…and kids too.

Like less normal than us.

CW: reddit-logo

  • Frank [he/him, he/him]@hexbear.net
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    6 months ago

    Uhh… yeah, people have gotten real fucking weird about dogs over the last twenty years. Like, i mostly stay out of it, but when was the last time you saw a dog that could heel. Like the dog’s off leash running around having fun and someone yell’ ps “skipper! Heel!” And the dog walks over and lays down beside them waiting for a command, or walks calmly next to them. You know, heel. It’s the most basic, probably the most important command. I can’t think of any time i’ve met a dog that could heel up since I was a kid. People have gotten real fucking weird about dogs. It’s freaky. I try to stay out of it.

    • itappearsthat@hexbear.net
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      6 months ago

      Huge numbers of dogs also have weird behavioral triggers with bikes, skateboards, and scooters. Will lunge at them as they go by. I was walking one of my friends’ dogs because they were out of town and the fucker tried to straight up yeet himself into oncoming traffic because he saw a bicycle on the other side of the road. Had dogs try to lunge at me as I biked by many times. Why do these people even take them out on bike paths???

      • Frank [he/him, he/him]@hexbear.net
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        6 months ago

        weird behavioral triggers

        Right? They’re territorial predators, and people just don’t train or socialize them. Those leashes that are on a spring and the dog can just spool out line, that’s not keeping your dog under control. idk, people are fucking goofy. And then they get goofy when you point out that their 40, 50lb predatory land mammal isn’t safe to take outside. Not safe for the dog, not safe for bystanders, because they made no effort at all to train the animal. Like fuck off, dude, you’re the one who couldn’t be bothered to take your dog to puppy socialization and teach it to stay, you are the villain here.

      • SpiderFarmer [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        6 months ago

        I hate dogs because of shit like this. Definitely had cases where I’d be out walking and some dog would start charging across traffic at me.

    • GrouchyGrouse [he/him]@hexbear.net
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      6 months ago

      Pets are a responsibility. If I had a fucking feral child everyone would call me a negligent parent. Same goes for pets. They might be inclined to cohabitation due to domestication but that doesn’t mean you can take a hands-free approach.

        • GrouchyGrouse [he/him]@hexbear.net
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          6 months ago

          Cats are definitely more independent but there’s still ways of teaching them a few basic rules like “don’t bite my hand while playing” or “it’s time for a meal.” Consistency is key.

          A simple thing with cats you can do is the slow blink. It shows trust. If they lock eyes with you while on your lap look away, slowly scan the room (for danger), lock eyes with them again and slowly close them. It says “I checked it out and it’s safe to let my guard down.” They’ll follow your cue.

    • dannoffs [he/him]@hexbear.net
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      6 months ago

      people have gotten real fucking weird about dogs over the last twenty years

      Yes, it’s almost like people have become less financially stable and more socially isolated they’ve become attached to easily accessible sources of relationships and affection. It’s no excuse to not train your dog, but people’s relationship with their pets has fundamentally changed.

    • Barx [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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      6 months ago

      I know people that trained their dogs well and they’ll do exactly that.

      Though one of them has a husky so they’ll whine a lot first but then eventually heel.