Redditor Asks If It's Wrong For Failing To Hide How Disgusted They Are Of Their Friend's Dog Breed
A 28-year-old woman refused to pretend she wasn’t grossed out when her friend’s dog walked into the room, and that little honesty bomb turned into a whole Reddit debate. The OP isn’t trying to be cruel, she says, but she can’t shake the feeling that her friend’s specific breed is just… wrong for her senses.
Here’s the messy part, the dog is living and lovable in theory, but in practice it’s the crusty eyes, the jumping, and the constant reminder that the OP’s “effort” has limits. To make it worse, her friend expects the OP to act sincere, while the OP feels like they’re already compromising by not going all-in on the dog moments. Even the basic setup gets tense, Sugar has to leave the room when the OP comes over, and that’s where the line starts to feel unfair.
Now the question is whether the OP’s disgust makes her a villain, or just someone with a very weird house rule.
The title
They are living beings and they deserve love, but they just gross the OP out so badly.
The OP doesn’t think it sounds sincere, but they feel like they're making an effort
Disgust is not merely a fleeting feeling but a complex emotion intertwined with psychological and cultural factors.
He doesn’t think it’s fair that Sugar has to leave his room when the OP comes over
The comments start rolling in fast, and Redditors immediately blame the dog’s “crusty eyes” on the friend, not the OP.
In this story, the OP only dislikes certain breeds of dogs, and that is what Redditors tackled. Below are some of their comments.
The crusty eyes are your friend's fault
It can't go around jumping on people
Studies in emotional psychology indicate that feelings of disgust are often tied to moral judgments and personal values. When a person states they find a particular breed 'gross,' it can reflect their underlying beliefs about that breed's behavior or treatment in society. Consequently, addressing these feelings requires a careful examination of one's biases and assumptions about animals.
You are allowed to have your own likes and dislikes
It's not as if you're demanding
It is really his lack of dog training
Then someone points out the dog can’t be allowed to go around jumping on people, which is exactly what happens when Sugar is around.
Reframing Perspectives on Animal Breeds
To mitigate feelings of disgust, individuals can benefit from exposure to positive narratives and experiences related to the breeds they find off-putting. For example, volunteering at shelters or engaging with responsible breed-specific communities can help foster empathy and understanding. Research suggests that exposure to positive experiences can reshape negative perceptions and lead to increased emotional tolerance.
Additionally, educational resources that emphasize the importance of responsible breeding and training can help shift perspectives toward more compassionate views.
This is similar to the guy who refused entry to his friend’s girlfriend’s service dog and sparked a heated argument.
This Redditor knows a lot of people who have a problem with pets
This is easy to explain to your friend
This Redditor is telling the OP what to say
Moreover, understanding the psychological principle of cognitive dissonance can play a crucial role in addressing these feelings. When one's values about animal welfare conflict with feelings of disgust towards certain breeds, it creates discomfort. By actively working to resolve this dissonance—such as focusing on the dog's individual temperament rather than breed stereotypes—individuals can find a more harmonious perspective.
That would annoy this Redditor too
You are actually being considerate
The dog doesn't care what you think about it
That’s when the thread shifts from “your feelings are valid” to “it’s probably the training,” because Sugar’s behavior is doing all the talking.
Developing Emotional Flexibility
Practicing emotional flexibility involves recognizing and adjusting our responses to our feelings.
There are dogs with extra disgusting features
Not everyone is going to love an ill-trained dog
He needs to train his dog
The dog is obviously a sweet dog
Dogs eat weird things and lick themselves
I'm not comfortable with dogs trying to lick me
It's a pretty normal part of dog ownership
You are disgusted by them nevertheless
He can tell by the faces the OP makes
By the time the OP argues that it’s not a demand and her friend already knows the deal, everyone’s stuck on the same conflict, Sugar gets banished from the room for the OP’s comfort.
While experiencing disgust has been shown to have advantages, it can also be harmful. Unfortunately, most societies promote avoiding particular groups of people because they are viewed as physically or morally repulsive.
This can serve as a catalyst for dehumanizing and degrading other people. Share your thoughts about this story below.
The discussion surrounding the Redditor's feelings of disgust towards their friend's dog breed underscores the complex interplay between personal experiences and societal narratives. The article highlights how emotional responses, particularly disgust, can be deeply rooted in cultural perceptions of certain breeds. This notion is crucial as it suggests that the feelings of repulsion are not merely instinctive but can be influenced by learned attitudes and societal norms. By encouraging a shift towards empathy and understanding, individuals may begin to challenge their preconceived notions about animals. This could pave the way for a more compassionate viewpoint, ultimately benefiting both human-animal relationships and the broader community.
He might be stuck wondering if he’s the problem, while Sugar is stuck paying the price for one awkward visit.
Wait, it gets worse, read how a man banned his friend over a diabetic alert dog’s shedding.
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