To not understand the appeal of dogs as pets?

[Gardentiger]

I just don't get it and would love to understand! As much as I like certain dogs I meet and think they are cute, the list of downsides is massive

• they smell and make your house and car and clothes smell bad

-they can't be left alone for a length of a working day -behavioural problems and agression -if you get a barky one it can ruin your relationship with neighbours -the amount of time you have to spend training them -some seem to need constant supervision -chewing things and generally wrecking the housr -having to pick up warm freshly baked turds

I walked a friend of mines dog the other day and it was awful! He pulled on the lead the entire way, and kept trying to pee on people's doorsteps / flowerpots.

So what is the appeal!? I say this as an animal lover who has had pet rabbits, cats and hamsters in the past.

i feel similarly about children...

You're not unreasonable to not understand the appeal of anything, you don't need validation from MN for that.

Ime a ddog can see your soul!!
It's as simple as that to me!!

Yabvu

Love.

Simple as that.

Same as kids. They have trashed my body and house. But I still love them and want them around.

You're just not a dog person, that's alright. The love and loyalty between me and my dog outweighs the harder bits.

Well dog owners will be along to tell you that their house doesn't smell, isn't flea infested and isn't covered in dog hair.

Since I started WFH I no longer have problems with asthma and a constant stuffy nose. I'm convinced it's because I'm no longer working with people covered in pet hair anymore.

It's perfectly fine to admire animals from afar.

I think dogs are often adorable, but I don't want to live with one. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Once you have put in the work ( as you do with your children) you will end up with a loyal friend who mostly does what you ask.
They get you out the house everyday, they are always pleased to see you and are true unconditional love.
They never judge ( unlike the cat) they keep all your secrets and are always a good listener.
Wouldn't be without my dogs.

OP have you ever considered all the problems humans cause. The planet would be better off with dogs and no people.

My house is covered in dog hair. My brand new car smells like a wet dog.

But what I get in return has done more for my mental health than any drug ever could.

They're my best friends.

stick to cats then

The only friend who goes through thik and thin with you without judgement and constant smile!

Wouldn’t do for us all to like the same things , but I wouldn’t be without my lovely dog , he’s well trained and a pleasure to live with .

It’s love for me. My life would be far poorer without the 5kg of Jack Russell currently curled up asleep in my lap. She’s utterly adorable.

Every animal can have its downsides. I’ll never have a hamster again. They stink. They’re always trying to escape. They don’t give warning signs as to when they’re going to bite. If you’re lucky, you get a stupid one that likes to climb the cage then scream when it gets stuck at the top. Cats either like you or they don’t. You don’t know if a car will like you until you’ve got the car and it’s taken a swipe at the top of your head.

Why do you need to see the appeal of it rather than releasing you’re not suited to dogs? I’m not suited to owning hamsters, I don’t need to understand the appeal of why someone else would want them because I realise we all like different things.

Unconditional love, lots of laughter because they're almost always weirdos, and I like the smell of wet dog.

My house probably does smell of dog but I don't notice it. Friends still come to visit (when allowed...) so it can't be too bad.

I don’t get what’s so wonderful about dogs either. Costly, smelly, dog hair and shit etc but then I grew up with them so that’s probably why I don’t care for them much .

I think as Spinningspaniels said above - great for you mental health (most of the time!) and just that unconditional love, not worried about what you look like, how rich you are, if you are 'cool' - they love you because you treat them well.

Some people love dogs. Some people don't see the appeal.

I don't get the cat thing, but other people love them.

All the points you have raised are not what every dog is like. So I think you have a skewed view because you don't 'get' why people would have one.

That's fine. I don't think anyone is going to try and 'talk you round'.

People like different things.

Well, they are companions.
Presumably the same as your cats, rabbits and hamsters, who smell, shit everywhere and , in the case of cats, seriously alienate your neighbours 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't really understand the appeal of owning animals full stop. It makes me a bit uneasy.

However I agree that even within that context dog ownership looks rubbish and odd - household and public safety, effect on environment of all those millions of bags of shit rotting away in landfill etc. It's quite an impactful choice to make although dog owners assure me that for them it's worth it.

@30degreesandmeltinghere has hit the nail on the head.
Its true.

The understanding, relationship, love, bond etc between me and my dog (and my previous dog who has died) often brings me to tears. Its a beautifully raw emotion and its often indescribable to non dog owners. I have two children and a cat and its a totally different feeling. I don't love dog more just differently. She really does see my soul. She is loyal through and through.

Shes actually really easy to care for and other than the poo its not hard work really

I don't get why people play golf. Watch football. Smoke. Enjoy nightclubs.

I just presume it's because they like it and want to

I'm actually with you on this one OP. I like dogs, and have genuinely loved a couple - I was utterly devastated when our elderly family dog was put to sleep.

But the older I get, the more the idea of actually inviting one into my life and home seems totally bizarre - they're dirty, smelly, expensive and an unknown quantity until you've actually made the commitment. I could go out and get a puppy or a rescue dog next week and, sure, it could turn out to be my best friend. But it could equally end up wrecking my life, and by the time I know which one I've got, it would be too late.

To be honest though, I think having kids has put me off owning pets altogether. If I really wanted another mouth to feed and another creature's crap to clear up, I'd have another baby.