Dogs don’t need

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after a bemused trip to the park I noticed…..
Dog ice cream, I mean really … do dogs even need or want this ?
I’ve also seen:
Dog bubbles flavoured with bacon
Dog beds for the car
Dog Prams
Dog carriers
Please add your own…

I'll play, OP

Dogs don't need to go to John Lewis, to go to the cinema or to wear novelty outfits.

I swear the wolves they once were would look at some of this shit and reconsider the whole "befriend humans" survival strategy.

Humans don't need most of the crap that we buy either but we still buy it.

They don’t need to be taken absolutely everywhere
they don’t need ridiculously long lead extended yo the length of a washing line when out on a footpath or shopping centre

I doubt it.

was watching Attenborough yesterday. Dog sat watching the poor wolf cubs starve another day after having just eaten her fresh duck that arrives in a bowl at the same location at the same time every day.... 🤷🏼‍♀️

Guinea fowl today. Lamb tomorrow. Not sure yet about Thursday.

They don't need to be dragged everywhere with their humans.
I know companion breeds and the like are basically happy wherever their person is, but other types of dogs in busy cafes, shops etc often look really anxious and stressed.

A woman who loves near me adopted a small 3 legged dog, she had a slight disability but the dog toddled along beside her so was easy to cope with. At some point her disability got worse and the dog got older and struggled more so she pushed the dog in a push chair which gave her support and the dog could get out when they reached a suitable place for it to get out. Later on she started using a mobility scooter and the dog rode in that. I haven't seen her for ages so I presume the dog has died and she no longer has the same impetus to get out in the countryside every day. 😟 What I'm saying is the help she gave the dog via the pushchair helped her keep her much loved companion happy and also helped her physically and mentally.

We often stop at a dog friendly cafe while out on a walk. The dog sits under the table and you wouldn't know she was there. Sometimes she sees people sitting outside at tables and tries to pull us over there so I think she does like sitting and people watching. We don't 'drag her everywhere' we take her with us for walks and sometimes drop in somewhere else on the way.

Well my dog would agree. She doesn’t need her doggy ice cream, but she definitely loves it. Much like me with my iced latte ….

..

To be fair, most humans don't need dogs.

I was in a cafe the other week and was thrilled to see that they stocked banana ice-cream. Got all the way to the till with it before realising it was for dogs. I put it back.

I said 'some dogs' look if they're not enjoying being in cafes. I wasn't talking about you and your dog personally.

There’s a dedicated dog bakery near where my sister lives in the US. As someone with type 1 diabetes who had to resort to eating dog biscuits when experiencing a hypo on a walk I have been tempted…(the ones I had tasted like oaty biscuits).

Any one else instantly send this to their family WhatsApp group with a view to taking the dogs?

Maybe just me, then.

Elderly dogs do often need to be carried or pushed in a buggy if they can't walk very far/well. Dogs need to go out to see and smell things and to avoid boredom, not just for exercise, so if a dog can't walk far any more, being able to push or carry them to the park is a really good way of making sure they get the mental stimulation they need.

No, dogs don't 'need' ice cream or tasty treats, or something to make a long car journey more comfortable or whatever, but neither does a human being. But generally - much like humans - they enjoy these kinds of things as a little treat now and again and it makes their day more fun. I don't really see what's 'bemusing' about this.

I had two dogs who were pretty much my constant companions from when I was 10 up until I was 26/27. No dog ice cream in those days and most of our walks were country ones, but when I used to take them to the high street I used to buy them a sausage each from a local cafe as a special treat.

One of them was very keen on jumping up on to a chair to stand on her hind legs and look out of the front room window when I was a kid. My parents rearranged the furniture which meant she couldn't do that any more, and my dad felt sorry for her being robbed of her favourite activity so he made her a little set of steps. Again, not necessary. But she loved it and we loved seeing her use it.

Dog beds in cars are only humane on long journeys.

Sigh.
Their lives are short, their love is unconditional.
If you want to treat them to things that they like but dont need, do so.

These fucking threads, honestly.

Off to find bacon flavoured bubbles for my dogs. They will love these. Thanks OP.

My dogs go to see Santa every year at a local event. They do a woodland walk, followed by seeing Santa and then a dog safe hot chocolate and dog biscuit. 🎅 🐶 🎄

Dogs give their entire short lives over to us. We are their world. If it isn't actively cruel or harmful (as in overfeeding, giving chocolate etc) why the hell not.

Hahaha!! My elderly pooch has got a bit chubby over the summer as she can't tolerate heat so less walks. I've cut her food right back.

I met a friend for lunch with said doggo (no criticisms, advertised as dog friendly venue and we go often). I saw a sign that said they were selling dog ice cream and nudged my friend and said I should get some for my dog. She said no, my dog did not need 'dog ice cream', she needs less food and more exercise!

Friend is a dog owner and trainer and she was absolutely right!

My dog didn't get any ice cream!

People dont need ice cream either…
I used to freeze yogurt or wet food for my dogs back in the day when dog ice cream didnt exist. They love a cold treat in the summer.
Carriers and prams are really useful for old or injured dogs, especially if you have a younger dog too who wants a long walk, but the old one cant walk as far. Instead of going twice you can just pop him in the pram..

See, for me this kind of thing is innocuous in that it's not going to actively harm them, but I find it deeply odd. Dogs don't have a concept of going to see Santa. I'm sure they enjoy the walk and the treats, but the rest is just weird projection by their owners.

It is a lucrative market, why shouldn't entrepreneurs make some money, anything that's boosting the economy with someone doing a days work is a good thing.
Similar to the 1000's of coffee vans for the humans.

Lol at the deeply odd and weird comments.

‘Santa’ is just another person to give my dogs fuss and rub their bellies so they’re very happy to see him. They gets treats, a new toy, a nice walk and interaction with other dogs and people. We get a nice photo, which our dogs don’t care is taken of them. But yeah, deeply odd and weird. It’s a nice afternoon for everyone, it’s more odd and weird that you seem to see no joy in things like this.

Dogs don’t need to be kept away from pubs, cafes, shops or even Santa just because some MNers don’t like it.