Ultimately, I think it's a matter of perspective, sphere of reference and of 'reap what you sow.' Many people get joy from their dogs in different ways and do dog ownership differently. They expect and require different behavior. I think the major problem with the 'average' pet owner is simply they don't know what they don't know.
For example, I know a young man who proudly told me a week ago his family bought a german shepherd puppy. They bought her from a pet store, she has mites and kennel cough. This poor animal is obviously puppy mill bred and will probably develop more severe genetic and behavioral issues as time goes on. They have had GSD before. Apparently you need to watch out for the all black ones, they are crazy, and will jump and bark at your fence all day long like wild animals. Will they be disappointed in their pup? No, I think not. They have no training aspirations and to them, health and behavioral issues are the norm. Just a part of dog ownership. Is that very sad they don't know any better? Perhaps, but ignorance is bliss and they get great joy out of their dogs.
The problem becomes when people are unprepared or have incorrect pre-conceived notions. i.e. they expect a calm, well behaved animal and get a fear aggressive whirlwind who can't settle.
In my experience, dog owners fall into 3 general (read general, obviously there is huge variation) categories, your milage may very.
1) Hard core dog owner who is involved in some sort of sport like agility or SAR and dogs are a major hobby for them. They know a lot about dogs. They are your 'advanced' dog owners whose knowledge of canines--outside of medical/surgical practice--usually surpasses that of their local vets. They could probably teach their own basic obedience classes to your 'average' pet owner and blow them away with their knowledge, even though they are students themselves under the tutelage of experience sport instructors.
2) Your average GOOD dog owner. Has dogs as pets and family members. Takes them on vacation. Does basic training like sit and stay. Keeps them up to date on vet care. Might a) get a dog from a repuatable breeder or b) get a dog from a nice back yard breeder family who doesn't have a huge operation but wanted the kids to see the 'miracle of life' and it's their family dog's pups in the paper, or c) maybe they rescue. Usually says 'my dog is friendly' as fido runs up to great your dog, but that is usually ok because, unless they encounter you, the 'advanced' dog owner, that other dog is also owned by a 'good' owner and they dogs will probably play just fine happily unaware of the the potential risks. They don't care about handler focus or raw feeding. They feed brand food like Eukenuba or maybe Blue Buffalo if they read ingredients lists. They grew up with dogs and just expect eventual health problems to arise or 'imperfect' behavioral flaws that are dealt with and seen as charming quirks. Their dogs are loved, a bit overweight, and have a very happy, good life a family pets.
3) The BAD and/or NAIVE owners. Usually first time owners or serial bad dog owners. Get a dog from a pet store or questionable byb operation. See dogs on tv and are woefully unprepared for the commitment and 'inconvenience' of a puppy/dog. Wanted the dog because it looked cool and like the idea of the dog more than the actual animal. Don't view dogs as family members but as pets only. Do limited to no research regarding dog ownership. Make a half-hearted attempt at potty training and the sit command before loosing interest and can't understand why the dog doesn't just get it. Might keep the dog for it's life and just let it be a nuisance or might dump dog at a shelter to become 'someone else's problem.'
Today, there is less of an excuse of not having knowledge because we have the internet. However, if you don't know the right questions to ask you can still find yourself talking in circles.
For the AVERAGE dog owner who hangs out with other average dog owners, I think they do just fine with their decently behaved fur babies on Science Diet that give slobbery kisses and jump up on (slightly annoyed) company. It's when these dog owners encounter 'advanced' dog owners who have higher requirements of their pets and expectations of behavior that I think friction develops.
No, the 'average' dog person I think is mostly fine. Yes, it would be a huge improvement to move these folks away from byb and into acquiring pets from rescue or decent breeders. Fido plays with Lucky at the dog park and on the family trip to the lake, occasionally barks at squirrels and chews up a pillow and gets an exasperated sigh from mom and dad but hey, that's just what dogs do right? It's the actual bad dog owners who are simply too inconvenienced to do even the basics that are the cause of I would guess the majority of dogs in shelters.