Whyt does it seem that most of you assume everybody wants to pet, say hello or otherwise be accosted by your dog?

I for one am allergic, and find it rude when you let your canines get all up in my personal space. Even if I weren't allergic, who but dog owners wants stank ass dog hairs and drool on them? I ask because today I reached the zenith of my patience/tolerance with dogs and/or their owners.

A (non-service) animal got on the bus today, BIG AS MARMADUKE!, started barking, and then, wait for it, TOOK A SHIT IN THE AISLE!!!



Not. Cool.

And the bitch (I'm just assuming it was a female so I can use the word bitch) didn't even have to pay a fare!

So tell me, why do some of y'all feel as though your mutt is to be worshipped and above reproach?

I keep my dogs away from people when I am out with them. I can't stand when people just approach and start to manhandle them - especially my Vizsla because no one around these parts knows of the breed - it was even worse with my Weimaraner.

Keep your filthy ass, germ infested hands off them please. You don't randomly go up and touch people, why do so many people think it's ok to do that to dogs? Not to mention they are stupid for assuming every dog won't bite their face off.

Here unless it is a service dog w/certification or a very small dog on a leash you can hold in your lap, they won't let it on public transportation. I guess there may be some exception to the rule but I've never seen it, I've seen people kicked off for not having a leash on a small dog.

I don't think I've ever had the problem of everybody on the street wanting me to pay attention to their dog, I mean they may want you to look at them, but usually, if they're on a leash and they show some politeness that you may be scared of dogs. On the other hand, I've never reached out and just petted some random person's dog unless I get permission and physical queues it's okay to do so.

For me it's the other way around. My dog hates people but people always walk up to him and try to pet him without even asking me, especially toddlers and little kids.

I had a coworker like that. She felt that everybody should think it was cute for her dogs to jump on them when they visit her house. It's rude and annoying as hell so I never went back.

I always let visitors know that I have a cat and if they are allergic or don't like them I put the cat in another room and shut the door.

By the same token it's just as rude to grab onto people's pets without permission. I had a neighbor who complained about my cat hissing at her when she tried to pet him. She got mad when I told her she was old enough to know better than to pet strange animals.

I'll be glad when the day comes that we start placing more value on manners and common courtesy again.

JustErin said:

I keep my dogs away from people when I am out with them. I can't stand when people just approach and start to manhandle them - especially my Vizsla because no one around these parts knows of the breed - it was even worse with my Weimaraner.

Keep your filthy ass, germ infested hands off them please. You don't randomly go up and touch people, why do so many people think it's ok to do that to dogs? Not to mention they are stupid for assuming every dog won't bite their face off.

I had to google it...what a great-looking dog!

morningsong said:

Here unless it is a service dog w/certification or a very small dog on a leash you can hold in your lap, they won't let it on public transportation. I guess there may be some exception to the rule but I've never seen it, I've seen people kicked off for not having a leash on a small dog.

I don't think I've ever had the problem of everybody on the street wanting me to pay attention to their dog, I mean they may want you to look at them, but usually, if they're on a leash and they show some politeness that you may be scared of dogs. On the other hand, I've never reached out and just petted some random person's dog unless I get permission and physical queues it's okay to do so.

I don't think regular dogs belong in crowded buses/trains.

I personally love dogs, but I don't like approaching strangers' pets.

I've also had many a discussion with ignorant dog-owners, who let their dogs pee and shit everywhere, let their dogs get close to children, think it's ok to bring a dog to my house and let it run around, and call me selfish for not wanting to own a dog and actually speaking up about these things.

Most of the dog owners (at least in my country) are extremely square, pseudo-tree-humping, egoistical, querulous people, who won't understand your point of view no matter what, because their dogs are holy and all people who do not own dogs are bad. I'm not a big fan of dogs myself (which means I wouldn't get one), but I realise that it's the owner's fault, most of the time.

They sure treat their pets like children and give them a lovely home and a wonderful life, but I do not tolerate that, if it has to come at the cost of the comfort/safety of human beings (especially in an urban area). The cities are where the people rule and dog owners should bow to the comfort of other people, and not vice versa.

I raised my dog like I raised my children... to respect other people, to not be annoying, and to BEHAVE!

My sister on the other hand.. HATE. HER. DOG. Yes, its her fault its a little shit... I still hate it!

i have a 3 1/2 year yellow lab named Marley..because he looks just like the dog in Marley and Me (and just as crazy too)...kids and grown folks always want to pet him and he is a rather nice looking dog, but i rarely let them do it because he gets excited and will stand on his hindlegs at which point he is over 4 feet tall.

[Edited 6/25/13 7:34am]

[Edited 6/25/13 7:42am]

In general dog-owners are responsible around these parts (Minnesota Nice and all) but there are still far too many who don't pick up after their dogs. It's not an epidemic but I just don't ever need to see dog poo. Ever. Clean it up.

That's all.

Dave1992 said:

I've also had many a discussion with ignorant dog-owners, who let their dogs pee and shit everywhere, let their dogs get close to children, think it's ok to bring a dog to my house and let it run around, and call me selfish for not wanting to own a dog and actually speaking up about these things.

Most of the dog owners (at least in my country) are extremely square, pseudo-tree-humping, egoistical, querulous people, who won't understand your point of view no matter what, because their dogs are holy and all people who do not own dogs are bad. I'm not a big fan of dogs myself (which means I wouldn't get one), but I realise that it's the owner's fault, most of the time.

They sure treat their pets like children and give them a lovely home and a wonderful life, but I do not tolerate that, if it has to come at the cost of the comfort/safety of human beings (especially in an urban area). The cities are where the people rule and dog owners should bow to the comfort of other people, and not vice versa.

Yep! That's what gets me. Many of the dog owners I've dealt with think their dogs are human beings and they think it's perfectly fine for Cujo to run around the neighborhood off-the-leash (which is against the law in most cities), jump all over people, crap in their neighbors yards and let them bark for two hours at night, keeping people from sleeping.

I used to own a dog so I like them well enough (although I am extremely allergic to them). I would NEVER approach one I didn't know, no matter how friendly they may seem. They are dogs and they bite. And it's not their fault. They are just being animals.

And the thing I hate most about many dog owners is so many of them feel the need to mock and insult anyone who owns another animal (especially a cat) and they go out of their way to try to convince you how much better it is to own a dog than a cat, like it's a fucking fact that dogs are better than cats. Why do they feel the need to put cats down to make dogs look good when in reality, anyone with connected brain cells know dogs are far more dangerous and do much more damage than any cat ever could. When they step to me with that shit, I usually tell them I've never heard of a cat mauling someone or eating a baby. That usually shuts them up.

It's great that you love dogs. I personally feel dogs AND cats supply an unconditional love that's difficult to get from humans. But, there is no need to be rude to someone if they don't like dogs or prefer other animals instead. I've owned both cats and dogs and have never forced them on anyone. I'm more of a cat person but I would NEVER ridicule anyone who prefers dogs. It's tasteless and shows that you have very little respect for people who dare have different tastes and preferences than you.

[Edited 6/25/13 9:19am]

kitbradley said:

Dave1992 said:

I've also had many a discussion with ignorant dog-owners, who let their dogs pee and shit everywhere, let their dogs get close to children, think it's ok to bring a dog to my house and let it run around, and call me selfish for not wanting to own a dog and actually speaking up about these things.

Most of the dog owners (at least in my country) are extremely square, pseudo-tree-humping, egoistical, querulous people, who won't understand your point of view no matter what, because their dogs are holy and all people who do not own dogs are bad. I'm not a big fan of dogs myself (which means I wouldn't get one), but I realise that it's the owner's fault, most of the time.

They sure treat their pets like children and give them a lovely home and a wonderful life, but I do not tolerate that, if it has to come at the cost of the comfort/safety of human beings (especially in an urban area). The cities are where the people rule and dog owners should bow to the comfort of other people, and not vice versa.

Yep! That's what gets me. Many of the dog owners I've dealt with think their dogs are human beings and they think it's perfectly fine for Cujo to run around the neighborhood off-the-leash (which is against the law in most cities), jump all over people, crap in their neighbors yards and let them bark for two hours at night, keeping people from sleeping.

I used to own a dog so I like them well enough (although I am extremely allergic to them). I would NEVER approach one I didn't know, no matter how friendly they may seem. They are dogs and they bite. And it's not their fault. They are just being animals.

And the thing I hate most about many dog owners is so many of them feel the need to mock and insult anyone who owns another animal (especially a cat) and they go out of their way to try to convince you how much better it is to own a dog than a cat, like it's a fucking fact that dogs are better than cats. Why do they feel the need to put cats down to make dogs look good when in reality, anyone with connected brain cells know dogs are far more dangerous and do much more damage than any cat ever could. When they step to me with that shit, I usually tell them I've never heard of a cat mauling someone or eating a baby. That usually shuts them up.

It's great that you love dogs. I personally feel dogs AND cats supply an unconditional love that's difficult to get from humans. But, there is no need to be rude to someone if they don't like dogs or prefer other animals instead. I've owned both cats and dogs and have never forced them on anyone. I'm more of a cat person but I would NEVER ridicule anyone who prefers dogs. It's tasteless and shows that you have very little respect for people who dare have different tastes and preferences than you.

[Edited 6/25/13 9:19am]

Well put!

my parents have always had dogs like this one

One was exactly like this

Whyt does it seem that most of you assume everybody wants to pet, say hello or otherwise be accosted by your dog?

I never assume that. Some dogs don't like that either.

PurpleJedi said:

JustErin said:

I keep my dogs away from people when I am out with them. I can't stand when people just approach and start to manhandle them - especially my Vizsla because no one around these parts knows of the breed - it was even worse with my Weimaraner.

Keep your filthy ass, germ infested hands off them please. You don't randomly go up and touch people, why do so many people think it's ok to do that to dogs? Not to mention they are stupid for assuming every dog won't bite their face off.

I had to google it...what a great-looking dog!

Those are two of my favorites, especially the Weims! Soooo...pretttyyyy....!

I really am no big fan of dogs and wouldn't get one, because their "love" simply doesn't do much for me, and I'm quite fussy when it comes to odours, noise, hair and dirt, plus I think dogs can be extremely intrusive (as opposed to cats) and so on. As you can see, I simply wouldn't be able to take care of a dog properly.

Still, I have to admit, I find bordercollies quite aesthetically pleasing (and collies themselves tend to "want" to be beautiful and please their owner, so that's a plus).

Tremolina said:

I'll pet any dog that comes up to me, tail a-waggin'. Otherwise, I leave them alone because you never know if they bite, or if their owner wants them to be petted.

Dogs rule.

I agree with kitbradley. Some dog owners can be quite stupid when it comes to handling their dogs and training them. Some just take for granted that all people love animals and are immune to the fact that many do not like them at all. Personally, I love both. I have owned both and would never consider one better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages with owning either.

I own and care for 6 cats, and it's not because I prefer cats over dogs. It's the consequence of circumstance. When I bought my house, a stray queen appeared at my doorstep, and me being an animal lover, you know what happened. She just walked in my basement one day, made herself a nest, and had her babies. I was hooked.

One of my neighbors has two dogs, one of which looks like a mix of JustErin's two dogs and the other a mixed Shepherd/mutt. He routinely brings them to my house every Saturday morning so we can chit chat over coffee. Molly, the "Viszla/Weimaraner" is a beautiful dog, but I swear she's retarded. Oops, my bad. I should say mentally challenged? That dog cannot sit still for a minute! I allow them both in my house off their leashes, and they do make a mess. I don't mind because I'm very tolerant when it comes to animals. However, when I first meet a new animal with its owner, I always ask permission to pet. I know "pet etiquette" and practice it. Ask Johnart! Hey, Hon! Kisses to my babies!

[Edited 6/26/13 6:36am]

Tremolina said:

One was exactly like this

tinaz said:

I raised my dog like I raised my children... to respect other people, to not be annoying, and to BEHAVE!

My sister on the other hand.. HATE. HER. DOG. Yes, its her fault its a little shit... I still hate it!

And here we have the truth.

It is all about the damn owner. Some owners are wonderful and get it; that ultimately just like a child, the actions of your dog are your responsibility.

My sister and her dog loving roomate of 41 years are the worst dog owners that I know. They gross me out. I won't even go into it Fortunately they don't take public transportation or even bother to walk their dog. (They simply let the dog(s) run around in the back yard and let the next rainy day wash away the crap. I can't count how many times they or a guest of theirs has left their shoes outside because there is dog doo on them, )

JustErin said:

Tremolina said:

One was exactly like this

Hey. Remember that night we were skyping and I was like....wtf? My dog is at your house? Both our parents had GSPs and they were identical looking...and we both had them in our rooms as we were talking. I miss that dog. It's already been a year since she passed away

MacDaddy said:

Tremolina said:

One was exactly like this

Beautiful isn't she?

Tremolina said:

MacDaddy said:

Beautiful isn't she?

Absolutely stunning!
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have a dog.

This would be the dog of my choice.

MacDaddy said:

Tremolina said:

Beautiful isn't she?

Absolutely stunning!
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have a dog.

This would be the dog of my choice.

It's a German Shorthaired Pointer.
http://www.netpets.org/do...t/gsp.html


Originally bred for the hunt, therefore most are very athletic and still have a strong hunting instinct. They are energetic and sensitive, therefore need a lot of running and excercise, but also personal attention. You can't leave a dog like this alone for a long time. They are 'family dogs' and don't like to be away from their owner. If you can provide for all that and raise it right, you will have one of the greatest dogs you can have. Fun to be with and full of life active, enthousiastic, social, intelligent, communicative, gentle and very loyal.


One of my parents' dogs even had a litter of 9 of these:

[Edited 6/26/13 11:00am]

Ok, ok, I will stop now.

JustErin said:

I keep my dogs away from people when I am out with them. I can't stand when people just approach and start to manhandle them - especially my Vizsla because no one around these parts knows of the breed - it was even worse with my Weimaraner.

Keep your filthy ass, germ infested hands off them please. You don't randomly go up and touch people, why do so many people think it's ok to do that to dogs? Not to mention they are stupid for assuming every dog won't bite their face off.

Viszlas are quite gracious, as are many hunting breeds

I can personally say that I love dogs, and always have. I spent a big part of my childhood in the country, at my grandparents', who used to have about twenty dogs (for hunting and other purposes) and I loved being around them. I enjoyed (and actually still do) learning about different breeds and about dogs in general and I always notice them.

However, I hardly ever touch other people's dogs. I will pretty much always ask the owner first if it's okay, and only after I've estimated the situation; whether the dog wants to be touched in the first place. Many people are quite ignorant when it comes to this and assume the dog will automatically enjoy their gesture and on top of that they often touch them in a completely inappropriate manner, which would certainly scare/irritate themselves if they were touched like that.

There are, also, two sides to the story and I absolutely agree with the op that so many dog owners are terribly irresponsible (either towards other people or/and towards their pets, too, which also makes me a bit angry and sad) and it can be extremely annoying and even dangerous. I find it extremely impolite if a dog is being let off leash in a public place and when he runs towards someone the owner does absolutely nothing but says something like "oh don't worry, he'd never harm anyone". Even if it's true, whether the dog is "dangerous" or not is absolutely irrelevant and such nonchalant behaviour is rude, with no consideration for others who may not like dogs or be afraid of them. I've seen it happen so many times. Dogs (sort of like children, actually...!) shouldn't be owned by people who are less intelligent than they are.

[Edited 6/26/13 14:53pm]