Out of control dogs

Several members of my family are allergic to cats and dogs and it is fairly easy to avoid entering houses where are animals are kept but can be a nightmare when encountered in places like restaurants.

You are right Gadabout. I have no problem with responsible people keeping dogs and enjoying them; but it can be difficult, as many owners do not grasp that others do not share their passion and plough on through life as if they do, presuming that other people like to have their dog jump up on them and slobber all over them, or cover their clothes in mud.

Why anyone would enjoy that is a complete closed book to me - I just do not get it. But owners need to understand that this passion is not shared by everyone and to make sure that it is not inflicted on those who do not enjoy it.

I also find it hard that dog-lovers sometimes look at me as though I am satan incarnate when I ask them to stop their dog being "friendly" with me - especially if they are mating with my leg! I am not a cruel person - I am the first to defend the right of animals to be treated well - and I hate the docking of dogs' tails by so-called doge lovers. But whilst I want animals to be treated well, I have no wish to have them living in my house.

I was quite surprised when we were allowed into the Cafe De Paris in Monte Carlo with two dogs. We were also allowed to take them round a perfumerie in Grasse. They were our friends' dogs and VERY well behaved, much more civilised than many people and much better than my own dog I'm afraid.

Deedaa it's not just their dogs but their children who know how to behave in public.
Mishap it's not your dislike of dogs that earn you the hard stares I imagine but more your sheer hatred of them as a species. It may not be what you intend to project but that's how it comes over...I wonder if you realise this?

Sheer hatred of them as species???? Just because she doesn't like being licked by a dog that has probably been licking its own parts? Or having her clothes ruined?

I did warn Mishap - say anything less than adoring about dogs and you become the Antichrist!

I once offered the use of my small flat to a friend of my daughter's and she asked if she could bring her two dogs. I have another visitor who is allergic to them, so I said I would prefer it if she didn't. I never heard from her again (I never charge for the use of my flat when I am away so her dogs cost her a free holiday in a beautiful place).

Greatnan I think it's more than that. I keep labouring the point that not all dogs and their owners act like this, while accepting that a minority do and condemning their lack of responsibility. However it falls on deaf ears, and the dog-hating lobby continue to rant on. So I'm certainly not saying 'anything less than adoring' rather trying to tread the middle ground. I have dogs, they are well behaved, child friendly, sans puce, clean. But they are dogs not child substitutes.
However if people are actually regarding Mishap as if she were the devil incarnate, to paraphrase her own post, then I could conclude she holds rather extreme views or expresses herself very forcefully, or both.
You are entitled to ban dogs from your flat and the person who chose not to take up your kind offer is of course entitled to choose her dogs over a holiday, I'm sure you'll agree.

I am a dog lover, and understand why those who don't love dogs feel repulsed by slobber, smell and hair. When my dog comes into contact with such people, she doesn't impose herself on them, but I see her making the effort to win them over, waggng her tail and looking intensely at them to see if they've changed their mind and will interact with her. If visitors are coming, I make sure she is clean and sweet-smelling, and she will remain in her basket if need be. Happily, most visitors don't react wth hostility to her, and my grandchidren adore her.

I do my bit, and I would like my grandchidren not to be faced with out of control dogs, too. There's nothing enjoyable about dogs running wild, and I would like dog-haters to accept that dog lovers don't approve of, condone or accept bad behaviour, either. There's no need to treat us like we encourage such behaviour. Out of control owners are the problem. Dogs are faithful human companions and will do anything for us. It's a pity not everyone treats them well, as they don't deserve to be abused and neglected.

I have pets but haven't got a bike. Am I alone in thinking that all dogs and cats should have a licence and microchip and for bikes have a number plate? The cost of said licence to be equal or in excess of the cost of the bureaucracy involved. (Now hiding below the parapet)

I always commend owners who control their dogs. My experience with some dog owners has forced me to take evasive action when any non-lead dog approaches. A number of owners are far too slow to bring their dogs to heel. Latest one was a small dog on narrow path barring my way and baring teeth while the owner cooed, "Oh dear! Oh dear!
My son owns a wonderful rescue greyhound - now their`s a breed that seems to have no nasty surprises.

Yes, agree with you Stansgran. We used to have dog licences when I first had a dog. Dog breeders should have to apply for licences, too, in my opinion.

I agree with When. We are dog free now but frequently 'borrow' our offsprings' dogs when they go away. All are child friendly, and because they've been taught how to socialise, polite in public and well behaved in pubs curling up under the table - apart from occasionally a little light begging.

I would be shocked and very contrite if a dog under my control put muddy paws on a white coat - in fact it did happen when my mother's dog trotted through a puddle and splashed a little water on a lady in a long white coat. I was mortified - even though I did wonder what sort of idiot goes on a country ramble down a muddy track in a long white coat!

I don't think anybody has suggested that all dogs, and all dog owners, are out of control. I am also a dog lover and have spent many weeks dog sitting - but the dog in question is well trained and loveable.
I merely thought it was a bit much to say Mishap displayed 'sheer hatred' just because she objects to badly behaved dogs.
In New Zealand, all dogs have to be registered at the town hall, microchipped and the licence has to be renewed every year.
I hate to see dogs licking children's faces - we all know what else they lick.
In France, farm dogs are the worst. They run in front of the car barking madly when I pass their farms - they are never contained in any way. Oddly enough, the dogs used for hunting seem to be very gentle - they are trained to drive the game towards the hunters, not to attack it. When I first ran into a pack, I was a little nervous, but they were very friendly.
Monte Carlo is plagued by dog faeces, even though the streets are washed down frequently. I was shocked in one expensive restaurant to see a dog sitting up to the table, on a banquette, feeding from a plate. I wouldn't have liked to sit in its place after it, as there were hairs all over the velvet. Mainly, they are the little lap dog types that idiots like Paris Hilton use as accessories and carry in their handbags. What kind of life is that for a dog?
Can we all agree that well behaved dogs are a joy and great companions, but out of control dogs are a menace and very frightening to some people.

Agree with Greatnan & I don't hear Mishap displayed sheer hatred at all. I think some people are guilty of what they complain of. The only thing I am intolerant of are the owners who greet polite requests concerning their dogs invading my space with rudeness & worse. Of course if you are walking with a dog you are less likely to experience this kind of behaviour (though I gather attacks by big dogs on small ones can also be a problem). I declare that having a condition caused by parasites in dog faeces may make me a little more sensitive to un-binned dog-poo.