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I've never been a fan of dogs. They make me nervous. I like animals, but dogs are just too needy, destructive, and abrasive. Working dogs are fine, but pets/companion dogs really bother me.

They are given so much free reign in homes, it makes me nervous. I shouldn't have to be hyper-vigilant to guard my food and possessions because "the dog might get it!"

They're often very loud, they demand your attention constantly, and they're always in your space.

The worst part is that people nowadays bring their dogs into stores and restaurants, because apparently a lot of dogs have separation anxiety now.

Owners will let their dogs walk right up to me while I'm actively backing away, and assuring me that "they're friendly!" But I do not want to be approached by a strange dog!! I do not know how they will react so I do not want them near me!!

I get that people love their dogs, but there is far too much poor behavior from dogs and their owners that I just can't excuse it.

It dampens my enjoyment of a place when I am forced to guard my possessions, listen to loud barking and/or constant whimpering, be interrupted by the owner who always have to yell at their dogs mid-conversation to keep them from doing something their not supposed to, etc.

Dogs are just..... exhausting.

And I'm very very tired of having to accept them into my spaces & having to deal with them in public settings. I don't believe I'm a bad person for thinking this way. I'm just tired of dogs.

That is all.

Edit: Some of y'all are really offended & have taken that fact that I don't like dogs very personal. Why can I not dislike dogs?

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago

Same. I like/tolerate well-trained dogs, but those are basically nonexistent these days.

Where I live, dog culture is really strong. People here violate leash laws all the time. When you gently but firmly raise a knee to keep a big jumping dog off your chest, the owner acts like you just did a heinous crime. If you complain about not wanting to be jumped on/knocked over by a giant dog that weighs more than you do, you'll be told to seek therapy for your phobia.

Bad dog owners have ruined dogs for me. Training is considered taboo, something close to animal abuse. Which boggles the mind, because the psychology of dogs is such that they need training and maintenance discipline to be well-adjusted. IMO, not training your dog is animal abuse. But here we are, with untrained dogs running around bowling people over and sticking their tongues in strangers' mouths.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

I like dogs in general, grew up with a bunch. My spouse's family always had cats though. After a few years of living with cats vs dogs, cats take the win easy for me for general ease of living.

No needing walks, liter box is easy to scoop, they spend most of the day sleeping and will come by to play or get pet for a few minutes, then move on lol.

Two things though:

  1. Some of this is culturally American. In other countries, dogs are not given the same free reign of the house as here.

  2. I'm probs gunna get a lot of flack for this... A majority of people have horribly trained dogs. In my experience, most folks consider their dog a "good" dog if it has a good mood, that's all. Doesn't matter that it doesn't listen to commands, doesn't matter that it jumps all over people slobbering and barking. Doesn't matter that it is always butting into meals and begging.

Can't tell you how many times I've had a dog jump all over me, licking my face and getting stinking drool all over my clothes only for the owner to say, "oh sorry haha, he/she just loves people!"

If your dog won't stop barking the moment you tell it to, it's a badly trained dog. If your dog jumps up on people when they enter your home, your dog is badly trained. If your dog constantly comes over to the table while people are eating and whines, badly trained.

And it pisses me off that when this behavior happens, the owners either don't care, or get angry at the dog and do something asinine like lock it in another room alone.

I like dogs! I still want one when my spouse and I have property. I don't care if your dog gets to lay on the couches and roam the house freely, that's fine, but it has to act civilized like any other member of the family. Yes it's possible BTW, any professionally trained service dogs will behave like this and more.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm kinda there with you. My cousin has two chocolate labs and every time I'm at their house I hear their name combined with the word "stop it!" Or "get down" or some other variant every 5 minutes or so. I'm sorry, dogs are just inferior cats. Cats are pet perfection.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Same here. My family & in-laws have dogs that are somewhat trained, but they still cause trouble. Growing up, we only had dogs and I thought cats were bad pets. Now as an adult, I realize dogs always need so much effort & attention, and cats make much better pets.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

"Pet perfection" lol. as long as you don't mind cat hair over everything, having furniture shredded, listening to them yak up a furball on the carpet at 4am, using the litterbox then walking over food prep surfaces, then I guess sure.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I feel the same way about children.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

That's valid. But children will grow up and become adults.

Dogs will always be & act like dogs.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Your post made me smile. Great example of the difference of allowing down votes or not. Can you imaging the down votes this would have gotten on that other service.

Frankly I agree. Dogs are needy. I guess a lot of people like that. Not me. For me that is highly subtractive not additive.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

There's not a single downvote here on kbin, tho you are right, some people downvote instead of having a discussion.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

You don’t have to like dogs.

You do have to make that clear to some people. Put together a response, have it ready. “Please call your dog. I don’t like dogs and don’t want it near me.” And call restaurants before you go and ask if they allow dogs. And ask your friends to put their dog in another room while you visit.

I guarantee you some folks will assume you are afraid of dogs, and will try to use their dog to cure your “fear.” You will have to be firm that you are not afraid of them, you don’t like them.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

“they’re friendly!”

Oh god, I've had that same experience, but while walking my rescue who was deathly afraid of everything. A big dog comes up to us unleashed and I tell the owners to please call back your dog. They do, but it does nothing. My dog almost pulled out of her harness she was so afraid.

Some people shouldn't have dogs, and unfortunately, that's most people. I'm sorry you have to deal with dogs with shitty owners. It's not the dogs fault though, and can usually be re-trained so that they can take part in polite society, unlike their troglodyte owners.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Oh, I've had experience with unleashed dogs, too. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that.

You just can't train a dog to not act like a dog, though! You can make (some of) them more polite, but I have yet to meet a perfectly behaved dog.

I just don't like dogs.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Used to work at a large tech company (think FAANG). It was advertised as a very dog-friendly place, so people would bring in their dogs, even if they weren't behaved well. There was an "incident" involving one of my coworkers. (That is a nice way of saying another employee's poorly trained dog bit them.)

Just another reason WFH was so much better.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Sounds like you're painting all dogs with a brush dipped in your experiences. I can completely understand that. I also don't like those situations. They stress me out and make for an uncomfortable visit. I've had my backpack destroyed by a Frenchie, slobber on my clothes from a great Dane, conversations interrupted by a Yorkie, and staffie that just made me nervous.

At the same time, I grew up with a Shiba Inu, and I now have my own Shiba. He's quiet, never begs, requires very little of me, and lays down quietly when guests are over. He loves people and is incredibly protective. It took quite a bit of training and patience, but I'm extremely proud of the good boy he's turned into.

Yes, I love my dog and I'm not expecting you to, but I am asking you to be open minded to different experiences. There are good and bad owners while there are also compatible dog breeds. If aomwone has a border collie in an apartment, it will destroy everything. Same could be said for a Pomeranian that's understimulated.

I respect your opinion and hope that you can one day see the good side of dogs and the companionship they bring into people's lives. While it may not be something in your story, for others it may be a necessary part of their day.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I see the good side for others. If you like dogs and the positives you feel they bring to your life, enjoy your dog!

But for me, I just don't like dogs.

Why is it so taboo to not like dogs? I don't hate them, I just don't like them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

It's similar to why I get looks for disliking cats. People love their pets and confuse disliking a type of animal for disliking their pet in particular.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What makes you think they dont understand why people like dogs? Why are dog owners so unable to fathom that other people might just not like dogs?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'm able to not only understand, but empathize with the OP. I don't like cats and I'd never own one. I completely understand where they're coming from. I was simply challenging their preconceived notion that all dogs (or cats) fit in one box.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Sounds more like you are tired of poorly trained dogs and their incompetent owners. Unfortunatly there are many of the latter.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Are you a bit of an introvert? I ask because I am and prefer cats myself because they're just they're without begging for my attention. I understand everyone has different needs and wants though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

because they’re just there without begging for my attention

You clearly haven't met my mom's cat, lmao

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think you should direct these emotions more towards the owners than the dogs themselves.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Hard disagree. A lot of this behavior is justified to me as "they're just being a dog!"

Dogs bark. Dogs chew. Dogs have a prey drive. Dogs smell. Dogs just want to be with you. This how dogs are.

It's both. I don't like dog behavior, so I just don't like dogs! I have big qualms with a lot of the owners of dogs, sure, but I've never met a dog I actively liked.

I just don't like dogs.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I like dogs. I just keep a healthy distance. I've been bitten by too many "good boys" to really care for raising my own.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Lol, thanks. Honestly got a good laugh out of that. My first dog bite happened in a similar way :p

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most people don't seem to know this oddly, but in lots of parts of the world people don't really care for dogs. Wild dogs are more common outside of the first world and they can be extremely dangerous. People will often get injured by one and be afraid of dogs for the rest of their lives. I had a roommate from the middle east while I was in college and he said he did not care for dogs at all.

It is also pretty common these days for people to straight up not follow the law in regards to their dogs. Having dogs off leash in a nature area seems to be very common nowadays. My own dog gets very nervous while near an off leash dog and I basically had to stop taking him with me on hikes since they are so common. Makes me very angry.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I agree. I am always frustrated to see entitled dog owners who walk right by a sign that clearly states dogs must be on leash. I absolutely love dogs but I still feel this way. Not only because they can make other people nervous who are just trying to enjoy the space and may have very real dog related traumas in their past but often in natural areas they can be very disruptive to the wildlife. I also love birds and I don't like to think of all the shorebirds that are harassed or displaced by owners that don't take care to ensure that they are handling their furry friends responsibly.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Go to Turkey, there are almost no fkn dogs on the streets. We visited it with friends and after two or three days realized that it's coolness and calmness is because of only few dogs around. However, there are tonnes of cats there, but they don't bark.
I was quite disappointed coming back from holidays to my neighbourhood, where everybody, especially after Covid19, have stupid, barking dogs.

Also, dogs would be less stressful if their owners had any idea on how to teach and train a dog. I'm all for a mandatory dog ownership license, so that you have to proove that you have knowledge and skills for training your dog. .

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

@SharkEatingBreakfast indeed, dogs are really curious of the surroundings (happens with all the animals ofc, but dogs are some of the most obvious about it). And I know it doesn't help, but most dogs really are friendly and they do not intend to harm you or anything. If you happen to stumble upon one dog that is not, that is the fault of the owner. Also as a person who owned a dog, I can tell you that if they are threatening, you will know about it. They will signal that if you come close to their proximity, they won't stay like that. Otherwise, they do not attack you directly.

Stray dogs are a bit of a different story, in that they are also territorial, but you do not know where this territory would be and if it is in your path or not. Plus they go in packs, which makes them even more dangerous.

And yes, I understand that you might feel uncomfortable being smelled by them in public. Owners should keep them closer, but still, they are just curious. They do not do any harm or otherwise.

Owners will let their dogs walk right up to me while I'm actively backing away

Those people who do this on purpose suck indeed. I never let my dog go around places in public either. But you can try one thing: if you encounter a dog in a place where there's nowhere to move away from, and it starts smelling your hand for example, try gently petting its head (of course, make sure it doesn't show the teeth). You'll both enjoy this 😊

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

As a dog owner, that's absolutely fair. It's not your responsibility to deal with other people's dogs.

We do bring our dog places, but they have to be 1) explicitly dog friendly (and still not just randomly in stores, and definitely not restaurants? breweries with outdoor spaces though, sure) and 2) we do things like go for big hikes or doggie play dates beforehand, so our dog is happy to just sit underneath our table or right beside us and people watch. If he ever starts getting disruptive (barking/crying, won't stay still) then we pack it up and go - that means he's not having a good time (and we're not either if he's not just chilling) and there's no reason others should have to deal with that too. Fortunately this is rare for us, but this is how the dog owner social contract should go I think.

And absolutely he can't just approach people and is never off leash outside of his specific home spaces (our home, specific family homes). Are people just bringing their dogs to your home and setting them loose or something? Like that's wild and outrageously rude, our dog never goes to someone else's private space without 110% knowledge that they're good with it, and even then he gets tons of stuff to ensure a successful visit (again, lots of activity beforehand + things like his gates, crate, toys, etc. to keep him occupied and safely away from things that could just potentially be issues).

If you're someone who just really doesn't like dogs, the only time and place our dog should ever occupy your attention at all is if you're physically in our house. Which like, he's very social and friendly, but still very much a dog, and while we'd do everything we could to make you comfortable, we'd probably just not meet you in our house most of the time.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Well said. We do the same with our dog. Never off leash in public spaces and also did a lot of on leash crowd training so she stays calm when being randomly approached by people. We run her before going to a pub and have her under a table at a welcoming outdoor terrace. We will leave if any problem, which I think only happened once.

We also have a different problem. Our dog is beautiful so gets approached and petted without us being asked and before we have time to sit her down and get her in a calm state. So we worked on that too, but I wished people just asked before approaching us. Especially sending their kids running towards my dog. She's never reacted badly, and we're in good control, but why send your kid towards an animal you don't know, especially when she has the hunting skills to hurt your kid (small prey) in a flash if she decided to?

Basically no one should impose their dog to someone who doesn't like them.
I am sorry OP feels many owners don't respect their boundaries.

Similarly, no one should impose themselves on a dog and owner either.

Live and let live.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thank you.

It's very tiring being told that I shouldn't dislike dogs. Apparently it's a big taboo and folks take it very personally.

Appreciate your respect towards people who have a differing opinion on dogs.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah, I think this attitude that you can't dislike dogs is actively harmful, both as an unnecessary social stigma and to dogs themselves. Like, this cultural idea that you should just have and enjoy having dogs contributes to bad dog ownership, because people end up owning dogs that they don't properly care for because they think it's what they're supposed to do, or that it'll all be sunshine and roses.

Dogs are needy pets (especially puppies, lord help me)! They need physical, mental, and social stimulation to be happy, if in varying amounts by breed/individual, and not to mention training. You gotta be prepared to (and ideally enjoy) provide these things.

I'm about as far away on the dog opinion spectrum from you as it gets - I love em big, goofy, and slobbery, and if I was independently wealthy I'd be some weirdo that lived in a mansion with an entire pack. That said, it is okay not to like dogs.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Might I point out the reason why people might react so offended by it? You have your opinions. And that is fine. Nobody can tell you your opinions are invalid. But if you look back to your message, your opinions are stated as hard facts:

They’re often very loud

they demand your attention constantly

they’re always in your space

Dogs are just exhausting.

I understand what you mean with this. But it kind of reads similar to someone saying something like "All Americans are dumb". And then when everyone gets offended by it they be like "It's just my opinion, why is everyone angry at me?". And of course people get angry, You get all the responses from people who have an American friend, and THAT person isn't dumb! So of course your facts are invalid!

Anyway. Not a dig at you in any way. Thought I'd just let you know how it reads.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Oh hell yes. I call it creeping "dog culture". Hard to find a brewpub that isn't overrun by them. Nobody in my town obeys leash laws. Grocery stores are the grossest.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Taking regular walks around my neighborhood has really soured me on dogs. Every other house has dogs barking at me from the back yard or front windows. Almost every dog that's being walked will lunge and bark at me. There are only a handful of well-behaved dogs that I enjoy seeing on my walks. Frankly, it seems like 95% of dog owners aren't doing the work to properly socialize their pets.

Hell, I can't even grill out in my backyard without getting barked at from three different directions.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I think you’re being a little unfair. A lot of the examples you state are not universal among dogs. And a lot of the issues could be solved with owners being more responsible. No owner should let a dog come up to you like that, that is just unacceptable. I would never allow my dog to do that unless it was clear the person wanted it. Likewise dogs should NOT be stealing food from people, that is bad behaviour and it’s on the owners who should know better and train the dog properly.

Sure, some dogs have annoying or difficult traits, but to paint all dogs in such a negative light is just not accurate. You’re perfectly entitled to be nervous around dogs, but if you reinforce that nervousness with negative connotations you will never be able to overcome it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Perhaps I’m reading into it, but it sounds like the majority of your exposure is with someone(s) who is a poor dog owner and lets their dogs do whatever they like. Which is isn’t to invalidate your discomfort, but I wonder if you wouldn’t have a better time of things if 70%(or w/e) of your exposure to dogs wasn’t dealing with extreme misbehavior, and therefore it wouldn’t be at the forefront of your mind.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Nothing personal! Just would rather not be forced to deal with them amd everything that comes with them.

Dogs deserve to exist and can be very helpful in the right settings, but I still do not like them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I feel exactly the same like you OP if you replace the word dog with child.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

@SharkEatingBreakfast finally someone who shares my thought. Dogs are awful to keep indoors. I can hear them barking through the walls. I literally only like one dog but that's because he's timid and quiet (he only barks at incomming cars). He was probably abused in the past (my cousin found him alone near the road).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I always say: I like dogs, but I never want to live with one again.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I have dogs, but I agree with some of your points, I don't like when people unleash their dogs and can't control them, however not every owner is like that.
I don't unleash my dogs at all on public spaces, I really don't like when people come close to them without my permission. Some people are like that ig.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Dogs that misbehave are the fault of their bad owners. I’m sorry that all the people you know who own dogs are bad owners so you actually don’t have any idea what it’s like to be around obedient, we’ll behaved dogs. Why don’t you post about something you like? Oh, probably because you know most people love dogs so if you make this long post about how much you dislike them, yeah that’ll fire people up. Then when they get all mad you can say “why can’t I just dislike what everyone likes”. You can genius. You’re just gonna get an earful. Next time instead of posting something that shows how little experience in life you have (in this case, interacting with dogs) why don’t you post something that you like, or maybe even love. Or maybe you just sit around hating dogs all day and don’t actually do anything. Lol.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

To be fair, you seem to have a lot of experience with bad dog owners. They generally shouldn't be in a store and especially not be allowed to just run up to you in a public setting (leashes, people). The only time I'll make people deal with my dog in any way is at home, and that's because it's his home, too. Even then, I'll try to take reasonable steps if needed to keep him separate from people.

No shame in disliking dogs, though, as much as I disagree. They definitely have a higher level of needs than some people want to handle, and that's fine.

[–] snorkitty 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I like dogs that get to know me over years, and small dogs. Unfortunately I get few opportunities to do so authentically (many of them I got to know as a child are deceased today), as I don’t like to be approached by random dogs because I believe they are thinking I have food.

I didn’t like the fact that my old apartment allowed dogs (I would leave the elevator whenever one showed up, seclusion and dogs don’t go well together). But I always smiled whenever I got a, relatively frequent, reply-all email from management about disciplining people whose dogs used the grass (or elevator, one time) as a toilet.

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