To think dog threads get overly nasty on here

[bunniesanddaisies]

I know there are a handful of idiots who will get a dog despite working 8-6 Monday to Friday and then at weekends the kids have clubs so ... but come on.

Unfortunately, over the fifteen years or so that span a dogs life, things can dramatically change and sometimes rehoming a dog is the best thing you can do for you and for the dog. I don’t mean that to sound flippant by the way.

I’ve known dogs rehomed because of disability, death, dramatic change in circumstances (like having to move to rented accommodation) - it’s almost always because of stress and adding to it by making the person feel like the worst person in the world doesn’t help!

And sometimes a dog just isn’t suited to one person or to one family and it’s OK to be honest about that too.

I’m sure half the posts about regretting dogs would be deleted in a second if they were about regretting kids!

That is not my experience bunnies

IMO there are a small but obvious group of dog 'enthusiasts' who make the situation very frustrating for everyone, and that winds people up.

Me not having a dog does not prevent someone with a dog doing what they want to do, but a twat with a badly handled dog makes it impossible for anyone else to enjoy a space. A small proportion of dogs have a disproportionately negative impact on public spaces.

Had dogs throughout my life starting age 2. I and my family members always either went to school or worked, so our dogs spent up to six hours alone in the middle of the day M-F. Which means we were with them 18+ hours a day, plus all day weekends, school holidays etc etc.

I described this once on Mumsnet and was literally flayed for animal cruelty for daring to own a dog and not being home virtually 24/7.

Dog threads tend to attract both extremes. I don't take them seriously

There are some bonkers posters but i have had some good advice about long lines, books and walking from the dog board.
I do sometimes wonder if they consider where rescue centres get the dogs from though.

There's a lot of radical pet owners who have seemed to forgotten that they own an animal, with it's own set of needs (I most definitely include outdoor cats in that), who want to inflict their neurosis and control issues on that animal and anyone else who has a pet.

I had to re-home my German Shepherd because of disability. She was miserable living with me. My benefits were a battle to get and I couldn't afford a dog walker etc.

I do see the same opinions on a few of the lost pet groups I'm in.

@LEMtheoriginal I love animals and wish all animals had caring homes but I've been appalled by one foreign rescue charity. They've rehomed a young, extremely active dog that I don't think has ever lived in a house before with our elderly neighbours. I'm constantly worried it's going to pull one of them over and it's escaped several times. Neither of them can run and it's really distressing for them when the dog escapes.

Sometimes there hasn’t been a change of circumstances though. If you’re referring to the thread I’m thinking of, the op had purchased a puppy with small children and after two weeks wanted to return the puppy as it was nervous/timid. I think that just shows an utter lack of preparation and research, and comes across immature, like the puppy is a toy that disappointed.

Cats get a huge amount of hate too if not more than dogs, dogs don't roam free killing wildlife, free to defecate in people's flower beds.

Myrshyat - yes, those are similar concerns to mine. People want to "rescue" these dogs bit dont think about the trauma of getting these dogs here, dogs that will more than likely have issues die to their past and are usually pretty bloody terrified of life. It breaks my heart to see these poor fuckers cowering and shaking, and thats BEFORE they are handed ovet to me. They are often placed with inexperienced owners and it often results in the dogs needing rehoming or worse Then there is the issue of introducing diseases that are not yet endemic in the uk. Leishmania being an example - the issue being that the optimal treatment is not licenced in the uk and needs a special import certificate and as such is expensive. Its not an ideal situation. I know people want to help but neutering programmes are by far more humane.

Ponoka i amso sorry you had to rehome your dog, it was a very selfless thing you did

@EmeraldShamrock

Cats get a huge amount of hate too if not more than dogs, dogs don't roam free killing wildlife, free to defecate in people's flower beds.

Dogs don't get hate in the Doghouse. Dog owners who dare to ask a question are the ones who get the hate.