To not be a huge fan of dogs..

[miseryguts1988]

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..

It depends so much on the dog but YANBU. We had a dog for many years and when she died decided we missed having one but not the constant responsbility. Instead we foster dogs now for short periods while they are waiting for new homes. It's fun having them around and we have them often but if we want a break or need to go away we can do it. I much prefer it to owning a dog and it's lovely to hand them over to their new families who are always so excited to be giving these dogs their forever homes. I do wish more people would take longer to think about how much dog ownership will affect their lives/finances etc before buying puppies. I have heard some heartbreaking stories about the dogs that have come into our care.

YANBU.

I actually love dogs. I literally cannot walk past a black labrador, or a Westie, or any kind of spaniel, without getting a little pang. There is something joyous and wonderful and rewarding about dogs.

But I have less than no desire to own one. We had a family dog when I was in my teens and therefore I know how exactly much work they are, and what a tie they are, and how much mess they make, and that you have to pick up their poo for however long they live - and that's just for starters, before you even start on training them or factor in potential behavioural issues or health issues or whatever else you might end up with.

For me, the cons of having a dog massively outweigh the pros. But absolutely accept that for many others the pros of having a dog massively outweigh the cons. We're all different!

The only thing that gives me the living rage is dog owners who assume that the world has to revolve around their pooch and can't understand why people don't love them...

I love my dogs, but I don't love all dogs. I'll be the first to admit that dogs are a lot of work, if you're doing it right. They cost money, they take a huge amount of time and consideration, etc. For me, what I get in return is worth that effort, but I know it's not for everyone.

I also know that a dog isn't the same as a child, but I understand how dogs take the place of a child in some people's lives. Most people have things they care about more than I do. Dogs are no different, except maybe that some people do think there's something wrong with you if you don't like dogs. Fewer people care if you couldn't care less about sport, cars, fashion, etc.

You see I feel the opposite. We grew up with cats and dogs and the dogs never bit any of us. We had to have both cats PTS however because they were viscious creatures and would attack for any reason (I remember 1 used to come onto our beds when we were sleeping and then attack us when we rolled over in our sleep). And I'd rather have a neighbour's dog barking all day than their cat shitting all over my garden and driveway so my own DC can't even use it.

I share my home with animals that have been let down by humans.

YANBU.

I've never really liked dogs. I don't admit it freely as people look at you like you are a serial killer!
I am definitely a cat person. Some dogs are ok but I really don't get why everyone feels they need to have a dog.

Don't like how everywhere has to be dog friendly ...my local even has beer and cakes for dogs 😂
which is all fine and dandy until you can't enjoy a meal without peoples dogs barking loudly at each other.

I live in a rural area and can barely open my door without a dog being walked past and trying to jump up at me.

My next door neighbour has 3 very yappy dogs. They bark all hours of the day and even into late at night. You can't so much as take some rubbish out without them barking like the world's ending.
Couldn't be arsed mate.

Yanbu. I don't know what it is about some dog lovers that makes them utterly un-bending/unhinged about them. Of course they are mostly wonderful animals but it's fine not to "get it" and especially fine not to want them running up to you and jumping at you with their muddy paws and sniffing your crotch and especially fine to object to them barking and disturbing your peace.

I think it depends on the dog. I am usually in the I love them but wouldn’t own one camp, but some dogs are just really annoying!

In particular I don’t get the Labrador love. I have met a couple of very calm and placid ones but generally I find them a bit smelly and in your face.

And also fine not to want them in shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

I had cats and dogs until my DDs came along and one was allergic to cats.
Now I have only dogs - four of them, ages 3,5,8, and 13. I am 70 years old so they will likely be my last pets.
They motivate me to stay alive because I would not want them left to the care of relatives who might not want them.
They keep me company as I am housebound and may have only one visitor a week.
They reduce my anxiety - especially at night. If I hear "a sound" and the dogs don't react to it, then I know there is nothing to worry about.

@TheNefariousOrange wow you've had some crazy cats! No wonder you don't like them much! Haha

I am entirely indifferent to most dogs. Sometimes I objectively appreciate their abilities or the way they look but I can't enthuse about them and would never, ever have one. Nowt to do with good owners Vs bad owners, they're just not for me and I do despair of the way they're fetishised by some people. Bad owners make me quite cross but equally, people who try and convince me to adore their dog are never going to win. I once fell out with an - admittedly bonkers - MNer who said that because I don't like dogs, I can't be trusted and if she met me, she'd have strong words with me. Went as far as a threatening PM from her. She maintained that there was something wrong with me.

I like dogs theoretically but I think far far more people own a dog than should own a dog. To me the bar is just too low. I think dogs should really be owned by people who know a lot about dogs, are at home/available most of the time, and have extensive funds for training classes, veterinary care, behaviourists etc etc. Not anyone who goes on gumtree and types in ‘puppies near me.’ Yes, that would mean most people can’t have a dog - but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

YANBU…you like what you like. I can’t stand cats, they shit everywhere and literally couldn’t care less about their owners. I love my dog though. I don’t understand why people who are scared of dogs make such a big deal out of it, dogs are a part of life and I feel like they should make more of an effort to get over their fear. I’m obviously not talking about dogs that jump up and bite etc that’s bad dog ownership.

No you are not alone. I don't detest them but I find it highly annoying when I've told someone I'm not keen on dogs and yet they let them climb all over me and lick me 🤢🤢

Dogs are a part of YOUR life. If you don’t like them or are scared you shouldn’t have to ‘get over it.’ If your dog is infringing on other people’s space to the point they’re ‘making a big deal of it’ then it’s your fault. You’re the one who wants a dog. If you don’t want one you do not have to ever interact with anybody else’s.

Fine. You don't have to have one. Why do you think your opinion is important to anyone else? I'd rather trust my dog than most "children". And I'd hate your cat. But i totally get that that's my opinion only. And don't think I'm important enough to think that I need to advertise it by creating a totally pointless thread.

I’m talking about people who flinch when a dog walks near them. You can’t get away from dogs they’re everywhere. I feel like instead of living in fear they should work on it. I would NEVER let my dog infringe on someone’s space. I feel like living in fear it’s very much a “them” problem

If your dog is nowhere near them then them flinching has absolutely no impact on you whatsoever. So it’s nothing to do with you if they have a negative reaction to your dog. If people are regularly flinching though I would imagine you are in their space or your dog is pulling/looking like it might go into their space. Unless you’re regularly walking five feet away from people who flinch melodramatically for absolutely no reason, which I doubt.

I’ve got no affection for dogs whatsoever. I feel like a pariah within my friendship group and where I live. I find some of them smelly. I hate dog poo everywhere and can’t stand the barking when I want to sit in the garden in peace. I never grew up with a pet and got bitten badly by an Alsatian in the street when I was young. Often when I’m walking I find that a dog off lead will run and jump and I’m scared. The owners always say they are friendly which is no help whatsoever.

Yeah, well my user name is a bit of a giveaway! I like my dogs, home isn't home without a dog but they are a huge responsibility, expensive and require a lot of time and effort and I totally understand why they are not popular with everyone. Horses for courses! Yes, had those too and they are even more expensive, time consuming and self harming but totally addictive. Cats? I don't need to own them as they are free ranging and I get them in the garden.

I can’t help judging. Dogs are (usually) so friendly, cute, funny, innocent and loving and I don’t see how anyone could look into their eyes and not melt. I actually find it bizarre that so many people ignore my very cute dogs and feel quite heartbroken for one of them because he loves everyone. . That said, I’m wary of a bigger dogs and of course now I own my own dogs, I have to deal with them approaching us.

Also, I hate to tell you this but children (and adults) are animals and when you own a dog you start to realise just how similar dogs are to humans.

It doesn’t impact me, I couldn’t care less really but this is somewhere people share opinions and that’s mine. Like I said dogs are everywhere and acting scared sometimes isnt the best way to deal with a dog. My boy is soft as shit and doesn’t go off his lead unless it’s an empty field. He’s a whippet so if someone ran away he would give chase but literally do nothing if he caught up with you. Its more an issue because it’s dangerous for him. It’s like being scared of birds, you can’t escape so better to deal with your fear and get over it.

Cats always scratch and bite me…they all seem to hate me!

My two can be pricks but I'd walk over hot coals for them.Yab a bit U