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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:
hoorayandupsherises · 31/08/2022 15:12

I have a dog, love dogs: don't expect other people to like them and definitely think a lot of dog owners shouldn't have them!

Lunabun · 31/08/2022 15:17

I really don't understand the bizarre anthropomorphism of dogs some people insist on doing. I love dogs, so I love seeing them behave like dogs and treating them like dogs. They're nothing like humans and it's daft to treat them like people - sometimes actually it's cruel because people assign human-like motives to their behaviour, misread their cues, and have ridiculous expectations of them.

SillyLittleBiscuit · 31/08/2022 15:18

There are loads of dog hating posts. We get to hear how we smell, our houses smell, we don’t pick up shit, we’re irresponsible, we call our pets fur babies, we dress them up and so on, on a very regular basis. Not sure why it’s deemed controversial. Boring maybe.

MooseBreath · 31/08/2022 15:26

Lunabun · 31/08/2022 15:17

I really don't understand the bizarre anthropomorphism of dogs some people insist on doing. I love dogs, so I love seeing them behave like dogs and treating them like dogs. They're nothing like humans and it's daft to treat them like people - sometimes actually it's cruel because people assign human-like motives to their behaviour, misread their cues, and have ridiculous expectations of them.

Agree with this. As much as I love my dog, he is not my child. He is not my fur baby. He is a dog. The expectations that I have of him is appropriate for a dog.

One of the things that really bothers me is the insistence of praise and positive reinforcement only. Getting rid of bad behaviours doesn't work when owners refuse to discipline. Stealing food from the table won't stop if you reward at totally different times - the dog doesn't understand the association. It's not a human with complex understanding and a huge range of empathy and emotion. It's a dog. It's time owners recognized that.

MissingNashville · 31/08/2022 15:31

I don’t understand why you would think you would be unreasonable. People like what they like. It sounds like you wanted a bit of drama and to attract the dog haters, some you’ve found. Who cares. You’re not that into dogs. 🤷🏻‍♀️

We’re dog lovers. We have dogs that are ours and we foster others. They are treated as well as our children, but obviously have different needs as they’re dogs. We love all animals and will hopefully have our own rescue at some point in the future.

I hate most breeders I’ve ever spoken to and people that hurt animals, other than that, if you’re not into dogs or any other animal, that’s your preference. There’s some bad dog owners that have made many people dislike dogs, when ad usual it’s the humans that have failed. Dogs/animals are just better.

CarmenBizet · 31/08/2022 15:32

YANBU. Really can't stand dogs. Won't allow them in my house. Every house they inhabit ends up stinking. Two households we're close to got a dog over the past couple years and it's now pretty unpleasant to visit, impossible to find anywhere that doesn't have dog hair on, in the summer when we want to sit in the garden on the grass every patch stinks of piss, they're constantly in your face. I shudder when they try lick me and don't pander to dog owners who smile and say 'oh, he's just friendly!' when they jump up, I move away and say 'please control your dog'. Honestly astounds me the way so many dog owners expect everyone else to adore being pawed by their fucking dog.

RaRaRaspoutine · 31/08/2022 15:40

YANBU. They're OK. I have individual dogs who I love (family members' pets etc), but I live next to three feral yapping chipolatas who shit everywhere, and I just think things would be better if people had to have paid-for licences and do a competency test to own them.

tonicwaters · 31/08/2022 15:59

I'm indifferent and obviously don't have one. I will give the pet dog of anyone I visit a quick rub and say something ridiculously stupid to the mutt, more for the owner's sake than mine or the dog.

Then totally ignore it. But the trick is, I will only visit those who do the niceties as above for two minutes and then put dog away somewhere out of my sight for the duration of the visit. Can't stand the constant attention expected from visitors towards the owner's dog(s). Nope.

Then it's home to change clothes immediately because dog hairs get everywhere no matter how much a sofa/chair is vacuumed. I know....

UnagiForLife · 31/08/2022 17:20

YANBU. Whenever I see anyone with a dog I just think how can you be bothered? It looks to me like having a toddler that never grows up and must restrict your life so much. No, not for me. I’m sure there are also people who think the same about having children though.

MissingNashville · 31/08/2022 18:05

UnagiForLife · 31/08/2022 17:20

YANBU. Whenever I see anyone with a dog I just think how can you be bothered? It looks to me like having a toddler that never grows up and must restrict your life so much. No, not for me. I’m sure there are also people who think the same about having children though.

Our life is built around our animals and they bring us a lot of happiness. They don’t feel like a restriction as it’s how we enjoy spending our time and they come with us most of the time or can be left for a couple of hours. We mostly holiday in the UK but do have people that happily look after our animals if we need to go away without them or we’re out for more than a couple of hours. We have teens at home that look after them as well. I can’t imagine life without our animals.

MaMaLa321 · 31/08/2022 18:21

YANBU.
We have had a dog, who we loved, but the whole dog-owning thing has changed since Lockdown.

  • so many people have 2 dogs, sometimes more, when they used to have 1.
  • Dogs are everywhere. I don't think any dogs, apart from assistance dogs, should be in a place where food and drink is served.
What I really dislike is owners having their dog on a long leash when they come into a cafe. So the dog is roaming around getting in the way. Why not pull the leash in so that it stays next to you?
BobbysGirly · 31/08/2022 18:32

I love my dog. He’s very well trained and no bother at all. He does get smelly from time to time and I very often feel he is a tie. I couldn’t leave him with anyone he doesn’t know for us to go on holiday abroad. We have had some smashing UK holidays with him.

Youngest DD (19) has said she’ll stay home to look after him for us to go abroad for DH’s 60th birthday next year. I’m not banking on it.

There are some pitfalls to owning a dog. Having said that I wouldn’t entertain the thought of having a cat. Totally pointless pet imo.

waterlego · 31/08/2022 19:41

UnagiForLife · 31/08/2022 17:20

YANBU. Whenever I see anyone with a dog I just think how can you be bothered? It looks to me like having a toddler that never grows up and must restrict your life so much. No, not for me. I’m sure there are also people who think the same about having children though.

I don’t find that having a dog restricts my life at all. I suppose it depends what sort of things you enjoy doing though. We’re also lucky to have my in-laws as keen dogsitters who love having him on the odd occasion we’re going somewhere he can’t come with us.

Culldesack · 31/08/2022 19:45

MissyB1 · 31/08/2022 14:58

I know 😕 I never come across dog haters in real life - thank goodness!

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Me neither and if I did, I would run a mile. Zero personality.

Culldesack · 31/08/2022 19:48

MaMaLa321 · 31/08/2022 18:21

YANBU.
We have had a dog, who we loved, but the whole dog-owning thing has changed since Lockdown.

  • so many people have 2 dogs, sometimes more, when they used to have 1.
  • Dogs are everywhere. I don't think any dogs, apart from assistance dogs, should be in a place where food and drink is served.
What I really dislike is owners having their dog on a long leash when they come into a cafe. So the dog is roaming around getting in the way. Why not pull the leash in so that it stays next to you?

You had a dog? You would never have thought so. It is at the owner's discretion whether they allow dogs in eateries. I find people, who have problems with dogs, are cold and soul less.

Kanaloa · 31/08/2022 20:18

Culldesack · 31/08/2022 19:45

Me neither and if I did, I would run a mile. Zero personality.

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If your personality is being so obsessed with your dog that you think not loving dogs means you’re literally void of any personality then that’s not much to brag about tbh.

Culldesack · 31/08/2022 21:57

Kanaloa · 31/08/2022 20:18

If your personality is being so obsessed with your dog that you think not loving dogs means you’re literally void of any personality then that’s not much to brag about tbh.

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Who said my personality revolves around my dogs? I meant of you don't like dogs and all the priceless joy they bring, your personality is questionable. Don't believe I was bragging either.

UnagiForLife · 31/08/2022 22:09

Thankfully I’ve never come across any dog lovers in real life who think that people who don’t love dogs any no personality. If I did, I would run a mile.

UnagiForLife · 31/08/2022 22:10

*have no personality

FirewomanSam · 31/08/2022 22:15

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.

I adore my dog but… you are not wrong. Can’t disagree with any of this!

lovelychops · 31/08/2022 22:22

Twizbe · 30/08/2022 19:51

YANBU. I like dogs but I don't love them.

I'm not liking the trend now to never leave them alone and to have to take them everywhere. I went past Starbucks today and there was a dog sat on one of the chairs inside! Yuk! What happened to dogs (obvious exception for guide dogs) not being allowed in food establishments?

THIS !!!!!
Why is it the fashion to take dogs everywhere now ? Cafes, pubs etc why ???
Don't get me started on those ridiculous dog prams I've seen everywhere!
Dogs are OK I suppose but why do they have to go everywhere with their owners now ?
Saw someone carrying one around a shopping outlet place which was pretty ridiculous

UWhatNow · 31/08/2022 22:32

Culldesack · 31/08/2022 19:45

Me neither and if I did, I would run a mile. Zero personality.

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If having ‘zero personality’ means that your home smells of dog and you lack any empathy but instead say things like ‘…oh he won’t hurt you, he’s more likely to lick you to death’ I’m good with that.

HappyAxolotl · 31/08/2022 23:39

Luckily all my dog-owning friends have well-trained dogs who are a pleasure to be around. I'm wary of strange dogs especially those where the owner doesn't seem to have much control of it.

I would never own a dog despite me liking dogs, because I don't have the time, energy, money, living space etc. to meet a dog's needs.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 01/09/2022 00:09

@1ittlegreen

Quite controversial but I've always found dog owners to smell bad, not of dog but other bad smells like stank breath, BO or dirty hair. It's like they are immune to bad smells. 😅

I can't think of one dog owner I know without a personal smell problem.

You definitely need new people in your life.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 01/09/2022 00:27

YANBU.