Can I teach myself to love dogs?

If you don't love dogs it's a sign that you have no soul, sorry no known cure.

I was afraid of dogs when I was a child. Throughout my adult life, I steered clear of dogs. Couldn't imagine having one and having to pick up its poop everyday. Then, I was driving Uber and I picked up a couple from the airport who couldn't wait to get home to their dog who was going to be very upset with them, they said. I was like "what? Dogs are like people?" and they said "Yes!" Then a week or so later, I had a rider who brought his dog and held it tight for the whole ride. It was sweet. Suddenly, I decided I wanted a dog (I'm 47, by the way) but my husband said "absolutely not! I don't want my home to smell like dog!" Well, I pushed and pushed and we found a dog at a rescue. She fell in love with us before we even had a chance to fall in love with her. We took her home and she jumped into our recliner and looked so excited to be there. We fell in love. She's so sweet and so cute and so loving and our life revolves around her now. My husband is in love with her. Our dog sitter always takes pictures of her when he is taking care of her and they are adorable and we can't wait to get back to her. Am I being clear at all? She is pure love. We love her and she loves us. I cannot recommend this enough- go to a rescue and adopt a dog. You will fall in love.

I'm with r1, whenever I'm around dogs my soul soars 🙂 🐕

I’m with OP. I hate having a large smelly, shitty, drooling, shedding animal inside the house.

uk guy is right.

now, ferrets...

Op, many people don't like dogs. Do you like any animals for pets?

R2 I was like "what?"

Who's 'what?' Never heard of her.

I dislike their incessant neediness and the fact that they are always putting their anuses on furniture

Not all dogs drool, not all dogs shed. It depends on the breed. A dog’s smell is determined by the owner, if you bathe them every other week and brush their teeth daily they smell fine.

Get a dog that is already housebroken and it won’t be popping in the house.

R9 "popping in the house"

That dog's got issues!

Kidding, but that was a funny typo.

Please, for the love of god and dogs, do NOT get a dog if you don’t like them or love them, OP.!

OP what made you so desperate to make up a stupid post?

R10 oh dearing myself and laughing also.

OP, if you are not African American, perhaps go transracial. Many black folks don't like dogs. Many Middle Easterners and North Africans don't care for dogs, either. Not all of course. But many.

Once you love dogs, it’s easy to ignore their faults.

R2 did you see the Netflix gay comedy special from this past week? There’s a bit in there that I think you’d enjoy.

I love dogs, but I have no desire to own one and be tied down. It’s a lot of work.

I’m totally serious OP go spend a few afternoons at a local shelter. Explain on the phone what you are thinking and I’m sure they would love to help out. Dogs are a lot of work but also incredibly rewarding. Decide if it’s right for you.

I used to be a dog person. Years ago, I had two dogs that I loved probably more than any of my actual family and they're in my heart forever. So I get it. I understand the value and meaning dogs give people.

I've lived in a number of European countries, and everyone seems to have a dog. I can't stand the sight of them now. Aggressive (with people and other dogs), badly behaved, fouling the environment with their shit and piss sprayed everywhere making the streets smell. And, worst of all, there's the relentless barking. Every street block has at least one constantly yapping dog, and, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it. Authorities are reluctant to do anything. The owners dgaf either.

Yes, there are many sweet-natured, well-behaved dogs - mine were - and I'd do well to keep that in mind. Unfortunately, it's the noisy ones that draw my attention and ire. It's like someone's constantly shouting in the background. I get anxious and start thinking violent thoughts. I wear headphones whenever I can.

Thanks for posting, OP, and the opportunity to vent. I hope my attitude changes, because I actually feel bad about it. I'd like to feel good about dogs again, it's just really difficult at the moment. Sorry for the rant.

We'd all be better off - including dogs - if more people didn't like or were uninterested in dogs. Because for the past decade they've become a nearly-obligatory lifestyle accessory, owned by people who aren't interested in them, don't train them, don't pick up after them, and who find excuses to dump them once the novelty wears off.

Dogs are kind of like children: you love your own the most. The rest are fine but you won't love them like you love yours. That being said, you better stick to hamsters.

Can you make yourself like the opposite sex exlusively? Can you force yourself to start loving chocolate if you have never enjoyed eating it?

Accept yourself. You aren't a bad person.

I can't stand dogs. They are gross, loud, clingy, stinky, sex-crazed, and dangerous. This is my opinion and I refuse to be ashamed. I just can't like them. And that is okay! How dare anyone expect me to simply be someone else. This is me, people. Love me or leave me.

I like many animals, BTW. Cats, bunnies, songbirds, chickens, horses, etc.

And don't tell me dogs aren't dangerous. I hear about dog mauling's all the time, and so do you--unless you turn a blind eye to reports that cast the sacred dog in a potentially suspect light. It's SMART to not trust dogs who're strangers to you. No apologies. .

Sorry. I forgot in my long post to answer your question. The answer is no. No, you can't make yourself truly love something or someone. It's fine. Love yourself.

My brother-in-law has a home remodeling company and he can immediately tell what homes have dogs. The homes always smell. The owners are just used to dog odor, so they don't think it smells.

Love dogs, but have a very sensitive nose. They smell. I borrow my neighbor's dog for walks and treats and it's great. I do not bring him into my house very often though.

Find some hippy friends with dogs. Hippies tend to have lovely, gentle, well-behaved, friendly but not needy dogs. They tend to have mixed breed found dogs of medium or large size (ruling out the nervous ratty little ones); often they are accustomed to being in the company of changing groups of people and don't panic or try to drown a newcomer with their attentions, they reflect the easy-going nature of their owners who, also typically are not raw bundles of nerves and anxiety but relaxed and adaptable to what situations befall them. Your hippy friend's dog has been walked hundreds of times by other friends, never needs a leash, never lurches at other dogs, never strays, never causes a problem, is always content, and may be the key to broaden your opinion.

Maybe it's a bit of a romantic stereotype of hippy-ish people, but easy-going people have easy-going dogs that can change a person's mind from those of your other friends whose dogs are nervous bundles of fur, ever pulling at their retractable leashes, always barking and yapping and, like it or not, always the center of entertainment.

Why would you need to love dogs because they are “present in stores and other places”?

R27 please see R12.

Get to know a Golden Retriever. Those dogs have the most beautiful, gentle temperament, and you won’t be able to help yourself from falling in love.

OP, learn to live with the knowledge you're a sociopath. At least you never progressed to being a serial killer, so give some credit to your parents.

To those of you complaining about dog smells, awhile back I lost my prized sheltie and every now and then I run across an old toy or blanket that still carries his scent and the memories of love and companionship come flooding back. Those are good days 🙂

Does Windsor Castle smell like dog?

Maybe you're just not a dog person, OP. It's a lot of work and is a real expense. You really need to be there for your dog. The guy who suggested volunteering at a shelter has given you the best suggestion. Why don't you make a call, and check back with us when you've done it for a month.

Have you thought about a cat instead?

Tips for learning to like dogs-

Stay away from puppies. They are wild ids that destroy whatever is in their path. Sweet and rewarding, but not for everyone.

Old dogs might win your heart. They are house trained and love to sleep and bear unconditional love.

Try short haired dogs. They get less dirty and require less grooming then furrier breeds.

Research breeds. Some bark more than others. Some won’t shed. Some are prone to health issues. Some are stinkier than others.

Find a runt. They are the sweetest.

Too needy of daily time, too expensive to feed, too expensive to board.

No thanks.

"Does Windsor Castle smell like dog? "

A 1000 years of greed

No recollection of Queenie, the giant Bull Mastiff we had when I was a baby, but I'm told I used to lay against her and go to sleep. We had German Shepherds while I was growing up. I got my first Boxer at age 22, and I acquired two more at the deaths of the previous - nearly 30 years with Boxers! I lost my last boy a year ago this coming July 6. I miss having a dog around.

Yes, OP! Dogs are great!

It is a social expectation that one likes dogs now. Or else one is a cold fish.

[QUOTE] Maybe you're just not a dog person, OP. It's a lot of work and is a real expense. You really need to be there for your dog. The guy who suggested volunteering at a shelter has given you the best suggestion.

Well I'm not talking about owning one. Just being able to tolerate them jumping on me. Maybe therapy is the answer.

If your dog smells, then you are not taking care of it. OP DON'T get a dog, you sound like you will regret it. When someone tells me they're getting a dog or cat, I tell them all the bad things that might happen in hope that they won't, most people do not need an animal even if they think they want one.

Is it normal to get upset when offleash dogs jump on me? The dog owners seem to think it's no big deal.

[quote]Does Windsor Castle smell like dog?

Yes. Specifically dog poop according to disgusted staff and visitors.

[quote] Is it normal to get upset when offleash dogs jump on me?

Yes! It happens to my husband all the time when he runs in the park. Large dogs will jump on him while the owner smiles and yells (after the jumping) "he's friendly!" How the fuck was he supposed to know that as this beast comes barreling toward him? I grew up with a small dog and always thought I would get another some day if my husband dies before me god forbid, because I sure as hell won't get another human, most humans are terrible.

your partner is the bottom and the dogs want to hump him.