PEt (as in dog) Peeve..

[zzm9980]

While I understand the OP is just ranting, and I understand that some of the attitudes towards dogs may be a bit ridiculous myself, you *are* in a few place with its own local culture, beliefs, and mores. IMO, It is a bit hypocritical of you to be upset and offended by what you perceive as non-acceptance of a dog, but then blasting the local children who were frightened and crying.

You're from somewhere where dog ownership is the norm, and now you live in a region of the world where some of the populace despises dogs, has religions bans from contact, and/or eats them (btw, it's kind of gamey. I wouldn't recommend it). I would really think you would have researched this before moving here.

[sundaymorningstaple]

^^^^
+1

[Robnc]

Wow, once again, I am amazed that even in here, on a chat board, people are so opinionated and quick to judge. I just said I acknowledge my culture shock. I did read and research before moving. Not too many people actually talk about this subject before they get here, which is a shame, ( but almost EVERYONE does when you are actually out there with your pup) as i read there weren't too many dog friendly places, or dog parks, or as many pet dogs etc, so I understood the attitudes may be less tolerant, but no one actually wrote, omg people DON'T like dogs here, they will avoid you etc etc. I am learning how to cope, this is not my country, im a visitor, expats aren't universally loved here, let alone their dogs, i get all that...but i have a 6 year old pet I love and a 10 year old who adores her, and I took the chance. What I was saying is that I was and continue to be surprised at the intensity of the hatred and poor attitude toward dogs. Thats ok. Thats my opinion. I try to be thoughtful and keep her on leash and close by and do all the right things, if kids are at all interested in meeting her (and some are, because its not everyone) i get her to sit and let them meet her, etc. I am not a child hater!! I have one of my own, i understand fears and nowadays irrational fears too, but Overall, I hope the post might help other people looking for
information on bringing their beloved pets here. Thanks for all the input. Peace and doggy kisses to all.

[carteki]

Wow, once again, I am amazed that even in here, on a chat board, people are so opinionated and quick to judge.

We're all humans and we don't change our colours just because we're communicating using IT.

(PS Just because they don't agree with you doesn't mean they're judging. Perhaps you need to be a bit more open minded not judge them?)[/b]

[movingtospore]

Remember that the locals themselves do not behave like you do when they own dogs. They don't necessarily keep them on a leash, hold them back when they go up to children, etc. In our old building there was a family with this yappy little ankle biter who would terrorize my kids, and then would never hold the dog back or try to control her. So, people may be reacting to how they expect your dog (and you) to behave based on experience with other dog-owners here.

[boffenl]

Wow movingtosingapore, do we live in the same building? One dog was so vicious in trying to reach my daughter it tore the skin off it's owners hand. My daughter is now terrified of dogs--it didn't help that my husband was bitten by a dog that came out of the elevator--not on a leash--and jumped up on him and bit his thigh. WTH!

I think the original posted is very much in the minority--when I see large dogs they're 98% of the time being walked by maids. The little dogs which are HDB approved are coddled to an inch of death or otherwise treated like guard dogs.

I do feel like the experience may have broken my kid too. She wants a cat.

[fallraen]

hey, i'm a local. i totally know how you feel because i get the same reactions from other locals when i'm out walking my dog (big black labrador). my poor dog is friendly to everyone but when the my fellow country mates see him they give me dirty looks and i feel so sad for my dog because he has done nothing but to mind his own business. to make things worst, sometimes i hear them say "wa black dog", which makes me wonder if white dogs are friendlier. why the colour discrimination with my dog?

i also hate it when some crazy parents tell their kids, "don't touch, so dirty" or "don't go near, it will bite you". are you serious??? how is my dog so dirty? and why in heavens name will it bite the kid. why do you want to teach your kid to be dog-phobic? i can't understand this behaviour myself. it really seems to me that my other fellow country mates have alot to learn about pets in general

[nutnut]

hey, i'm a local. i totally know how you feel because i get the same reactions from other locals when i'm out walking my dog (big black labrador). my poor dog is friendly to everyone but when the my fellow country mates see him they give me dirty looks and i feel so sad for my dog because he has done nothing but to mind his own business. to make things worst, sometimes i hear them say "wa black dog", which makes me wonder if white dogs are friendlier. why the colour discrimination with my dog?

i also hate it when some crazy parents tell their kids, "don't touch, so dirty" or "don't go near, it will bite you". are you serious??? how is my dog so dirty? and why in heavens name will it bite the kid. why do you want to teach your kid to be dog-phobic? i can't understand this behaviour myself. it really seems to me that my other fellow country mates have alot to learn about pets in general

When I was a kid, we never had a dog, my parents always said two things that I passed on to my kids.

1. The dog's tongue is his flanel - it's not clean (i.e. it licks it's own backsides etc)

2. Always be wary of dogs, they may bite you, always ask the owner if they are friendly.

There is nothing wrong with caution when coming across a new creature, in the UK where I am from there was a number of attacks on people from dangerous dogs that were trained badly. Most of the breeds are banned in Singapore, but still a dog is a dog.

[sundaymorningstaple]

1. The dog's tongue is his flanel - it's not clean (i.e. it licks it's own backsides etc)

Yeah, lots of parents are guilty of spreading mis-information to their kids.

A dog's saliva is filled with good enzymes. That's why dogs "lick their wounds" in order to heal faster. If a dog licks your wounds, you will actually heal faster. They know this and that's why they automatically will lick your wounds without being asked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_licking

[nutnut]

1. The dog's tongue is his flanel - it's not clean (i.e. it licks it's own backsides etc)

Yeah, lots of parents are guilty of spreading mis-information to their kids.

A dog's saliva is filled with good enzymes. That's why dogs "lick their wounds" in order to heal faster. If a dog licks your wounds, you will actually heal faster. They know this and that's why they automatically will lick your wounds without being asked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_licking

Fair point! Parents can't be right about everything SMS! Although, I won't be running out and telling my kids to let dogs lick their faces! it doesn't matter how many good enzymes you have, if a dog has been at it's own poop then I don't want it's tongue near me

[sundaymorningstaple]

My parents gave me a lot of false information as well, but not about dogs. We actually raised Corgi's (Cardigans) for the ring and obedience trials. But lot's of other stuff to try to keep us in line. Didn't work worth a crap though....

[nutnut]

Hey! I still love them for it! Maybe that's why I do the same?

[mummy mantras]

I read there weren't too many dog friendly places, or dog parks, or as many pet dogs etc, so I understood the attitudes may be less tolerant, but no one actually wrote, omg people DON'T like dogs here, they will avoid you etc etc. I am learning how to cope, this is not my country, im a visitor, expats aren't universally loved here, let alone their dogs, i get all that...but i have a 6 year old pet I love and a 10 year old who adores her, and I took the chance. What I was saying is that I was and continue to be surprised at the intensity of the hatred and poor attitude toward dogs.

Wow, Robnc, where do you live?

I've honestly never encountered such behaviour in Singapore and neither has my husband. He's Singaporean and he used to have a dog when he was younger (who died of old age shortly before we were married) and he never had people shying away from him or running away screaming when he was out with his dog.

Admittedly, he complained incessantly about trying to get around with his dog. Taxi drivers would refuse to pick him up (not because they themselves necessarily disliked dogs, but because they were afraid of offending any potential future customers). So, he was strongly motivated to get his first car at 18 - a rust-bucket in a hideous shade of green that barely moved, but was enough for him to get Davy, his dog, around!

But in my neighbourhood, there are lots of people with dogs. So much so that cute dog-shaped signs started sprouting all over the place a while back, that say things like "Thanks for picking up my poo. Now, give yourself a pat!" and stuff like that. And the nearby park has an enclosed dog run too that I see lots of people use daily.