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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can't visit friend as her dog is racist

483 replies

CaliforniaCookie · 31/05/2024 19:15

I was making plans to visit one of my best friends.
She is white and I'm mixed race.

She told me she was concerned as her new dog who i haven't met, is racist.

Anytime he sees a person who is not white he goes mental.

This is honestly not a fake post.

Not sure how to respond. Advice welcome.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ProfTeeCee · 01/06/2024 01:28

My dog is like this too 😫

Losetowin · 01/06/2024 01:32

Reading all the reasons why peoples dogs take a dislike to certain people has made me chuckle a bit thinking about how some claim their dogs can “read” everyone.

I’ll save and show this thread to the ones who are SO convinced that their dog/all dogs are great judges of character and are always bleating about if a dog doesn’t like you there’s something wrong with you blah blah.

Obviously with dogs there’s no malice or whatever but it’s very clear that a dog not taking to you doesn’t necessarily reflect badly on you. You may just be white, black, fat, tall, thin, wearing a nice hat or headscarf, delivering mail etc the list is endless 😂

anothernamitynamenamechange · 01/06/2024 01:34

Moier · 31/05/2024 19:27

My dog hated males.. maybe because she was brought up in a house of females

Its very common in wolf dogs and wolves to be more cautious of adult males than women.

thelittlestkiwi · 01/06/2024 01:37

My dog is racist. Which is embarrassing as we are a mixed race family. She is utterly adored and no one in the family would ever harm her.

She also hates fluro and cycle helmets.

We made an effort to walk in more diverse areas and that seemed to help.

SD1978 · 01/06/2024 01:39

Those saying it's a wind up- genuinely it's not. My friend's dog only reacts to men who are of colour- I understand those of you thinking/ accusing responders of this being a wind up- but it genuinely isn't. The dog will o it react to those men, white men get no reaction at all. Its fecking embarrassing when you walk him

SD1978 · 01/06/2024 01:41

Although I wouldn't call the dog racist, but there is definitely a different reaction to anyone who looks different to the owners.

TheTigerWhoCameToEatMyHusband · 01/06/2024 01:46

Totallybannanas · 01/06/2024 01:04

Is it true dogs are more weary of black dogs? My friend has a black Dane and I'm sure she told me this. Is it to do with their vision or something? There was a reason

Yes i believe it is true due to them only seeing in shades. They cannot distinguish features so clearly so a black dog bounding up to your dog is more likely to get a negative reaction.

Jenasaurus · 01/06/2024 02:21

My DS whippets hate cartoon characters, cyclists and Alsatian's.

DontWheeshtMe · 01/06/2024 03:02

Our dog is a rescue dog and for many years he was terrified by men with big beards, even on the tv.
There was an advert with two guys with beards and we always had to turn it down if it came on as he’d start barking.
We assumed he had a bad experience before he came to us.

Nanaof1 · 01/06/2024 04:32

I still remember when the police came to my door and accused my dog of chasing a neighbor on a bicycle. I told the policeman, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! My dog doesn't even know how to ride a bicycle!"

Badda Boom!

To the peal clutchers--Yes, it is indeed a joke!

Bululu · 01/06/2024 05:41

I am bursting laughing. 😆 Racist dogs I have heard it all by now. Hope they are not called to slaughter soon. Poor doggies.

garlictwist · 01/06/2024 05:42

My mums dog is disabalist. Goes mad at wheelchair users, anyone walking with a stick or a slightly altered gait including me as I have arthritic hips. I wouldn't take it personally.

hopefulmum46 · 01/06/2024 06:06

Tiredanddistracted · 31/05/2024 22:57

Not hate, per se. I have a can myself which I take on walks just in case my dog is attacked by another.

But as a training tool, it doesn't always work. In your circumstances, the dog will be barking because it is under the mistaken impression that people of colour are to be feared. Pet corrector, whilst not painful, is frightening for dogs. By using it, you'll basically be telling the dog that it is right to fear you and that it should redouble its efforts.

This then means that, best case, it will continue barking at you and other people of colour it meets and, worst case, it could escalate to a bite as it feels you have not heeded its 'stay away' warnings with barking, growling, etc.

This. Please do not use pet corrector in this situation. You want the dog to build a positive association with you, not a negative one otherwise you will only make any problem worse. Much better would be to take a load of treats and throw them to the dog, so that they associate you with good things coming. Have a read up about desensitisation and counter conditioning before you go.

skippy67 · 01/06/2024 06:06

Iiquidsnake · 31/05/2024 19:21

Have you looked at diversity and inclusion courses for dogs?

Hilarious.

TryingToSeeTheFunnySide · 01/06/2024 06:23

If some saw my sister's gorgeous dog in action they'd think he's islamophobic. He goes mental if he sees Muslim women in hijabs. It's very embarrassing. But, he isn't actually islamophobic of course. It's just that he's a nervous dog and gets confused by the unfamiliar.
He's an absolute sweetheart, and hopefully he'll grow out of it, as he sees more Muslim women out and about and realises they're not a threat.

contrary13 · 01/06/2024 06:32

My dog loathes brindle staffies. She was also very anti-black people, until I needed carers and those the agency sent were all Black Africans (newly immigrated). It took a while, and she still suspiciously stalks my female carer and puts herself between us protectively (female carer is loud, brash, prefers to be rude to me in a "joking" fashion)... but the male carer, my dog absolutely adores. I'm pretty sure if he were to ask her to run away with him, I'd not get a backwards glance... (He's quiet, smiley, likes to chat with the dog about his week and young children - she literally trots along at his heels whilst he works, with her tail up and wagging)

My dog is also a rescue, abuse before 8/9 weeks old. She's 7 years old now, and is - ironically - a black Kokoni!

My parents dog, however, is not a rescue, is 7.5 years old, has been in the family since he was 10 weeks old. He is extremely racist... but then, so are my parents (although they deny it vehemently). Their neighbour is Ugandan, has lived in her house longer than my parents have been in theirs (30 years), but they talk about her as though she moved in and spoilt the street they all live in. I just figure that their dog is picking up on their vibes of intolerance and, so, barking at anyone who isn't white. It can be excruciating, because they reward the dog for barking, so, of course, he keeps on doing it...

Having said that, my mother was also adamant that her dog hates all black dogs... but he and mine get along just fine. My mother's excuse? "Well, she's family...". Like that makes a difference. My other dog, a Spaniel, was terrified of black Labs - but that was because he was attacked by one as a puppy. No idea why my current dog hates brindle staffies, when she loves or tolerates all other breeds and fur colours of dogs - but assume one did something to her before she came to us.

PylaSheight · 01/06/2024 06:45

Of course dogs can be racist. I mean, remember this little Nazi! 😉

Can't visit friend as her dog is racist
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 01/06/2024 07:29

I had a cat that I'm sure was very right-wing. 🐱

CaptainMyCaptain · 01/06/2024 07:37

Spudthespanner · 31/05/2024 20:42

@CaptainMyCaptain

What on earth are you talking about? It's embarrassing if a dog reacts badly to anyone

Posters are saying they are mortified because their racist dogs are barking at black people. That's ridiculous. Train your dog better and stop calling it racist.

Nobody thinks it's politically or philosophically racist. Stop being so literal.

LynetteScavo · 01/06/2024 07:45

My DM (white) used to have an acquaintance (an Indian restaurant owner) who had a racist guard dog. I assumed the dog had been ill treated by a white person at some point.

Hoosemover · 01/06/2024 08:01

A lack of socialisation is the issue. Unfortunately there are loads that never got proper socialising in the pandemic .

i have one of these dogs. When we got her she was reactive to everything apart from women of child - bearing age. She definitely has got better. But still a mad dog when it come to animals

Gagaandgag · 01/06/2024 08:03

I believe this, it’s down to socialisation

swayingpalmtree · 01/06/2024 08:05

Losetowin · 01/06/2024 01:32

Reading all the reasons why peoples dogs take a dislike to certain people has made me chuckle a bit thinking about how some claim their dogs can “read” everyone.

I’ll save and show this thread to the ones who are SO convinced that their dog/all dogs are great judges of character and are always bleating about if a dog doesn’t like you there’s something wrong with you blah blah.

Obviously with dogs there’s no malice or whatever but it’s very clear that a dog not taking to you doesn’t necessarily reflect badly on you. You may just be white, black, fat, tall, thin, wearing a nice hat or headscarf, delivering mail etc the list is endless 😂

Edited

Yes, I agree. My dog isnt keen on elderly people - no idea why, perhaps its because they sometimes have sticks and she's scared of them (she also doesnt like bikes) but I have never felt threatened by an older person with a walking stick so her danger radar is a little bit skewed lol

Buffypaws · 01/06/2024 08:19

😂 Whatever happened to Sheriff the racist dog?
I am not bringing my black ass back up to this fuckin hotel until y’all get rid of that fuckin clan dog ..:
lookin at me like I’m a damn t bone.

A racist dog. Larry David. Wanda Sykes. Dog attacks only black people

https://youtu.be/uh31FjpQrzA?si=dMr86c5i39_2yu8G

BewaretheIckabog · 01/06/2024 08:31

CaptainMyCaptain · 01/06/2024 07:37

Nobody thinks it's politically or philosophically racist. Stop being so literal.

Mine has a picture of Tommy Robinson above his bed and goes to Klan meetings!