To not like dogs

[lookpar]

Awkward subject, but I recently was in a social group and everyone except me was bonding over their love of dogs and I just knew I had to keep quiet but of how socially unacceptable it is to dislike them.

I’m not scared of them, I haven’t had any majorly horrible experiences to make me hate dogs. I just simply don’t like them. I would never find a dog cute, I think they make your home smelly and dirty, having to walk them and look after them just seems like a form of personal torture I don’t know why anyone would want that. But I could NEVER say that thought out loud I would be crucified!

Also, another thing I’ve noticed is, it’s a certain demographic of people who seem to be obsessed with their dogs, people without kids, or older people whose kids have moved out. I may be wrong but it’s like this need to mother something/someone.

But anyway, I know dog lovers will come for me that’s fine I just genuinely want to know, why is it such a problem for dog lovers when someone else doesn’t like them?

I have kids, and when someone says they don’t want kids or don’t like them I don’t then judge them and start scrutinising them, I sort of agree lol! (Obviously love my own)

Thanks for the photos, fellow dog lovers. Every one of our beauties deserves to be on display x

So you don’t like dogs 🤷‍♀️I don’t like cats ,cannot think of a reason why I would then start a thread on the subject !
What exactly is your point OP ?

Goodness, what a surprise on MN - someone who doesn’t like dogs!

While you’re perfectly entitled to dislike them, I maintain the right to think that anyone who doesn’t like them is weird.

“Why are you on here?” Same reason as you I guess - thread title piqued my interest, albeit from the opposite pov. Arguably more relevant to me as I agree with the op.

And that’s the exact issue we have - these days it’s considered “weird” not to like dogs. For many years I just got on with my life, coexisting peacefully with people who had dogs, no problem.

You like dogs and I don’t, that’s fine because different people like different things.

Except now the country is dog-obsessed and those of us who don’t love dogs are considered weird. That’s why it’s problematic.

“Who are you to say it’s as weird as f” well, I’m allowed to have an opinion on a close family member in her 70s referring to herself as “mummy” - I find it really strange. If you don’t, that’s fine, they’re my feelings about my family member’s behaviour.
Also, please do point me to where I said everyone does it. I was replying to a poster who said people don’t treat their dogs like children (the crime of generalising) and I was pointing out that some do. Again, context is everything.

All dogs.

=> Sea.

Notice how every single one of our dogs looks happy and content. Such a shame that some humans can't learn from animals.

I think it’s only on mumsnet that there are so many dog haters.
In real life I find that lots and lots of people admire my gorgeous and well behaved dogs.
As a pp said, dogs have been an important part of our lives for hundreds of years and service dogs do so much for humans.
That said, some owners unfortunately are crap but I still think they are in the minority.
I bloody love dogs - just to balance out the I hate dogs brigade.

The fact that the OP doesn’t like any animals seems about right.

I have a dog and there’s two types of non-dog fans, those who don’t like dogs but do like other animals (eg like cats, or horses or really like wildlife etc) and those who don’t like any animals - but as dogs are the pet you see the most (as owners take their dogs out with them), then dogs get the most targeted dislike.

People who generally like animals but not dogs are usually ok. It’s not their thing, they’d rather not be involved, but understand that even if they don’t like the dog, tend to view owners as having a duty towards them that the non-dog lover gets.

Those that don’t like any animals seem to be more angry at dog existence and struggle with other people liking them. So the OP’s first post being upset at feeling left out because she couldn’t bond over loving dogs seems about right. An otherwise animal lover can sort of get why others find dogs cute even if they don’t, wouldn’t find that conversation tricky/it wouldn’t have stuck with them that they are the outsider/unusual one.

Yes, l remember l used the expression, context is everything once, so now you’re using it, or rather over using it to goad.You might have been replying to a poster, your alone comment still stands.You saying it’s 'MY, family, MY feelings’ that’s still not ok to refer to them as weird.It’s of no concern of yours that they have dogs and care for them in that way.
If you weren’t generalising, why bring it up, that’s one situation, you’re implying that’s how other dog owners treat their dogs.It’s understanding not everyone, treats their dog the same way, as long as they’re well cared for, that’s all that matters.

It’s only problematic, if you can’t live and let live.
You don’t have to like dogs, of course, it’s when people say they hate all dogs.Some posters have said they’ve come on this thread to show their hatred and use it as a way to vent, it’s just over the top, unnecessary.You’re not going to change, someone’s mind who cares about dogs, animals.

I think you’ve probably described me very well there. I’m not that keen on dogs but I do love other animals.

It’s humans who have put me off dogs.

I didn't have children through choice and, whilst I was working I didn't have a dog as I was tied down by long, unpredictable hours of work and couldn't give a dog the attention and time it deserved.

When I retired I was free as a bird and the first thing I did was get a rescue dog. I'd been waiting for her for 40 years and then suddenly, there she was!

She comes hill walking, to the allotment, camping, canal boating and on holiday with me. We spend hours gardening (well, she potters around and kips) and we swim in the sea every day together. She is as adventurous as me and small enough to sit happily in my bike basket. We've been thousands of miles together exploring.

Spending time training her has paid real dividends as now she's such a good, confident girl who can go anywhere I go with ease. She has never, ever let me down. Often, in a pub or cafe and she'll be under the table and when we get up to leave people will say they didn't know she was even there. That's the best compliment I could receive.

Before you think it I have loved family and friends so she's not a substitute for anything. She's just my little mate who makes me laugh every day and keeps me company whatever I'm doing. Looking after her is a great pleasure and privilege of my life.

I wouldn't trade her for any bit of freedom - she is a key part of my freedom. If your hobbies chime with a good life for a dog then how could she be a tie?

What a love and joy she is.

I understand how people might not like dogs. We're not all the same.

@DiordreBarlow What a lovely post.I really enjoyed reading it❤️

To be fair I wasn't that bothered about dogs until I got one, now I'm obsessed. I love him so much.

@Loulabelle1234 He’s gorgeous

Close to the sea. Good start.

What is that meant to mean?

I don’t like them either! I hate it when their owners don’t move them as they approach others in the street. I mean you can love your dog as much as you like, but doesn’t mean everyone else has to! Move ‘it’ away!

Yes, I don't think they are implying that the dog is lucky to have access to a beach.

Some of the dog haters on here are unhinged.

Yeah very

Diordre beautiful post. What a perfect life for your dog, what a perfect life-enhancer for you.

I get people skipping across the park to come and say hello to my girl all the time. Fortunately, she laps it up (my previous dog would have ignored them and gone and sat under a tree in a right hump 😁). They bring a lot of joy to a lot of people.

Loulabelle, what a honey.

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