Why do Americans love dogs so much?

[Anonymous]

I like dogs as long as they don’t use my yard as a bathroom, don’t bark at me, and they are not brought to sit at the dinner table.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:They’re for the feeble minded or anxious who are unable to meaningfully connect with other humans. The dumb animal is more “on their level” and simpler to interact with. That’s a lot of people nowadays.

Nailed it. Hence the claim of seeking "unconditional love" from an animal.

Lots and lots of people have pets that they love and care for, but still understand the boundaries and differences between human and pet.

But there are a lot of dog owners who cannot comprehend the differences and put their pet on an equal pedestal. You don't see this in any other for of pet owner.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, I do. I love them, they bring me joy (and entertainment), but I don't seek validation or "unconditional love" from my pet. I certainly don't think they trump basic courtesy of other humans.

I used to have dogs, and I…also never did those things. Weird, huh?

Sounds like you two aren't the type of dog owners that people bristle at, then.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

So do babies? And also, a baby has never mauled its family

Children kill their parents all the time.

I think you are kidding but this is actually incredibly rare.

Dog bites are super common, though. I like dogs but most dogs could be provoked into biting a human without that much effort (even well behaved dogs-- they are animals with an attack instinct if they are sufficiently threatened), whereas most children simply don't have the means to murder someone even if given a good reason to do so.

Have you ever breastfed a teething infant? Child bites happen all the time, and without provocation. One of the most relevant situations is the common one of a toddler who bites other toddlers in daycare.

Compare bites to bites.

When’s the last time a teething infant mauled his mother and landed her in the ICU?

Well, if you want to talk about maulings, why don't you talk about maulings? You (or another PP) was talking about biting. Get your story straight and shape up.

Ok. when's the last time a teething infant bit his mother and landed her in the emergency room for wound care, sutures, and antibiotics? when's the last time a dog bit its owner and landed it in the emergency room for wound care, sutures, and antibiotics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

Why do foreigners like sheep so much?

You mean, why are there herds of sheep everywhere in certain other countries? That's not exactly the same thing.... are we having herds of dogs that we shear in the spring for wool and kill occasionally for meat in our suburban yards now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

Dogs are better than children. Every dog owner knows this.

I hope that after raising your fur baby, he grows up to be a fantastic doctor or teacher or architect for the betterment of our society. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

I've been bitten by a dog.

I do not want your dog approaching me, when I'm minding my business on the right side of a path or sidewalk. Yes, I know most dogs won't bite, but I'm not psychic and do NOT want to be sniffed or approached by your random dog, who I do not know.

Think of it like this - have you ever been sexually assaulted? Obviously most men in public are decent men, but do you want random men who you do not know, to just come right up and invade your personal space? Of course you don't. Because like me with dogs, you're not psychic about total random men.

Don't forget the barking, peeing on people's yards, leaving of dog poop bags, bringing your dog with you everywhere inappropriately, etc. SO many dog owners are beyond rude. I would argue that they are in the majority.

So many dog owners refuse to acknowledge that past experiences with dogs might make someone *justifiably* wary of dogs, and that's fine.

I was attacked by a dog about 20 years ago, the [poorly trained, large] dog of an acquaintance. The dog was surprised by me and came at me very fast with teeth bared. Fortunately my brother [240 lb athlete at the time] was a few feet away and had an incredibly fast reaction and basically through his entire body on the dog. The dog managed only one grazing bite of my ankle, though it did draw blood. My brother wound up with multiple bites. He and another man there managed to basically shove/kick the dog through a doorway and get the door closed. It was terrifying. Had I been alone with the dog, he definitely was capable of killing me, and could also have permanently disabled me or disfigured me.

I don't even hate dogs after that experience, but I have a wariness of larger dogs -- basically anything over 40lbs, and even a 30-40 lb dog can make me nervous if they are muscular and a breed with a strong jaw. I'm okay around smaller dogs, and can even be okay (not super comfortable but not freaking out) around larger dogs if I have a chance to get to know them while they are leashed and well controlled and they can see I'm not a threat and I can see the same.

But I cannot tell you how many times I've told a dog owner that I'm nervous around dogs because of a bad experience, and they will instantly get annoyed with me and tell me their dog is well behaved and would never hurt anyone. Like, okay, great. I have a totally normal and reasonable aversion to dogs because I once saw my life flash before my eyes as an 80 lb dog leapt at me, teeth first. It is so ridiculous that anyone would expect me to be like "oh, I'm sure this dog I've never met before isn't like that, it is fine for him to bound up to me unleashed."

By the way, this dog who attacked me wasn't some trained attack dog. He was a large shelter dog who had been adopted by a lackadaisical college student, who never trained him and often ignored/neglected him. He was aggressive because he had no idea how else to be. Dogs will revert to instinctual, aggressive behavior if it's not socialized and trained out of them, and if they do not learn to defer to their owner. You HAVE to train dogs. It's unreal to me how many dog owners don't understand this, or think only "bad" dogs need to be trained. I sometimes think you should have to get a license to adopt anything other than a small dog.

I hate to say not all dog owners but, really not all dog owners are the same. I would respect you if you said that you were nervous around dogs but, not many people respect my dog for being nervous around kids! But, I am mindful of that and don't take him where I know there are a lot of kids.

It is weird how you equate your dog's comfort level with a human's comfort level. That is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

So do babies? And also, a baby has never mauled its family

Children kill their parents all the time.

I think you are kidding but this is actually incredibly rare.

Dog bites are super common, though. I like dogs but most dogs could be provoked into biting a human without that much effort (even well behaved dogs-- they are animals with an attack instinct if they are sufficiently threatened), whereas most children simply don't have the means to murder someone even if given a good reason to do so.

Have you ever breastfed a teething infant? Child bites happen all the time, and without provocation. One of the most relevant situations is the common one of a toddler who bites other toddlers in daycare.

Compare bites to bites.

When’s the last time a teething infant mauled his mother and landed her in the ICU?

This is such an apple and orange comparison

Precisely!! Which is why the previous poster being like "who cares if dogs bite, KIDS bite too, like teething babies or preschoolers!" is ridiculous, hence the ridiculous reply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

There are lots of people who hate them.

Why?

I've been bitten by a dog.

I do not want your dog approaching me, when I'm minding my business on the right side of a path or sidewalk. Yes, I know most dogs won't bite, but I'm not psychic and do NOT want to be sniffed or approached by your random dog, who I do not know.

Think of it like this - have you ever been sexually assaulted? Obviously most men in public are decent men, but do you want random men who you do not know, to just come right up and invade your personal space? Of course you don't. Because like me with dogs, you're not psychic about total random men.

Don't forget the barking, peeing on people's yards, leaving of dog poop bags, bringing your dog with you everywhere inappropriately, etc. SO many dog owners are beyond rude. I would argue that they are in the majority.

So many dog owners refuse to acknowledge that past experiences with dogs might make someone *justifiably* wary of dogs, and that's fine.

I was attacked by a dog about 20 years ago, the [poorly trained, large] dog of an acquaintance. The dog was surprised by me and came at me very fast with teeth bared. Fortunately my brother [240 lb athlete at the time] was a few feet away and had an incredibly fast reaction and basically through his entire body on the dog. The dog managed only one grazing bite of my ankle, though it did draw blood. My brother wound up with multiple bites. He and another man there managed to basically shove/kick the dog through a doorway and get the door closed. It was terrifying. Had I been alone with the dog, he definitely was capable of killing me, and could also have permanently disabled me or disfigured me.

I don't even hate dogs after that experience, but I have a wariness of larger dogs -- basically anything over 40lbs, and even a 30-40 lb dog can make me nervous if they are muscular and a breed with a strong jaw. I'm okay around smaller dogs, and can even be okay (not super comfortable but not freaking out) around larger dogs if I have a chance to get to know them while they are leashed and well controlled and they can see I'm not a threat and I can see the same.

But I cannot tell you how many times I've told a dog owner that I'm nervous around dogs because of a bad experience, and they will instantly get annoyed with me and tell me their dog is well behaved and would never hurt anyone. Like, okay, great. I have a totally normal and reasonable aversion to dogs because I once saw my life flash before my eyes as an 80 lb dog leapt at me, teeth first. It is so ridiculous that anyone would expect me to be like "oh, I'm sure this dog I've never met before isn't like that, it is fine for him to bound up to me unleashed."

By the way, this dog who attacked me wasn't some trained attack dog. He was a large shelter dog who had been adopted by a lackadaisical college student, who never trained him and often ignored/neglected him. He was aggressive because he had no idea how else to be. Dogs will revert to instinctual, aggressive behavior if it's not socialized and trained out of them, and if they do not learn to defer to their owner. You HAVE to train dogs. It's unreal to me how many dog owners don't understand this, or think only "bad" dogs need to be trained. I sometimes think you should have to get a license to adopt anything other than a small dog.

I hate to say not all dog owners but, really not all dog owners are the same. I would respect you if you said that you were nervous around dogs but, not many people respect my dog for being nervous around kids! But, I am mindful of that and don't take him where I know there are a lot of kids.

It is weird how you equate your dog's comfort level with a human's comfort level. That is all.

Why? Does my dog need to be in the company of things that stress him out? Why would you complain about me not taking my dog to places that normally people don't like dogs there? You would think that would make you people happy. But maybe you need more uncondtitional love?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’re for the feeble minded or anxious who are unable to meaningfully connect with other humans. The dumb animal is more “on their level” and simpler to interact with. That’s a lot of people nowadays.

Nailed it. Hence the claim of seeking "unconditional love" from an animal.

Lots and lots of people have pets that they love and care for, but still understand the boundaries and differences between human and pet.

But there are a lot of dog owners who cannot comprehend the differences and put their pet on an equal pedestal. You don't see this in any other for of pet owner.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, I do. I love them, they bring me joy (and entertainment), but I don't seek validation or "unconditional love" from my pet. I certainly don't think they trump basic courtesy of other humans.

I used to have dogs, and I…also never did those things. Weird, huh?

Right. Not all dog owners are emotionally stunted, but a great many are - the people who bring their dogs with them everywhere certainly are.

Then there are the people who so clearly regret getting a dog, as they completely ignore their animal on an obligatory walk while spaced out on their phone. It's sad.

Few dog owners get a dog for the right reasons.

This is such a bizarre take. I don’t know anyone who brings their dogs into stores or whatever, and also don’t know anyone neglecting their dogs.

Most people are just normal like…I have a dog, we love him, but he’s not our child, and we take care of him. The end.

This. I don’t know what kind of people you guys know, but the vast majority of people I know have a dog or two and they are treated like normal dogs. Maybe spoiled dogs because we’re financially secure and can afford to give them a nice life.

I love my dogs very much and talk about them and take pictures of them sometimes. So what. And we take our dog to Petsmart, but that’s it.

You've never been to a winery or orchard where people bring their dogs? Or restaurant with dogs on the patio? Or people ask to bring their dogs when coming over? Pets stay home, but there are a lot of dog obsessed people who don't understand that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

This. Plus it's not specific to Americans.

Only stupid people use this argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

This. Plus it's not specific to Americans.

Only stupid people use this argument.

Only cold-hearted people without a soul consider unconditional love to be stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

This. Plus it's not specific to Americans.

Only stupid people use this argument.

Only cold-hearted people without a soul consider unconditional love to be stupid.

Lol you’re one of the idiot #dogmoms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s not to love? They love their families unconditionally.

This. Plus it's not specific to Americans.

Only stupid people use this argument.

Only cold-hearted people without a soul consider unconditional love to be stupid.

You are emotionally stunted, if you're dependent on your dog for validation and love. Time to work on your relationship with humans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

Dogs are better than children. Every dog owner knows this.

I hope that after raising your fur baby, he grows up to be a fantastic doctor or teacher or architect for the betterment of our society. Best of luck.

Comparing dogs and kids are silly. My dogs don't need to be doctors etc to make my world a better place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like dogs perfectly fine, but I don’t get why it seems to be such a thing for Americans to be so enamored of dogs.
It seems like it’s more acceptable to say that you don’t like children than admit that you don’t care for dogs. This doesn’t seem to be as prevalent in other countries. Why is this?

STFU, Kristie!!