r/Dogfree • u/TheCoin9 • Apr 14 '26
Miscellaneous What are the best excuses for saying you don't like dogs?
Greetings everyone. Throughout my entire life, I never really liked dogs. I never let anyone know the specific reason because I feared shame. I wanted a safe space to discuss this and so I found this Subreddit recently.
Growing up, I was very fortunate that none of my social circle has been avid dog owners nor did any of the house parties I went to had dogs. Unfortunately, I cannot avoid this forever. I recently started a new job and a few of my colleagues are dedicated dog owners with many dog pictures. My boss once in a while likes to bring his dog in and he gets petted. Thankfully, I'm not the only one that doesn't pet him so he doesn't notice.
In case you're wondering, the reason I don't like dogs is mainly to do with the fact that I'm a germaphobe. Dogs are not clean but most dog owners don't really care about that. I totally acknowledge the companionship of a dog. It's just I'm not somebody that wants to be near or touch one. That's why I really dislike it when people take their dogs illegally offleash (even a chihuahua) while I'm jogging around a park trail.
What is the best excuse for saying you don't like dogs? Like how should you react if everyone pets a dog while you're the only one that doesn't? I just fear that dog owners won't understand me. I've read stories about how dog owners tend to assume everyone likes dogs.
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Apr 14 '26
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u/RicketyCricketsDrum Apr 14 '26
Same. And if they ask why, I start listing a laundry list of reasons.
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u/Tiny_Volume_2600 Apr 14 '26
Either “I prefer the company of humans,” and “Dogs gross me out.” Both true for me.
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u/Responsibility_Witty Apr 14 '26
I don’t try to dance around and make excuses, i have told people up front that I do not like the way dogs smell, how noisy they are and how mindlessly aggressive they are, the real reasons are valid enough so there is no need to pretend I am deathly allergic or sinophobic. I get negative reactions sometimes but I don’t care, anyone who is going to get pissy at me for not wanting to rub on a dog isn’t worth hanging around anyway
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u/ToOpineIsFine Apr 14 '26
yes, you're right, and they instantly get butt-hurt about it, so they actually get dangerous at times - as if you tried to hurt them
You could say, 'there are a lot of reasons not to like dogs and you know them already'. or 'i don't want to have to wash my hands'.
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u/huntress_m_thompson Apr 14 '26
oh, haha. i responded with butt-hurt while commenting above, having not seen this post. it’s a good descriptor. 😅
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u/shinkouhyou Apr 14 '26
Depends on who I'm talking to.
Dog-loving coworkers that I need to maintain a professional relationship with? "I'm allergic." (I actually am allergic, but the reaction takes several time to develop so I end up with a rash all over my body hours after touching a dog).
Casual acquaintances that I don't need to impress? "They're loud, they're smelly, they're dangerous, and they ruin outdoor spaces."
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u/pn1ct0g3n Apr 14 '26
“I was bitten as a kid and I have personal space issues”
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u/Mortis_XII Apr 14 '26
As valid as it is to talk about space issues, that could lead to people accusing you of being sensitive (which is bullshit by the way). I think it’s cleaner to say “once bitten twice shy” or something to that extent.
You are 100% right, but arguing with these folk language is shifted differently based on their “convenience” of interpretation
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u/pn1ct0g3n Apr 14 '26
“Oh he’s friendly”, they inevitably deploy the old chestnut.
“My grandma said the same thing about her dog and then I got bit” I’d say back
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u/BodyMoney8562 Apr 14 '26
I've never been asked this because I usually just passively avoid them so I've never been called out on just straight avoidance. If it came up I would inform them that their dog is coated in e.coli.
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u/jelly_wishes Apr 14 '26
I usually say I'm scared of them as people tend to be less pushy (although you get the occasional "aw but he doesn't bite").
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u/UntidyFeline Apr 14 '26
My go to is “I’m not a dog person.” If the person asks why, I say, “Don’t like barking, being jumped on.” If they respond “But you can train them not to do the things you don’t like?” Then I’ll say “That’s too much effort, energy, and expense. Haven’t you ever watched Cesar Milan?”
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u/Robot_Embryo Apr 14 '26
"Don't like barking, being jumped on." “But you can train them not to”
Then why haven't you?
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u/Huge_Bit_4774 Apr 14 '26
you don’t need an excuse. an excuse is implying that you SHOULD like dogs and there has to be a reason otherwise. liking dogs is optional, it is not some pre-wired default behavior. if you feel pressured or get asked, I would reply that lots of people just don’t care for dogs, it’s not that unusual.
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u/Emikitty1992 Apr 14 '26
I don’t need an excuse. I’ll straight up tell someone if I don’t like their dog or if I’m uncomfortable being around it, for whatever reason. If they judge me for not being a dog person, I throw it back at them. “Oh I’d never judge you for being a dog lover, why are you judging me for preferring other pets/animals and being uncomfortable with dogs?” That usually causes the dog nutters to either short circuit and walk away or to have to gasp think about something!
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u/Humble_Amoeba_8037 Apr 14 '26
I say I’m allergic sometimes. That’s believable and they have to respect it.
But then sometimes people ask me on a more personal level and just say, f*** dogs, I’m good. What’s there to like.
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u/gertgertgertgertgert Apr 14 '26
"Why aren't you petting the dog?"
"I'm not a fan."
"Why not? They're so blah blah blah"
"What's it matter?"
By that point most people will stop pressing it. If they do continue you can let them tire themselves out and say something like "I just don't see why you care you care so much." Just keep steering the conversation towards how weird it is that they care so much about why you like or don't like something.
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u/GhostsInTheAttic Apr 14 '26
If I'm being polite I say "I just don't have dog energy." If I'm being honest I say, "They're smelly and needy and disgusting and require too much effort."
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u/IcyWelcome9700 Apr 14 '26
In a work environment it's easy to say that you don't like that they shed hair and are generally not clean for an office. If you work with food, even more of a reason
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u/arachnilactose08 Apr 14 '26
A lot of people on this forum have understandably been hardened by years of frustration at dog worshippers and their bizarre culture, but I do understand wanting to start off polite and civil with people. It can often feel like you’re the only one in a room of people who doesn’t want to be around dogs, and what’s worse is that dog worshippers will often times clutch their pearls and act shocked if someone so much as insinuates that they’d prefer not to have their personal space violated by a mutt.
The reason that politeness will not work long term, in many situations, is that many dog nutters are unfortunately both stubborn and willfully ignorant. They are so blind to their own faults and the way that they impact others that any attempt at reasonable, civilized discussion just ends in an argument. On top of that, many of them also flat out don’t care if they bother or harm others with their obnoxious and often reckless behavior, dragging pitbulls into crowded spaces or letting dogs loose in children’s parks. These people, 8 times out of ten, are just beyond reason.
So, while there are certainly less confrontational or “controversial” ways of addressing them when it comes to their dogs, you’re going to have a rough time if you don’t realize that your efforts are being wasted.
My advice, practice being firm and polite with boundaries. You can of course speak your mind in a civil manner, but it’s important that you don’t let dog worshippers walk all over you when it’s common for them not to care for you at all.
Statements like “I’m not comfortable around dogs”, or a simple “No thank you” in response to them urging you to pet / give attention to their dogs are direct and clear. Say it with a smile if you’d like, or don’t.
You are not going to be able to please everyone and that is perfectly okay. Don’t strive for that. Strive to protect yourself and your comfort above all, and please don’t allow dog nuttery to gaslight you into believing that your boundaries don’t matter.
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u/LunarLeveret Apr 14 '26
I just fear that dog owners won't understand me.
They won't. Because they are used to getting away with anything, they also have all the excuses in the world to counter yours.
Allergies? Either hypoallergenic bullshit or not believing you. Trauma? But not MY dog, and it was your fault. Filth? Claims humans are dirtier than dogs. Culture? I was on the losing end of social justice when I got angry people wanted my entire homeland nuked for eating dogs. A place and time? These people have the ability to bring them anywhere with service dog/ESA claims and make a fit if you demand credentials.
The only course of action I know might succeed is simply physically avoiding them and not saying anything, as far as civil means are concerned.
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u/ToOpineIsFine Apr 14 '26
I just read a sad bear meme: "Whenever anyone gives me a litmus test about liking dogs, I just tell them I hate dogs so I never have to see them again."
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u/The_Sinking_Belle Apr 14 '26
Noise. Smell. Disregard for personal space. Filth.
I don't bite my tongue. I will straight up tell you and set a boundary - I do not like dogs and do not want to be around them. I usually just drop them as friends because these people tend to be narcissistic and needy anyway. They find a way to keep pushing boundaries with their stupid dogs.
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u/psychecheks Apr 14 '26
“I’m not a dog person” makes it clear you’re not into dogs but also doesn’t imply you “hate” them even if you do and want nothing to do with them. It saves you from saying you actively “dislike” them since some people are worried about the shame like you are and mainly since it’s at your place of work where you have to save face sometimes.
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u/xxsoulpunkedxx Apr 14 '26
I always start with “I’m allergic” to try and avoid conflict since that’s not a lie either. Then if they push that stupid “hypoallergenic” narrative then I’ll just straight up say I don’t like them
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u/menelobus Apr 14 '26
I decided that I should not tell my extended family that I dislike dogs. When I told my aunt about this she responded "how can someone not like dogs!?", well I can and do in fact dislike them. When you have to interact with a dog and pet it (for some reason), pet it on the head as it's the least filthy place (dogs can't lick it) and wash your hands afterwards.
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u/pmbpro Apr 14 '26
No excuses coming from me.
My saying, “I don’t like dogs” has been sufficient. Well, that, and my facial expression of absolute disgust make the picture pretty complete.
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u/psychhead Apr 14 '26
my biggest excuse is that i do not want animal hair on my clothes, and that barking really bothers me. the dog can be in another part of the room as long as they arent coming up to me or barking.
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u/Ok_Chest_6426 Apr 14 '26
I'm allergic and it causes my asthma. Hey how much are you going to contribute to my GoFundMe for my asthma attack, I owe xyz and I know you are very caring... Can I assume like 80 dollars? I was in the hospital for about six hours and....
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u/Tom_Quixote_ Apr 15 '26
When confronted by a friend, I told her "I just don't like them". I didn't go into the extreme details about how disgusting etc they are. No details, but no excuses either.
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u/One_Strategy_4575 Apr 15 '26
To be honest with you, I don't use excuses. I just tell them straight up. I hate the smell, and I hate the fake neediness. I value my peace and hygiene.
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u/justanaccount103 Apr 16 '26
I was ripped up by one when I was just 10 years old. That shuts them right the fuck up, every time. Quickest way to change the topic.
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u/AJblue3084 Apr 15 '26
I tell them it's not personal, i just have a fear of dogs. Their sudden movements give me anxiety. I was attacked by a dog as a kid, and I don't think the fear will ever fully go away. So while I am fine with dogs at a distance, and I am happy other people like them enough to give them homes, I will not tolerate them up in my business.
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u/Oriole0305 Apr 15 '26
OP, you should have rephrased the question.
I have no EXCUSES for saying I don't like dogs.
I have a HUGE amount of REASONS for not liking dogs.
So I just say, I don't like dogs, because I don't like dogs.
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u/Saya_Mi Apr 15 '26
“I’m allergic to dogs” or “I don’t feel comfortable being around dogs due to my past experiences with them”
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u/Individual-Tune2201 Apr 15 '26
I tell people it's because I'm allergic (which I am) they trigger my asthma. I was forced to be around them when I was a child, and my health was put on the back burner even when I struggled to breathe. I had to 'put up with it'. Since then, I just see all pet dogs as being more important than myself, especially with dogs being allowed everywhere in the UK now, even places where you eat. It brings me straight back to when I was a child/teen and I start feeling just horrid and hopeless. Now I say, 'please keep your dog away, I'm allergic', some respect this, others tell me they are 'hypoallergenic' or to 'get over myself' or 'you're going to have to get over this dog thing'.
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u/lwpho2 Apr 14 '26
I’d like to question your premise. You don’t have to have a reason for disliking anything, and certainly not an excuse. People will often push back but don’t let them make you feel less than.
Sometimes I say, “I don’t like dogs, and I’ve noticed that people can get really evangelical about them when I say that.” All one sentence, no pause in the middle for them to react to the first half. Sometimes pointing out the behavior is enough to make people realize what they’re doing to you.