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?

@AncientofMuMu

I'm amazed at all these areas that are "covered in shit" I live in an area with high dog ownership and close to a park very popular with dog owners and rarely see any.

I reckon there's a lot of hyperbole on this thread

Absolutely.

If you listened to some people on here, you would have to do a lava dance just to walk down the street, fend off about 15 snarling dogs on the way and then get jumped on by about 15 more in the park.

It's just not reality.

Though I am pleased at all these misery guts complaining about how many dogs are in cafes and shops - I'm forever googling trying to see where I can grab a bite to eat or do some shopping when I'm out with my dog, so glad to see there are dogs in every shop and pharmacy now!

@TeaKlaxon

Depends on how close they are to kids and people though doesn’t it? Far, far away from the playground and footpaths then fine, but the reality is often very different to that.

Also if you don’t live close by to adequate space then don’t get a dog.

But why on earth do you let your dog run around and where children ate? You are the type of owner people are talking about.
Yanbu op.

I was walking through a park the other day where there were big signs up saying ‘please keep dogs on a lead’. An off-lead dog ran up to my toddler, who had a stick, and started trying to take the stick. The owner then shouted at my son and knocked the stick out of his hands, accusing him of trying to hit the dog with the stick.

He didn’t. He’s two, he was just playing with his stick. But even if he had, who the hell lets their dog bound up to someone else’s toddler in a place where the dog should be on the lead - then thinks they’re in a position to shout at the toddler?!

@TeaKlaxon

Depends though doesn’t it regarding the shit. The pitch my son plays on is awful for it. So bad in fact the boys have often participated in the game of dodge the dog poo prior to training 😷.

The park round the corner in the more affluent area? Definitely less shit. In fact never stood in one in that park so just because it’s not your reality certainly doesn’t mean it’s not others.

@OMG12

I want to know where people are going that they’re hoping over dog poo at every step, being chased by giant drooling dogs etc. I travel around a lot and apart from the occasional incidence of dog poo, usually right at the side of the pavement, never come across any of this! Watching where my dog is walking because of broken glass or making sure she doesn’t eat something from yet another thrown away takeaway box is far more annoying.

Humans, on the other hand, murdering, raping both adults and children, going out of their way to hurt and destroy people, killing the very planet we rely on to Survive. Quite frankly give me a bit of dog poo on the side of the road any day.

Yep.

So on average it seems about one child a year is killed by a dog based on most recent years.

By contrast, a child is killed by a human about eighty times a year on average.

Now, when you factor in there are about four times as many adult humans as there are dogs, that still makes a human twenty times more likely to kill a child than a dog.

Though I am pleased at all these misery guts complaining about how many dogs are in cafes and shops - I'm forever googling trying to see where I can grab a bite to eat or do some shopping when I'm out with my dog, so glad to see there are dogs in every shop and pharmacy now

I don't think anyone (sensible) would take a dog into a pharmacy. But there was a thread on here recently about dog-friendly accommodation and it appeared that people with dogs think there's nowhere they can take them, and people without dogs, think dogs are allowed everywhere

[quote Tulipblacksmith]@TeaKlaxon

Depends on how close they are to kids and people though doesn’t it? Far, far away from the playground and footpaths then fine, but the reality is often very different to that.

Also if you don’t live close by to adequate space then don’t get a dog.[/quote]
But I do live close to adequate space. I live near a park and me and my dog go there every day and have a great time.

I'm not going to let some misery guts change that.

I don't know what you mean by "far far away" from a playground and paths. But in short, no - sod off. I'll have my dog off lead on any footpaths (within the park) as I want thanks.

@AncientofMuMu

I'm amazed at all these areas that are "covered in shit" I live in an area with high dog ownership and close to a park very popular with dog owners and rarely see any.

I reckon there's a lot of hyperbole on this thread

To be fair, I think some areas have much higher proportions of irresponsible dog owners than others.

Where I live (a fairly urban area) they’re an absolute nightmare. Where my parents live (a town in a more rural county) I find that both dogs and their owners tend to be far more pleasant and considerate.

So I think posters could be accurately reporting their experience in their area.

@PoppyJ175

I love dogs. Most dog owners are responsible, it's only the minority that you have experienced that are not, sadly they are ruin it for the responsible owners.

Yes I agree with you @PoppyJ175

It just feels the balance has shifted from responsible ownership to a greater percentage of clueless ownership.

It used to be a certain type of owner who owned generally large, more dangerous, dogs and didn't act responsibly almost intentionally. Now it just seems to be spread across all types of people who have dogs but are just clueless about training or clearing up poo....

What really gets me at the moment is why on Earth do people think it's a great idea to put it in a bag but then leave it halfway up a hedge or hung from a fence post? It is just the weirdest thing.

How do people think,
"I know this is a great idea, I will just suspend my dogs shit in a plastic bag at eye level so everyone has the delight of viewing it as they enjoy their country walk."

Just why??

I'm fed up with DP's dog, it's literally ruining the washer, and the dryer has accidents on the lounge carpet, so costly cleanings bills. She's paying £200 for medicines per month just to keep it alive.
Every single social engagement, holidays are complicated by the needs of this 14 yr old Labrador with multiple health problems.

I just don't get it.

If you listened to some people on here, you would have to do a lava dance just to walk down the street, fend off about 15 snarling dogs on the way and then get jumped on by about 15 more in the park.

I always think that. If it is true it sounds like they live in pretty grotty areas. I live somewhere pretty crappy and we don't have dog shit everywhere, I can hear birds singing not dogs barking and have never once seen a dog in the playground nor had to fend off any potential jumping dogs.

Watching where my dog is walking because of broken glass or making sure she doesn’t eat something from yet another thrown away takeaway box is far more annoying.
This on the other hand is something we come across all the time. Rubbish everywhere that my dog tries to snarfle and human shit that she can smell out from miles away, I mean who shits in the park? No one I thought until I got a shit loving dog.

@yellowsuninthesky

Though I am pleased at all these misery guts complaining about how many dogs are in cafes and shops - I'm forever googling trying to see where I can grab a bite to eat or do some shopping when I'm out with my dog, so glad to see there are dogs in every shop and pharmacy now

I don't think anyone (sensible) would take a dog into a pharmacy. But there was a thread on here recently about dog-friendly accommodation and it appeared that people with dogs think there's nowhere they can take them, and people without dogs, think dogs are allowed everywhere

With accommodation, in my experience its fine if going with a self-catering option. There are limits on choice but it's usually fine to find somewhere on AirBnb.

I've only ever once had my dog in a hotel (and really it was more of an inn). So if that were ever needed, then I'd agree with dog owners that there are almost no hotel-type options that allow dogs.

entitled owners taking their pets into the fenced kids play area yes ( and I say pets because there was a giant rabbit on a lead there yesterday

Giant rabbit? How cute. At least their poos are neat and tidy and all vegetable matter.

I said that dogs have a right to get proper exercise, and not be confined to leads in public parks as some here have suggested

..and there in lies the problem - your right to have a large dog and exercise off lead in public spaces, trumps everyone else's right to enjoy our open spaces without a dog charging around them and when your dog shits where you can't see it, it stays there until someone walks in it.

If you don't have access to large open areas without people or animals, maybe consider not getting a large dog in the first place?

I agree OP. I loathe dogs and am sick to the back teeth of them running around and jumping at me and my children when we’re simply trying to enjoy a park or woodland. Something massive has changed in the last couple of years and they’re fucking everywhere. It’s absolutely miserable if you don’t enjoy being jumped at and slobbered on all the time. I personally don’t see all that much poo around, it’s the unwanted physical contact that I have a problem with.

People aren’t allowed to walk up to me and jump all over me so why should they be allowed to permit that from their dogs?

And so many dog lovers are just so angry and aggressive at anyone who doesn’t agree their dogs should be allowed the run of the place to do what they want. They get so nasty on threads like this. I have kids, totally accept not everyone likes them - but guess what, I don’t allow them to jump all over strangers, lick them, and poo everywhere. Dog owners, however, seem unable to comprehend anyone who doesn’t love dogs like they do and many get horribly spiky and defensive.

Have a dog if you want, but keep it on a lead and away from me. The sheer arrogance of allowing a pet YOU chose to have, come into other peoples’ physical space, it’s just awful.

I can’t wait until tighter controls on dog ownership and behaviour are eventually brought in. Just makes me sad how many more people have to be killed, injured or simply annoyed and scared every day before that happens.

@Hrpuffnstuff1

I'm fed up with DP's dog, it's literally ruining the washer, and the dryer has accidents on the lounge carpet, so costly cleanings bills. She's paying £200 for medicines per month just to keep it alive. Every single social engagement, holidays are complicated by the needs of this 14 yr old Labrador with multiple health problems.

I just don't get it.

What don't you get?

The dog is old, and so accidents are normal. The dog is old, and so has higher health needs than a younger dog.

What's difficult to get?

I want to know where people are going that they’re hoping over dog poo at every step

My son’s football club pitch. Another message has just gone out to the local community reminding local dog owners that if they’re going to exercise their dogs there then they need to pick up the dog shit. I’ve been at two nature reserves in the last month that was covered in shit - I had to make sure my on-lead dog didn’t step in it as I navigated my way round it. That do you for starters?

@TeaKlaxon

Oh your sentence tells me all I need to know about you.

You’re an entitled dog owner.

If dogs are in a park they should absolutely be far away from the playground and the paths (if they are off the lead). That way everybody is happy. Children get to play safely and dogs get their exercise.

But people like you are too entitled to see it that way turning the thread into a dog v human argument (ridiculous?).

People and their pampered pooches hey. Bet yours jumps up on people too, but hey it’s okay dogs have the same status as humans and all that…..

Sheesh.

@Alexandra2001

I said that dogs have a right to get proper exercise, and not be confined to leads in public parks as some here have suggested

..and there in lies the problem - your right to have a large dog and exercise off lead in public spaces, trumps everyone else's right to enjoy our open spaces without a dog charging around them and when your dog shits where you can't see it, it stays there until someone walks in it.

If you don't have access to large open areas without people or animals, maybe consider not getting a large dog in the first place?

Firstly, I didn't say I have a large dog. You're making things up.

Second, my dog doesn't shit where I can't see it because I always have my eye on my dog at all times. You're making things up again.

Third, you don't have a right to be in an open space without a dog being around you. You do have a right to not have a dog attack you or invade your space, but that's not the same thing.

It's the owners not the dogs. They should be on leads in the garden if that's how they behave. The owners are responsible if the dogs behave.

@Hrpuffnstuff1

I'm fed up with DP's dog, it's literally ruining the washer, and the dryer has accidents on the lounge carpet, so costly cleanings bills. She's paying £200 for medicines per month just to keep it alive. Every single social engagement, holidays are complicated by the needs of this 14 yr old Labrador with multiple health problems.

I just don't get it.

You do "get it" - you're just being obtuse.

It's her beloved companion of 14 years. £200 per month in medication plus accidents is pretty standard in elderly dog.

I'm sure you can bring yourself to cope for the last few months of the dogs life

@TeaKlaxon well the big play park in my area doesnt have designated areas for dogs on or off leads! So what am I to do? The dogs just roam and run free! Why should my child miss out on the nicest playarea in our area, because dogs 'must be able to run free!!' Surely it's better that children are kept safe in parks, without the fear of being knocked over or having a dog come hurtling towards them. We do have a couple of public fields that many people walk their dogs on off lead, I'm fine with that, but I thinks it's irresponsible for dog owners to let dogs go running about in a park when there are small children about.

I have a dog, she's off lead when I think it's safe. I've never left a poo anywhere, I put her back on lead if I see people or dogs. She's simply fantastic, so much fun and has zero impact on anyone else.

Loads of people on here seem to be massively impacted by rabid, barking dogs who jump into pushchairs or shit in their dinner.