To thing the worlds gone dog mad...

[mrspotatohead21]

I just feel people put dogs on too much of a pedestal. I like dogs, but I just think people almost see them than more than they are, which is, let's be honest, an animal.

I understand how they can be an elderly persons only companion, can fit well into the right family, can help people in need in many ways I do, but just some examples.

I work in a cafe. When we say dog friendly area is outside we get looked at like we've said they can't bring their child in.

I live with my mum and my daughter who's 16 months. She bought a sprocker puppy, he's big, he's massively energetic and he play bites.
He bit her and made her cry, then knocked her over and jumped on her. She's heavier than him. When I asked her to put him behind the gate she said "he's only a baby" and "this is his home, it's not (my daughters) home) every time he's a little bugger she just says "he's only a baby"

People who will fully argue with that they they thing dogs are equally worth the same as children, like there is some comparison. I'm sorry but my own flesh and blood who literally grew in my is never a comparison to a dog?

I just don't go gooey over them. I like a cute dog as much as the next but I'd never seem them or put the trust in them around children like some people do, and recent news of a dog sadly killing a little girl doesn't seem to make people think twice even it's just "my dog would never do that"

AIBU to have that opinion?

Dog owners are often paying customers too. I extensively research places I’m allowed to take my dog any time we are travelling with her. I don’t take my dog places that aren’t dog friendly, but I believe I have the right to take my dog anywhere that have owners who make the decision to advertise their business as “dog friendly” - just like I do for my kids.

Incidentally it’s very difficult to find places to eat with dogs AND children because many country pub type places only allow kids in the lounge, no access to the bar area, and only allow dogs in the bar, no access to lounge area. It’s a pain in the bum.

If she’s not walking the dog it must be bored and this will affect its behaviour. She needs to walk it before and after work or pay someone to take it for a decent walk in the working day. She should be out with it at weekends too.
A sprocket is a clever dog with boundless energy. You are right to be anxious around the children.
Has the dog been neutered? An entire male in a family home is not a good idea and he’s probably on the cusp of adolescence.

I'm sorry OP, it's not nice living somewhere where you're not wanted.

The problem we’re finding is ‘normal’ shops where people take their tiny dogs in, like Sainsbury’s. Not dog friendly places.
DD wouldn’t go in a pub anyway so that’s not an issue 😂

@Tirednest why are you being so nasty? Op has your mum always been like this? I think you need to get away from her and your ex. She us not behaving like a parent and it sounds like she is the reason you got into an abusive relationship.

@CherLloydbyCherLloyd I think you might be right. Her older dog died a week before my daughter was born, and I'm not sure if she thought it would be a direct replacement to him, forgetting how he was 13 years ago and how much easier it was not having children around too.
I know exactly what you are saying though about how dogs do have their place in bringing something to peoples lives that humans can't. I just wish she would start putting the effort in to making sure he grows up to be one of those dogs. I know he isn't a bad dog, he's asleep in his crate now and you don't hear a peep all night, but he's just so under stimulated and when I'm trying to bath, dress and settle the kids on the night and he's jumping up and going for her face or doing whatever I just get frustrated when mum just sits saying (you guessed it) hes only a baby.
You've really given me some good advice and a difference perspective though, thank you ❤️

Eww dogs in supermarkets is disgusting. If I knew there was a chance that a jowly dog had been salivating on my biscuits and teabags I would never use that supermarket chain again. Gross.

What supermarket was this please?

It wasn’t a supermarket - read again.

Gotcha! damn my eyes

Hmm it's hard to say as when I last lived with her I was 21 and single. I'm 34 with 2 children now. She never used to drink like she does now, she'd have a glass of wine like the rest of us but now I won't even see her drink and she'll randomly be slurring - and I'll find alcohol hidden in the dining room. Her attitude is very much I've made my bed, lie in it and fuck off really.

@FrasierCranesHumongousAssContest thank you ❤️

Dogs are the default companion for people who can't get on with other people.

No he hasn't been neutered, he's in tact x

YANBU

YABU for not accepting that some people do love their dogs more than humans. To some people who can’t have kids it’s the closest they’ll ever get. Not really fair to say your kid is more important- your kid is more important to you but my dog is more important to me.

But, your mum is being really shit. 16 months old is NOT a baby. Mouthing at this age is unacceptable and it should have been corrected as an actual puppy. Even if she wants to insist her dog is higher in the pecking order than the kids, she still needs to teach it manners. She’s being a crap and irresponsible owner and probably a massive factor contributing to your resentment for dog owners.

They might be, but that doesn’t make it right.

Why would you be so proud of being so statistically unpleasant? 🙄

I cba to engage fully but YABU 🙄

I ADORE our dog, but you are totally right. Everything has become about dogs, and dogs are no longer what they used to be, which was so much more chilled then they are now, ironically as everyone goes to training classes but the result seems to be the dogs are being made walk to heel etc, not allowed just walk and sniff. (I am being a hypocrite here, my dog goes to classes, but I remember telling my aunt and she looked at me and I remembered how good all our dogs were and none of them went to classes!)

I went into the pet shop to talk to them because he was messing with his bed and they suggested he sleep in the room with myself and my husband. I laughed and they looked at me. Told my friends and they all asked would I, that the dog would probably sleep better. It’s like- where are the days when dogs could be dogs?!

Routinely drunk and in charge of a dog they won't train? Trouble just waiting to happen.

I agree.. If he is a 6 month old dog, he is mouthing, he'll chew down on anything he can find and he'll play bite; this is where your mother should be taking control of the dog. Both his parents are working spaniels I believe. If she was spending her afternoons out with him and then asked us to bear with his behaviour that's one thing, but she works on the morning, goes out every afternoon with friends and then comes home and expects him to behave on an evening

Spaniels are working dogs and he'll only get worse in play biting, general destruction of every single thing he can get his mouth on, through sheer boredom; and I feel so sorry for the situation. He probably won't be a threat in an aggressive sense but he'll want to play to expend energy and could do damage to your toddler. You need to move out and if you really really can't, then you'll have to maybe get the dog out and take control?

Your idiotic post fits your username

I have no idea why people even tolerate children never mind like them. Im frequently annoyed that people seem to think their kids should be permitted everywhere

I adore dogs and my own is the Best Thing Ever. Bugger off and enjoy the 'joy' of your children and leave me to my pup.

So the bottom line is, your Mum is the problem.

The dog is a symptom of that, but the root of the issue is, your Mum is not a particularly good or kind person, and the relationship you have with her is not healthy.

Get out. It is all you can do and no, it isn't easy but if you were writing here that she puts your child at risk in any other manner, or that she hit your child, they'd all be telling you the same thing.

Her dog is a baby in dog terms, he'll be a baby in many respects til nearly 2. If she isn't putting in the work to train him, keep him entertained, manage his behaviour until he is a grown up sensible dog, then this is only going to get worse (he hasn't even entered canine adolescence yet!)

YABU to start yet another dog thread when everything you describe is an issue with your mum, nothing to do with how generally people treat their dogs. The living situation can't be good for anyone and the poor dog is a victim here as well.