Dogs everywhere

The problem is definitely the owners, not the dogs, we used to like to walk in a local park but it has narrow paths and is difficult for my disabled husband at the best of times, though he has a quad stick and I hold his other arm, but on several occasions large dogs off the leash have bounded up throwing my husband off balance and we have ended up having to walk on grassy muddy areas where there is uneven ground.
Now we no longer go because of the risk of a fall.

I do like dogs although I choose not to have one. I do dislike seeing them in certain places such as department stores and really can’t understand why this is allowed. When shopping for Christmas presents I encountered a large number of dogs in a very crowded John Lewis and also in another department store where they were even in the food hall! I think dog owners should exercise their dogs in a suitable area and then leave them at home when going shopping.
As for children please remember that they are adults in training and, like puppies, will hopefully become calmer and better behaved in the future.

I'm very wary of dogs and yes, it's got ridiculous now. They are absolutely everywhere and it's beyond reasonable. Not much more I can say except around our way dog business left in our streets has also increased.

Witzend I was walking up our road one day and a young girl was coming towards me with a Rottweiler that she couldn't control. As I passed it leapt at me sinking it's teeth into my sleeve (thankfully not my skin). It was terrifying. Another occasion I walked past a woman with a Labrador on a lead. It leapt up and put both paws ony chest. It was a wet day and I was wearing a white jacket. My jacket was left muddy with a tear in it from the dog's claws. No apology from the woman. Just a 'Oh you are naughty to the dog'.

There have been other instances, one of which involved the police being called. I have related these incidents on GN before and been accused of making them up as no one could be that unlucky.

ViceVersa

M0nica

i am very uneasy with the ides of preferring dogs to children on the basis that dogs give them unconditional love. To me it shows a lack of self respect. It suggests someone feels inadequate and unable to deal with real people with faults and foibles just like them and wants to retreat to a world where they only have to talk to people who agree with them.

Sounds very dull.

Oh, I laughed so much at this - so far from the truth that I can't even begin to explain it. I've spent my entire working life dealing with 'real people' from all walks of life and have absolutely no problem with that - I love a good debate with those who have different views or perspectives. Children do tend to bore me rigid, however.
But again, when push comes to shove, I would choose my dog over almost any other human on the planet. And threads like this only serve to reinforce that view.

Dogs can be a joy, or a bit of a nightmare, even to their adoring owners.
There’s nothing in life that compares with having children and until you have your own child you can’t understand how wonderful it is.
Threads like this serve to reinforce my view.

Our local country parks have brought in a ruling of “dogs must be on leads” because of the number of accidents and injuries (some serious) that uncontrolled dogs have caused by threatening behaviours or even friendly ones - like jumping up.

They also caused a number of deaths last year of nesting birds, especially the wild fowl, which I think was the final straw.

Not that it’s solved the problem because the dogs are now on long leads but still allowed to behave in the same way.

I can see that soon the parks will have to fence off a section for dogs and their owners, as in the town park.
It’s a loss to dogs and their owners, not being able to have a good run and explore but one that they have brought on themselves

Incidentally I watched a magnificent display of dog training on the open field of one park. Two collies obedient to every word and signal. It was a real pleasure to watch.

Some birds fly hundreds of miles to spend winter in the UK. On our local beach dogs often chase them when they are trying to feed. The birds can then become exhausted.
It’s the same when dogs swim in rivers. We were lucky enough to witness a Kingfisher feeding its young on the riverbank until a huge dog jumped in.

When booking a recent trip to Vienna we were unable to find a hotel that wasn’t dog friendly. Apparently it’s the norm in Austria.

Oreo

ViceVersa

M0nica

i am very uneasy with the ides of preferring dogs to children on the basis that dogs give them unconditional love. To me it shows a lack of self respect. It suggests someone feels inadequate and unable to deal with real people with faults and foibles just like them and wants to retreat to a world where they only have to talk to people who agree with them.

Sounds very dull.

Oh, I laughed so much at this - so far from the truth that I can't even begin to explain it. I've spent my entire working life dealing with 'real people' from all walks of life and have absolutely no problem with that - I love a good debate with those who have different views or perspectives. Children do tend to bore me rigid, however.
But again, when push comes to shove, I would choose my dog over almost any other human on the planet. And threads like this only serve to reinforce that view.

Dogs can be a joy, or a bit of a nightmare, even to their adoring owners.
There’s nothing in life that compares with having children and until you have your own child you can’t understand how wonderful it is.
Threads like this serve to reinforce my view.

I do have children - and grandchildren - who I love with all my heart, but that didn't change my view on dogs in the slightest. And I make no apologies for that.

As Calendargirl said this topic has been discussed many times on GN. I don't like the current trend of taking your dog everywhere you go. I often see dogs at fetes and brocantes where it is crowded and often hot being towed around by their owners. The dogs do not look comfortable and it's unnecessary in my opinion. My two dogs are taken for a walk before we go out to any event like that and then left safely at home. I don't get stressed and they are more comfortable. Certainly never take them to restaurants etc. I'm not sure where this trend came from to always have your dog with you, is it a post Covid thing? Seems the owners suffer from separation anxiety rather than the dogs.

Oreo

ViceVersa

M0nica

i am very uneasy with the ides of preferring dogs to children on the basis that dogs give them unconditional love. To me it shows a lack of self respect. It suggests someone feels inadequate and unable to deal with real people with faults and foibles just like them and wants to retreat to a world where they only have to talk to people who agree with them.

Sounds very dull.

Oh, I laughed so much at this - so far from the truth that I can't even begin to explain it. I've spent my entire working life dealing with 'real people' from all walks of life and have absolutely no problem with that - I love a good debate with those who have different views or perspectives. Children do tend to bore me rigid, however.
But again, when push comes to shove, I would choose my dog over almost any other human on the planet. And threads like this only serve to reinforce that view.

Dogs can be a joy, or a bit of a nightmare, even to their adoring owners.
There’s nothing in life that compares with having children and until you have your own child you can’t understand how wonderful it is.
Threads like this serve to reinforce my view.

'There’s nothing in life that compares with having children and until you have your own child you can’t understand how wonderful it is.'

So, you are saying that anyone who does not have a child is missing out big time. I beg to differ. Not everyone likes children or babies. I find the endless discussions amongst young parents about how wonderful there children are monotonous and then the granny bores who talk about nothing else and validate their lives through their children and grandchildren. The world is full of the most marvellous opportunities and wonderful places to visit and things to do. Children are not the be all and end all of a successful life and happy life.


'

What stikes me is that people prefer dogs to people and dogs prefer people to other dogs!

So people can't be that bad if dogs really like them?

I agree…..with the exception of therapy dogs of course!
But why is it, people will stop and chat in the pavement's/footpaths to other dog owners, taking up all the space and expect other pedestrians to struggle to get past without tripping over bloody dogs???? And don’t get me started on those wretched extendable dog leads!

sodapop

As Calendargirl said this topic has been discussed many times on GN. I don't like the current trend of taking your dog everywhere you go. I often see dogs at fetes and brocantes where it is crowded and often hot being towed around by their owners. The dogs do not look comfortable and it's unnecessary in my opinion. My two dogs are taken for a walk before we go out to any event like that and then left safely at home. I don't get stressed and they are more comfortable. Certainly never take them to restaurants etc. I'm not sure where this trend came from to always have your dog with you, is it a post Covid thing? Seems the owners suffer from separation anxiety rather than the dogs.

We were in London’s Borough Market which was absolutely heaving with visitors, including lots of very miserable dogs, all in constant danger of being stepped on. One young stall holder admired and petted one of them and complimented the owner on having such a lovely dog. Then went on to tell him how much happier the dog would be running round in a local park or settled down in his basket at home for a couple of hours. She was so right. We never felt the need to drag our dogs around busy places like that.

^It’s gone too far.
I agree. In general, I like dogs and have had lovely dogs of our own and our DC also own dogs.

However, they are just that - dogs and owners should realise that and respect that they should not expect their dogs to be welcome everywhere, annoying other people, licking their owners plates in cafés 🤮, in shops etc..

Me thinks the lady do protest too much.

I never mentioned children, I am not sure where that came from.

OP here - sorry if I brought up a subject that had been on here before. I only just joined!
I must reiterate, I don't hate dogs. I have been a loving dog owner in the past. I am just getting peed off with dogs in hotels, shops and restaurants. Some of them do smell bad and some of them whimper and bark at other dogs, some are allowed to sit on seats and lick the tables.
I've just been to town on a wet and stormy day and have seen a few dogs shaking water, dander and fur off inside shops. It's definitely an "owner" problem.
I find it rather nice to see that others on the thread also like dogs but seem to get my point .... therefore I might not be unreasonable.
There are many, many people who are lovely responsible owners so it's not having a dig at dog owners.
Thanks for a nice discussion so far.

M0nica

Me thinks the lady do protest too much.

I never mentioned children, I am not sure where that came from.

If you're talking about me, it was Oreo who mentioned children in her response.

Of course there must be choice. I adore dogs and make a nuisance of myself patting other peoples' dogs. Even the sight of most dogs make me smile.
Not everyone likes dogs however and some people fear them. It is crucial that all dog owners respect this.
People need spaces and dogs need spaces to "be a dog" and run and run;they need exercise to thrive.
A local park in the UK that I frequented with my dog before I moved abroad had two halves divided by a bridge. one half dogs allowed off the lead; the other half dogs strictly to be on the lead on pain of fines.
Thats the way to do it.......

Since Covid, I hardly meet anyone without a dog on my walks around my home. The local café stinks of wet dog in damp weather; why should the dogless have to put up with it?
A dear friend won't visit unless she can bring her dog. It's not a bad little thing but it's like a toddler, seeming to need constant attention. Toddlers grow up, which is lovely and fascinating. Dogs don't.

Put simply, cats are better.

I am a dog lover and we have a lovely rescue dog but I do agree that they are getting in too many places now . Our dog is quite large - about the size of a labrador - so we dont take her everywhere we go . Shes a dog for heavens sake ! She gets exercised every day she doesnt need to be with us all the time !,It's annoying when people treat dogs like they're human !

I love dogs and don’t understand people
who moan about them. Went to a very posh hotel last summer which was dog-friendly (we took ours) and there was absolutely no smell from the dogs. You can’t take them into food shops and a lot of restaurants only allow dogs in certain areas.
It’s up to the owners to control them and where I live, people are very responsible.
Even the centuries-old cathedral allows dogs now. There’s one pub that allows
dogs and not children! They are absolutely not a substitute for children - look at the amount of families who have dogs. We are a dog-loving nation and businesses have recognised this as allowing dogs increases custom.
It ain’t going to change so I guess you just have to limit where you want to go. Or
learn to like dogs - the most wonderful creatures who provide love and companionship to millions of people.

“You just have to limit where you go….”

I guess that was meant to aggravate the situation 🤔

I think the first sentence gives this whole issue away. You have to love what I love or I will not even try to understand you but try to persuade you that dogs are wonderful and everyone should love them.

I can' think of any other animal domestic or otherwise that is used in this way.