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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be a huge fan of dogs..

211 replies

miseryguts1988 · 30/08/2022 19:27

I mean don't get me wrong I like dogs.. I'm not phobic of them and I think they are a wonderful and intelligent species. But I think to own one they are hard work, expensive and just too tying and too much effort to basically have an animal living with you. People put too much trust in them which is why children end up being bitten.. and people see them the same as their children when they're not.. they are an animal.
I dunno I probably ABU but I just don't see why we are such a nation of dog lovers and every dog lover is shocked if you say you're not.
People wouldn't be the same if you said you didn't like cats.. I prefer cats! They are much less demanding.
I think I'll get shot for this post..

OP posts:
Jets121 · 30/08/2022 19:54

Agree with every word OP

Lorrymum · 30/08/2022 19:56

I love my dog, she is a sweetie. However I appreciate that many people don't like them.
My local shopping Mall has decided to become dog friendly. Stupid idea, the floors are tiled, enclosed and echoey, I pity the poor cleaning staff.

Sally99 · 30/08/2022 19:56

OP you won't get 'shot' by me!

I love all animals and support/give to animal charities every month but I don't particularly like dogs. Cats all the way for me!

JurrasicCazza · 30/08/2022 19:56

As with everything to do with dogs, it's not really the dogs that are the problem, it's the owners.

It's the owners who don't clean the shit up in the park.
The owners who don't train their dogs.
The owners who let their dogs run off in the park to jump up at small children while insisting they are friendly.
The owners who let their dogs 'play out' on a busy main road.
The owners who don't clean their homes properly. The owners who come into the office covered in dog hair and complain when their allergic colleague is sneezing.

Stopsnowing · 30/08/2022 19:56

I am currently somewhere where it is turtle season. On the beach in a protected area, no dogs allowed. People bring a young dog and play ball with it.

whenwillthemadnessend · 30/08/2022 19:56

I have both and I prefer cats. Much easier pets all round. We have. A kitten and he is so easy. Taught himself to poo outside no accidents.

The dog is for dh. I love him but I really would have to be talked into another one. And he isn't that much trouble as dogs go but is still massively harder than cats.

mathanxiety · 30/08/2022 19:56

I have a 100% indoor cat whose litter box is cleaned 3x per week. She's a good mouser and if someone is ill she graces them with her presence in their bed.

awaynboilyurheid · 30/08/2022 19:58

Agree, I am not a dog lover, I had one once because of the children who are still dog mad, and did love her, but never again! lots of people I know have got dogs but just moan about the mess or complain about walking them etc and can’t go away because of the dog, mind you I can’t stand cats at least dogs make a fuss of you! But I’ll never have another it was too much work!

TowerRavenSeven · 30/08/2022 20:00

I don’t disagree but I think if some people would put more time and money into training, time into reading books about keeping dogs, get information about how to combat dog smells, etc. things could be a lot better. There are so many resources for pet problems now if (some) owners would only utilize them. That said, we have pond goldfish because they are easy, it’s relaxing watching them swim, they are quiet and I can go away at a moments notice!

Skidaramink · 30/08/2022 20:01

I agree OP. And we have a dog! If DC weren’t very allergic to cats we would definitely have a cat instead. Personally, I don’t understand why anyone without allergies would choose a dog over a cat!

Exasperatednow · 30/08/2022 20:03

I love my dog. Like other well behaved dogs but not others so yanbu. And yes they are a tie.

My next door neighbours dog is a whiney barkey pita (that i feel sorry for) but then they are clearly bad shouty owners. It's a cacophony

greenygreens · 30/08/2022 20:05

YANBU. I'm not a dog lover in the slightest. MIL's snappy and yappy thing along with my neighbors 3 none stop yapping Yorkshire terriers along with one that keeps shitting on my drive have grown my dislike further. I had one growing up which I loved but I would never ever own one myself and find it bizarre when people treat them like humans.

Teand · 30/08/2022 20:07

I love dogs but I couldn't own one. Too much work. It's like having another child - not only does it need feeding and to go to the toilet, but needs lots of attention and walks and makes life harder. Amazing, loving, but so difficult.

devildeepbluesea · 30/08/2022 20:10

Owning my dogs responsibly is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Worth every second of inconvenience.
But I don’t require everyone to be the same, so you’re good OP.

User123456713 · 30/08/2022 20:11

Like having a toddler for 12 or 16 years!

I love dogs, just not the most owners who treat them like a surrogate child instead of an animal that needs boundaries.

Our local FB even had people saying its fine for them to bark all fucking day because its their way of "communicating" jeez can't they just use a mobile like everyone else?

StarDolphins · 30/08/2022 20:12

YANBU - everyone is free to choose if they like dogs (or anything) or not.

I absolutely LOVE dogs & wouldn’t ever be withoout one.

PoseyFlump · 30/08/2022 20:16

"I think they are a wonderful and intelligent species.
I think to own one they are hard work, expensive and tying.
People put too much trust in them which is why children end up being bitten.
People see them the same as their children when they're not.. they are an animal."

You would make a perfect owner because you are a realist and already know what to do and what not to do!

I absolutely love dogs. Far more than I love most people. But people need to have a responsible attitude going into pet ownership and understand all the pros and cons.

Thatboymum · 30/08/2022 20:16

I love dogs , people however not so much 🤣

Teand · 30/08/2022 20:18

My partner's dog is a nuisance. Will bark at every other dog or cat he sees out of the window. If you pull him away from the living room window he will run upstairs to use the bedroom one. He gets shut in the little hallways by the back garden door if he won't shut up, but he will just bark in there for a minute or two, won't get let out until calm again. When my partner leaves the house, he has to shut all the blinds do the dog can't see outside, but if he hears another dog barking outside he will start barking anyway! Sometimes we have to sit in darkness in the middle of the day because we are sick of him barking at everything he sees so no blinds open. Then other times if the lights in the room are making shapes on a wall, be will bark at them too. Drives me mad.

Teand · 30/08/2022 20:21

Which is sad because he is lovely in every other way... So loving to me... I adore him really, love his cuddles and the way he stares at me and wants to be around me. But the barking! And the hair!!!! I wear mostly black clothing and I'm covered in hair all the time, it does make me angry at times. Plus the bedding gets hairy as he is allowed in the beds.

Confuseddotcom2022 · 30/08/2022 20:21

YANBU - grew up with a dog who I loved. But I know how much hard work they are. I also hate that so many (not all I know), leave dog muck on the paths, bushes close to paths etc.
My parents got a dog not too long after DC turned 1, it's been a huge pain in the arse. The dog is lovely, but they struggle with it, are very naive with animals, don't seem to think a tiny 'nip' or scratch is bad for my toddler. Also they have zero control but don't like to think that so often let it of the lead and then it doesn't come back. Very stressful having to tell my mum I don't want my child with them because she can't cope with both, but that's a whole other can of worms.

PoseyFlump · 30/08/2022 20:23

I want to love cats but I don't understand their body language. With a dog I know well before they even react what they are thinking and I can take evasive action.

But cats seem to be loving attention one minute and then without warning will scratch or bite! I still like them and I used to have a stray who decided she wanted to live with me. But she was older and we understood each other. I don't understand young cats at all. But they're still cute as hell 😍

H1Drangea · 30/08/2022 20:23

I don’t like dogs

I especially don’t like dogs that have entitled owners that think No Dogs in Beach doesn’t mean their dog

I don’t like dogs wearing clothes ( I sometimes feel a bit sorry for them as they look so ridiculous )

I don’t like it when dogs come bounding up to me , ignoring my death stare , and especially don’t like the owners who say the dogs are friendly ( I’m not though )

TipsyChatelaine · 30/08/2022 20:25

I love all animals but I don't agree with keeping pets at all.

Original poster
miseryguts1988 · 30/08/2022 20:26

I didn't expect a response of ANBU at all to be honest! We seen such a huge nation of dog lovers to say "I'm not a fan of dogs" is almost like a taboo now, like going against some kind of religion!
My friend has 5 spaniels and when I go round with my baby daughter the fucking things jump all over us and drive me mad. I worked in a dog friendly cafe and the mess at the end of the day was such a PITA.. now I work in a non dog friendly cafe which is so much easier but people come in outraged we're not dog friendly!
I think they can be amazing, I had a friends who's dog knew when she was going to have seizures, and obviously police dogs, guide dogs.. they are a highly intelligent species.
But to own one and to trust one with my children and share my home.. no thank you.
My cat can also be a pain, and my curtains are ruined, her cat litter is a job I could do without.. but at least I can leave her for a day and when I have guests round she doesn't hump them!

OP posts:
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