Mumsnet, fulll of dog haters?

[thecatsabsentcojones]

Yet another post on AIBU featuring dogs. Most replies are on the 'dogs are dangerous, dogs are badly trained, owners are idiots, children should be frightened of dogs' theme.
Am I one of the few on this website who think that dogs can be incredibly good for children? It's so hysterical. Do most people think like that? They don't round here but it's rural. I detest that mindset towards dogs, it's so needless - yes there are badly trained horrible dogs out there but teach your kids dog language, get them to ask an owner before petting a dog etc, don't get them absolutely terrified - they'll miss out.
If only these people saw the bedtime routine here, with the kids choosing which Labrador goes on which bed to provide sleep time comfort, they'd do their nut!

This debate rolls on because so many people on either side refuse there is some grey area and bad behaviour on both sides.

Some examples...

Walking a small terrier (on lead and well under control) about 5 years ago, a child and her mum stopped and asked if she could pet him. I said yes but to go slowly so that he isn't afraid. At that point the child reaches round his middle and attempts to pick him like a rag doll. Luckily the dog is well behaved and struggled rather than snapped. The mother just laughed until I sternly told the child to 'Put Him Down'. At that point the mother grabbed her child's hand, causing her to drop the dog on the floor. The dog had a sprained leg from that fall that took two weeks to heal.

Walking my springer puppy when he was much younger - again on lead and close by my side - and 5 young children ran up to him, surrounded him and tried to all pet him at once while he cowered in the centre. I instructed them all to "Step back you are scaring him" at which point one of the mothers proceeded to (try to) lecture me that they just wanted to pet the puppy and he would grow up fearful of children unless I socialised him properly - that I should just "relax a bit".

In both those scenarios, the children could have had a nice experience with the dogs - initiated by them - if they had known how to behave around dogs or if the parents had taken the time to explain to them.

In contrast, only the other day a boy stopped and asked very nicely to pet the springer. Despite mum saying he was autistic and didn't really understand dogs, he did everything I asked (stand still, hold his hand out so the dog could sniff etc) and the mother backed me up. Both dog and child had a very pleasant encounter and went on their way.

It's also worth saying in none of those scenarios has my dog been allowed to approach a child uninvited - no dog in my care ever is. For the dog's safety (and probably a bit for the kid's), they are on leads when children are nearby: always. In fact, a walk where we don't see anyone else at all is one of my favourite types of walks .

There are dog owners that think everyone should love their dogs and that the dog is friendly. There are also parents who think that their children have the right to pet any strange dog they want to, just because it's cute. A bit of respect and responsibility on both sides wouldn't go amiss.

I hate them. They stink. I’ve lost count of the number of times I see owners letting their dogs shit all over the place. We’ve ended up with dog shit all over our shoes/pram so many times. Or Dogs constantly jumping up, slobering over me and my kids errrgh. It’s offensive. We are rural too. I’m not frightened of them. I just hate them and generally owners can’t comprehend that some people find them disgusting.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I see owners letting their dogs shit all over the place

Let me reassure you that those of us who pick the bloody shit up hate these dicks as much as you do... nothing aggravates me more on a walk than seeing another dog's shit left on a path.

And I thank all you responsible dog owners that clean up. I just wish there were more of you.

That's ok Granndmasswagbag, because generally dog owners see dog haters as being a bit odd anyway. It's a two way thing. In fact if I were to meet someone new and they said they hated dogs 'because they stink' I'd have them down as a huge bellend within seconds. I feel the same about people who claim they hate all children too.

It’s not dog lovers and dog haters. I love dogs. I just think humans are much more mportant. And I just cannot imagine thinking that it was OK if a child ran away and my dog chased him because somehow it’s the child’s fault. I have to assume that people who say that are taking the piss. Because any other interpretation is too upsetting.

thecatabsentcojones, 😁agree
I believe children benefit greatly from a dog whilst growing up. Walking as a family, training, responsibility. Fun, scheduling in other needs, cuddles, family memorabilia, illness and death. My adult children are cat and dog lovers, know the good sides, know how much work it takes,know that the good sides always outweigh the bad. Know that when the dog passes on, fond memories survive and the new dog gains from the accumulated experience of life with past dogs.

My main point is we live in a world that's rapidly becoming very anti dog

Yes, and we are also living in a world where there is no tolerance either. It's not just dogs taking the brunt of this - sadly, intolerance is growing with the population.

Equally, the population is also becoming less considerate of others, thereby fueling the intolerance.

Yes TattyCat, I completely agree with you there. There seems to be a huge sense of entitlement to not having to tolerate something you don't like nowadays. Personally I find it hard to tolerate fussy, intolerant people - a bit of live and let live makes everything so much more pleasant. And I suppose pet ownership and its responsibilities teaches us that there's more to life than meeting just your own immediate needs. Think a few more people need to learn that lesson.