Fur Babies or Fur Burdens? 12 Dog Owner Quirks That Have Us Growling!
Your dog might love you unconditionally, but humans don’t dish out puppy love in the same way. There are some things a dog owner can do that can make others want to put them through crate training, and it goes beyond the cardinal sin of dog ownership, not picking up your dog’s poop.
1. Treating Dogs Like Family Members
There’s a difference between a fur baby and an actual baby. But some people treat their dogs as if they carried them for nine months, showering to the point where they’re spoiled rotten. Which… can make those dogs rotten. Calling yourself mommy or daddy when you’re not actually its mommy or daddy can get on other people’s nerves, especially when it’s coupled with a lack of doggy discipline.
2. Being Offended When Someone’s Not a Dog Person
Dogs and cats aren’t natural enemies, but it seems like dog and cat people are. When someone says, “I’m not really into dogs,” some dog owners act as if that person just said, “I’m a literal monster with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.” Dogs can be overwhelming for some people. Especially if they jump. Especially if that person has past dog trauma. There’s no harm in letting other people not like something – even if it’s your fur baby.
3. Not Telling People Your Dog is Going to Be There
Nobody likes a third wheel, even if that third wheel has four legs. Having to leave an event early because you have to take care of your dog is a buzzkill, but so is bringing your dog uninvited. Your dog might be up for anything, but the people around him might be allergic or afraid of dogs and too polite to say otherwise. If there’s a reason your dog needs to tag along, in this case, it’s better to ask permission than forgiveness.
4. Expecting People to Follow Your Dog’s Instagram
Asking your friends to follow your dog on Instagram is a level of friendship beyond giving someone your kidney. Just because you love looking at photos of your dog in sunglasses doesn’t mean your friends do, too. So if your dog isn’t an influencer, don’t take it personally if it doesn’t have the following of a Kardashian. He may be cute, but people’s feeds are sacred.
5. Letting Your Dog “Have Its Way” With People
It would be clearly wrong if a human smelled another person’s crotch or went to town on someone else’s leg. So why do some owners just say, “dogs will be dogs,” when their pets do the same thing? A dog doesn’t have the same boundaries as humans, so it’s up to the owner to stop their pets from violating an unsuspecting leg. Nobody wants to get knocked over by a “happy camper!”
6. Letting Your Dog Bark Non-Stop
Dogs bark. Let’s face it. They get excited when even the neighbor’s doorbell rings four houses down. They can be hard to control, but not making any effort to control them can be inconsiderate. There’s no reason a dog should be allowed to bark at a length that would outlast a full rendition of American Pie.
7. The High Cost of Doggy Dining
There’s an eyebrow-raising moment when one learns about the exorbitant amount some shell out for their dog’s subscription-based gourmet food service. It’s not just premium—it’s the kind of haute cuisine that would make a food critic nod in approval. Yet, this culinary extravagance is lost on the dog, who, let’s be honest, wouldn’t mind scavenging through a trash bin for a snack. Watching an owner flaunt the exclusive, artisanal meals delivered to their doorstep for their pet, one can’t help but calculate the human delicacies that could have been enjoyed for the same price. It’s a fascinating spectacle of indulgence, where the love for one’s pet collides head-on with the absurdity of spending a small fortune on meals that end up as, well, dog food.
8. Being Unaware at the Dog Park
Not of dogs, but of their owners, notably one who seems to mistake the place for a personal fan club meeting. Engrossed in their storytelling, their dog embarks on a journey of chaos, unmonitored. “He’s usually not like this,” they proclaim, as their four-legged friend turns the park into its personal playground, much to the silent horror of everyone else present.
9.Enduring the Overshare of Doggy Details
There’s something uniquely perplexing about being on the receiving end of an unsolicited update on a dog’s digestive health over lunch. The line between being a concerned pet owner and sharing just a tad too much seems to blur. While a passionate recount of their dog’s daring escapades might be endearing, the graphic gastrointestinal update that follows often leads one to question the necessity of such vivid storytelling.
10. Witnessing the Dog as a Fashion Statement
Every so often, one encounters a dog so extravagantly dressed, it puts the average human’s wardrobe to shame. These dogs, often seen sporting the latest in canine fashion, from bedazzled collars to designer coats, serve as living, breathing accessories. The sight is as bewildering as it is amusing, leaving onlookers to ponder the line between pampering and pageantry.
11. Navigating Unleashed Dogs in Leash-Mandated Zones
The concept of a leash seems to elude some dog owners, particularly those convinced of their pet’s unparalleled sociability. Encounters with these off-leash canines in areas clearly marked for leashed pets present a peculiar challenge. It’s a dance of dodging enthusiastic jumps and unsolicited greetings, all while the owner assures from afar, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!”—a reassurance that does little to quell the immediate invasion of personal space.
12. The Early Departure Due to Canine Curfew
Picture this: the party’s in full swing, the vibe is just right, and then there’s the inevitable buzzkill. Someone announces they must leave—not because of an emergency or because they’re not enjoying themselves, but because they need to get home to their dog. This early departure often comes with a lengthy explanation about their dog’s strict schedule or separation anxiety, turning what should be a simple goodbye into a dramatic exit. It leaves the rest of us pondering the balance between responsible pet ownership and the art of using one’s furry friend as a convenient escape hatch from social gatherings. The phenomenon is not just about commitment to pet care; it’s about witnessing the prioritization of a pet’s bedtime over human connection, a testament to the powerful leash our four-legged friends have on us, even in their absence.
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