To be totally fed up with dogs?

[dogtroubl]

When we moved in, neighbours had an old dog that used to wander into our garden and leave poo everywhere. Couldn’t use garden with young kids due to mess and large dog.

Complained (politely), after quite a bit of unpleasantness fence finally fixed, dog died and they got 2 new dogs that were loud but contained.

Neighbours moved, new neighbours also have 2 dogs and fence is in a bad state of repair again due to the constant barking, snarling and scratching that happens every time we go outside. I always make sure I’m out there with the kids in case it breaks because they don’t sound friendly at all.

Their neighbours also have 2 dogs so the 2 sets are always setting each other off barking.

Family members also have dogs. One very old who soils everywhere and one very large, young dog who is very playful and jumps up and licks and dribbles all over you.

My daughter is terrified (the dog is easily as tall as her) and the family member always says dog will be shut away when we go over, but dog is always let or gets out soon after. I can tell my daughter’s fear of this dog irritates the family member but she’s genuinely scared after an incident when she was a toddler, plus this dog is like a horse to her and could do serious damage even with just a nip.

We’ve been to a few kids’ playgrounds over the holidays, dogs off lead and running all over the place at each one. Chasing kids in a “playful” way that scares them.

Dog poo all over footpaths and verges everywhere. Kids tread in it, I tread in it, buggy goes in it because I don’t see it until it’s too late.

I know it’s bad owners not the dogs’ fault etc but AIBU to just be totally fed up with dogs?

Dogs are just a fashion accessory now. Often used to mask owners lack of compassion towards other human beings. The same ones who pick up the dog poo and throw it in a bush.

no, it’s not difficult but it’s not always necessary. You trying to decide when that is on my behalf is surely you being entitled?

You asked how having your dog off lead was you not caring about others. I explained. Do as you will with that information.

If you want to call me entitled because we were unable to go for a walk to either of the only two places my daughter's wheels would work, during the whole of lockdown, and instead could only walk round the 6 streets in our estate, because the "off lead" idiots thought they were more important, that's up to you.

@BoredZelda

But if we follow your logic I shouldn’t have my off lead dog anywhere in public at all because he might encounter your daughter or someone with a similar aversion. And that’s just not a reasonable ask IMO.

Yes, keep your dog on a lead where there are people. It’s not difficult and plenty manage it fine. Only those who think they are too entitled and are far more important than anyone else refuse to do it.

Nah - not going to happen.

My dog isn’t going to miss out on exercise and play to accommodate those who have a problem with dogs.

I readily accept my obligation to train my dog.

I readily accept my obligation to clean up after him and respond quickly if he acts inappropriately.

If there is a specific reason someone needs me to pop him on the lead or move to a different bit of the park to make them more comfortable then I’ll treat them with courtesy.

But nah, if your expectation is that my dog should never be able to run and chase a ball or run around with other dogs then you’re going to have to sod off I’m afraid.

When you walk on a public footpath through a field with livestock, do you ask the farmer to put them all on a lead? No, because even though it’s a public footpath that’s not your decision to make.

Funnily enough, we don't take our walks with the wheelchair through fields of livestock 🙄

[quote Phewthemutinyworked]@Questiontellme…how about encouraging your children to be animal lovers and stop making them worried when dogs are in their vicinity?
My dog is petrified of children but I have encouraged her to accept them and allow the children to touch her …it works both ways !![/quote]
Yep!

My dogs not a lover of kids. He tolerates them but you can tell that he’s not comfortable - which is why I would never leave him with a child he doesn’t know.

But yet when kids come up to him - and many do without me starting a thread on how fed up I am of kids! - I kneel at his level, make sure he’s calm, and offer the kids a treat to give him rather than just petting him. Usually they enjoy the interaction more than just rubbing him, and he enjoys the treat more than some kids sticky fingers all over his fur.

@BoredZelda I think you’re confusing me with someone else, I never asked you that.

I don’t think limiting yourself to a few streets makes you entitled. I just can’t think why that would be necessary, unless the dog owners near you are of uniquely poor behaviour.

It’s also worth remembering that there are parks that only allow dogs on leads, or parks that have sections where dogs must be on leads. I’ve no problem with those options existing along side the normal expectation that dogs can be off lead in other areas.

I used to live right by a lovely park that only allowed dogs on lead. So my dog stayed on lead when we were there and I took him to a different park to go off lead.

I don’t think limiting yourself to a few streets makes you entitled. I just can’t think why that would be necessary, unless the dog owners near you are of uniquely poor behaviour

Nothing unique about idiots who think their dogs being made to walk on a lead, on a path are missing out on something.

But please, do able-splain my decisions on how best to protect my daughter some more. Your input is so valuable. 🙄

But nah, if your expectation is that my dog should never be able to run and chase a ball or run around with other dogs then you’re going to have to sod off I’m afraid.

Does it do that on a path? Which is what my post was referring to?

I think you’re confusing me with someone else, I never asked you that.

In which case, you might try reading what I actually wrote instead of wading in with your comment.

@BoredZelda I’m not able explaining.

What exactly about a calm, well behaved dog off the lead on a path stops you from being able to enjoy it with your daughter in her wheelchair? My dog and I walk past people in wheelchairs often and no drama ensues. Sorry, I’m not buying it.

I also really dislike dogs. I just smile and pretend. Like the majority of people! Dunno how this game of smile & pretend ever started. Probably to save "run ins" with neurotic and precious dog owners.

Fortunately kids trump dogs so the onus is on you, the dog owner, to keep it under control as animals, especially dogs, have the potential to seriously injure, if not kill a small child. So as annoying as young kids might be it’s irrelevant really, the dogs need to be controlled and on a lead in public areas. Children should always come first.

I don’t think lockdowns etc. have helped this situation. A lot of people got dogs over lockdown without really thinking about their long-term suitability as dog owners, plus the poor dogs are now being left on their own during work hours. Not great for the dogs.

@Trixiefirecracker my dog is always under control, she’s just not on a lead. Of course the onus is on me to ensure my dog is not a danger, but I use my own discretion as to how to go about that.

@Mrsmch123

Yeh I hate dogs in restaurants/cafes. There is just no need🤢 parks are ruined by them too, bounding around off the leash, barking, shitting everywhere, poking around when your trying to eat!the list goes on.......grim!!!

Cafe owners are perfectly entitled to make their establishments dog friendly if they wish. You don’t have to patronise such cafes.

@cowskeepingmeupatnight sorry if I don’t believe you, I’ve witnessed many an ‘obedient’ dog loose it’s shit around livestock, rabbits, cats and birds etc. They are never ‘under control’ off a leash. Even dogs with the best recall or obedience training in the world can still have their unpredictable moments.

@tigger2022

I love my dog so much. My ex abused me and her, and almost 9 years ago we escaped him together. She’s been with me through the hardest times in my life. She’s incredibly well-behaved, she doesn’t bark, she walks to heel, leaves everybody else alone, and she comes when called. She is completely harmless and a nuisance to nobody. We are so well-bonded and I think after everything we’ve been through we have a right to go on a walk, minding our own business, without judgemental people who through virtue of being dogless think they own the park. If you can’t understand why dogs mean so much to people then that’s sad but at least try to show a bit of empathy.

@tigger2022

Your dog sounds lovely. I just wish there were more dogs like her. This thread is not about your dog or caring dog owners like you.

Yanbu, that is really bad luck. We are really lucky to live in a place where owners are considerate and open countryside. My friend in a more urban area is having terrible time with pushchair and faeces. We holiday with dog outside of summer months but I wouldn’t take dog and let it off lead in main public spaces. It’s not on!

YABU - to be fed up of dogs
YANBU - to be fed up of irresponsible, lazy owners!

If dogs are trained well generally you have no problems. The things people are complaining about in this thread are all down to the owners. Not picking up after the dog, owners fault. Dog not on a leash, owners fault. Dogs jumping up, owners fault. The owner could intervene in all these situations. Even to the point of the dogs jumping up on OP's fence, the dogs could be trained not to do that! Again, owners too lazy to do anything about it. Dogs are like kids in the sense the don't automatically know boundaries and right from wrong - owners NEED to teach them other wise you get the behaviours OP and others are describing!

Since Covid I also think people got dogs/puppies as people were stuck in during covid and let's face it all you could pretty much do is go out for a walk so people thought it would be great to get a dog without any thought for how much effort you actually need to put in to training and socialising. During lockdown beaches/parks were FULL of dog walkers then the first week and beyond then of everything opening up those beaches and parks were quiet as a mouse, people clearly just ditched their 'cute puppies' they got in lockdown for the pub and any sort of training would've went out the window.

FWIW we got a small dog in lockdown, he's now very well trained, socialised, and listens! It's only because I've put months of effort in with him from the first day I brought him home though. I couldn't imagine life without him but I know if he wasn't trained he probably would of been a little terror! But I'm a responsible owner and carried out a lot of research on breed before making a decision which also plays a big part.

@Mrsmch123

Yeh I hate dogs in restaurants/cafes. There is just no need🤢 parks are ruined by them too, bounding around off the leash, barking, shitting everywhere, poking around when your trying to eat!the list goes on.......grim!!!

All the things you mention are down to the owner, if the dog had training all those things wouldn't happen. And I'm sure you could find a different cafe/restaurant to go to, there is plenty of them.

I’m a massive animal lover but yes, I’m sick to death of looking and dodging their poo. Even in remote places you think you won’t get it, lo and behold a dog Walker pulls up and lets their fur baby out the car!

Re the fence, I think you should erect a secure one your side (even though neighbour should, your child’s safety is more important than money!)

If a dog growled and snarled at me for going in my own garden I’d yell ‘shut up’ at it every time in a fierce voice and get DH to do the same. Sound threatening, most dogs back down. If the owner was in earshot I’d add a bit like ‘don’t you dare growl and bark at me on my property. Cut it out, now!’

It’s really rude to let your dogs bark and snarl at neighbours.

As for relative’s huge dog, just don’t take your kid to their house and ban the dog from yours. Our house is dog-free and any visitors with dogs either come without them, leave them in the car or put them in the garden (tied or on a lead if we’re using the garden).

For random dogs approaching me and DC in public I find a sharp ‘leave it’ or ‘back to him’ or just ‘no, get back’ sends them scarpering back to the owner. I have a DC who is rightly scared of unknown dogs sniffing and pawing him.

Oh another great way to repel unwanted dogs: do you have any friends or relatives with a child friendly dog who is dog reactive?

My rescue GSD (who spends a lot of time with my parents due to work, like a dog share) is wonderful with kids and humans and dogs he’s been introduced to. He was raised in a family with toddlers and a baby.

But he’s very protective of us and will bark, lunge and snarl at any unknown dog who comes near! He’s always on a short lead due to this, but he’s big and scary enough to keep other dogs away. It’s funny how quickly other owners put theirs on leads when they see/hear him!

It means we can sit and have a picnic in a field or on the beach without random dogs jumping on the food or running up to us. My dog seems to put himself on ‘dog guard duty’ and won’t let any other dog get near.

I should add he’s also an outdoor dog (heated kennel attached to house) but we’ve trained him to ignore the neighbours’ dogs over the fence, even if they bark at him.

He knows where ‘his’ territory begins and ends so unless a random dog somehow broke into our garden he ignores any the other side of the fence, unless they’re jumping up at it (then he’ll give a warning growl and bark to alert me).

@Greensleeves

After yet another family hill-walking day significantly marred by dog shit everywhere - yes, I concur. Fucking sick of dogs, and their slovenly selfish owners who think it's perfectly acceptable for the rest of us to have to dodge piles of faeces when we use public spaces.

Yes, I know EVERY dog owner on MN religiously picks it up every time - but judging by the state of the streets/beaches/parks/paths through beauty spots and woodlands, a fair proportion of them are fucking liars as well as pigs. There are actually local areas that used to be beauty spots, which are now off limits because they are used as dog toilets.

Fed up to the back teeth with it.

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