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Original poster

Soooooooo many dog threads

111 replies

ChocolateBeforeBed · 19/04/2023 19:00

What's going on on Mumsnet at the moment? So so many dog threads every day. Is it one person that's got super pissed off with dogs and is using lots of different usernames to start new threads? What's going on?

I found the first few I saw last week quite interesting, but in the last hour alone I've seen more than 4 pop up on here.

What's with the dog threads? 🐶

OP posts:
jojogoesbust · 20/04/2023 13:27

I think the hate should be towards irresponsible owners rather than the dogs. As a 9 year old, I was bitten rather badly by an out of control German Shepherd. We owned one, and my mom used to breed them so i knew that these are smart dogs and require smart owners. Not all people should have these big dogs. But as someone hurt by a dog the fear is always there and theres nothing worse for me that seeing a big dog off the lead in the park etc. I freeze with fear, and would never own a dog as an adult as i really dont trust them

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 20/04/2023 13:28

It's what's known as a 'trending topic'. Just like any other.

Yyfandes · 20/04/2023 13:30

I think we need to find some middle ground here. We need to accept that some dog owners are a problem, but that we also shouldn't be demonising all dogs/owners.

I have several largish dogs. All have done basic obedience, are kept on leads unless in an enclosed dog-friendly space or a large enough space that I can see anyone coming from miles away, all have excellent recall (if in doubt they stay on leads), I always pick up poop, I never let them jump up or approach people or other animals without their agreement. I would support a scheme that would promote responsible ownership - license, basic training, insurance requirement, etc. I didn't see that my dogs pose any problems to anyone, despite their size, even when my DC were small, and find the amount of hate levelled at all dogs and their owners really sad.

But. We do need to address the problems of our of control dogs. There are some owners who do let their dogs off lead when they shouldn't, don't have recall, don't pick up poop, don't do any training, don't supervise when with children, etc. I live in the country, with fields behind us, with a right of way the other side, and see so many dogs allowed to run through the farmers crops, running up to on lead dogs, chasing horses and cyclists. It's a really big problem.

I'm not a massive fan of bull breeds myself, but have worked around animals long enough to know that just banning the XL breed won't fix the problem. Before XL was a thing it was pit bulls that were the problem, and before them it was rottweilers, dobermans, and even German Shepherds. If you ban XLs without dealing with the owners, they will just move on to another 'impressive' breed. I own one of the breeds previously considered an issue, and have met many more. And owned and trained correctly, they are not usually an issue. It is the owners who are the problem. That is the bit we need to fix.

But it would be nice to seek a balance - less black and white, less dogs are angels/demons, and more understanding the nuances of the problem and that it's not a simple fix.

NotAnotherPylon · 20/04/2023 13:31

I agree with @Ontopofthesunset. I don’t think it’s fair to assume that everyone who complains about a particular dog related issue hates dogs. I don’t own a dog, but my SIL has two and they are not particularly well trained, so I have quite a few complaints about them (AND her - specifically her total ineffectiveness at keeping them under control.) My neighbour has three rescue dogs and they are all adorable. Yes, we hear them barking from time to time - dogs do that - but they are beautifully behaved and I like giving them a fuss.

I can still have a moan about being jumped up at by various dogs when I’m out running/walking, which doesn’t happen all the time, but certainly enough to be irritating and to make me wary. And I can have a moan about the amount of dog shit left on the pavement. Does ANYbody think it’s ok? And a moan about how SOME dog owners don’t understand why I don’t love their pet on sight. I also don’t like doggy slobbers😬

But, honestly, I don’t hate dogs.

WoofWoofBeachLife · 20/04/2023 13:34

I've not read the comments but it's because the sun is out, it brings the wanky walkers out! Avoiding them is near impossible so I taser them in my head. We live in a tourist area so every walk has dobbers this time of year.
My dogs hate it too 🤣

WTFJanice · 20/04/2023 13:34

ChatGPT. Clue's in the name.

#CatsTakingOverTheInternet

Frances24 · 20/04/2023 13:37

MissDollyMix · 19/04/2023 19:46

Because dog-haters can’t comprehend that not everyone thinks like them and won’t stop buggering on until everyone thinks exactly like them.
Im personally so fucking sick of kids coming up to my dog and molesting her. It happens daily. I get followed down the street by them too… Wish parents would teach their kids some recall. One grandmother shouted at me because I was in too much of a hurry to let her grandson pet my dog. Managed 40 years without being accosted by a random dog (as seems to be so frequent on these threads) but this seems to happen daily.

Yes, this!

Can’t walk my dog (on lead) in the park after work now the weather is nicer because we get harassed got unsupervised children trying to grab him 😫

ellebelli · 20/04/2023 13:40

I love my dogs, like someone else mentioned seeing them run with ears flying in the wind is epic,cheers me up!
I go to a puppy play every weekend and it's the most fun,lots of cuddly,muddy,slobbering pups all wanting fuss and jumming all over me(some even barge right into me when im not looking!)
I think non dog owners are a bit up tight!(I never fully trust someone who doesn't like dogs)😉

LowFlyingDucks · 20/04/2023 13:55

MissyB1 · 20/04/2023 13:16

There is increasing negativity lately, but times are hard and lots of people are struggling (despite the denial of some very vocal posters). So I’m wondering if that’s behind all the negative posts.

Show quote history

Yes, you are probably right. We were all looking forward to everything being amazing and retuning to normal after the lockdowns, to be slapped by this cost of living crisis and our outgoings being greater than out income.

Fair enough. But I do love dogs, and it is upsetting seeing dogs and their owners being scapegoated.

barrybullshit · 20/04/2023 13:56

Nothing more boring than dog bores 😴

HeyDemonsItsYaGirl · 20/04/2023 13:59

Haffiana · 19/04/2023 19:15

It is because the dog nutters on MN are so sincerely, utterly, humourlessly batshit.

It is eye-opening to watch them melt down on behalf of any perceived slight or offense to a dog.

See that's exactly the description I'd use for the anti-dog nutters on here. And I've never had a dog.

HappiestSleeping · 20/04/2023 13:59

GOW56 · 20/04/2023 11:37

I think it is because during the pandemic loads of people bought dogs and treated them as some sort of surrogate child so never trained them properly and also some became bored with them after lockdown when they had other things to do.
I haven't posted anything about dogs but totally understand people's frustrations. Especially at those dog owners who seem to think their dogs are more important than people. I even read a post that said their dog was more important than anyone else's child! That can never be the case.

I was walking my dog this morning and a father had two small children on a pedal thing. I slowed down behind them and he pulled over to let me past. I declined as my dog is further down the food chain than me, the father, or the children and needs to learn to wait. The father was most grateful.

I also make the dog sit next to me when anyone passes me by as many times as I'm able. For the same reason. I don't want dog dribble on nice clothes when I'm out for a walk, so I guess nobody else does either.

Owners should train their dogs properly.

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/04/2023 14:11

It's way too suspicious. I suspect one or two dog hating members have formed other identities to post.

LowFlyingDucks · 20/04/2023 14:18

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/04/2023 14:11

It's way too suspicious. I suspect one or two dog hating members have formed other identities to post.

That’s not the only thing I find suspicious.

Too many threads on ‘what’s the one thing people say/do on mumsnet you hate’ or ‘how do you wish mumsnet was different’ too.

An attempt to orchestrate the mass slagging of off other mumsnet users.

I think - If you hate mumsnet, and every thing the users of mumsnet say do and think, and every decision mumsnet makes, why are you here?

nomoredriving · 20/04/2023 14:19

Oh another dog hating thread, does everyone love cyclists now?

garlictwist · 20/04/2023 14:23

Well it's normally anti cyclist threads so it makes a refreshing change.

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/04/2023 14:32

Seriously,..

Dogs peeing on car tyres http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4788949-dogs-peeing-on-car-tyres

nomoredriving · 20/04/2023 14:32

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/04/2023 14:32

Seriously,..

Dogs peeing on car tyres http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4788949-dogs-peeing-on-car-tyres

Best one!

Parker231 · 20/04/2023 14:48

Dogs aren’t the problem it’s their owners not training them and exercising them properly. Too many people also don’t teach their children how to act around dogs and then are surprised that the dog has growled at them if their DC puts their hands near the dog’s mouth.
Our dog is a huge part of our family and we moved him with us when we moved country. Wouldn’t have considered leaving him behind even though he cost more to move than it cost for us.

ILikePizzas · 20/04/2023 14:51

Haffiana · 19/04/2023 19:15

It is because the dog nutters on MN are so sincerely, utterly, humourlessly batshit.

It is eye-opening to watch them melt down on behalf of any perceived slight or offense to a dog.

It is funny watching them delight in building and knocking down strawman arguments that even a six year old would find ridiculous:

"Oh, so should we declaw cats, because they sometimes scratch kids"
"Humans attack people. Maybe they should all be muzzled too"

LowFlyingDucks · 20/04/2023 14:53

nomoredriving · 20/04/2023 14:32

Best one!

Show quote history

I couldn’t even click on it. 🙄ffs

LadyMuckingabout · 20/04/2023 15:08

Old dog died before lockdown. Then I got new dog last year.

Honestly I could have wept when I first took him out. What had been a very quiet park at 7am was bloody packed. We were jumped on by various dogs, and I went one more time and was bitten by a German shepherd. The owner said, “These things happen” Shock

HOWEVER I am just as fed up with the proliferation of joggers and dog-averse people. I have a perfectly decent Labrador yet I have even had people screaming at me when he is on the lead - one person from
the other side of the road!

bussteward · 20/04/2023 15:10

Oysterbabe · 19/04/2023 19:12

It's because there are millions of the fuckers and they are causing more problems than ever.

Yep: it’s the poodemic. If the poo was picked up, the threads would dwindle. Hop to it.

Greensleeves · 20/04/2023 15:10

It's simple. It's because there are more dogs, more inconsiderate, selfish owners, so more bad dog behaviour in public spaces, and more shit left lying around. People are sick of it, so they post about it.

LOL at the idea that it's a few unhinged dog-phobes sockpuppeting lke mad, though.

SquareRootOfAllEvil · 20/04/2023 15:21

There seem to be more dogs around in places they never used to be, and a lot of dogs (particularly smaller ones) don’t seem very well trained.

I don’t actually mind dogs, but it’s just not pleasant going to any of our local cafes now as they’re basically dog playgrounds for the nuisance dogs / hopeless owners (no dog free options anywhere here, before anyone says “just go to a dog free place then)