I have always thought that there is something strange about people who don’t like dogs. As a loyal lover of these four-legged friends, it seems crazy to me that someone doesn’t feel the same connection with them as I do.

Precisely to overcome this prejudice with information, I have consulted the psychologist Olga Albaladejo, who explains for this magazine what does it meanfrom the point of view of his specialty, that a person does not like dogs.

And, although we lovers of these animals think that they are completely irresistible, There are reasonable explanations for this lack of connection with dogs.. This is how the psychologist explained it to us.

Dogs? No, thanks

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Far from what one might imagine, Olga Albaladejo makes it very clear to us from the beginning that the fact that «you don’t like dogs does not automatically mean that you are ‘cold’ or ‘unfriendly’.» In fact, it can be explained with something as simple as having had previous negative experiencessuch as bites or scares in childhood. Or, as the expert explains, “you have a more reserved attachment style or, simply, you are hypersensitive to the barking or unpredictable movements of animals.”

All this can makewithout any lack of empathyyou simply find it overwhelming to be around a dog.

“There are also those who do not have time or energy for the walking and care routines that a dog requires,” says the expert. Not to mention that “in psychologyspecific phobias towards animals are commonand dogs are usually among the most mentioned.”

In short, the psychologist explains, “That someone does not want to live with dogs can be due to multiple factors.” and it does not have to reveal any emotional deficiency.

Like dogs and cats

iStockPhoro.Gennadiy Kravchenko

Having discarded the antipathy and suspicion that these people can cause us, the psychologist explains to us that, with nuances, it is true that there are some personality traits associated with those who do not like dogs.

“A classic study by Gosling, Rentfrow and Swann (2003, Journal of Research in Personality) found that those who prefer dogs tend to be more extroverted and pleasant, while those who identify more with cats score higher in independence and creativity. But this does not mean that those who do not prefer dogs lack this ability.”

Despite everything, Albaladejo continues, in consultation he observes “different profiles” who do not like dogs.

• Structured and self-demandingwho prefer predictable environments and perceive a dog as too chaotic.
• Avoidantswho feel invaded by the emotional intensity of the animal.
• Sensory or neurodivergentfor whom noise, hair or movement are uncomfortable.

Empathy and loyalty: the dog’s specialty

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Those of us who live with dogs know that His loyalty is unmatched.and who, within the animal world, stand out for their impressive ability to “understand” the emotions of their masters. In its own way, basic and animal, They are very empathetic. That is why, perhaps, we tend to distrust those who do not see their nobility.

But this certainly should not worry us. About not trusting those who don’t love dogs, says Albaladejo, “It is a widespread myth, but unfair. «Empathy and trustworthiness are built in human relationships, not in affinity with an animal species.»

«This prejudice can be painful for people with severe allergies, childhood trauma or phobias. I remember a patient who felt socially judged for not being able to approach dogs, which added unnecessary emotional burden.»

Far from judging others for this lack of connection, we should worry about why it is. “It is true that loving dogs is associated with more open and socially expressive people, but the absence of that affinity does not make anyone a ‘suspect’‘”.

In fact, remembers the psychologist, “empathy can be expressed in many ways: towards animals, towards people, towards art or nature.”

In this sense, the context of the person also plays a key role. «In assisted therapies, for example, dogs usually facilitate emotional connection, but it does not always work the same way. My sister, a geriatrician, told me that sometimes these interventions fail with people from the countryside: for them, a dog has been a work animal, not a pampering animal, and they do not understand this new function of ‘emotional pet’. This shows to what extent Cultural and generational context shapes our relationship with animals”recalls the expert.

Furthermore, his clinical experience shows him that this myth is absolutely false. “I have seen deeply empathetic people who don’t connect with dogsbut who dedicate their care to family members, social projects or nature,” concludes Albaladejo, debunking this old myth once and for all.

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