Page 10 | To not understand the appeal of dogs as pets?

Zari29 · 06/07/2021 16:19

Op lots of people validly love pets for whatever reason. We had a much loved indoor dog for 18years. I loved the dog, but I clearly remember the amount of work it was. I hated absolutely every bit of the work so much that it has put me off from having a pet. Some people equate them as children, I really don't get that. But each to their own.

Original poster

Gardentiger · 06/07/2021 16:22

Also some of the cat hate on this thread has been ridiculous, when in my opening post I stated some downsides that apply to some dogs. I haven't said that people shouldn't have dogs, or that they are horrible. Piping up that cats are evil or unnaffectionate is uncalled for.

People who aren't dog people seem to be expected to be more tolerant than the other way round.

OP posts:

LifeinPieces21 · 06/07/2021 16:23

@PattyPan

Yanbu not to mention issues going on holiday. And loads of dogs aren’t even cute to make it worthwhile! Like Jack Russells, Bichon frise, pugs/any with a shrivelled face, chihuahuas, Alsatians, westies, terriers, greyhounds etc all not even cute

You are going to annoy lots of people with that comment.

PattyPan · 06/07/2021 16:25

@LifeinPieces21 I know it must be subjective but I just genuinely cannot understand how anyone can look at a Jack Russell and find it cute their faces creep me out!

Kottbullar · 06/07/2021 16:25

@BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush

i feel similarly about children...

I opened this thread wondering how long it would take for this comment to be posted and boom! it was first reply

I

Needapoodle · 06/07/2021 16:30

When i eventually get a dog i can't wait to do training with it. Agility, obedience, flyball, tricks whatever my dog likes to do we can do that. Long walks in the countryside are bloody boring without a dog. I love walking a dog to see the joy they get out of something simple. Much like young children, they're fascinated with everything. I find dog behaviour really interesting and reading about different training techniques. I love grooming dogs, i find it very therapeutic. I am allergic though, hence my username I'll be getting a poodle. Dogs can sense good and bad people. So yeah all that stuff will outweigh having to pick up shit and having a smelly house.

And who the hell washes their hands every time they touch a dog

fredstick · 06/07/2021 16:31

As a fairly new, first time dog owner I completely understand why you would feel this way, for my life would be a little easier for all the reasons you say. That said ..there is something terribly life affirming, humbling, connective to owning a dog. Picking up poo felt like a big deal at first, one I wretched at but now I'm used to it and sometimes laugh to myself how grounding it actually is - I think everyone needs to shovel shit to realise how human and infallible we all are.

Needapoodle · 06/07/2021 16:33

You don't see the attraction of living with a creature which absolutely adores you unconditionally? That wants to be near you, to touch you, to comfort you when you sad, to jump for joy with you when you're happy, to fight for you if you're attacked? To know that the genuine highlight of their day, every day, is the moment you walk in the door? I don't have a dog but think it's pretty easy to see what the attraction is.

You just described my childhood dog perfectly. She was a beautiful soul.

LifeinPieces21 · 06/07/2021 16:34

[quote PattyPan]@LifeinPieces21 I know it must be subjective but I just genuinely cannot understand how anyone can look at a Jack Russell and find it cute their faces creep me out![/quote]
I haven't got any of those mentioned but I do think Alsatians are gorgeous.

One of mine are laid on the sofa snoring and obviously dreaming. She is so cute and part of the family.

I do understand why some people don't want them though.

CharlieWorkCharlieSad · 06/07/2021 16:34

@User1357

I feel the same. I once looked after my friends dog for a week and the smell was just horrific. I don’t think dog owners notice it as much because they are used to it.

I gave the dog a bath 3x that week and it still smelled like ‘dog smell’.

@User1357

Probably because its a dog 😂

MoiraRose4 · 06/07/2021 16:35

My dog is never not pleased to see me. You get devotion and unconditional love. He makes me laugh on a daily basis. I adore him.

He’s also a twat, I call him every name under the sun every day, he stinks, my boot is covered in dog hair, he hates other people so I can’t leave him with anyone.

So if you’re not a dog person, the good maybe doesn’t outweigh the bad. Because you’re right, there is potentially a lot of bad. But for me, it’s 100% worth it.

AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 06/07/2021 16:36

@Needapoodle

When i eventually get a dog i can't wait to do training with it. Agility, obedience, flyball, tricks whatever my dog likes to do we can do that. Long walks in the countryside are bloody boring without a dog. I love walking a dog to see the joy they get out of something simple. Much like young children, they're fascinated with everything. I find dog behaviour really interesting and reading about different training techniques. I love grooming dogs, i find it very therapeutic. I am allergic though, hence my username I'll be getting a poodle. Dogs can sense good and bad people. So yeah all that stuff will outweigh having to pick up shit and having a smelly house.

And who the hell washes their hands every time they touch a dog

Me! Who wants sticky dog hands?

PattyPan · 06/07/2021 16:38

@LifeinPieces21 Alsatians are striking I suppose but they have kind of harsh faces imo

hookiewookie29 · 06/07/2021 16:39

Bought a Staffy puppy in January. He doesn't smell, rarely barks, is well trained and hardly sheds any fur. Agree with the poo though!
However, he has done wonders for my daughter's mental health and that outweighs everything else!
And most dogs are nicer than people!

GordonsAliveAndEatsPies · 06/07/2021 16:40

With you 100%. Don’t get the appeal at all

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 16:42

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

-Mine doesn't smell. She might when she's older but not at the moment. My car smells bad anyway from kicking out horses then getting in it .
-I have someone to look after her when i work

she doesn't have behavioural problems or aggression

-she doesn't bark in the house. And she's a breed renowned for being barky -she was simple to train -she doesn't need constant supervision -she doesn't chew and has never chewed anything she wasn't supposed to

I've been around horses all my life, I don't care about picking up turds
she only pulls her lead if she sees a cat or squirrel

Most of the problems you list are only an issue if you don't give a dog enough time, enrichment and attention, especially when young. I got my dog at a time when I had a chance to do that so she's grown in to a well behaved, well balanced dog who is great company, especially when dc are at their dads so it's just me. She's a lot less effort than dc or a male partner 😆

Blossomtoes · 06/07/2021 16:43

[quote PattyPan]@LifeinPieces21 I know it must be subjective but I just genuinely cannot understand how anyone can look at a Jack Russell and find it cute their faces creep me out![/quote]
Not cute? Really?

To not understand the appeal of dogs as pets?

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/07/2021 16:47

1 way about having a dog in the house, no visitors to your house

queenMab99 · 06/07/2021 16:50

I suppose it's a bit like why some women are attracted to men who are bastards, I can't understand that. I love my dog, he never makes me cry. (except sometimes in frustration)

GrouchyKiwi · 06/07/2021 16:50

My girl has just climbed up on the sofa beside me for a cuddle (she doesn't do this often). She burped in my face, and is drooling all over my top (she's a Newfie), but every time I stop scritching her ears she demands more by bashing a paw on my arm.

It's adorable.

Wouldyoudothesame · 06/07/2021 16:52

I feel exactly the same, although I read the list back and thought Gosh that does also sound a lot like having children 😂 I guess I'm more of a children person than a dog person. Also always had a preference for cats although now I've got three young kids even a cat seems like extra hassle right now! I don't mind dogs but that's pretty much the extent of my affection towards them. YANBU x

StrangeToSee · 06/07/2021 16:52

Mine has a heated kennel in the garden, and free range of the garden. He’s a great guard dog but very loving and gentle with us. He’s quite independent and very well trained. Doesn’t bark unless he feels there’s a threat, doesn’t pull on the lead, is a joy to get home to and also gets DH active on his work breaks (wfh) as needs walking. I feel safe in the countryside when I’m with the dog. We can enjoy picnics and family outings without other dogs ruining them (he keeps them away). He goes to a local dog sitter when we need to go away overnight or on holiday.

I don’t understand dogs indoors though. I think it’s unhygienic and makes the house smell even if you vacuum and mop daily. Even non shedding dogs smell, you just stop noticing it. And unless you wash their paws after every walk it’s like wearing shoes indoors! Plus the shedding, damage to furniture, dominance issues that can occur when a dog is kept indoors and treated like a human, allowed on the furniture etc.

Most working dogs are very content in outdoor kennels, with heating, toys, soft bedding. It’s their own space. Many houses are too hot and noisy for dogs.

vodkaredbullgirl · 06/07/2021 16:56

I find putting socks on my dogs paws and t-shirt, help with shedding and muddy paws

rantymcrantface66 · 06/07/2021 16:56

[quote PattyPan]@LifeinPieces21 I know it must be subjective but I just genuinely cannot understand how anyone can look at a Jack Russell and find it cute their faces creep me out![/quote]
I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all but you'd have to have a hard heart not to find this even slightly cute (unless dogs really aren't your thing of course)

SecretSpAD · 06/07/2021 16:57

I'm saying it's sad when people don't have that human connection because to me it's powerful and unparalleled.

To you, maybe, but love is always subjective so what you think is a fantastic human connection, someone else might think is cloying and annoying or feel detached and distant.

Some people may not want a lot of human connections but instead value and love their animals. To them, that is a rich and fulfilling life in the same way that your life with your family is.

Other people just may not have a family or friends so animals are where they get their love.

I personally have never experienced unconditional love from a human, with the exception maybe of my dad, but certainly not my mother. Our dislike and indifference towards each other was long lasting.

I love my adopted children, but it's not unconditional and nor is my love for my husband. They feel the same. It's all good as far as I'm concerned because I am one of those people who prefer the love of an animal.