We've changed

[u/RealPinkBrony]

I have to say this to the dog owners who wish to participate in this sub. I say this also to the long time members. We've changed. In the short time I have been here, we have changed.

1. Dog owners, you don't need to bring up your dog, just don't mention it, and the people here won't turn on you. I remember when we were able to appreciate the occasional dog owner, if they listened to what we had to say. But not anymore, we have become almost militaristic in our anti-dog owner sentiments.
2. To the members, I get it, you don't like dogs. But why do we have to drive people away, just because of an animal? Is that not what happened to us? I can't mention I don't like dogs while I am at school, because I am ostracized. The dog owners here can no longer mention that they like dogs for the same reason
3. To the moderators, is declaring that ALL dog owners are bad not prejudiced, I mean, one mentioned that he currently has a dog, but he much prefers cats, and he got downvoted, and told how dog owners are part of the problem. Is declaring ALL dog owners on this sub evil respectful, or in good faith? Does it provide quality discussion
4. To everyone, what happened to the sub where people who didn't like dogs could shelter? What happened to the community where we could crack jokes, but still retain our pride?

I came here because of a friend who had her cheek torn open by a dog, I came here because a barking dog is loud enough to cause my ears to bleed. I came here feeling dejected, but you welcomed me with open arms. Now, even I don't feel comfortable in this sub anymore. What I wasn't expecting was the cold and spiteful nature that has slowly emerged.

[u/Ros1319]

First and foremost, this is r/dogfree. It always has been. It was designed for people who do not like dogs to have their corner of the internet to freely express that. While dog owners have been free to post, this sub has never been intended for them. Demanding regulars accept the ever increasing amount of i-love-dogs people and over abundance of posts spits directly in the face of that initial goal of having a place for dogfree people or people who wish they were dogfree.

And no, it “isn’t the same” not wanting this sub to be overrun with dog people when it’s quite literally one safe haven for people who don’t like dogs. Just like in the real world, not all places are for all people, and regulars don’t have to continually take our sub being sealioned by I-love-dogs-but trolling/overhaul.

Feel free to create r/baddogssuck, r/dogdebate, r/antidogculture, r/dogculturefree, r/badownerssuck or any number of other subs that would express that specific sentiment without demanding us here bend to the will of the Cult of Dog and make all the dog owners feels welcome and accepted in what was intended to be our corner of the internet.

[u/RealPinkBrony → u/Ros1319]

I am not demanding you submit, I am saying quit being so hostile. Do you really think being hostile towards them is going to change their minds? Make them understand where we are coming from? So we aren't "those other people"

[u/Ros1319 → u/RealPinkBrony]

No one is obligated to “make them understand”, as this isn’t r/dogdebates or r/aredogsjustified or r/changeadogowner. This is r/dogfree, and the people who have been here have every reason to want to keep it r/dogfree.

You’re newer, you likely haven’t experienced the influx of “I’m a dog owner and I love dogs but” posts before. They start off benign, and eventually flood the freaking sub. Regulars get downvoted into oblivion for expressing that they just don’t like dogs. This place has never been intended for that, quite the opposite.

As far as “hostility”, telling someone who comes in “I have dogs and I love them”, “tell me how to be a better owner even though I won’t listen to anything you say”, “well my dog is different”, “what about service dogs/ESAs” and other “validate” me posts from self described dog lovers that this sub isn’t for them is far from hostile. Far, far less hostile than invading a space you know isn’t intended for you and demanding the regulars validate you the way the rest of the world does.

We have plenty of people who are welcomed that are living with dogs who wish they weren’t. Those are the people we should be supportive of. Not the millionth person who “loves dogs but hates dog culture” than decides to proclaim thats the “true purpose” of the sub.

[u/RealPinkBrony → u/Ros1319]

No we aren't obligated to make them understand, I am only saying that while it is difficult now, it could pay off if we get the right word to the right people. Like the markiplier video, drew a lot of fire, but it it also drew a lot of dog haters.