To dare to think that the Cult of Dog has gone too far?

[MariLlwyd]

There is now not a single public space in my home town that is dog-free - and that includes cafes, restaurants and even the library. Local beaches, once a quiet escape, have turned into asylums for the fur baby/pupper brigade to inflict their poorly trained animals on others with children getting chased, people jumped on and tripped over and all to the sound of hysterical barking and frequent dog fights.
80 year old woman knocked over by uncontrollable dog? 'You got in his way'.
Ask politely that you take your dog away from our lunch table? 'Go fuck yourself'.
Sit on the most remote bench you can find? Peri-menopausal wild eyed harridan lets loose 3 dogs from her 4x4 to jump all over you and laughs that it's 'their spot' and turns unhinged when you push them away.
Yes, this is a rant and yes I hate most dog owners.
This weird cult that values darling dogs over human beings is actually pretty worrying.
I shall await the inevitable and hilarious 'incoming' from the emotionally stunted Doggo Nutters.

Wouldn't matter if I agreed with you or not,
Peri-menopausal wild eyed harridan has lost you the argument.

They should do and likewise people should clamp down on anyone who self declares their dog to be an assistance dog or an emotional support dog or what ever made up title they have bestowed on the animal. It only causes trouble to people who genuine assistance dogs.

Honestly I'm a peri-menopausal wild eyed harridan, and I was not offended by that. It's such a valid description.

And doesn’t that tell you that some of us are really fed up of them being allowed absolutely everywhere?

I’m no dog hater, I like them a lot, but not in every single public place (virtually). And especially not where food is being served.

(sits back and awaits inevitable volley of oh-so-edgy ‘stay home then’ type responses from the dog-obsessed 🙄)

That’s if the owners obey the signs…

It’s rare to find a beach near me that doesn’t have at least one dog on it, even when they aren’t meant to be there. Nobody official to enforce it, and the type of owner who thinks the rule doesn’t apply to them is hardly likely to be receptive to being told to take their dog somewhere else,

That is because dog owners really piss off a lot of people.

A man who lives locally got aggressive with ME the other day because I crossed the road with my small dog, on lead, when he was walking along with two bull terrier type things, unleashed.

I would always cross over or put a bit of space between this breed of dogs (or any big dog for that matter) and my own. Christ even if they were all on leads a fight can happen very quickly, I've witnessed horrendous dog attacks in the street, with powerless owners with dogs that are too strong to pull off.

The irony of an angry man shouting at you that his dogs 'wuddent fucking harm you'...

It’s tedious isn’t it. But surprisingly useful for reinforcing my belief that I really do prefer dogs to humans, especially ones who describe women as harridans.

This is the piece of the puzzle so many dog owners now just seem to be missing. Their dog doesn’t belong (and very likely doesn’t enjoy) being out with them in high traffic, urban spaces.
As much as some dog owners now perhaps feel entitled to take their dogs wherever they go, I think there’s also an element (especially with younger owners) of not wanting their pet to cramp their preferred lifestyle. Most good dog owners I have known accept they have to curtail their social plans because they need to get home to walk the dog and can’t leave it alone too long. Some owners now aren’t prepared to sacrifice their weekend shopping and long lunch out to care for their pets, so they drag them along too.

Ahhhh we haven’t had a dog bashing post for ages lol

“Sit on the most remote bench you can find? Peri-menopausal wild eyed harridan lets loose 3 dogs from her 4x4 to jump all over you and laughs that it's 'their spot' and turns unhinged when you push them away.”

You sound unhinged 😂 I feel the same way about traffic, people in general and children lol.

I don’t see any of the situations you describe in my day to day life regarding dogs, so can’t relate. I would like to see more dogs, there aren’t many here at all.

It’s really the people, the owners that are the problem though isn’t it?

I can never understand why so many people say that other peoples dogs jump up at them. Are their pockets stuffed with sausages, or what?
For decades I’ve lived close to a big park where I’ve walked literally thousands of times, and where many dogs are always off the lead, and can honestly only recall at the most two instances of dogs jumping up at me.

that's a very unkind comment. These dogs are likely old, injured or unable to walk for some reason.

When my dog had both his cruciate ligaments done (metal plates) he was on very restricted exercise till they healed. He had to be supported to pee/poo as couldn't put weight on his back legs at all.

He was only 2 at the time so found this most frustrating and boring.

I carried him to local park and put him down to pee, then picked him up again and took him to another spot to pee and so on.

I did this cos I love him and at least this way got to sniff the air and mark his territory. i suppose a bit like taking a disabled person out in a wheelchair (done that too). They still like to get out and about.

Quite frankly a dog 'pram' of some sort would have made it easier as despite being a small dog he is quite solid and heavy.

I doubt any dog owner would push a healthy dog in a pram for no reason. We know people are judging us.

My dog is getting old now and has heart problems. I've already thought about what I will do when he is no longer able to go for walks. I'll probably just drive him in the car to different parks and let him doddle about. However I might buy some sort of dog 'pram' so I can walk myself for exercise and let him enjoy some fresh air, dog sniffs, new territories.

Yes I will buy the least looking 'pram' one I can find cos I have no desire to have anyone think I am taking my dog out in a pram.

Very small minded/cruel though what you said.

Dogs are very loving, loyal and kind and ask very little from their humans. It's a shame that most of us are not worthy of them.

I mean if I woke up tomorrow and dogs didn't exist and had never existed I wouldn't be at all bothered. I wouldn't wish for it, as I know a lot of people love them, and obviously guide dogs etc, but I wouldn't care at all for myself. Guinea pigs and cats, another matter.

I'd notice as I am allergic to dogs. I expect you'd also notice me struggling to breathe.

I love the dog owners who say they’ve never seen a nuisance dog. But hordes of children come up to their dog every day and torment it, apparently.

Absolute bollocks.

We’ve all seen dangerous or bloody irritating dogs. Children whacking dogs? No, about as likely as a bin collection in Birmingham.

As PP

My grandchildren are autistic. All have had adverse experiences with dogs because they have been out of control.

My grandson needed hospital treatment because he was knocked over by a dog which jumped over him on the beach. His skin was punctured above and below his eye.

And the owner blamed us because DGS was running? He had just started walking - he was barely running, more tottering - on a wide open beach. But not the owner's fault who most certainly was not in control of the animal?

Because of that incident his sister is now so scared of all dogs that it has possibly developed into a phobia. She will run into the road/traffic at the sight of one - mainly because owners use long leads and the dogs are allowed to approach her and actually come into contact, either by brushing past her or jumping up. No dog should be allowed to be within touching distance of anyone. The effects on DGD are debilitating and dangerous. What a lovely way to start school every day - terrorised by dog owners taking their animals out for shit.

Can you explain why you've chosen to use perimenopausal as an insult on a site that is mosty used by women, all of whom will go through the perimenopause at some point in their lives?

I've rehomed a dog and my world has shrunk. I can go to WHSmith to get a magazine and that's it. I can't leave her at home because she howls and that's not fair on my neighbours. So I'm stuck.

I organise high end craft and food markets inside some beautiful castles and every single year a have people loosing their minds at not being able to bring their dogs inside.

Yes this. I have a dog I don't inflict her on anybody,she doesn't come with me to cafes or shops or restaurants or libraries. When I walk her she is under control at all times and has no interest in other people (especially children, she ignores my grandson) or dogs. She potters along beside me, sniffing,I pick up after her no impact on anyone else. I agree though it's not at all right that all owners don't consider their responsibilities before having a dog and so impact others.

Agree too, we have dogs but don’t inflict them on others.

Recent completely rare lunch out with husband, people were seated next to us with their great dog.
They made a fuss of it, but I ignored it, I wanted a peaceful child free meal .

Another treat breakfast out with teens and husband, Grandparents seated at a neighbouring table, started competitively singing blooming nursery rhymes at their toddler grandson.

It’s not young people though because if they’re delaying parenthood then it’s often because they’re renting privately, often flat sharing, which makes it quite difficult to get a dog.

Most dog owners I see are well over the age of 40.

Perfect response

I also think we are the only people with dogs on leads, and ours are always hassled by loose dogs.