Comments on: Why Dog Lovers Piss Me Off

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 04:34:01 +0000

Every time I see poop that an owner decided they didn’t need to pick up on a sidewalk, or someone’s yard I get angry. These are the people that ruin it for the rest of us. Nice post Pamela!!

By: alex white

alex white — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:27:29 +0000

These people are definitely dog lovers. When you own a dog, he must fulfill your responsibility as an owner. Its so damn annoying x(

By: Jen K

Jen K — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 16:38:21 +0000

So much agreement here!
I characterize these owners into 2 groups:
1. The rude. They know what they’re doing and don’t care because they “love dogs” – the picking up poop thing you mentioned is a great example. They knowingly break rules because they want to, which ruins things for everyone else.
2. The ignorant. They don’t know any better, but also don’t make efforts to. Flexi-leash users often fall into this category because they buy the marketing hype (“oh, it gives my dog more freedome on walks, freedom is a good thing! I shall buy this and use it exclusively.”)

People who self-identify as “dog lovers” bother me the most when they use “it’s okay, I LOVE dogs” to grope my dogs without permission or without even asking. Drives me bananas.

By: lexy

lexy — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 14:55:13 +0000

I agree with your list. People who don’t pick up after their dogs are my biggest pet peeve. That, and the weird people who pick it up… bag it… and then drop it. And clearly have no intention of picking it up ‘on their way back at the end of the walk’, because I’ll regularly see it for a few days in a row. UGH!
Gwynn loves it when he’s allowed in stores – just LOVES it. But even if there’s no ‘no dogs’ sign on the door, I generally send whoever I’m with in first to ask if it’s ok – because that gives the employees a chance to say, ‘nope, i’m afraid of dogs (or whatever other reason)’.
I’ll admit, I do walk Gwynn off-leash in parks, but he goes back on if we see dogless people, people with dogs on-leash, or people with dogs on- or off-leash and children. I make the assumption that everyone without a dog off-leash dislikes my dog, and figure that at least avoids making me a dog-asshole.

By: Ariella

Ariella — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:55:06 +0000

In reply to Pamela. I don't either. It's sad that your friend now hates dogs because of the irresponsibility of its owner. Maybe one day she'll come around to see that dogs aren't the problem, their people are the problem.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:38:33 +0000

I completely agree, they don’t realise that people will see an inconsiderate ass they will see the dog, and so they generalise and have all dogs!! Why can’t these people see they are doing more harm??!

By: Amy@GoPetFriendly

Amy@GoPetFriendly — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 03:00:08 +0000

Oh my goodness, you hit the nail on the HEAD, Pamela! We’d have a lot more freedom to include our dogs if it wasn’t for these inconsiderate and irresponsible “dog lovers.” Wouldn’t a true dog lover want to do everything they can to make the lives of all dogs better? That means taking the extra step to be sure you and your dog are not infringing on the rights of other people – to walk their dogs without being assaulted by an off-leash dog, to not step in dog waste, to not be disrupted at a pet friendly restaurant. The “dog lovers” you’re writing about aren’t doing a service to any dogs – including their own.

By: Allen and Noah

Allen and Noah — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:01:12 +0000

I agree with you- the other day I came across a couple using a service dog. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but later I got to thinking- the dog wasn’t in the usual orderly and clean manner. Yes, the dog had a vest on, but the service dog logo wasn’t obvious and it was in disarray- most service dogs I’ve seen, are very clean and the vest is obvious. I’m thinking the dog wasn’t really a service dog. I’d like to take Noah everywhere I go too but he isn’t certified and I certainly would NOT want cause a problem for someone who truly needs the service. And, two of my pet peeves are the people who walk their dog glued to their electronic device paying no attention to your approach. So, their dog is usually not very approachable. The other are the people who do not pick up after their dog!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 20:38:33 +0000

Your posts are always so thoughtful. There was a time in my life when it never occurred to me that some people don’t love dogs as much as I do do. Thankfully, I’ve learned a lot since then. I hope I am a better dog person now, and am setting a good example.

By: Christie

Christie — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 20:28:33 +0000

I agree so much! A couple weeks ago I started writing a rant about this, but then let it sit. I think sometimes we pet owners expect people to just deal.

But you do it much better than I do. So, so much better. Sigh.

Christie Zizo from lifewithbeagle.com