therefore rewarding the bad behaviour.

Why on earth would anyone be offended if someone said they didn’t like their dog?? It’s a dog ffs!

I haven't, but I imagine it would be rude for me to say: sorry, I don't like dogs can you keep it away from me?

To be fair, in this instance, I'd think the most reasonable thing to do would be for a dog's owner to be understanding that not everyone may be very fond of dogs and to keep the dog away from the visitor. However not everyone is like that. You are quite reasonable about being polite enough not to say anything (very much to your credit!)

For the sake of objectivity, I must say there are kids, who also try to touch people with their sticky hands, and I don't say anything either :) Would encourage anyone to bite tongue for world peace and other forms of order :)

@adaline
Isn't that just a sign of a badly trained dog? Mine gets put behind a baby gate when we have visitors who don't want him about. He gets given a nice tasty chew and left to his own devices. I wouldn't let him jump up at anyone. you stole my words!!

YANBU OP, I say this as a dog owner, I don’t like other peoples dogs (in the flesh, all dogs look gorgeous in pictures away from me, ha!) especially the “fur baby parades” who liken their dogs to little babies and treat them as if they can do no wrong allowing them to have free reign everywhere.

When I’m out on a walk with my dog he’s not interested in other dogs nor their owners, he minds his own business and walks to heel unless I’ve thrown a stick. In the house he’s shut away (will happily sleep on his bed or mine) or sent to my dads if I’m expecting visitors unless they ask to see the little demon.

I love him to pieces and he’s worth the extra hoover/mop of the floor/wash of the bed however my cat is the messiest eater you’ll ever come across, the dog is fairly tidy.

I actually bought this of etsy a few months ago... haha sorry. Just trying to keep the topic light