I don't like dogs. Is there anything I can do with that?

[Hisymak]

Dogs are overally seen as pets and friendly animals, and for lot of people it's their life's partner or important family member. Dogs are also utilized as useful and helpful animals in many areas, like helpers for disabled people, and can even save a human's life.

However, my personal attitude and relation to dogs is pretty bad. Since my early childhood, I perceive dogs as aggressive, dangerous and annoying animals, which I try to avoid, or at least ignore. I would never want to have a dog as a pet at all, and often they make me angry and cause unpleasant situations to me.

 

One of the main problem is, that I absolutely HATE dog's barking. This is so aggressive, intrusive and disturbing loud sound, which is very uncomfortable to my ears. Whenever I'm somewhere, like walk around street, sit in the garden etc and feel relaxed and comfortable, a barking dog always spoils my mood and breaks feeling of the place. I just wish the dog shut up and have an urge to kick him in his ass.

The other main problem is the dog's "unconditioned aggression" towards strangers. By nature, dog's inherent behavior is protecting their "pack" (their owner and family), and any stranger who appears nearby is automatically considered as a potential threat, enemy, and intruder, without even considering if that stranger has really any bad intentions or not. So dogs express aggression and try to intimidate any stranger just on principle. And that is the definite reason why I cannot stand dogs.
Sometimes I experience such situations, when I for example walk a street, and a person with a dog walks in the opposite direction. Then suddenly, without me doing anything wrong, the dogs runs towards me, comes into my close proximity and furiously barks on me. I feel extremely uncomfortable in that situation, because the dog intrudes my personal space and makes a real threat to me (who knows if the dog gets crazy and bites me), so I feel threatened much more than the dog's owner is even afraid of me. And the dogs does it only because I'm a stanger who walks nearby, like I was guilty for doing that! Of course, such case is rather rare, like let's say one of 100 dogs does that, but still. I feel like dogs need to be trained by their owners not to do this, and only not well-trained dogs do that, as this is their natural beahavior they're taught to suppress.
The other big problem I experience very often are barking garden dogs. Whenever I go on a public space (a road, sidewalk) nearby a house with a fenced garden and dog inside, the dogs aggressively barks on me. I'm feeling like the dog wants to express something like this: "I hate you because you're a stranger who came near my territory. Better get out of the place as fast as possible, or I'll bite you!". So I feel like the dog inherently hates me for no real reason, without me doing anything wrong to him and without having any bad intentions, like trying to intrude their house and steal something, or harm the dog or its family. According to the dog, my offence is basically my sole existence and presence near their house, and the correct thing I should do is just to stay at my home and don't go anywhere. Whereas, according to human laws, it's perfectly fine and legal to walk at public space, and no human would even shout on me or dislike me because of me walking on a public space near their house. So I feel like the dog is denying my basic human right. And this is the definite incompatibility between dog's and human's world, which is the thing that most bothers me about dogs.
Additionally, I sometimes feel dog's behavior is illogical. For example I walk near a garden with a dog, and I'm facing a direction away from that garden, but the dog starts barking on me anyway. I feel like "You clearly see I'm walking away from your house, so I'm definitely not going to intrude your house, so you can just stop barking you i*iot!" And the dog is like "Nope, I'll keep barking on you until I see you, to make sure you won't turn around and come back!". Things like this can frustrate me on dogs pretty much.
And lastly, the thing which frustrates me absolutely most and makes me really angry, is, when I for example walk near a fence, and a dog comes very silently near me, and all of a sudden starts loudly and furiously barking on me. It causes a shock to me and it is extremely bothersome. I feel like the dog is trolling me and has an actual pleasure in causing a shock to me.

 

So, that's about my feelings about dogs.
Unfortunately, I feel like this is pretty much wrong and don't like such attitude and feelings. I'd like to get along better with dogs generally, and find a way to achieve that. Is there any advice you can give me? What's your opinion about those situations and feelings?
Thank you for help.

[Murdoch]

Did you have a bad experience with one as a kid? That might be informing your behaviour. I've often joked that if i had someone say they dont like dogs my brain would blue screen and I'd need to lie down. Mostly i just feel kind of sad for you but also admire you as you want try. There's few things in life better than the undying love and loyalty of a dog.

 

The trick may be acclimatisation. Remember, dogs can read body language just as well as we can. Try to find a calmer, more placid dog belonging to someone you known and get to know them. Bring them treats to try and override any tension they might read from you plus it's just a nice thing to do. Over time, you should feel more comfortable with them.

 

As for the barking? Yeah that's just always going to be annoying when you don't want it lol. But thats a minor negative among an ocean of positives.

[Biodegradable]

If you genuinely want to improve your relationship with dogs, then you'll have to do what my man Murdoch's suggesting and acclimatise yourself to them over time. That being said, you are under no obligation to like a certain animal if you genuinely find them off-putting for whatever reason. Anyone who would think less of you for it is just a wanker with narrow priorities. I've met heaps of people in my life who didn't like dogs or cats or birds or even fish for that matter.

Edited December 22, 2022 by Biodegradable

[Nevander]

I'm not a pet person at all. I don't hate or really dislike any animal, but I do not want the responsibility of caring for one. I can't stand the barking or the constant need for dogs to be all up in my face, seeking attention or whatever the hell they are doing. I can't sit my hand anywhere without a dog going to lick it and then they follow my hand when I just want to be left alone. It's the real Hell on Earth. Doomguy had it easy!

[Casketkrusher]

We would never be friends, my dogs are like children to me.

[Gez]

6 hours ago, Hisymak said:

Unfortunately, I feel like this is pretty much wrong and don't like such attitude and feelings. I'd like to get along better with dogs generally, and find a way to achieve that. Is there any advice you can give me?

Do you have a friend, coworker, family member, or other acquaintance in your general area who has a dog? One that is well accustomed to visitors and will not react with hostility to your presence. Because then you could just hang out with them and their dog, as a form of "exposure therapy", get to know dogs as something else than just a noisy and aggressive annoyance.

Edited December 22, 2022 by Gez

[Rudolph]

I love watching dogs, but I do not feel comfortable directly interacting with them either. Then again, the same can be said about other human beings as well. Unless you get to know them, it can be difficult to know how to deal with them.

Edited December 22, 2022 by Rudolph

[leejacksonaudio]

Tl;dr answer - get a cat. <evil grin>

[Azuris]

As said before, you don't have to like dogs, but you should change your thinking about them.

 

Animals have a simpler thinking, comparable to a toddler.

Dogs don't hate you and don't want to damage you, they want just to defend their family from strangers.

 

Barking is just a very loud way to warn you and make you afraid.

 

Be aware when animals snarl, if they do, don't come them closer.

Thats the true warning before they attack.

 

Also consider, animals do not attack if they mustn't, as a possible wound can mean their death.

 

Animals have feelings, fear, love, joy, they only show it in different ways as humans.

Every individual has also its own character.

 

Maybe read about how dogs and cats express themself, in that way you at least understand more what their action wants to express.

 

[Kinsie]

Find better dogs.

[Redneckerz]

Not a doglover, though i have dealt with friend's dogs that i could get along with. Am just a cat lover (without cats)

[HavoX]

2 hours ago, leejacksonaudio said:

Tl;dr answer - get a cat. <evil grin>

This. Or get a parrot.

[Decay]

Dogs are shit, you don't have to like them. I grew up with dogs but also came to hate them because of barking and dipshit owners who let them run off-leash everywhere. My dog died because of a "friendly" off-leash dog that bit her. I don't visit my friend anymore because his new dog is unbelievably annoying and doesn't shut the fuck up. My neighbours dogs don't shut the fuck up, but I guess a benefit for me working for the municipality is getting higher priority with bylaw/animal control to pay a visit to those neighbours.

 

Anyway, fuck dogs. I am entirely unsympathetic to any ills that befall them.

[Kinsie]

 

[magicsofa]

Dogs are a reflection of their owners anyway. Most people don't actually have the time, motivation, or consistency to actually train their dog properly. Dogs do really well with positive reinforcement (treats for good behavior), and direct, assertive (but not aggressive) communication. If you do it right, they will really trust you, and they will follow your lead in terms of when its time to play, protect, or chill. This requires the owner to be super consistent though, and to spend pretty much all day every day training them from a puppy. Normal people try a few training techniques for a little while and then just give up entirely, because its a load of work.

 

Because of this, people's dogs charge ahead of them on walks and frequently go into protection mode. They think they need to because the owner wasn't consistent enough in teaching them what their role in the pack is supposed to be. It's not that they are a bad dog, it's that the human is a bad owner.

 

You are overestimating how aggressive most dog barking really is though. It sounds intense but for the most part, they just want to say "HI! HI HI HI HI HI! HI! HI HI HI!" Often they will calm down if they are actually allowed to come up to you. If a dog is actually feeling threatened by you, they will usually convey it by growling, bearing teeth, and getting into attack position. They will also probably retreat nervously if you get closer. But when a dog is barking while standing in a normal position, or jumping around, they usually just want to play.

[Smoothandz]

I had two dogs (Bentley - West Highland Terrier and Woody - Mini dachshund) and those boys gave me the best 14 years of my life. They were quite, lovable dogs. Anyone who stepped into my house would be greated with excessive tail wagging and joyous excitement. Soon after, they would hangout and chill on your lap or just right beside you. Even when I was alone at home playing on the computer, Bentley would curl up around my feet and Woody would sit in my lap. Even now I get a little teary eyed just talking about them.    

I say all of this to drive home the idea I was (and still am) very much a dog person. Now on to my point. I recently moved in with my girlfriend and she has a cat. Now I've never been a cat person per say, but I've never had one or ever really been around one for long periods of time. I honestly never really had a strong opinon one way or the other. But after living with my girlfriend and spending time with her cat... I really love this cat. (and my girlfriend too of course) Sometimes the most important thing is to just spend time with someone/animal to really be comfortable around them.

 

And as far as advice? Well, @Murdoch pretty much nailed it. Following his advice along with some others that have contributed to the thread, I think you have a new appreciation of dogs and you too can experience the joy of man's best friend.

 

9 hours ago, Murdoch said:

There's few things in life better than the undying love and loyalty of a dog.

 

- Quoted from the Book of Murdoch, Chapter 3 Verse 42

 

Also, here is Galadriel and I hanging out at the computer.

 

[PsychEyeball]

One thing to know about animals is they understand how you feel. Dogs that may or may not know you will understand how you feel toward them and react accordingly. If they sense you're afraid of them, they will capitalize on this opportunity to make you feel further scared by being loud and agressive. But likewise, if you're comfortable with dogs and you meet them, they will feel more inclined to socialize with you by sniffing you thoroughly or even want to play.

 

Likewise, dogs can also be traumatized by encounters with vile humans. I met a dog whose former owner beat them up pretty brutally and as a result, any time a human would get close to them, they'd back away, bark loudly and just start trembling in fear. It was really sad to witness, as you couldn't even pet them or show any affection to them as a stranger. But it's worth remembering that even though dogs are simpler creatures, they still show emotions we can relate to as humans.

 

I used to not care about dogs but this all changed when I had to take care of one for 2 weeks. My parents were going on vacation for this time but couldn't bring the dog along so I was chosen to take care of her. It was really tough at first, as the dog was not accepting of me and clearly didn't digest that her owners were gone without her. She would not eat her food and seemed pretty down the whole time, which in turn actually started to bring me down as well since I felt like I was doing a lousy job. But it took a few days of hanging around her, taking her on walks, playing with her and taking care of her water and food bowls.

 

After a few days of this, I finally got her to smile at me. And then started eating regularly again. Despite my lack of experience and knowledge with dogs, it seemed as if the dog finally accepted me as part of her family. For better and worse, I was her new owner. And the next week after was much more fun since the dog was more lively in the house and around me, knowing I'd watch her. By the end of week 2, she would even sleep near the bed I was sleeping in, to make sure she was near me.

 

The moment you see these big balls of fur run around you, or on you, slobbering at you, giving you hugs and trying to give kisses, there's no going back. I went from being completely indifferent to dogs to finding them awesome. Once you spend the time and effort, they are the most affectionate things in the world.

 

But not everyone is willing to make this effort. And that includes certain dog owners. Typically, if a dog acts in a bad manner, it's almost always the owner's fault. It always comes down to how they were raised, trained and treated by humans.

[Chezza]

Everyone already said good points.

 

I'll summarize my points:

• Dogs are obnoxious, protective scavengers but on the bright side, are loyal, loving, protective creatures that often only mean well
• Some dog breeds are incredibly docile and far less obnoxious, they may change your mind and help you see their good points
• Humanity has been with dogs for 10s of thousands of years and they have evolved to love us. Technically it should be possible to get along with a dog but you might need to meet the right dog, at the right time. Start with a cute puppy, they don't bark and pull on human's heart strings
• Buying and feeding a dog isn't enough. Consistent training particularly at a early age will yield a well behaved dog, even including the more aggressive breeds
• If you aren't psychopathic (no one can choose if they have this condition) or have dark thoughts / intentions around people, you should be able to get along with dogs. They do have the ability to sense something off about someone better than most humans

Edited December 22, 2022 by Chezza

[Amiga Angel]

I like dogs but I prefer cats. I have 2 amazing cats.

[Azuris]

15 hours ago, Smoothandz said:

I had two dogs (Bentley - West Highland Terrier and Woody - Mini dachshund) and those boys gave me the best 14 years of my life. They were quite, lovable dogs. Anyone who stepped into my house would be greated with excessive tail wagging and joyous excitement. Soon after, they would hangout and chill on your lap or just right beside you. Even when I was alone at home playing on the computer, Bentley would curl up around my feet and Woody would sit in my lap. Even now I get a little teary eyed just talking about them.    

I say all of this to drive home the idea I was (and still am) very much a dog person. Now on to my point. I recently moved in with my girlfriend and she has a cat. Now I've never been a cat person per say, but I've never had one or ever really been around one for long periods of time. I honestly never really had a strong opinon one way or the other. But after living with my girlfriend and spending time with her cat... I really love this cat. (and my girlfriend too of course) Sometimes the most important thing is to just spend time with someone/animal to really be comfortable around them.

 

And as far as advice? Well, @Murdoch pretty much nailed it. Following his advice along with some others that have contributed to the thread, I think you have a new appreciation of dogs and you too can experience the joy of man's best friend.

 

 

- Quoted from the Book of Murdoch, Chapter 3 Verse 42

 

Also, here is Galadriel and I hanging out at the computer.

 

 

It is pretty funny how they have different skin color on the parts where they have different hair color.
If i remember it well, it is vice versa, so on the dark parts would have been a bright color and as said vice versa on the bright skin :D
And yes, you can look this up on your haired cat ^^

[Murdoch]

16 hours ago, Smoothandz said:

Quoted from the Book of Murdoch, Chapter 3 Verse 42

 

More like chapter 1 verse 3 :)

[Gez]

2 hours ago, Azuris said:

If i remember it well, it is vice versa, so on the dark parts would have been a bright color and as said vice versa on the bright skin :D

Nope. Pink skin corresponds to light hair, dark skin corresponds to dark hair. Source: I have three black and white cats, plus a brown tabby, a ginger tabby, and a calico.

 

This is because in cats, skin and fur color are affected by the same pigments.

https://fanciers.com/cat-genetics/cat-colors/

Edited December 23, 2022 by Gez

[leejacksonaudio]

15 hours ago, LuzRoja29 said:

i hate cats, they escape from house and go anywhere

 

Only some cats. Ours cringe and hide when we open the front door.

[yakfak]

i think dogs are cool but they hate me, they see the inherent low-class criminally-prone part of me and alert teh guards giggle

[Thelokk]

As many mentioned before, the only way to overcome is exposure. 

 

Personally, from the day I was born I never had less than three dogs at a time in my household, so I don't even conceptualize them as good or bad - they're simply a factual part of daily life, like my parents, sister or daughter. Cats I'm just sorta neutral about - I'd love to have a black cat, if it wasn't guaranteed my dogs would shred it to goulash the moment they see it. 

Edited December 23, 2022 by Thelokk

[TheMagicMushroomMan]

Don't hate the dog, hate the owner. I've had dogs my entire life, and almost every other owner I've met in my city lets their dogs walk without leashes, thinks barking is cute, lets them shit on the sidewalk, or purposely trains them to be aggressive. Usually all of the above. I had a neighbor of six years who had a constantly-yapping chihuahua. I didn't want to smash the dog's head for yapping, I wanted to smash its owner's head for letting it yap.

 

The logic you're applying to your disliking of dogs can be applied to my hatred of insects - they're annoying, aggressive, can be dangerous, and they invade my privacy. The only difference is that I'm legally allowed to violently maim and kill the insects that bother me. It's a natural reaction and everyone is different. Some people like having pet cockroaches. They dress them up in little skirts, look it up. People think it's cute. I just want to light it on fire.

 

You don't have to like dogs, though. I can't stand cats (go ahead, petition the mods to add a dislike button).

Edited December 23, 2022 by TheMagicMushroomMan

[Smoothandz]

27 minutes ago, TheMagicMushroomMan said:

Don't hate the dog, hate the owner.

 

Facts. Train your dog right and they will be an increditable companion. 

 

4 hours ago, Murdoch said:

More like chapter 1 verse 3 :)

 

Ah, damn it. Guess I need to study more XD

[besus]

Perhaps try to carry a stick around if you see unchained dogs aggressively coming towards you barking, or pretend to sit down to pick up a rock, which would scare off most from what I've seen, which might potentially help with the loud barks startling you.

Not sure how to fix your relationship with dogs in general, idk at least those things worked for me when I was walking around neighbourhoods with particularly aggresively barking dogs.

also dogs are delicious 

[LadyMistDragon]

Speaking as someone who sort of had the same problem, exposure will definitely help, although you may not be blamed for not wanting to interact with them. But you'll likely finding your anxiety levels becoming lower the more time that you spend around them. But no one says you've got to like them:)

[Gez]

44 minutes ago, snotface said:

Perhaps try to carry a stick around if you see unchained dogs aggressively coming towards you

Dogs love sticks.

 

What you can do is use something like a beer can filled with bolts (as in nuts and bolts). Give it a shake or two when the dog comes close. Usually they hate the noise and will get back.

 

That's something a professional dog trainer told me they use to discipline their dogs. When the dog does something they shouldn't, they make that noise with the can and the dog is startled and stops.