to not understand people that are afraid of dogs

[Josico58]

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!!

Are you being a goody fucker or are you just as thick as shit?

Thought upon seeing the thread title it was really stupid.
But opening and reading the post went even beyond that.

Actually, you know what, part of my phobia is the owners. People like you.

Because a significant number have either been naive/ liars ("that dog wouldn't hurt a fly", seconds later someone gets bitten), or they can't control their dog but could NEVER admit it (and glare at anyone who looks uncomfortable about the out of control dog) or they are just inconsiderate (letting dogs loose when this is not allowed. And fuck everyone else. Even people who have been bitten (see "naive/liars")

I don't like dogs. Or cows.
But I like sheep and cats.

Goady 😂😂😂
My autocorrect is also as thick as shit

I was mauled by a dog when I was 10. It was a Collie, a Lassie dog. It dragged me to the ground outside my school gate and had to be wrestled off by a lollipop lady. I had 50 stitches and have scarring all down my arse and leg. I had to protect my face with my arm. It is not an irrational fear.

You have blinkers on - you cannot see that a cavalier puppy who isn't trained not to jump at people, who is excitable and full on could be terrifying to a child. You just view him as an adorable dog without considering how others may feel about his behaviour...

I went to a wedding last summer with an excitable and energetic toddler running up and down the aisle during the service. The parents did nothing and just smiled on this child's behaviour obviously thinking that their darling offspring was just being very cute. The bride was not amused - very much not amused. But when spoken to (after the service) the parents could just not see how their child s behaviour was in any way potentially unacceptable - their daughter was just excited, and everyone thought she was adorable and she just added joy to the occasion.

I fear you see your dog as these parents see their child

Maturity goes out the window I'm afraid OP when you call people pathetic.

I'm terrified of worms, maggots and slugs. I think people who are affraid of dogs are more rational than me 😂 life is torturous when it rains you have no idea how difficult it is to walk in a hurry while watching the ground the whole time to make sure you don't stand on one.

YABU do you say the same for people who are scared of spiders, snakes etc? A fear isn’t supposed to be rational. Maybe some research into fears may help you op.

Totally irrational. Totally pathetic. I have no time for people running off screaming when they see a dog. Refuse to out mine on a lead either just because you are a wimp. He won't even pay you an attention bar maybe look at you. Get over it. Oh and also, I will NEVER shut my dog away for a vistor who dislikes or is scared of dogs. He is a family member so like it or lump it.

When I was a baby an aggressive dog ran over to my pram and barked in my face. This led to a fear of dogs which obviously wasn't my fault.

I've worked hard to become comfortable around dogs and have my own. This fear was not pathetic.

Yes, yabu. It's like me saying I don't understand why people are afraid of cats as I'm not.

YABU

It's been a weird day on AIBU...are there actually this many people out there with no ability to empathise with others. YABVVU OP, I'm scared of dogs for good reason, I have been bitten, not badly but enough to frighten me. Dogs are animals and as such can never be completely trusted.

He is a family member so like it or lump it.

A family member who eats his own shit and would probably eat you too if you died alone at home.

It's not pathetic to have a fear.
It's not unreasonable to be wary or scared of an animal that can hurt you
It's not enabling to reassure a child who is scared of something.

pink

You are saying you have seen people run away screaming when they see a dog

Never seen that myself

Have you seen it on a regular basis

@TrendyNorthLondonTeen Yeah I’m getting that impression. Regretting this thread now. Didn’t realise how dramatic people would be!

TBH I wish dog owners would listen and learn the reasons why people are anxious about dogs.

Not just dismiss the fear as "People think dogs are wielding machetes"

Nobody thinks that.

I was terrified of dogs as a child because they are unpredictable things with sharp teeth. I'm mostly ok with them now but I would never seek to belittle anyone's entirely reasonable anxiety by calling it 'pathetic'. Especially not a child's.

I'm not afraid of dogs, I just don't like them. However, I have pretended to be afraid of them many times as it seems more acceptable than having to explain why I just don't want your dog near me or touching me.

I wouldn't expect dog owners to lock the dog away if I went round. I just wouldn't go round in the first place as I don't want to be covered in dog hair or have to put up with the awful smell. Dog owners all think THEIR dogs don't smell but guess what, you're wrong!

I don’t like them. I’ve been attacked on more than one occasion out running. I was scared, if you’ve not been attacked you wouldn’t understand. I’ve also seen somebody permanently scarred by a dog bite.

My daughter is terrified of dogs. It is debilitating. I try to reassure her, there is no getting a grip. It’s very difficult.

Last time we were having a picnic a dog bounded over, right through our food, the owner didn’t even apologise. Recently I was in a restaurant that allows dogs and one jumped up from the table next to me leaving a filthy mark on my trousers.

Dogs can be dangerous. They can be a fucking pain. Most owners are irresponsible and think people should love their pets. I’d happily see a ban on keeping them!

Yabu
You’re too complacent and naïve about your dog. Even my cat (a Siamese) has occasional “rabid” moments when she attacks me but obv due to her size I can get the better of her. Animals are unpredictable and you should never let your guard down completely with dogs.