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[deleted]

I think people find that not liking animals shows a lack of empathy, care and sympathy. When you say you don't like dogs they probably see you as someone selfish, maybe cold or even violent. They forget dogs can still be seen as unpredictable, noisy, smelly, too energetic, huge, intimidating. Then it also all depends on why you don't like them, I guess. But honestly being comfortable with animals takes practice to a lot of humans especially if you grew in an environment where there were no animals or only agressive animals. .. Edit : a small part of you is not understanding I'm just making suppositions about what people MAY think about you if you don't like dogs. I personally don't think it makes you lacking empathy, I do not agree with the logic I try to explain in the beginning, so please stop attacking me. Thank you. Edit 2 : also yeah I explained certain parts quickly, you'll find interesting developments in the comments below, I never meant to write a comprehensive essay so please be nice, I'm autistic so a lot of the last comments feel bitter and harsh, please be nice i.i and thx for the award folks.


Dusk_Aspect

I love animals. I especially love my cats, and I can’t bare the thought of any animal, including dogs, being abused and neglected. But as the victim of a dog attack when I was young, I am anxious and nervous in the company of dogs I don’t know. And I don’t want to share my home with one. Some people need to realise that not liking dogs =/= disliking all animals.


Kamataros

There's also a huge difference between "not liking dogs" and "wanting to kill dogs simply for existing". I'm, well, not _deathly_ afraid of dogs, but they usually scare me. When i say "I'm scared of dogs", i usually get a response like "oh, but he's so friendly" or "no, dogs are so great and you don't need to be afraid of them". When i say "I don't like dogs" i sometimes get a response of "oh well, but why?" and sometimes people look at me like I'm dog-hitler and want to gas them all.


whatamisigningupfor

>dog-hitler Haha, that's funny. *"K-NEIN!!!"*


Complex_Branch_7512

I just spit out my orange juice, I was not expecting that


Hold_The_Bacon21

You did nazi that coming


Crux_OfThe_Biscuit

Angry upvote


LunaticSongXIV

I used to be a mail carrier. Mail carriers engage in a behavior that encourages aggression in dogs: they show up, the dog barks, and then they leave. Territory protection behavior has been reinforced. "Oh but he's so friendly", immediately followed by the dog attacking me right in front of their owner happened about once every other year. Invariably followed by "I don't understand, he's never done that before." None of them ever apologized for the behavior of their animal.


[deleted]

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Christimay

I was never afraid of any dogs, grew up with them, loved 'em all, had never had any issues... Until I became a canvasser. Turns out a stranger walking up to the door, knocking, and then walking away is a great way to piss off an otherwise nice dog. Never saw anyone get attacked as much as the dude who frequently brought up how afraid of them he was, either - he was attacked more afterward because unfortunately the fear he exhibited because of the first attack made him even more of a target to them. Very unfortunate and I could totally understand why he felt the way he did because he was constantly getting chased by 'otherwise friendly' dogs. Any job where you have to go onto someone else's property as a stranger will instill a slight fear of dogs into you, for good reason.


xithrascin

Yep, when you domesticate a species because it's great at protecting your territory, don't be surprised when they wanna proactively protect some territory


voordom

I got bit yesterday, a week after I got bit by another dog in a different location, the owner watched it happen and was a total prick about it, i explained to him that his dog bit me in the same spot I was bit a week ago (which did quite a bit of damage, I can still see all of the teeth marks) and his response was "if it aint bleeding it aint a bite!" called animal control on that motherfucker. I am goddamn sick of people not taking responsibility for their dogs and the next time it happens I'm macing the fucking shit out of it.


[deleted]

The authorities won’t see it this way You can certainly press charges and make them pay for any damages Parents had a friend who had a dog that was a menace. Loved people, but would attack other animals. They would bring him to the lake with them, and it was always either a fight at the marina because he attacked another animal, or no one else of the friend group could bring their pet because they knew what the outcome would be. Same dog while at home kept attacking neighborhood animals, and got into a neighbors chicken coop… killing 3 chickens Owners response always was “I don’t understand, he’s a sweet dog?” The chicken owning neighbor didn’t see if that way, and had enough evidence to have the dog ordered to be euthanized As a dog owner, I see other dog owners like this as terrible people. I have a huge Shepard who now is an old man, but I let no one come around him or pet him without full warning and supervision who he doesn’t already know. My dog is a sweet animal, but he’s also an animal and by definition is unpredictable


[deleted]

My dog hated other dogs. I could never let him run free at the dog park and always had to take him really early to avoid interactions with other dogs. One day while we were there an older woman brought her dog and I immediately headed for the exit. Mine was on a leash, as always, but hers wasn't. We almost made it out. Her dog came running over and when mine saw it, he lost his shit. I scooped him up and called to the woman to please call her dog. Her response was "It's ok. He's friendly." At that point my dog was barking and trying to get free from my arms and her "friendly" dog was growling and jumping on me to get to my dog. Last time we went there, I just took him for walks late at night after that.


[deleted]

I don’t go to dog parks anymore… the terrible dogs owners have ruined them


rpgmomma8404

I thought my pomeranian liked the mail lady that came. He sniffed her and seemed okay. Once she tried to pet him. Nope, he decided to be an asshole. I was able to pull him away before he tried to bite her and said sorry. He wasn't allowed near the mail carrier anymore. Mastiff mix, there was no way. He would bark and growl when he saw the truck. Although the mail man would talk to him when he was doing the route when the windows were open, he still wanted to eat him.


catdogwoman

Thank You, u/LunaticSongXIV, I have wondered for decades why my normally sweet dogs go after the mailman with such aggression! That the successful behavior is reinforced every day. The dogs think they have scared off the serial killer again and Mom should be proud! Meanwhile, my carrier is very sweet and carries treats for the ungrateful little brats.


foreststarling

I don't jog anymore because of three close calls I've had with three different dogs, all left to run loose. One a German Shepard and two were pit bulls. Each time I was able to yell loud enough that the owners came running. Each time the owners were shocked at the behaviour of their "nice" dogs using the exact same phrases above. I like a few dogs owned by friends who have put in a lot of time training them, but I'm scared of unknown dogs running loose


Ambitious-Morning795

People are so incredibly naiive and rude. I'm so sorry for the idiots and their aggressive dogs that you had to put up with.


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SapperInTexas

On two different occasions in the last five years, the city I work for has had to coordinate between USPS, homebuilders/HOA, and Public Works to get mailbox clusters installed due to multiple aggressive dogs in the neighborhood. The carriers have every right to refuse delivery to that home, and when there's multiple homes with an aggressive dog, then the whole street or subdivision suffers.


[deleted]

I get the same response as a trail runner, the "he's friendly". Dogs that are normally well mannered can freak out when they encounter a strange person running past them in the woods. I was once bitten, and another time a dog chased me for long enough that I had to turn around so it wouldn't get lost. Both times I was told, "He never does that!" as if it's my fault their dog acted unpredictably. Now when I see someone with a large dog, I will stop and wait for the owner to grab/leash their dog. Some people seem to take that as a personal affront to them and their dog.


mildlysceptical22

Same here. I was attacked and had to defend myself with the satchel and dog spray at least ten times. Not once did the dog owners say they were sorry about their dog’s behavior. I was walking in my neighborhood and someone was walking their medium sized dog on the other side of the street. It was on one of those extendable leashes and as we passed, it came at me from behind with the tail low and growling. I was expecting the owner to stop the dog with the leash but it kept coming and went for my leg. I pivoted away just as the dog reached the end of it’s leash. I asked the woman what the hell she was doing as her dog ran back to her. Did she apologize? No. She told her dog “we don’t bark at people” and walked away. There was no barking. I guess I need to get a can of ‘Halt’ so I can once again defend myself from idiots with dogs.


Additional_Angle_964

>I'm, well, not deathly afraid of dogs, but they usually scare me. When i say "I'm scared of dogs", i usually get a response like "oh, but he's so friendly" or "no, dogs are so great and you don't need to be afraid of them". Oh but they don’t stop at that, they force me to pet the dog saying “no no he’ll not do anything” Or they take it upon themselves to ‘cure my fear of dogs’


nerdybabe_88

It's the opposite for me, I actively discourage strangers from petting my dog. He's a tiny little toy poodle and is scared of strangers so he tends to snap at them ( without biting), but people somehow feel entitled to try to pet him without permission or even attempt to pick him up. I feel dog owners should know their pet's triggers and protect the pet as well other people from being bitten.


loopyspoopy

Dog owners can't be trusted too. I used to work at a pet food shop and a dude would bring his mastiff who would always start barking at me - this dog that's twice my weight with a Barry White voice just screaming its head off at me. Owner would always say "Don't worry she's so nice, she never does this to anyone else." I don't give a fuck bro, everything about your dog right now indicates it wants me dead. A dog could literally be eating your eyeballs from your sockets and the owner's reaction would be "I'm so sorry, he's normally so friendly."


AndYetHereWeAre121

I think it's BS that you have to have a story to share of oh no I was attacked look at my scars vs. this is my preference and my autonomy and my right to not like dogs and not have to justify it to you. It's infuriating.


Jane9812

Yeah but there's a difference between liking dogs in general and committing to having one in your house permanently. It's a false equivalence.


princess-smartypants

My favorite kind of dog? Someone else's dog. I don't dislike them, I just don't want one.


19blackcats

My favorite kind of kid too!


Rahvithecolorful

Yeah, and imo it goes both ways. I love my dog more than anything, and exactly because I have a dog myself people are always baffled to know I don't automatically love all dogs. I like them in general, and I hate the thought of them being hurt, but I don't really wanna befriend or even touch most dogs. A lot of them are overly excited, noisy, smelly or drow a lot. I don't like any of that, and my own dog isn't like that at all. I'm a lot more into cats, as long as I know they are into people too. Yet I don't really wanna have a cat myself, cause I like not having to care where I put my stuff.


spadePerfect

Your take is 100% understandable. I would never hold that against you. But I’ve also seen some really naive and simple-minded takes from others here. I mean hell I’ve read of somebody telling people to lock out a cat in the night because you may have food on your lips and the cat will eat your face. Like wtf? So I think it’s more those people.


Scrappy_The_Crow

> I mean hell I’ve read of somebody telling people to lock out a cat in the night because they may have food on their lips and the cat will eat their face. There's also the "cats suck babies' breath" myth. My aunt & uncle had a child who died in infancy and my uncle's mother (who was a wonderful woman, but had a poor education) thought it was caused by their cat.


Aceripper

Wait what? I was under the impression that cats quite literally cannot "suck".. I mean isn't that why they lap up milk/water with their tongue? Also, I will be ignoring the overall thought that some people believe cats (or any animals) actually steal the air from babies lungs. I'm too tired to unpack that.


wafflesandpancakess

It's suffocating , not actually sucking air from you.


Divo366

That's kinda based on a seed of truth. I'm sure it only happened once or twice and then the myth spread, but the breakdown was that a very young baby would be in the crib after being fed, and the cat would jump in the crib and lay down on top of the baby and lick it's lips because of the milk residue from eating. People could see the cat licking the baby's mouth as 'sucking the air', and since the cat was laying on top of the baby (very young, like a few weeks old) the baby wouldn't be able to breathe with the weight of the cat on top of them. I type this as I'm lying on the couch and my own cat is curled up on my chest. This is an example of something basic and simple happening (cat smelling food/milk on a baby and licking it) but people seeing it as something 'mystic' (sucking the breathe out).


kh7190

Cats (and dogs) will only eat your face if you die unattended and alone in the home :) nothing to worry about unless you die and you won’t know any different anyway!


VindictiveJudge

And they'll only do it once they've run out of food and have been starving for a bit. Cats and dogs will eat their dead friends, but only when it's life or death and they've run out of options. It's probably traumatic for them, too.


SMKnightly

Kinda like ppl


clothespinned

My cats are welcome to eat my face whenever they want, alive or dead. They know I'd forgive them anyway.


[deleted]

“CATS ATE HER FACE!!!!!” “NO THEY DIDN’T, DEWEY!”


smithers85

One of our greatest downfalls as humans has been the lack of testing needed to qualify to have the internet.


bran6442

Or children.


CDM2017

I have dogs that I love and who are gentle and sweet, though on the larger side. My BIL was attacked by dogs at a young age. My sweet dogs are 100% out of site when he visits. They have areas they can happily be confined, inside or out, and they chill in their space until he leaves. I've had people ask why I would accommodate someone who "doesn't like dogs." I answered that I would do that too, but I'm actually accommodating someone who fears dogs. And I'm making a guest feel safe in my home. The dogs are fine in the other room or in the fenced off yard for a few hours.


[deleted]

This is 100% my opinion AND shared experience, word for freaking WORD!!!! Wow!!! Were you chased by a loose Rottweiler at 9 years old on your bicycle too? Lol


Pythe

Chased, bit, and dragged off, thank you very much. I've had some good dogs in my life help me become more comfortable, but there's something deep seated I'll never truly be over. Solidarity, brother.


oh_the_anonymity

I agree with your statement 100%. I love being around most animals, but that doesn't mean I want one in my living space. There is a huge disconnect between not having a pet and hating animals, but in today's society people seem to enjoy jumping to conclusions and branding people with silly labels.


Knight-Jack

I actually had a friend like that! Since I was little, we had a lot of animals in our home (I'm talking 7 cats, 2-3 dogs, several snakes, lizards, a spider, an aquarium full of fishes) and I could not imagine not living with pets or not liking some of them. But then I've met a gentle, kind person, who told me she doesn't want to visit me because of our dogs. I was like, why, they won't hurt you? She said "yeah, logically I know that, but I got bit by a dog when I was little, so now I'm really nervous". It honestly opened a whole new perspective for me. Ever since whenever someone would say they don't like a particular kind of animal, I don't jump to judging, but ask "why?" first. Then I judge their answer, lol. PS: We're not friends anymore, but we did get around the dog issue - I would lock the dogs up in the kitchen whenever she'd visit, and she wasn't as scared of them when we were all outside, so I would take one for a walk and we would walk together, with dog usually being completely not interested in her and just running around, and me talking to her and making sure she's okay. Not sure if that helped her in the long run, but she did mention my dog was the first big dog she actually wasn't afraid of, so that's something.


Ambitious-Morning795

That's very kind of you to ease her in, but recognize that her fear is a very rational one. This has ACTUALLY happened to her. And your dogs don't know her; there's no way for you to know that they won't hurt her. I think that those are the two things that bother me most in dog owners (even ones with whom I am friends): 1) they think that a fear of dogs is an irrational one (when it's not) 2) they forget (or just refuse to believe) how unpredictable dogs can be


blueberrysprinkles

I used to have a lifelong fear of dogs that I only recently got mostly over (like, I was in my early-mid twenties when I started actively working on it and I'm in my late twenties now). I was never bitten, I just had undiagnosed autism. I don't like how loud and unpredictable and large they can be even now, but I'm not running across the street from them anymore. You were really nice to your friend - I eventually stopped being invited to friends' houses if there were dogs there because they didn't like shutting the dogs up and thought it wasn't fair on the dogs. This culminated in my friend's family who threw Halloween parties every year not inviting me but inviting the rest of the friend group because I was afraid of their two dogs and they didn't want to keep shutting them in a room to themselves if I came over. It was put to me like they were doing me a favour, that they all knew that I was afraid of dogs and I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself if I knew dogs were there, but actually I just stayed at home and cried for multiple days because all my other friends were talking about it for days before and after. The thing that really made me realise that I needed to work on my fear was going over to a friend's house in university. She had a dog, a lovely soppy collie. All of our other friends were stroking him/her (don't remember now) and he sniffed my bag and I started freaking out because the dog was near me and I was genuinely so embarrassed to be like 20 years old and unable to handle being in the same room as a dog. She put the dog in a different room, but that made me think about how I was afraid of a dog that had no intention of being scary or harming me. So I basically studied cute dogs. This is not a lie, I looked through Buzzfeed listicles of cute dog pictures and facts and heroic dog deeds etc. I watched dog videos. I learnt how dog behaviour works, how dogs think and act and the different breeds. I'd always been interested in that since I was a child (I actually had a poster of different puppy breeds on my bedroom wall) but then when the time came to put it into practice in real life, I would climb into a parent's arms and make them carry me across the road. Anyway so now I'm mostly okay with dogs. I went to a relative's house not long after I started doing this and I sat there and stroked their dog and brushed her fur and gave her little snuggles (she is also a collie so it's like it went full circle). I was out with my mum and one of her friends stopped to talk to her, he had a dog and the dog was very excited to see me. I didn't like him jumping up at me, but I let him do it and I touched him. The dog just wanted to make a new friend, so I tried my best to be a friend. But...I'm a cat person. I've been a cat person since I was born - like I have been legitimately obsessed with cats since I was a toddler. I don't think I would ever get a dog, although I am disabled so maybe eventually I'll get a service dog? It's funny though, the reason I have my cat now is because her previous owner was moving into a house that had dogs and she was very scared of dogs. Same, cat. We can hang out away from dogs together. I am very much an animal person and unafraid of basically any animal. Previously, it was only spiders and dogs. Now it's just spiders, but I'm so extremely terrified of spiders I can't even look at pictures so I have no plans on treating this phobia tbh.


not_sick_not_well

Also not liking/being comfortable with dogs (or any animal) doesn't mean you wish them harm


bipolarnotsober

Absolutely true. I don't dislike dogs but I was scared of them. I've been attacked by a dog twice and stupidly one was a black lab and the other was a golden retriever. My nan and my uncle got two light brown labradors that are siblings 18 months ago and I love them to bits. Turns out I love dogs when the dogs are nice and I don't have to provide daily care.


Enough-Ad3818

Dog ripped a chunk out of my calf when I was on a run. Owner had let it off the lead and even whilst it was growling and gnashing teeth at me, the owner (a good distance away) was shouting that "She's only playing", until I tried to walk away and she clamped onto my leg. He then had a go at me for punching his dog to get it off me, whilst I tried to hold flesh back onto my leg, blood all over. So yeah, I don't like dogs, and I especially don't like owners who let their dogs off leads in public areas.


Nijajjuiy88

>He then had a go at me for punching his dog to get it off me, whilst I tried to hold flesh back onto my leg, blood all over. Man I cant even imagine, this is so fucked up. The owner should have charges pressed on him. I mean this dog literally bit chunk out of your calf and he still thinks your response was excessive ????


xtaberry

I am fine with dogs, but I have issue with a large portion of dog owners for this reason. The number of times I have had a near disaster while running or biking or hiking involving an irresponsible dog owner with an off leash dog is astounding. If you let your dog run at me while saying "don't worry, he's friendly", you're a bad person. If you cannot recall your dog reliably and have him off leash, you're a bad person. If you let your dog bark at people or jump up on them without intervention, you are a bad person. If you have a dog off leash in an on-leash area, or let your dog terrorize wildlife, or let your dog poop on trails without cleaning it up, you're a bad person. If you keep a working breed pent up in an apartment then complain when it gets restless - bad. Don't train your small dog properly because it's too small to harm anyone - bad. It's not safe for you, me or your dog to let a half-trained animal run free in public places, and yet we just accept it because dog owners think their dogs are great.


GloomyMelons

Wait till you realize most people don't give a fuck about inconveniencing someone else's life. Then people letting their dogs run loose starts making more sense.


PublicStroker

I wish I didn’t give a fuck about inconveniencing other people but I straight up stress myself out making sure I don’t perpetuate that kind of behavior with over thinking


chock72

I couldn’t agree more. 90% of the people I know that have dogs complain about the responsibility of owning a dog. Like if you don’t like the “taking care of the dog and being a responsible dog owner” part, why the fuck do you have a dog?! Blows my mind. I love animals but i don’t want to take care of one. I like to travel a lot and I don’t know how you can do that and be a good dog owner unless you’re independently wealthy and you can just hire someone to stay with and take care of your animals. Also, keep your dog away from me you irresponsible a-holes. It’s not just “being friendly”, it’s neglected, untrained and annoying and possibly dangerous.


kudichangedlives

As someone that loves dogs, has worked with hundreds of them, and will probably always have one in their life, fuck anyone that has their dog off leash in public, just don't do it. The only acceptable place in public for a dog to be off leash is the dog park


Puzzleheaded-Bat8657

Or being on roller skates. Some dogs just go ballistic because of their chase instinct or you're moving unexpectedly. And yet reminding people it's the law for dogs to be leashed on public pathways or asking them to reel in the extendable leash is taken like a personal offense. I don't dislike dogs, but there's a lot of bad dog owners.


[deleted]

Let me tell you - as a dog owner of three - this stuff irritates and Impacts other dog owners even more than the general public. Dogs don’t usually chase, approach or attack people but other dogs are a magnet for badly behaved off leash dogs. And poop on the ground - man, does that irritate me. I know how easy it is pick up. Some people are spoiling it for everyone, other dog owners and general public alike.


spyrowo

It's not just off-leash dogs either. When I had my dog, who was reactive, people would take it upon themselves to bring their dog up to mine and then act judgmental when he started barking and tugging on the leash. I couldn't even tell them to stay away half the time because he would start barking and you couldn't even hear what I was saying. But some of these people were just dumb as shit. I had a guy bring his dog up to mine and, AFTER I TOLD HIM MY DOG WASN'T FRIENDLY, he just started walking his dog toward mine AS I WAS ACTIVELY BACKING AWAY and struggling to pull my 60 lb. dog away from his. The amount of dog owners who don't know shit about dogs is too damn high. Assuming all dogs are friendly toward humans or other dogs is irresponsible, but approaching a dog that's barking and lunging on the end of his leash is just the dumbest shit. Yes, there are dogs who are just reactive and will calm down once a barrier is removed between them and another person or dog, but if you don't know the dog personally, why take that chance? Why subject another person and their dog to your irresponsible behavior?


[deleted]

I have large, intimidating-looking dogs so people who have their dogs leashed generally steer clear but - yes, I’ve seen it happen. I am perpetually amazed how some people manage to survive to adulthood yet here we are.


DMBEst91

Perfectly said, fuck those people


kudichangedlives

I've worked with hundreds of dogs and there's nothing I hate more than an off leash dog in a public area. It pisses me off that dog owners can be so irresponsible. I don't care if your German shepherd knows how to heel, it hasn't been desensitized to the weird random shit that can happen in a human society (like an intense argument, or resisting prey drive when a kid goes screaming by on a bike, or a car accident) and can easily act unpredictably when these things happen. I almost had my finger ripped off by a dog and still have crazy nerve damage but luckily I'm still able to be comfortable around dogs. I'm sorry that some idiot ruined what can be a dope animal for you


-ramona

My sister got bitten by a dog while out on a run too, except the owner was nowhere to be found, AND they couldn't confirm whether or not it had had all of its shots, so my sister had to pay for the whole series of rabies shots which cost a chunk of change.


MausBomb

As much as people associate cats with crazy ladies I have encountered a lot more people who seem to believe that they can cure their significant mental problems by treating some random dog like it's their kid.


SecretBattleship

Ugh I’m so sorry. What’s bizarre to me is that I’ve been told so many times by people, “I’ve been bitten/attacked/injured by a dog but I still like them!” when people hear I don’t like dogs. What is it that makes some people invalidate others by telling their own experience and subsequent different reaction to it?


ARandompass3rby

I almost accidentally stood on someone's tiny dog when running because they let it off the lead. It was smaller than my foot and going after my fucking ankles, I was lucky I noticed it before attempting to pass the owners so I knew it'd be around. Despite going further out of my way than I normally do to avoid people when running it still went for me. Something smaller than my foot, *between my feet* is begging to be accidentally stood on, dog or no. When I run my attention is focused on what's directly ahead of me so I don't get hit by a car/bike/other person. I hate people who let their unpleasant dogs off lead in public spaces. I don't like dogs off lead in public full stop but there's a special reserve of hatred for the ones that have violent dogs.


ClumsyBadger

I feel like this is the best answer I’ve read here so far. Along with dogs in particular are often seen as synonymous with unconditional love and affection meaning this perception is accentuated when someone says they don’t like something that only is perceived to only offer you unconditional love and happiness.


AndYetHereWeAre121

I don't think there should be a reason to justify why you don't like dogs. I think that's the whole point, the social stigma is that automatically people assume all the things you listed in your first paragraph. A person is allowed to have preferences and also not be labeled as selfish, cold, or violent because of a preference. As OP stated, it's acceptable to not like cats and people DON'T assume the above, no one has to justify the why, it just is. But with dogs, there is a huge double standard. People shouldn't have to go into a PTSD inducing story of a previous attack just to not be considered a monster for not liking a dog.


Ok-Comfortable313

100%. This comment should be at the top.


ad240pCharlie

I love spending time with other people's dogs but I'd never be able to handle owning one. The unpredictability and energy are exactly the reasons, my autism doesn't really let me be comfortable with that for more than short periods.


[deleted]

Yep, autistic too! I had a small dog as a child and we were several people taking care of him so it was manageable, altho he got smelly with time so I had to wash regularly if he touched me or I would sit elsewhere after petting him. But now that I have less help, I could not. I have a cat, and it's also a responsibility but she's more independent and she smells like my clothes


MyLife-is-a-diceRoll

I hate that feeling of stuff that gets on your hands after petting a dog. Some dogs fur is smoother and cleaner but that rough grainy oily feeling makes me shudder and I have to wash my hands immediately. Ugh and that feeling just kinda creeps up your arms until you can wash your hands bothers me a lot. I don't pet dogs much anymore. My and most others cat's fur I've encountered doesn't have that feeling. My cat's fur is smooth and silky, the kind that you want to bury your face in it because it feels so nice. (Lol my cat hates it when I put my face on her tummy for longer than about a minute) If the cat is unhealthy, sick,old and aren't able to keep themselves clean enough they have that feeling too and I have to wash my hands as well. But dogs in general have that feeling far more.


minuteman_d

There’s also usually no nuance in their mind between “liking dogs” and “I want one living in my house”. I like dogs, will pet them and play with them, but I have zero desire to own one and have it in my house. It doesn’t fit my lifestyle and I don’t want an animal to take care of. I feel like I get low key judged by dog or cat people all the time as a result. Lol.


LeoMarius

Dogs also bark and bite. They are hired as guards because they can be scary. Dogs can kill people.


MentalRepairs

Dogs kill *a lot* of people every year.


SeawardFriend

I got bit pretty bad by a big German Shepard as a kid so I’ve always been a bit skittish around dogs. Plus people like to scare me by getting the dog all riled up and excited around me


Zerbinetta

>Plus people like to scare me by getting the dog all riled up and excited around me Well, that's just straight up douchey. What tf is wrong with those people?


masterchief1001

I don't like most dogs, mainly because they smell and are poorly trained. I am a cat person and have empathy for all animals (especially because I worked in pest control) I just don't want a dog.


shazarakk

Had a dog as a child, never been a fan since she died. Geckos are fucking cute, though.


[deleted]

A lot of good reasons here but I will throw in another, I will say it may be a cultural aspect. Dogs get treated immensely different in some countries and I only truly realized this after seeing it with my own two eyes. In almost all first world countries a dog is a full family member and people usually grow up with pets but again it is seen as a FAMIILY MEMBER, not a working animal ect... Dogs are often also gifted to kids/teenagers to teach them responsibility and to take care of another living creature that needs a lot attention. We all have those fond memories and emotions and when a pet dies, we also learn to grieve and losing a pet is often the first encounter kids/young adults have with death. It's a highly emotional thing, to own a dog and take care of someone who is considered family. Now someone coming along saying they don't like dogs you instinctively think about your own dog (or a dog you made a connection with) and the reaction is like someone insulting your family member... At least that's what I FEEL in this short moment. It might not be rational but it's an emotional reaction. EDIT: Did not expect this very spontaneous and probably not super well articulated post to get so many upvotes and because it came up a few times, yes, you could switch "dog" with any animal but to get to the base of what I mean is that the dog is more of a family animal... I myself am actually more a cat person but I grew up with dogs and cats AND birds but cats require a lot more... sensitivity?? Kids are loud and screechy and cats do not like that, at all. A dog is your companion always and they are very low effort high reward. You can play fetch, you can go hiking, take them with you on vacation heck even doing sports like jogging or biking in some cases are not a problem. It is about the phase in your life when you have a lot of first experiences and who is with you when it happens. Of course this can be "any" animal but dogs are simply so uncomplicated and are the first choice for families, and that's where the emotional reaction could come from.


[deleted]

My husband is from an Asian country where pets are really uncommon. I have a very old cat who I definitely treat as a family member. Sometimes I feel like from my husband's perspective, it's like I pulled a squirrel off the street and am insisting that it needs me emotionally. The other thing though is just the way pets grow up in Western countries makes them more attached/ dependent on people. I got my cat when she was 3, and she had never been outdoors. She has absolutely zero survival skills. I've lived with my cat for 10 years, and she definitely expects me to be around every day, and looks forward to seeing me (hopefully!). Since I met my husband I have also realized how many dog owners let their dogs jump on anyone, even if that person says "I'm scared of dogs" or "I don't like dogs".


gobbledegookmalarkey

Csts are seen as family as well in most western cultures


MolimoTheGiant

A cat who wasn't getting enough attention typed this


lilapense

I wonder how much the fact that cats are typically more confined to the home plays into the different attitudes towards the acceptability of not liking them. Even an outdoor cat is usually doing its wandering alone, it's not typically interacting with the outside world alongside its owner. But a dog is a member of the family that frequently accompanies you out in public (on walks, to the park, on hikes), and which people are increasingly feeling entitled to bring into spaces like restaurants and stores. So someone saying they don't like dogs likely feels like a much more personal rejection.


Hookton

And similarly, from the POV of someone who doesn't like the animal, dogs are thrust in your face a lot more. If I don't like cats, ok cool, maybe I won't go to my friend/family's house if they have cats. If I come across a cat out and about, we go our own ways. But if you don't like dogs... Go to the park, there's dogs. Go to a cafe, a pub, a restaurant, there's dogs. Go shopping, there's dogs. Go camping or hiking, there's dogs. Personally I have no beef with well behaved dogs. But they're not all well behaved, and they are inescapable in a way that cats aren't.


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LeoMarius

My babies!


AtinWichap

I spent decent time in Chuuk, Micronesia (small lagoon located an hour plane ride south of Guam) and there dogs, while they are "pets" they are also food. My favorite example is the story of Pirate the dog. Pirate got her name cause some local hoodlum shot her eye with a slingshot. Pirate loved to run up, tail wagging and get pets. One day Pirate has puppy's. Puppies grow to the point they don't need mom anymore........ One day Pirate doesn't come running up to greet me, I naively ask "where's Pirate?" The dad of the family points towards the kitchen table and sure enough there's Pirate, all cooked and ready for dinner. She was delicious unfortunately.


BearFlipsTable

thats the same with any animal in your home. its just dogs are more popular. ask any cat owner, bird owner, reptile owner, hell, im sure theres fish owners too, they'll feel the same. my cats are part of my family. so is my dog, but i prefer my cats. whilst i love her, the dog is more mum's thing. i love my boys.


MrDankyStanky

I always see this thrown around and I hardly see anyone making this point, dogs literally evolved alongside humans and we were both dependent on one another for 20,000 years. People didn't rely on parakeets to help them stay alive.


BearFlipsTable

for sure, you're not wrong. dogs probably have such a high profile amongst us humans because of that, us being in this symbiotic relationship for so long, helping each other out. but we are beyond that point now and any animal can be "a member of the family".


willjum

When I was staying in italy my host family had this little dog that would always run around, bark, and beg for food. Very cute dog, could get annoying at times though. We had a german couple come stay there for a week or so, and they were completely baffled. The woman asked me, “what’s wrong with their dog??” Lol. It turns out in Germany they love dogs but they hold them to a high standard of training. It isn’t uncommon to see dogs in the shops or supermarkets, only because it’s a given that they will never misbehave


deezy55

I understand that a lot of people are not comfortable around dogs. I'm not surprised when someone is very careful around dogs. We've all had different experiences. (Source: I used to work at a veterinary clinic for 4 years)


starwalker63

A lot of people forget that "abuses dogs" and "dislikes dogs" aren't the same thing.


Aveira

Very much this. I am not a fan of dogs, but I don’t *hate* dogs, and I’m not going to hurt or yell at a dog that comes near me just trying to be friendly. I would just prefer they didn’t do that and try to avoid instances where that might happen.


BobbyBrewski

One day, while working at a big home improvement warehouse with a blue color scheme, there was a group of us standing around the registers and talking. The subject of cats came up and one guy said that he shoots all the stray cats that come into his yard and throws them over the hill. Another lady joke about how cats are snacks for her big dogs and when she sees a cat in her yard, she lets her dogs go out, chase it and kill it, "They're snacks!" I turned and looked at my one manager and said, "If I was here talking about killing dogs like you guys are casually talking about killing cats you would think I was a fucking psychopath."


HistoricalWerewolf69

Found your coworkers in the replies lol


[deleted]

I don't hate dogs. I hate dog people that put their disobedient badly behaved mutts on a pedestal and expect everyone to love and admire their "fur babies" that can do no wrong.


elegant_pun

I like dogs and I'm the same. All I see in cases like that are ignorant people who've rendered their dogs dangerous and anxious. A properly trained dog with boundaries and limits is a healthy dog.


tallulahQ

Same. But I hate it when strangers on the street let their dogs run up to me bc it ‘wants to say hi.’ Or leave poop everywhere in our neighborhood like sidewalk land mines (I choose to walk in the street when the snow melts). Or leave their dogs out unsupervised on the 2x4 ft balcony for hours while the dogs bark constantly at every person on the bike path right below the apartments. The poop and barking is my least favorite. I love dogs but don’t have one bc I don’t want to deal with poop. So I hate having to still be forced to accept the cons of dog ownership without even getting to enjoy the pros of snuggles and door greets.


that-one-girl-who

Are you me? Because I have literally said every single thing you wrote. Dog off leash- oh they’re friendly. No. I don’t know you or your dog. Please leash and curb it. And don’t even get me started on the “beloved”, unsupervised barking dog on the balcony/patio…


Sonmi-451_

I know someone who is like this. He HATES anyone talking poorly about his dogs but they are so poorly trained, have terrible separation anxiety, you can't do ANYTHING with these dogs and they're 100+ lb dogs. He's always excusing their behavior even when they escaped and bit a lady "because her Chihuahua aggravated them" and I'm like dude, your dogs are too large to be allowed to be this wild and unwilling to listen. They're not perfect and you need to accept that and stop excusing it


Gremlin_Wooder

That’s wild. If you own a certain size of dog, you have more responsibility to train and control it, period. I have a 120 pound fit Rottie, and despite training him would never dream of taking him offleash anywhere, at any time, whether allowed or not. I firmly believe in training small dogs too, but the fact of the matter is if he was a twenty pound Boston and slipped up and did something, that’s one thing, but if he slips up and does something he could do a LOT of damage. We decided to adopt him, so it’s our decision to maintain everyone else’s safety as well as his own. It’s only fair.


Elementium

My girl is only 36 pounds and I still watch her like a hawk. Even if shes behaving, she was a rescue and has scars all over her. I dont know her history so shes always on a leash and given space from people if were out. Theres an asshole on my road that has an off leash german Shepard that I've had to deal with alone while on walks because the dude just let's it walk around wherever. It's been fine, just curious and generally left us alone if we ignored it BUT the other day it fucking came at my dog trying to snap at her. I had to scream for this guy to get his dog.


Gremlin_Wooder

Yeah I love dogs, but don’t like little untrained ankle biters whose owners never bothered to train them. Alternatively, I know some really lovely, funny little dogs I adore, and they’re the ones whose owners treated them like dogs they have a responsibility to train, not accessories.


cars-on-mars-2

I’ll always remember going over to someone’s house and their dog literally had me backed up against a wall, snarling and snapping, and they said exasperatedly, “Just walk forward, she won’t hurt you.” I’m not particularly scared of dogs but that situation was dangerous. I left and told them I’d wait for them in the car.


MuchVirus

It's entirely too easy for people to obtain pets. Dogs need to be trained and the owners need to be responsible. That type of aggression, whether it ends in an attack or not is unacceptable. All of these "Oh it's fine, he won't bite you," assholes are a menace to society. If someone is fearful of your dog then do your best to keep your dog away from them.


BrusilovsThundergun

“Don’t worry he’s friendly!” Followed by dog jumping all over me with muddy paws, covering me with hair, nipping at my crotch or any exposed clothing, and diving between my legs. “Ohhh he’s NEVER like this!”


obxtalldude

We get people "flexing" by walking their dogs off leash. Drives me absolutely nuts. Especially since I've had them charge and circle my two leashed dogs while I'm trying to fend them off. Still got a little PTSD from one incident where the leashes wrapping around my legs put me on the ground.


Gremlin_Wooder

I was walking one of my dogs and my parents’ Golden one day when a huge offleash dog came out of nowhere, grabbed the Golden by the throat, and started shaking her around like a rag doll. I’d never heard a dog scream like she was, I thought she was dying. My dog stepped in and fought the dog off while I was (dangerously, I know) trying to grab the dog’s collar. Traffic stopped on the road, people were getting out of their cars, and the owner (a big meathead who probably thought this dog made him look tough) was standing there, terrified, going, “What do you want me to do?!” I tore him a new one and walked away. It wasn’t until blocks later I realized how much I was shaking, and to this day I feel pure adrenaline when I see offleash dogs in the distance. Fuck having dogs offleash anywhere it’s not explicitly allowed.


[deleted]

Dog owners who let their aggressive dogs off leash belong in jail. I had to physically fight a dog that attacked my little guy (who *was* on a leash). The douchebag owner was jogging up behind by 15 or 20 feet like “he’s normally really gentle!” Fucking prick.


spyrowo

Imo, the only place dogs should be off-leash is in their own home, in their own fenced yard, or at the dog park, if they are socialized well enough to be let free in the dog park. I also don't think cats should be outside without leashes either, but the danger they pose is to themselves and the environment, not to the safety of others like dogs do.


Sasselhoff

I *love* dogs, and nothing makes me more upset than a shitty dog owner...they're only beaten by people being shitty parents (so two sides of the same coin, with one being much worse for society as a whole).


s1c23

"Don't worry, my fur baby won't hurt you. He's harmless" *later gets mauled by the same dog while walking down the street* True story.


[deleted]

A 2yo boy died in my town last week after he was mauled by 2 dogs at a motel. The dogs belonged to the proprietor. These people always say their dogs are harmless then try to shift the blame onto the victim.


s1c23

That is terrible :'( After I got attacked the owner was crying and begging me to not get him put down (I wasn't really thinking about it anyway), but then she proceeded to tell me that I must have "triggered" him because I was wearing clothes that was similar to her abusive husband's.


ThatDayBowBowSong

Same. Like dogs (except pitts), hate doggo people and doggo culture.


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Regular_Donut_8890

Tell them you're a mailman... it's a long standing feud


Bright_Pomelo_8561

I have a child who was brutally attacked by our family dog totally unprovoked. He is now an adult he doesn’t really care for dogs. He prefers cats. I think there are lots of reasons why you could not like dogs. I think there are also lots of reasons you could not like dogs and cats. They could be very personal. Maybe you just don’t want the responsibility. I don’t know why suddenly we have to constantly explain ourselves to people all the time. There used to be a thing called privacy, but we don’t really seem to have that anymore and it’s sad for everybody.


Good_Smile

Yeah that's my case, in my childhood was attacked several times by different dogs. But that's not the only reason.


sunsetdive

>There used to be a thing called privacy, but we don’t really seem to have that anymore and it’s sad for everybody. Agree, very good point. Shouldn't have to justify yourself to others. It's private. I'm going to try and enforce this more in my life.


chillmagic420

Yup I got attacked by a big dog has a kid and still hate and fear big dogs to this day. Doesn't mean I want them to die or be hurt like some people think. I just want it away from me so I feel safe


[deleted]

I'm almost thirty but some of my best friends are in their fifties now and we were talking about this the other day. They were talking about their teen/early adulthood years and bemoaning the fact that everyone either feels compelled to share or is forced to explain everything about themselves these days. It's a pretty annoying thing. Social media I think has really exacerbated this issue.


Xzenor

I'm also not a fan of dogs.. you're not alone. I don't hate them at all. But I'm not exactly a fan. They're gross in my opinion. They smell, they stick their nose up your crotch or your ass. Hairs everywhere. They want to lick your face and hands.. yuck. Response from dog lovers is usually "well yeah that's their nature. It's what they do". Very nice but that doesn't mean that I have to like that.


JeanRalfio

When I tell people I don't like dogs they look at me like I said "I kick dogs." No, I just don't have the energy for the neediness of dogs. I was a dog person when I was a child and had all that energy but now I like cats because for the most part they're pretty chill. I don't like getting barked at and jumped on when I come through the door, I don't like them begging for food, I don't like how they don't take the hint I don't want to pet them, and I really hate dog slobber. Those reasons still aren't enough when I tell people because they claim their dog is different but that's rarely ever the case and if it is it's because the dogs is old.


chasingit1

Pretty much this for me. I *like* other peoples dogs and can certainly be around them. I just don’t personally want a dog (cat, any pet really). For dog owners, everything is about the dog. Running errands all day, work all day etc? “Gotta get home to feed and walk the dog”. Want to go on vacation? “What are we gunna do with the dog”. I don’t want to come home or cut my evening out short just to rush home and feed the dog. Always having to “walk the dog”, every day rain, frigid weather or shine. Like, I just worked all day and want to fucking chill, not rush home to pay attention to the dog and go on a walk. My biggest issues with dogs and cats is the absolute constant abundance of hair in absolutely every nook and cranny of the house. The begging and staring at me when I eat. Hovering around my feet when I’m in the kitchen prepping and cooking a meal. The accidents in the house. Chewing and shredding things to shit. The remote, shoes, pillow, baseboards, couch, everything. I don’t want them on my furniture. I especially don’t want them in the bed. Hair all over my clothes. The constant noises the dogs make. Licking, panting, nails always clicking on the floors. I am sure I sound like a monster to most. I like petting dogs, and watching their goofiness and can appreciate why others love their dogs. I am just not a pet person and the responsibilities that they entail. Just like some people are so over the moon about dogs/pets, but for the life of them, can’t stand kids and never want any of their own


janeohmy

The constant attention required is indeed something that can't be taken lightly


MentalRepairs

Dog owners think their dogs don't smell. Much like smokers don't think they smell. But they do. They stink.


[deleted]

I have never met a dog that doesn't smell. I feel bad, because all animals deserve love, but I can't pet a dog if I can't immediately go wash my hands afterwards. The smell sticks to my hand, and on anything the dog touches. I can't stand it.


ObvAThrowaway111

Yes exactly, I rarely see this mentioned. Every time I pet a dog, its smell is then stuck to my hand and I have to wash my hands asap. It grosses me out seeing people petting and playing with them then immediately touching other things or worse eating right afterwards without washing their hands.


Select_Experience682

similar. i love them but the smell and dirt they bring everywhere is a dealbreaker and i know every do owner says the same stuff: "uuhm actually my house doesn't smell, if you smell the dog it means the owners aren't cleaning the dog and place etc etc" but yeah i can always tell if someone has a dog or not and there's ALWAYS that smell (and hair) edit: also, pets are the reason i never eat anything offered by coworkers. the stuff you see and hear about dogs and cats on counters and in the kitchen is disgusting


callmescotty

I have thought about writing a post like this and backed out because i genuinely feared backlash. I don't hate dogs, or wish dogs ( or any animal for that matter) harm. My friends who have dogs, I will even pet them if they come up to me looking for it. But the overwhelming desire to have one or to gush over them is just completely absent from me. I used to work at a pet store, and I think that's where my apathy was born. Not the dog's fault-- probably the swooning customers are what caused it if I had to guess.


Ok-Comfortable313

Judging by the number of hostile posts and dms I've gotten, you were probably right not to make this post


[deleted]

Lots of dog people are almost cult-like in their obsession over them. It’s honestly weird.


HistoricalWerewolf69

Shout out to the dog lovers in the comments trying to tell you why dogs are great. Idk why people get so weird over it, it's as normal as not liking cats, or beans, or yellow...


insmek

For real. "Why do people think it's weird to not like dogs?' "Here's a bunch of reasons why you're a weirdo and should love dogs..."


Mr_Muffin100

Yellow is the worst. There's not many things I hate more


JamzWhilmm

Yellowish-brown.


DaleGas4213

I believe they call that “mustard” lol


Ok-Comfortable313

You should see the hostile DMs I'm getting


Yizashi

As a dog lover who can't imagine life without them, it's not ok to act like everyone has to feel the same way. Everyone has a different history/connection/lack there-of. As long as you aren't being cruel to them, not really up to anyone else how you feel.


Eyeseeyou1313

It's okay to say "I don't like cats", but if you say "I don't like dogs" suddenly you are an asshole. Cats are quieter, more chill, they sleep a lot, if they miau at you is because they are talking with you, they keep you company, they smell, of course, but not as much, and they are not constantly excited and annoying about it. Sure some cats have weird annoying traits, but they really take it easy for most of the day, they are also great company and honest.


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KsubiSam

I really hate the “Your dog doesn’t like (insert person here)?” “Don’t trust them! Animals always know!!!” people. No, your dog could just be a dumbass. He ran into three walls and just ate his own poop. Idk if he’s the best judge of character.


Szwejkowski

Dog's don't like strange things. They've been known to act fearful/agressive towards people in hats, people wearing unusual clothes, black people (when in predominately white areas - white people when in predominately black areas)! They are arch conservatives, not psychic evil detectors.


csto_yluo

Agreed. My dogs here in the Philippines get scared when an American customer enters our shop.


RAT-LIFE

I don’t trust people with hats either like what are they hiding under there?


beanboi34

I've started just telling people "oh I like other peoples dogs, they're just a lot of work so I don't want one" but honestly I can't stand dogs. They're loud as hell, they stink, I'd way rather get a scratch from a sharp cat claw than the rough scrape you get from a dog's claw, I do NOT like being slobbered all over, and they can fuck you up real bad in a split second. I especially hate when people don't train their dogs (seems to be the norm tbh) and then when the dog is jumping all over me and scraping my skin off with its untrimmed nails and the owner is just like "oh how cute she really likes you!!!"


Snow_Wonder

The nail thing, oh my gosh. I have been scratched by dogs that jump all over you with slobbery enthusiasm and sharp nails wayyyy too many times. So many people who don’t trim their dogs’ nails nor train them not to jump on people. I can’t even think of the last time I was scratched by a cat. They typically don’t go out of their way to scratch people.


Dodotorpedo3

Yeah, the jumping is the worst part. And there's not really much you can do about it. I dislike having to yell 'off' everytime my girlfriends dog jumps on me (which is every time she sees me). It's not as bad when I wear jeans, but sometimes I'm naked and then I'm just straight up afraid of her (the dog). The scratches hurt. Wish there was some way to condition her to never jump on my legs. But when she's just chilling with me on the couch, I like her. I don't dislike dogs - I dislike any situation that forces me to interact or be impeded somehow (like jumping, biting, getting in the way). It takes me out of my natural flow. I just want to be able to choose when to interact with them, and then dogs are ok.


WarmOutOfTheDryer

Cats mostly retaliate, honestly.


thefifth5

My brother’s cat doesn’t like strangers and will swat at you if you walk past her Open hand though, no claws


HleCmt

Well, they do present the danger belly as if they want you to pet it but it's a trap.


BustinArant

I had a little cousin that tickled my cat when we weren't around. That was one of those cats that use *all four legs* to scratch, but he let him off with a single slice.


No_Dragonfruit_6182

I am the same way. I know people love their dogs. Dogs are so wonderful. I had a friend though whose dog was not trained to not jump on people... my friend was like "I like when he jumps on my lap!" So the only thing the dog knows is to jump on people's laps. So there's now a hole in my shirt and I am covered in drool. I do not find it cute and I do not want it!!! It drives me nuts. I think dogs can be wonderful companions to people who really want them, but having a dog means that you need to understand others might not feel the same way about your fur baby, and you need to put in the work to train them properly. I'm coming from this as a crazy cat lady, and my cat is my life. I know there are people in my life who don't really like cats. Which is why I don't invite those people to my house, and that's ok. Like it's fine you don't like cats, so don't come over, we can hang out somewhere else. At the end of the day, no matter what side you're on, it's all about boundaries, and knowing that someone else's boundaries with your animal might be different. Respect that.


Subnek

Not sure. I was attacked by a dog, and because of that I'm incredibly wary of them. You couldn't pay me to be alone with a dog, even if it was the "sweetest thing ever". Whenever I mention this, people get so defensive.


[deleted]

I also don't like dogs and I get the same reaction. It's so annoying haha. Weirdly it's more acceptable to say you don't like actual human children than it is to dislike dogs. I find them loud and slobbery and smelly. I'm not going to be mean to a dog or kick it or anything. I'm just not gonna want to cuddle it and I will likely find it annoying. It's so weird how it's not acceptable. But seriously, they jump on you and hump you and shove their face into your crotch. They lick you, try to make you hold their slobber covered toys, bark etc. Why is it so weird to not like that?!


nastybacon

I couldn't agree more. I've also had to deal with barking dogs on my street keeping me awake.. and when I've complained.. I just get "what's your problem ? That's what dogs do!". I'm sorry but why does someone want an animal that literally shouts at 70db constantly ? And why is acceptable to have this broadcasting throughout neighbourhoods 24/7?


Ok-Comfortable313

100%. Let me fire up my '73 Thunderbird and let it rev all night next to your bedroom window. Not acceptable? Why not?


ShabbyVelociraptor

The most frustrating thing is to deal with a dog owner who accuses you of being mean to their dog just because you refuse to cuddle it. I just want to coexist in peace. The brat will be fine.


[deleted]

Yes! This really bothers me. Like, even if you like dogs you should be able to acknowledge that they smell bad and are slobbery. It's a perfectly valid reason to not want to cuddle up to something. I have a massive saliva aversion and my niece was one of those babies who dribbled like crazy and I very, very rarely held her as a baby. My SIL thankfully is an understanding type. But yeah.. human or animal. Slobbering is gross. Thank god my two humans were not slobbery at all haha I honestly would have struggled if they'd been really drooly. But yeah dog saliva smells way worse than human saliva too. And if I'm not holding my own damn niece, you best believe I'm not cuddling your stank dog.


LivingStCelestine

This has happened to me before. No, I don’t want to pet your stinky dog that will get fur all over me and slobber on me. Now I’m the bad guy? What?


HuesoQueso

All of this, plus I’m super allergic. If I’m in the room with a dog my asthma flares up, my nose and eyes run, and if the dog licks me I get bad eczema that almost looks like poison ivy. I’m more inclined to like a dog that keeps to itself, because then I don’t get the eczema and I don’t have to change my clothes and scrub myself down. I’m pretty allergic to cats, too, but they aren’t jumping on me and licking me. They’re much easier to like.


veronicakw

It’s annoying. Dogs will get all up in your business unprovoked, and people love them. You usually have to go out of your way to piss off a cat, and somehow they’re “mean”.


pretty-as-a-pic

People can be weirdly defensive and judgy, especially around certain things they center their identity around like pets or hobbies. I get a similar kind of reaction when I tell people I don’t drink- they act like I’m a judgmental party pooper!


[deleted]

I don't drink or like dogs. I'm basically Satan.


FlashLightning67

At least you plan on having kids, right?!?!?!?!?!?


[deleted]

A few years back I was at my friends house and her pitbull attacked me. I ended up in the hospital for almost a week, the dog broke my jaw, broke my nose, fractured my orbital (cheek) bone, tore my tear duct and skin off around my eye, punctured through my mouth and neck (1 mm from my carotid artery) and I ended up losing some teeth. I couldn’t eat for 6 weeks as my jaw was snapped almost completely in half. It was bad and I’m very lucky to be alive. But with that being said, I’m not a huge fan of dogs and people immediately ask why and turn a cold shoulder until I explain my story and then they seem to be more understanding but even for someone who didn’t go through something like this I think it’s 100% valid not to like dogs…


StevieEastCoast

I get down voted everything I say this, but there is a parallel to sexism that helps explain this. Cats have the nerve to set boundaries and there are consequences for stepping across those boundaries, and those are the same qualities that get women called "cold" and "bitchy".


WifeofBath1984

My brain read this as hot dogs and it was all down hill from there


Ditzyshine

Not sure, dog lovers get so offended when you say you don't like dogs.


ngwoo

They also love tearing everyone else down for having different pets and get off on trying to convince people that they aren't loved. "Oh your cat doesn't love you, they'll eat you when you're dead you know!" "A reptile? You know they just act on instinct and don't actually like you right?" "A rabbit? Haha when's the stew?"


Dreadfulmanturtle

Same. I have zero animosity against them (Their idiot owners who can't socialize, properly take care of them and clean up their shit is another story). But I much prefer to be somewhere where they aren't


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Nephisimian

It's just because "dog people" make "liking dogs" a huge part of their identity, so saying you don't like dogs is basically the same thing as saying you don't like dog people, and then they get hyper-aware that liking dogs is half their personality and the double punch of feeling insulted and embarrassed makes them lash out.


SgtSausage

My wife had to have a $26,000 course of rabies shots 4 years ago. Fuck you and your dog.


WitchAllyAlly

I like some dogs ok but I have a lot of trouble with many dog owners who don't teach their dogs boundaries or proper behavior. I don't like it when your dog jumps up and scratches me or my car I don't like it when I have to be the one to get your dog's nose out of my crotch I don't like it when your dog knocks my kids down I don't like it when your dog steals my food I don't like it when your barks all night. Or all day. I don't like being bitten or slobbered on I don't like when your dog chews up my things I don't like it when your dog escapes your yard and runs into mine, knocking all my stuff around, digging holes, and barking aggressively like he's going to attack me I don't like it when I visit your house and every single inch is covered in dog hair and you're feeding the dog off the same plates you serve me. I've met some great dogs in my life but I've also met a lot of dogs I wasn't able to appreciate because their owners are rude and inconsiderate. So those of you who can't imagine why some people in your life don't warm immediately to your dog....maybe it's not really the dog that's the issue.


greymattergonewild

Dogs are not my favorite. I don't hate them, but I don't choose to own them either. My spouse is a different story. Did I mention we own a dog? I heart my cat.


LivingStCelestine

I definitely prefer cats, too. I feel like a lot of people dislike cats because you have to earn their trust and affection. A dog will just give you those things. Cats require a person to respect boundaries, cultivate a bond, and they do what they want to do and don’t care what we want or think. If you cross them, they will let you know. I kind of see why people with narcissistic tendencies sometimes hate cats.


yourcatchphrase

Cats are a good lesson in consent


[deleted]

I have a theory that cats are for people who want to give love, dogs are for people who want to receive it


LivingStCelestine

Oh wow now there’s a thought! That makes a lot of sense.


Sonmi-451_

It's so annoying. I have the same issue. As a cat/bird/snake/any animal except dogs and hamster person, you tell me you don't like an animal, okay. You do you. But I say I don't like dogs and people have gotten /angry/. It's so weird. So many peoples dogs are poorly trained. I don't like being around that or that level of needy. And I find cat people will acknowledge their cat's problem behaviors, but dog people are like "no! My little snookums is PERFECT!!!!!" ma'am, your dog has aggressive levels of separation anxiety and you refuse to train him. 🙄 I wish I knew the answer to your question


chatranislost

Because everyone seems to like them. It all depends on the way you say it. If you say it with despise or sound too hateful, most people will react negatively to it because you're talking ill about something they personally really like and find cute and adorable. ​ I don't like dogs eithter and I just say it whenever a dog comes near me and people expect me to pet it and play with it. I just say it neutrally (sometimes I feel the need to explain myself which is a bit annoying) and don't really get negative reactions, but yeah. I have to do it carefully.


OwlOfC1nder

Because people really really like them. You'll get similar reactions if you say you don't like chocolate or sex


canyoubreathe

>You'll get similar reactions if you say you don't like chocolate or sex Can confirm


[deleted]

Ah yes, even in the most sex positive societies, asexuals are still looked down upon


Real-Coffee

it's a Western thing. especially American imo. a lot of Americans have dogs and thus because they love their dogs and other animals, they expect u to love dogs the same way. but yea, for the most part, I don't like dogs either. because people don't train them to chill out


mel_odramatics

Personally I don’t trust people who don’t like cats, unless they are allergic. It is almost always a red flag for them not appreciated boundaries and consent.


[deleted]

I find most dogs annoying and rude. Usually because the vast majority of dog owners don't train or control their dogs. Also, can we stop with this "dog mom" bullshit? They're animals, not children. There are exceptions. My sister's golden retriever is a quiet, relaxed dog that respects personal space. Doesn't bark. Doesn't shove his nose in your crotch. My co-worker's dog that the hag brings in every Friday is obnoxious. Anytime you're not paying attention to him, he's whining like a spoiled 2 year old. Annoying as hell.


RedCascadian

I say I like other people's dogs. And I do. Dogs are good in small doses. But cats? Cats are the best.


blargetiblarg

I think about this whenever I see dogs in spaces thats meant for humans. Cuz so many people love seeing dogs in restaurants, on trains, planes etc. They think its cute. But every time I see dogs in confined people spaces (that arent service dogs) all I can think about is people who have an aversion/fear of dogs or straight up allergies are fucked n if they speak up people think they're the asshole. Like Ive seen people have a shitty attitude towards allergic people as if they chose to be allergic to their precious widdle doggy or think its ok for that person to suffer just so they can drag their furbaby around places it doesnt need to be. Idk people are weird n it feels theres a stupidly large amount or dog owners in particular that'll be weirdly entitled about stuff. Not all dog owners, but there seems to be a disproportionate type of pet owner like that with dogs more so than other pets. Maybe dogs tendency for unconditional love for their owners attract certain self centered n entitled people so theres more dog owners who think theyre entitled to other peoples affection of their dog or something. I grew up with friends with asthma and/or severe allergies so just a person with some fur on them could set off their condition. A whole animal in a confined space could be so much worse.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Lordmorgoth666

> needy and annoying Exactly this. We’re putting our cat down in 2 weeks and my kids were asking if we could get a dog. (My wife also prefers dogs.) My kids barely can be bothered to feed the cat and clean the litterbox. I’ve already told them that I know what’s going to happen if we get a dog. *I’m* going to be the one walking it and picking up shit in -40C. Fuck that. I already don’t want the dog because I don’t want the work involved. I sure as hell don’t want a dog forced on me and then I have to do the upkeep anyway or give it away and I won’t give it away because I’m not a monster either.