Searching for why do I hate dogs? Unpacking the personal reasons behind it.

Alright, let's get into this. It's not something I shout from the rooftops, but yeah, dogs and me, we don't really mix. It wasn't always like this, didn't start out hating them or anything.

My Early Days Weren't Dog-Free

Growing up, there were dogs around. Neighbors had 'em, family friends too. I remember petting a few, throwing a ball once or twice. No big deal. They were just... there. Didn't love 'em, didn't hate 'em. But things started shifting, slowly, bit by bit, because of stuff I kept running into.

The Noise Factor Started It

My first real annoyance, I think, started with barking. Moved into an apartment complex years back. Guy next door had this little yapper. All. Day. Long. And nights too, sometimes. I'd get home from work, wanting some peace, and just yap-yap-yap through the thin walls. I tried talking to the guy, real polite at first. He'd just shrug, say "dogs bark, man". Yeah, okay, but constantly? It really wore me down. Couldn't relax in my own place.

Then Came the Jumpy Ones

Started noticing it more when I was out. Walking in the park, minding my own business. Suddenly, bam! Dog jumps up, paws on my clean pants. Owner's usually lagging behind, yelling "Down, boy! He's friendly!" Friendly? Maybe. But I didn't ask for muddy paw prints on my clothes. Happened more than once. Different dogs, different parks. Same result: me, annoyed, with dirty clothes. People just let them run wild, no thought about others.

And Don't Get Me Started On... You Know

The mess. Seriously. Walking down the street, gotta constantly watch where you step. Sidewalks, grassy bits near the curb, even saw it right in the middle of a path once. It's like navigating a minefield. And you see the owners, clear as day, watch their dog do its business and then just walk off. Pretend they didn't see it. Or they do the fake bag-reach, hoping you'll look away. It's just lazy and disrespectful. To everyone.

The "He Wouldn't Hurt a Fly" Crowd

Then there's the off-leash brigade. Parks with clear "Leash Required" signs? Doesn't matter. Big dogs, small dogs, running right up to you. Maybe they are friendly. But I don't know that dog. And frankly, some dogs are big enough to be intimidating, friendly or not, when they're charging at you full speed while the owner shouts uselessly from fifty feet away. It just feels out of control, and honestly, sometimes a little unsafe.

So, Why the Hate?

Look, I know it's often the owners, not the dogs themselves. Bad training, neglect, laziness. But over the years, all these things just piled up.

• The constant barking wearing me down.
• Getting jumped on and dirtied.
• Dodging poop on my walk home.
• Dealing with off-leash dogs when I just want a quiet walk.

It's the whole package. The noise, the mess, the disregard from some owners. It just built up this strong aversion. It's not like I wish harm on dogs, not at all. I just really, really prefer my space without them in it. Too many bad experiences, too much annoyance. That's my story, plain and simple. It's where I landed after years of just trying to live my life.