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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand people that are afraid of dogs

520 replies

Josico58 · 01/02/2019 20:59

Is it not an extremely debilitating and irrational fear? Based on how many dogs there are about in public, how do you go about daily life? And to think they’re all about to attack you for no reason?

I can understand people feeling nervous of a big dog hurtling towards them/their small children, but regular, well behaved dogs in public places. Really a problem?

Don’t mean to sound harsh but it just comes across as a bit pathetic to me.

A friend’s little girl is terrified of my dog. It’s a Cavalier puppy, hardly scary! I admit he can be excitable and full on, and we’re training him not to jump up or lick people. But the mum kind of enables it, picking DD up and saying “it’s OK, he’s not going to get you”. I’m left feeling a bit “Er, get a grip!!”

AIBU?

Sorry, as an animal lover I just can’t understand this seemingly common fear.

I suspect popular opinion will be that I am and I’m ready for the backlash!!

OP posts:
artisanscotcheggs · 03/02/2019 02:10

You're an idiot.

I love animals, my dog is my life and he is amazing. I understand many people are scared of dogs for various reasons and that's okay. Some have been attacked, some are allergic, and some are just afraid. People are also scared of spiders but apparently that's more acceptable than being scared of dogs.

I take issue with people who are mean to dogs or other animals because they just don't like them, and for no good reason. They're the people I loathe. I keep away from them, but folks who are afraid? Don't be such a 🔔🔚 OP. It's not pathetic.

Darkautumn · 03/02/2019 02:35

YABU and immature. Calling people pathetic? Charming Hmm

Janedoe5000 · 03/02/2019 03:41

Some of the responses on here show just how crazy the users of this forum are.

"They have teeth! And you don't know what they're thinking! And they might attack you!" So just like people then?

"They have germs!" So just like your snotty nosed kids then?

"You have to pick their shit up!" Unlike cat owners who let their cats out to wonder off and shit anywhere they like with no repercussions.

I fully agree that dog owners shouldn't inflict their dogs on people who aren't interested but some of the hysterical responses on here would be hilarious if only they weren't so pathetic.

bastardkitty · 03/02/2019 03:55
Hmm
WhiteDust · 03/02/2019 04:14

Why am I scared of dogs?Dogs are unpredictable. They run around randomly, yap/bark randomly, run/jump up at me and DC when we're out walking. I get that they're probably being ''friendly' or just 'playing' but they have nasty sharp teeth and I don't want them near me.

Why do I dislike dogs?
They smell disgusting (their owners deny this) They are dirt (again owners won't see this), slobbery, hairy creatures.
Their food smells disgusting and they wee/shit on the street/path/grass...

I don't like cats either.

WhiteDust · 03/02/2019 04:16

Dirty

Ladymargarethall · 03/02/2019 05:00

As a seven or eight year old I was chased by a German shepherd dog while the owner bellowed 'Stand still you stupid girl. He thinks you are trying to play.' The combination of scary dog and scary owner made me wary for years.
D'S was bitten on the face by a dog aged 2. He has had a fear of dogs ever since, although he can now tolerate being in a room with one. Just as well as his work takes him into homes where dogs might be present.
If you don't under stand OP perhaps you need a bit more empathy for those who have had bad experiences.
I have a springer spaniel btw, so am not a dog hater, but I don't expect other people to love him.

nrpmum · 03/02/2019 07:21

I own two dogs. They do have a 'smell' to them. They can be overly friendly if I'm not quick enough to keep them in check.

People are afraid of dogs, I would be mortified if one of my two exasperated that fear.

I was bitten by a miniature black poodle when a kid. I have a fear of them.

OP yabu.

WhiteDust · 03/02/2019 07:32

Jane
some of the hysterical responses on here would be hilarious if only they weren't so pathetic.

"They have teeth! And you don't know what they're thinking! And they might attack you!" So just like people then?
How often do you go for a walk and get run at, jumped on, sniffed or (worse case scenario) bitten by another person?
Yes, people attack other people and when they are caught, they are locked up.
"They have germs!" So just like your snotty nosed kids then?
Not sure how many parents allow their grubby germ ridden DC to jump up at strangers in the park with their dirty feet. Or for that matter sniff, slobber or lick a complete stranger.
I'm sure a child shouting (barking) at random people in the street wouldn't be seen in a good light either.

shiveringtimber · 03/02/2019 07:51

Haven't RTFT (too long) but I was bitten in the face by a dog when I was a toddler. I don't "hate" dogs but I don't like them, either. I avoid contact with them, which can be very awkward with friends who are dog owners. They don't understand at all how their darling four-legged children pets could be terrifying up close.

malificent7 · 03/02/2019 07:57

Tbh you sound like the worst kind of dog owner..

malificent7 · 03/02/2019 08:02

Also op you do not have your dog under control and i would judge you for that.

You are like one of those parents with an unruly child who refuses to dicipline them and who pathetically laughs 'isn't my darling spirited!' as they torment other children.

TheGoogleMum · 03/02/2019 08:11

I am nervous around dogs. If I get t know them a bit I can come to trust them but this takes a little time. Dogs that bark and jump are scary to me! Walking past a dog barking at me I find upsetting as though it wants to attack me even though it probably doesn't. There's so many stories also of lovely dogs that suddenly turned and hurt someone out of nowhere that my distrust of them isn't going to end any time soon!
I love cats but still don't trust strange ones as some cats can be mean. Generally cats keep away if they aren't willing to be friendly in my experience though

RedWineIsFabulous · 03/02/2019 08:18

My husband doesn’t like dogs. He doesn’t trust them around our children. Some can be unpredictable.

My husband aged eleven was badly bitten by a dog. His arm was nearly hanging off.

This happened when he was wheeling his bike along the pathway near to his house.

He never knew the dog. It approached him with the owner walking close behind. Seconds before the dog bit him, the owner said to my husband “ don’t worry he won’t bite”.

YABVU and very stupid and immature.

rainflowerstar · 03/02/2019 08:22

I'm not a big fan of dogs unless I know them. If I see a dog running loose in the park when I'm with my children I do tend to try and steer them away.
I do think anywhere there is young children ie the park then a dog should always be on a lead.

RupaulsGagRace · 03/02/2019 08:27

This whole thread is pathetic.
Like i always say, its not the dog thats the problem. Its the twatty owner..

turquoisetoad · 03/02/2019 08:27

Ha! OP I'll tell you why my 11 year old is scared of dogs. 2 years ago we were having a lovely chilled out family picnic when suddenly 3 springer spaniels careered round the corner and snatched the sandwich out of his hand. It left quite deep track and bloody track marks on his hand. The owner could not control them at all and all 3 dogs were barking and yapping around my children. Yes, it left him very upset and he now hates dogs. The exact same thing happened about 5 years ago with my older son - that time it was a massive Alsarion. So sorry you can't comprehend the fear that dogs can instill in children (and adults) when their owners can't control them. (Oh and the amount of times my kids have trodden in dog poo but that's another thread).....

turquoisetoad · 03/02/2019 08:29
  • Alsation
crosser62 · 03/02/2019 08:29

You don’t understand the fear of dogs then don’t try to.
Just keep your dog to yourself.

I am not going to explain my fears to you, you don’t want to hear it anyway do you?

Satsumaeater · 03/02/2019 08:38

Well I don't understand why anyone would want a smelly dog in their house, especially licking them in the face when they've just been licking another dog's bottom.

Silly thread. We are all different and it just takes some consideration from dog owners to keep their pets away from people who don't want them near them. Your pets, keep them in your space, not mine.

WhiteDust · 03/02/2019 08:59

This whole thread is pathetic.
Like i always say, its not the dog thats the problem. Its the twatty owner..

The actual dog is the problem for me. Even if the owner is the the worlds greatest dog trainer, the dog will still bark, still run around and play, still lick & dribble, still be curious and approach me.
It's what dogs do and I don't like them.

Heratnumber7 · 03/02/2019 09:09

The dog is the problem for me too. Neighbours have dogs. They are very understanding about my dislike of dogs and dogs are put in a different room every time we go round. I still don't like dogs, but I do like my neighbours.

OutOntheTilez · 03/02/2019 14:49

Janedoe5000

Some of the responses on here show just how crazy the users of this forum are.

"They have teeth! And you don't know what they're thinking! And they might attack you!" So just like people then?

“Hysterical responses”

www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/05/30/pet-dog-kills-florida-baby/656666002/

nypost.com/2018/11/21/pit-bull-attacks-more-than-a-dozen-children-at-playground/

www.foxnews.com/us/florida-infant-dies-after-pit-bull-attacks-her-in-crib-police-say

www.vindy.com/news/2019/jan/30/-dogs-linked-to-attacks-on--people/

www.wral.com/family-dog-mauls-1-year-old-in-rocky-mount/17942382/

Darn those snotty-nosed kids.

The 5-day-old baby girl must have been looking at the dog funny.

"You have to pick their shit up!" Unlike cat owners who let their cats out to wonder off and shit anywhere they like with no repercussions.

Mmmmmmkay, except cats scratch holes in the ground, do their thing, and then scratch dirt back over their mess to cover it up as best they can. Unlike dogs that do their thing anywhere they please (not their fault; it's their nature) and their owners who won’t bring bags to clean up after them.

Galvantula · 04/02/2019 09:35

I hate cat and dog shit equally i have to say.

I still have a disgusting memory of digging a hole to plant a bulb and finding the buried cat shit. I do not have a cat... Envy

Also hardly any of the neighbours cats buried their shit. They did it on all our lawns and ruined them, or on the gravel drives for us to step in. Fuckers.

The neighbours gave zero shits and i think didn't even have a litter tray or a place for the cats to go in their own garden.

BrilliantDarling · 04/02/2019 10:18

@Prisonbreak

I don’t trust people who don’t like dogs... but I trust my dog when it doesn’t like a person.

Completely agree with you on that.

I can't believe how many people on this thread hate dogs!
I understand having a phobia /fear of them but I never realised the hatred people have for them!