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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand the appeal of dogs as pets?

371 replies

Gardentiger · 06/07/2021 13:31

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.

OP posts:
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6
lynsey91 · 06/07/2021 13:44

@DeloresPickleRick

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.

Not all dogs moult (mine don't) and nor do all dogs smell.

Lots of know it all's on here like to say that every home that has a dog smells but that is just stupid nonsense. It totally depends on the breed.

Hoppinggreen · 06/07/2021 13:44

If you don’t get it we can’t explain it

Ifitquacks · 06/07/2021 13:44

I adore my dog. Apart from being a bit hairy and smelly and the warm turds we don’t have the issues you describe.
I detest cats, scratchy, unpredictable things. Don’t see the point in hamsters and rabbits and their ilk.
What do you know? We’re all different and like different things!

CasaBonita · 06/07/2021 13:44

I do agree with your point about picking up freshly baked turds. That is a particular low point for me.

However the relationship I have with my beautiful dogs is one of life's true pleasures. They are stunning to look at (they don't smell), they are loyal, loving, in tune with me, always happy to see me, eat whatever I put down without complaint! Never answer back and are just all round good eggs.
I LOVE them ❤️❤️❤️

Original poster
Gardentiger · 06/07/2021 13:45

To the people who say 'why do you care'...

It would be useful to understand it more as there are SO many dogs around these days, and I work in a dog friendly place so spend time with dogs wether I want too or not!

OP posts:
Ifitquacks · 06/07/2021 13:45

Also I don’t care if my house smells a bit doggy. The people who live here don’t notice it, and anyone who doesn’t live here doesn’t have to come round if they find it offensive.

Chloemol · 06/07/2021 13:46

I dont understand why people have cats, they smell as well you know, and as to shitting, they do it anywhere and no one picks up!

Nasty things

MyCreateIsUsernamed · 06/07/2021 13:48

Yes cats are also impactful but less dangerous overall I think.

The whole thing looks weird to me though.

lazylinguist · 06/07/2021 13:49

The relationship you have with other common pet animals dog does not come close to comparing with the relationship you have with a dog. And, before anyone accuses me of anthropomorphising, I'm really not. Dogs are not humans. But their very long history as companions and working animals has shaped what they are like. I have a cat too. Lovely cat, but not the same thing at all.

My house doesn't smell much of dog. Having all hard floors helps with that. I don't actually care if it smells a little bit of dog sometimes!

My (7yo) dog has never chewed anything he's not supposed to.

He barks loudly if someone comes to the door. It's mildly annoying. No neighbours have ever complained, but then most of them have dogs too!

Picking up poo was something that slightly put me off getting a dog, but actually you get used to it very quickly and it's not a big deal.

We haven't spent much time training him. He comes back or stays when told to. What else is needed?

I don't know anyone who has a dog that needs 'constant supervision'. Mine is happily left for up to 4hrs. I work part time, so that works fine.

I'm a LOT fitter than I would be if I didn't have a dog. I've also met more people because of him and discovered much more of our local area. He is absolutely devoted (especially to dh) and affectionate and funny.

YelloYelloYello · 06/07/2021 13:49

So what is the appeal!? I say this as an animal lover who has had pet rabbits, cats and hamsters in the past
I don’t understand why people would have rabbits as pets. Aside from it feeling a bit cruel to cage them, you get very little back in terms of affection and companionship.

But that’s ok: I’m not a rabbit person and you’re not a dog person.

FlowerArranger · 06/07/2021 13:49

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

THIS.

(### and a myriad of other things... Wink)

Dillydollydingdong · 06/07/2021 13:51

I am my dog's best friend which means I've always got a best friend who will never let me down, never dump me for someone better and is always thrilled to see me. A dog is different from a cat in that respect. She doesn't shed hair and doesn't smell. And she makes me laugh.

lynsey91 · 06/07/2021 13:52

Dogs are loving and don't judge you. They are far far nicer than most children and, in fact, most people.

They don't take that long to train usually. My dog was totally house trained in 3 days (show me a baby that is toilet trained that quick). He learnt to sit in about 2 hours. He doesn't bark much as I trained him not to.

Most dogs don't wreck the house whereas an awful lot of children do. I have friends whose children have drawn on walls, stuffed things down the toilet and flooded the house, damages settees and lots of other things.

Dogs don't answer back like children do, you don't have to worry about them taking drugs, smoking, getting pregnant etc etc.

I suffer from depression and, in the past, panic attacks. My dogs over the years have made me want to get out of bed, have meant I have had to walk them rather than staying in getting more and more depressed.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 06/07/2021 13:53

We all like and love different things and the fact that you don't understand that makes your world much smaller and sadder.

LizzieW1969 · 06/07/2021 13:54

I get what you’re saying, OP, I wouldn’t have a dog myself because they require too much work to look after and are too much of a tie. Hence why I’m a cat person.

But having said that, I do see how much pleasure dog owners get from their pet dogs, as I have friends and family members who have dogs. And I like them myself in small doses.

Peace43 · 06/07/2021 13:54

My dog loves me and I love him. He doesn’t pull on the lead, isn’t aggressive, doesn’t shed, doesn’t bark to annoy the neighbours. Yes he requires me to put effort in but that’s true of all relationships.

This morning he woke me by gently rubbing himself on the side of my face. He danced around my feet lolling his tongue and ears when it was walk time. We had a lovely walk and he bounced around fields coming back regularly to give my hand a quick lick. He’s been lying in my office all day staring up at me now and then. I’ll finish work and we’ll take a walk later. He will sit next to me on the sofa later and gently wuffle as he sleeps. What’s not to love?

SpudleyLass · 06/07/2021 13:54

The relationships people have with their dogs are worth it to them, no matter how heavy the responsibility.

Some people feel more secure with a dog at home. Some simply want companionship .

I say all this as a cat person btw.

lynsey91 · 06/07/2021 13:55

@Chloemol

I dont understand why people have cats, they smell as well you know, and as to shitting, they do it anywhere and no one picks up!

Nasty things

I love cats and have had quite a few over the years although do not have one now.

My mother in law always told me and DH that our house smelt of cat! We we didn't have one she would comment that she was surprised our house did not smell as we had a dog.

Believe me if our house smelt of dog my wonderful mother in law would take great delight in telling us

Nettleskeins · 06/07/2021 13:55

Oxytocin on tap
They smell divine too
They are funny and have opinions.

Original poster
Gardentiger · 06/07/2021 13:55

@YelloYelloYello

So what is the appeal!? I say this as an animal lover who has had pet rabbits, cats and hamsters in the past I don’t understand why people would have rabbits as pets. Aside from it feeling a bit cruel to cage them, you get very little back in terms of affection and companionship.

But that’s ok: I’m not a rabbit person and you’re not a dog person.

Rabbits are super affectionate! My rabbit was a house rabbit, so was free to roam around.
OP posts:
lazylinguist · 06/07/2021 13:56

It would be useful to understand it more as there are SO many dogs around these days, and I work in a dog friendly place so spend time with dogs wether I want too or not!

Why would it be useful? Being told why people have dogs isn't going to magically make you like them more or reduce the number of them you encounter.

Dh admits he didn't really understand how different dogs are as pets from other animals until we got one. He's from a family of cat fans, most of whom donlike dogs. Although he still loves cats, he's realised that dogs love you and respond to you in a way that cats just don't.

TedMullins · 06/07/2021 13:56

I love my dog and can’t think of anything worse than having children. Most of your complaints about dogs you could apply to kids. YANBU to not want a dog but I’m not sure why it’s so unfathomable to you that other people feel differently.

MovingtoOz1Day · 06/07/2021 13:56

@BarkingUpTheWrongRoseBush

i feel similarly about children...
Totally agree with this which is why I chose not to have any - give me dogs any day
SmashingBlouson · 06/07/2021 13:56

You have named all the reasons why I wouldn't have a dog OP. Plus I would be the one who looks after it in my household. They are wonderful, loving creatures, but I have two kids and that's enough. My two year old behaves like a dog anyway: he loves cuddles, would eat off the floor and crap anywhere, refuses to speak English and bolts towards the sea when we throw a ball in it. He even waits by the front door when he wants to go out in his wellies (which he is prone to chewing). We joke that he doubles as the family dog anyway.

I can see why older and single people have them though. It's good for exercise and companionship. I do wish dog owners would fucking clean their turds up. Its unbelievably grim leaving them lying about where children play. Some people really shouldn't have them as pets.

JustCallMeBubblesDahling · 06/07/2021 13:57

I don’t get it either. I actually love dogs and would definitely have a few German Shepherds or Huskies if we had an acreage where they could live/exercise outside and could train them to shit in a designated hole but as an indoor pet, no way!

Can’t understand people who let them sleep in their beds and lick their faces after they’ve licked their arses or eaten another dogs shit Envy