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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think owning a dog is selfish?

222 replies

hannadashery · 13/09/2019 16:04

...with the exception of working dogs or as companions for retired people.

The majority of dog owners work, so in a 24 hour period in which their owner spends the majority of time sleeping or at work, a dog will be very lucky to get 3hrs walking a day and will probably spend the rest of the time bored/sleeping.

I don't believe dogs enjoy Netflix programs and highly doubt their owners are constantly hugging/petting them every evening. It feels that dogs sole purpose is to pad out that free time the owners have in between all their other activities. And sure dogs love their owners because who's going to hate the person that feeds them and provides temporary reprieve from absolute boredom.

Expecting an absolute flaming as so many people own dogs but from a non pet owners perspective it seems majority of dogs are basically slaves and are blissfully ignorant of their predicament.

Just thought I'd throw that as a light-hearted discussion on a Friday afternoon Smile

OP posts:
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sonjadog · 13/09/2019 17:21

All pets are owned for selfish reasons, not just dogs.

If only people without jobs had dogs, then possibly 90+% of dogs would have to be put to sleep because most people have to work to live. If I were a dog, I would prefer putting up with some boring hours at home than dying.

ControversialFerret · 13/09/2019 17:21

I should add that my dogs don't go for 'normal' walks. Dog one is terrified of other dogs and shakes and wets herself if you try and take her out. Dog two is frightened of traffic and loves being off lead - so prefers staying on our land where he can tear around to his hearts content, chasing tennis balls and whatever else we throw for him.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 13/09/2019 17:21

Yeah my dog has the shortest life ever yanbu

to think owning a dog is selfish?
to think owning a dog is selfish?
to think owning a dog is selfish?
NumbersStation · 13/09/2019 17:21

@curiousaboutsamphire

I'm coveting your hound. All others on here are proper gorgeous but that wee breed gladdens my heart. Just beautiful. x

I want to say yabu OP. Instead I shall settle for yauyoa.

GreenyEye · 13/09/2019 17:21

neither mom and I work (she's retired, i'm a Carer for my son) and we have 2 dogs that are with us 24/7, one of whom we got as a therapy dog for my son.

Totally selfish reasons.

MoreThanImFeeling · 13/09/2019 17:21

I'm with my whippet all day, everyday - the bugger sleeps all the time, he does like to have a human watch over him while he sleeps and he does like the comfort of a human to cuddle up to and sleep - and if you attempt to engage with him he slopes off to another room where he can sleep in peace. He's sleeping at the moment between ds's legs...tbh he's more like a cat than a dog - any suggestions on how to reduce this sleep time - it seems he's broken and isn't aware that he should only be sleeping 12 hrs a day - maybe I should poke him with needles?

PrincessHoneysuckle · 13/09/2019 17:22

Shittest life not shortest

CharminglyGawky · 13/09/2019 17:25

Yep, sure mine would have been much happier staying in the unheated kennels (they had heated dog beds) at the rspca. Maybe we should take her back Hmm

Her 2 greatest joys in life are walks and cuddles on the sofa. So actually she does like Netflix, when we would binge watch stuff before DS came along she'd snuggle up with both of us and snore happily for hours whilst warm, cosy and able to touch both of her humans at the same time!

Moondancer73 · 13/09/2019 17:27

Netflix??!! What on Earth has that got to do with having a dog? And three hours walking a day? What makes you think every dog needs three hours a day? I hope you don't have a dog 🙄

Fuma · 13/09/2019 17:28

@STST agree that the coexistence aspect is what gives me a buzz. I live in a city so have to travel for a lot of this but even in an urban environment it's amazing to watch animals who have made their lives here, from pigeons who to my mind are perfectly evolved for city life to the little blips you get that are all the more precious because they're rare - I still remember the day I was walking into work and saw a sparrowhawk dive right in front of me. I honestly think it's beneficial for us psychologically to remember that even though we construct buildings and so on we are just creatures living there and other creatures do too.

CorBlimeyGovenor · 13/09/2019 17:30

It's not as cruel as having a cat. My god, they are selfish demanding slave drivers! " I want to come in. I want to go out. I want to come in. Feed me. Feed me. Feed me or I'll scratch your nice new sofa. Let me in (at 4am). Feed me (5am) or I'll claw your nose. Stroke me. No don't stroke me" on and on and on. Once you have one they own you and are extremely selfish!

WiddlinDiddlin · 13/09/2019 17:31

Yep, I selfishly own 5 dogs.

Some of them even came from breeders who selfishly breed dogs.

Ok I also selfishly work from home, running two businesses that fit around my dogs needs.
I selfishly cough up tons on insurance, food and care for them.

They want for nothing but I do agree it IS selfish of me to own dogs, I own them because I want to and no other reason, and I have adapted my life around their needs again, because I want to.

Me me me me me.. very selfish.

So what? Does this impact YOU in any way?

MedalMedalMedal · 13/09/2019 17:31

Ok so cat owner ( x2) here and I guess similar might apply in theory. No they don’t give a toss about Netflix and plenty of people would say cats couldn’t care less about their owners either. Except they seek me out and prefer to sit on or near me at all times given every opportunity not to. They bring me a lot of joy and calm and they seem to like me a bit too. I’m assuming dog (or any pet owners come to that) feel similarly. A pet isn’t a working animal, it’s a friend. Friends are important.

Winsomelosesome · 13/09/2019 17:32

highly doubt their owners are constantly hugging/petting them every evening

The vast majority of dogs do not like being hugged, they tolerate it at best. They're generally happy just being in human company. I agree working full time and dog ownership
are not compatible, unless you're using day care. A dog walker taking your dog out for an hour in the middle of an 8 hour day is not enough to meet a dogs emotional needs.

SoyDora · 13/09/2019 17:32

No idea if my dog likes netflix or not, we don’t have it.

Floopily · 13/09/2019 17:33

We only have a dog because one of us is able to be home with her 99% of the time; if we go away she stays with a lovely retired couple who have no dogs of their own. She's a rescue, she has a lot of issues, she was at the shelter for 8 months before we rehomed her as she needed quiet home with people who accepted she'd probably never be a "normal" dog. We don't go on holiday abroad any more, we rarely have visitors because she struggles to cope.
We can't go out and leave her for more than 2 hours at a time so our social life is severely curtailed

She's not the most active dog, she's happiest snuggled up on the sofa safe from all the things that worry her. But she gets taken for a lovely off lead run every day, we play games with her in the garden and in the house, and she does scentwork and obedience classes to try and help with her confidence; I drive the best part of an hour each way for these and run round fields in the rain when I'd rather be watching the telly. I do it because I love her.

Our life is so restricted because of having her but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Selfish?!

Alittleodd · 13/09/2019 17:33

I missed the three hours walking a day. I think that would kill my poor little muttley. An hour a day is more than enough for him!

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 13/09/2019 17:34

There's some very arsey OP's on Mumsnet the last few days! What on earth is going on? It's a full moon tonight, I was told. Maybe that's it...

WhoKnewBeefStew · 13/09/2019 17:35

So the only point to having kids is that they pay taxes Grin

pooboobsleeprepeat · 13/09/2019 17:35

If you work full time and have a dog, I believe this is selfish and unfair.

timshelthechoice · 13/09/2019 17:35

YABU

stucknoue · 13/09/2019 17:35

My dog has a particular interest in lion documentaries, also loves things featuring apes. He's a lazy creature who sleeps a lot and is currently half on my lap (he's a bit big for my lap!) he's rarely left more than 4 hours a day, but when I work from home I don't see him all morning because he's keen on lie ins, he comes into my office around midday, 1pm usually

MemyselfandI2019 · 13/09/2019 17:37

Wow I must be the worst dog owner and completely irresponsible according to some of the replies on here! I work full time and am a single mum, and yes my dog is left alone for a minimum of 6 hours a day. But he relishes the peace and quiet, he is definitely not upset, hurt or feels abused by this!

I work outside so he comes with me in the spring and autumn (too hot in summer and too cold in winter) but he is the most loved dog. He's a rescue and my circumstances changed since I had him. Just because I left my abusive husband, does that mean I should have rehomed my old dog as well?? That would have been far more traumatic for him.

I have no choice but to work, it pays for his £100 vets and medication bills every month as he has doggy dementia or should I stop being selfish and have an other wise healthy dog put down so he's not on his own during the day???

Original poster
hannadashery · 13/09/2019 17:39

So what? Does this impact YOU in any way?

It does when I can't go for a stroll without stepping in dog shite or getting accosted by one of these dogs.

I'm sorry Mr stranger that I don't want to be jumped on by random dogs and that your insistence that 'he's a friendly old chap' doesn't reassure me.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 13/09/2019 17:44

Oh you’re one of those, who thinks all dog owners are the same. I seeeee.